Conference Minutes

Olive Green, Oct. 17, 1842.

The Sunbury branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, met in conference at the house of brother Festus Sprague, Elder John P. Green was called to the chair, elders Alexander Badlam and Henry Kempton as clerks, by the request of elder Lyman Wight, vote unanimous. Prayer was offered up by brother J. P. Green, who made known the object of the conference, and the mission of the elders abroad, at this time; calling on the saints to step forth and obey the commandments of the Lord, by building the Temple, and the Nauvoo House, which would be done by the gathering of the saints, and the tithings and consecrations of the Lord's people.

Elder Wight then arose to instruct the saints concerning their present situation, showing that brotherly love and kindness should exist among us, which would make us that we cauld [could] not bear to hear of the sufferings of our brethren, and not be willing to share with them in their sufferings, as well as in prosperity, and shew [show] our love by putting forth the helping hand; be told the brethren plainly that all excuses were in vain, and if the saints would go forth to the place appointed, and talk no more of staying behind, to help the travelling [traveling] elders as they pass through, there will be no danger but the elders will be well supplied; it being the duty of the churches to lay hold with their might in assisting in the great and glorious work of building up the city of Nauvoo. Plainly setting forth without hypocrisy or deception, saying to the brethren, if you are disposed to keep the commandments of God, you will consider no sacrifice too great, when you see what your brethren have passed through; for if you expect to reign with them in glory, you must expect to participate with them here; for it should be remembered that all the persecution that has been suffered has been in consequence of the scattered situation of the church, which has made some of them an easy prey to the adversary of all souls. He further stated that the gathering was necessary for the building of the houses-for the relief of the poor-and salvation of the church; and he set forth the principle of economy in it so plain that it could not be misunderstood; and also declared that there was no other man who could have devised such a scheme of economy, for both the rich and the poor, but Joseph Smith, who is our prophet and seer. Brother Wight declared himself able and willing to prove the character of Joseph Smith to be more meek more humble, chaste, and virtuous-better qualified to fill his mission,

which is to usher in the fullness of all dispensations, and gather the house of Israel, than any prophet from Moses to Malachi. He also challenged the world to bring on their champion and he was ready to meet him.

The expression of the conference was then called with regard to their having entire confidence and fellowship in Joseph Smith, as a prophet gnd [and] seer, which was manifested by uplifted hands, without one dissenting voice,-We find the brethren here perfectly sound in the faith, and are willing to do all they can.-Some have manifested their faith by their works, and have contributed for the houses in such things as the brethren in Nauvoo want, such as clothing, shoes, &c. which will be sent on by brother Henry Kempton soon; and as soon as they can dispose of their property they will do every thing that can be desired, both in buying Nauvoo stock, and for the Temple.

