--- title: Times and Seasons description: Issues of 1844 to 1845. authors: - Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints editors: - Ebenezer Robinson - Don Carlos Smith - Smith, Joseph, Jr. - Taylor, John collections: - periodicals tags: - newspaper - times-and-seasons - nauvoo - nineteenth-century periodical: Times and Seasons volume: 5 number: 20 published: 1844-11-01 publisher: E. Robinson and D. C. Smith; later John Taylor publisher_place: Commerce and Nauvoo, Illinois language: en type: article reference: "“Minutes of a Conference in Philadelphia,” *Times and Seasons* 5, no. 20 (November 1, 1844): 700–702." printed_title: MINUTES OF A CONFERENCE IN PHILADELPHIA. source: url: https://archive.org/details/per_utah-and-the-mormons_times-and-seasons_1844-11-01_5_20 transcription: Text from the Centerplace.org transcription (https://www.centerplace.org/history/ts/v5n20.htm), with its page breaks; this Internet Archive scan is the reference copy (its OCR was used only as a witness for OCR repair) identifier: per_utah-and-the-mormons_times-and-seasons_1844-11-01_5_20 start_page: 700 end_page: 702 curator_note: A Mormon newspaper published by the church in Nauvoo; included for historical study. Inclusion does not imply endorsement. rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1844 (Nauvoo, Illinois); published before 1931, so public domain in the United States source: https://archive.org/details/per_utah-and-the-mormons_times-and-seasons_1844-11-01_5_20 publication_year: 1844 --- # Minutes of a Conference in Philadelphia Pursuant to public notice a conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was held in the city of Philadelphia on Saturday and Sunday, August 31st and September 1st, 1844. There were present official members, Quorum of the Twelve, one; high priests, two; elders, 20; priests, five, teachers, three. Elder William Smith of the quorum of the Twelve, with uplifted hands was chosen president of said conference, and Elder W. I. Appleby chosen clerk. Conference opened at half past 10, A. M. by singing a hymn, after which followed a spirited address (dictated by the spirit of holy zeal) by the president, on the subject of dissensions and divisions in the