Tuesday evening, met at elder H. Kempton's, and ordained four elders, This branch consists of forty one members, including five elders, two priests, and one teacher. Here brother Green left us, and went through Huron county; he arrived at Kirtland Tuesday morning, 25th Oct. and we arrived the same day. The day that brother Green left us we went ten miles, to the house of Mr. Smith, a man who had made no profession of religion of any kind, who obtained the house of the New Lights, in that place, for preaching: we held a meeting, and stopped with him through the night. In the morning he proposed to let brother Wight take his grist and saw mill apparatus which consists of an engine of thirty horse power, boilers, and two run of burrs, four feet each, of a superior quality, of which he gives one half for delivering on the bank of the Mississippi, at Nauvoo. The property is considered worth not less than two thousand five hundred dollars. When there a committee was appointed, of the last mentioned branch, to either build or buy a boat sufficient to carry the mill and about one hundred persons, who will all be ready to start from that place by the first of May next. Mr. Smith then said if he should die before we returned, he requested that the mill should not only be taken, but his family also; for it was his desire that they should be raised among a christian people, and not among heathen; they were as anxious to go as he was to have them go.-His oldest daughter said that she had always wanted to go to Nauvoo ever since she had heard there was a Nauvoo. We then made on our way to New Portage, where we found about fifteen brethren and sisters; here we preached to them on Sunday; they are calculating on going up in the spring. Form there we went on through Franklin, where we found a small branch, built up by elders Shirtleff and Eldredge; these are talking of going up soon.-From this we came on to Kirtland: here brother H. P. Green informed us that while he was absent from us, passing through Huron county, he stopped at a temperance house, where, after making himself known, he was politely invited to preach on Sunday, the Presbyterian meeting house; which circumstance proved to be one of the anomalies of this generation; he preached on Saturday night to a few persons-the minister, Mr. White, was present. On Sabbath morning at an early hour the house was crowded with people. Mr. White wished to know what course he should pursue, and then stated what he desired, which was to hear what was the faith of the Mormons, and wherein they differed from the popular sects of the day.-Brother Green assented to his proposition: he then arose and presented to the congregation the object, and called for an expression of the people to know if they would hear him, Mr. White, in his ordinary way, or hear the stranger; upon which a unanimous vote was given for the stranger, who then presented unto them the scriptures of the Old and New Testament as being full of prophets, prophesyings, and revelations to be fulfilled in the last days, which are the days of this generation, and proposed to show from the scriptures that these things will be literally fulfilled, and then read the 11th chapter of Isaiah, showing by it that the Lord established his kingdom upon the earth when the root of Jesse stood for an ensign for the people in his day, at Jerusalem; also showing that God would at another distinct period, and at another day, set his hand to restore the kingdom unto Israel; and in that day God would set up an ensign to the nations, which ensign should accomplish the great and glorious work of restoration promised unto the house of Israel. Elder Green showed the difference between the two ensigns so plain, that no person need be mistaken or blend them together-searching the prophets from Moses to John the Revelater; showing in a very clear and satisfactory light, that something like unto the Book of Mormon, and the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, must certainly come forth, or the prophets must fail. He then bore the testimony of the Lord unto them that God had now set his hand to accomplish the same, and had called Joseph Smith to be a Prophet and Seer unto this generation; and warned all men both professors and non professors to search the scriptures with the prayer of faith; to hold fast all

the good that they had got; assuring them that there would be false christs, false prophets, and teachers, who would bring in damnable heresies, and showed them that no man need be deceived, as God would impart of his spirit unto all who would receive it. Elder Green also told them that he condemned no man-neither did he sit in judgment on any man: but manifested that charity unto them that is always becoming in a seraant [servant] of the Most High, in order that all men may be left without excuse, and that it may never be said that good is evil spoken of, by the elders in Israel. We left the people with very serious and favorable impressions; having destroyed much prejudice by the light which was reflected.

Kirtland, Oct. 26, 1842.

This evening brother Green preached in the Temple, from the 12th chapter of Revelations, more particularly on the subject of accusing the brethren, to a very attentive congregation; he recommended that the brethren should never be found accusing one another, but to cast out the accuser and thrust him down, and love in peace and union, and enjoy the spirit of God. He also preached a funeral sermon on Sunday afternoon, to a large number of persons, and set forth the doctrine of the resurrection-the reign of Christ on the earth-and the beauty of becoming obedient to the gospel: as neither the deceased nor the mourners had yet become obedient. Brother Green also spoke at intervals, bore testimony, and counselled [counseled] the chairman throughout the conference, approving in all cases the proceedings of effecting [effecting] a union assisted in the ordinance of baptizing, ordaining, confirming, blessing children, &c.

We shall not be willing to return, as the Lord said to Lyman and Parley, to return not without one hundred; but we shall not be willing to return short of what Joseph said on the stand-with our thousands and tens of thousands.-With grist mills, saw mills, carding machines, factories, foundries, merchandize [merchandise], cattle, sheep, and horses; and in short, the fulness [fullness] of the Gentiles. There never has been the time when the gospel could be preached with the same case and influence as at the present time.

LYMAN WIGHT.

ALEXANDER BADLAM, Clerk.

Kirtland, October 28, 1842.

A meeting was held this day, in the house of the Lord. Brother Lyman Wight having commenced the subject of what it required to save an individual, and having addressed the people on the principles of faith, repentance, and baptism for the remission of sins, the two evening previous, he again resumed the subject and read the 13th chapter of 1st Corinthians. The doctrines of the saints were held up to view in so positive, plain, and convincing a manner that all the congregation seemed not only well satisfied but very much astonished at the thing which they had heard. Only about seventy five were present; but in the afternoon one hundred and fifty persons came into the Temple with cheerful countenances, while elder Wight, by the power of the spirit of God launched forth into a boundless theme of intelligence, while the doctrines of charity, baptism for the dead, and responsibility of connections were so clearly taught that no one could be misguided by his remarks. At the close of the meeting an appointment was given out for baptising [baptizing] the next morning at 7 o'clock., in the waters of Shagrin river. [river].

As the appointed time a great number of persons assembled, not only to witness this very delightful and soul reviving spectacle of humble obedience to the ordinance of baptism, but to become partakers in the joys which flow from cheerful obedience to the commandments of God. The sight was sublime and affecting; to behold both old and young flocking together and pressing forward to the liquid stream, so celebrated as a place of baptism by the Latter day Saints. After this service was concluded the whole congregation repaired to the Temp;e, where from five to seven hundred persons were soon assembled, to hear the instructions of elder Wight, which were in strict accordance with the propositions he had previously made; in which the doctrines of babtism [baptism], charity, &c. were set forth in so clear and plain a manner that every heart was made glad. In the evening the church again met and were instructed by brother Wight, after which the brethren, one after another arose, and so great were the manifestations of the spirit to the congregation, and so clear the evidence and testimony to every soul, that it seemed almost impossible to bring the meeting to a close without curtailing many in the privilege of bringing in a testimony concerning the blessings received by complying with the requirements of heaven; and by giving heed to the instructions of those whom God had sent to this meeting. In consequence of the uncommon degree of intelligence and power manifested it was more like those meetings enjoyed in times past, in the house of the Lord. than any since the church removed to the west. The next morning we again went to the water and many more came forward, some of whom were not baptised [baptized] before; after this we went again to the Temple, where the conference sat

agreeable to previous appointment, Oct. 31, 1842. Elder Lyman Wight was called to the chair; elders John Morton and A. Badlam, clerks of the conference. Elder Wight arose and instructed the church concerning the manner of dealing one with another; showing the brethren the great impropriety of attempting to set in judgment upon each other; but rather cast the mantle of charity over, and extend the hand of friendship to all. Conference then adjourned until two o'clock in the afternoon.

Brother Wight spoke concerning the organization of the church in this place, and gave it as his opinion that it would not be necessary to orgagize [organize] as a stake, but remain for further instructions from President Joseph Smith, as a branch; to which the church cheerfully agreed unanimously. Accordingly Lester Brooks was chosen president, elders John Youngs, and Hiram Kellogg counsellors [counselors] John Morton clerk of the church, and Thomas Burdick bishop, as before, with the right to choose his own counsellors [counselors]. It was then by a unanimous voice agreed upon, that this branch shall hold intercourse and communion with brother Joseph Smith, from time to time, as circumstances may require. The vote was then called to know how many present were willing to acknowledge President Joseph Smith as a prophet, revelator, and seer, when there was not one dissenting voice; all agreed to it cheerfully, with cheerful hearts and noble souls, (thanks be to God for brotherly kindness.) Twenty eight elders were then ordained, and the conference adjourned until the next day at 10 o'clock.

It being the first day of November, elder Wight then read the third chapter of 2d Corinthians, after which he set forth the difference between the letter and the spirit., showing that the Jews as well as this generation wore a [veil] of darkness over their faces and hearts; but their minds were blinded, for until this day remaineth the same vail [veil] untaken away, in the reading of the Old Testament; which vail [veil] is done away in Christ; consequently all who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, "with open face, behold as in a glass the glory of the Lord; and are changed into the same image, from glory to glory;" and being possessed of this blessing will no doubt be willing to admit of modern revelations. The conference adjourned at five o'clock, until the sixth day of April next.

Through the scene of this conference two hundred and three persons were baptised [baptized], and thirty elders ordained; eighteen children blessed; bread and wine administered to between two and three hundred, in full fellowship. We are now holding meetings every night, and shall do so as long as there is from three to ten coming forward a day, which is now the case. The people are preparing to come from Painesville, Cleveland, Chardon, and all the regions of country round about. We have no raason [reason] to doubt but that a great work will be done here, if the brethren in Nauvoo give us their prayers; for the brethren here truly give you theirs; for they are truly with you both heart and hand, in all things, and there will be much done here for both houses. Some who had entirely relaxed their intentions to do any thing, have concluded to go as high as a hundred dollars; and others would willingly give all they have if required. One woman, who at the commencement of the conference declared herself good enough without re-baptism, has now come forward before the close and says that she would go to the Rocky Mountains if Joseph said so; and in fine, we are now in the midst of glory, and glorious times, and care not if it never ends. Amen, and amen.

LYMAN WIGHT, JOHN P. GREEN. ALEXANDER BADLAM, Clerk, Attest-D. H. BRYANT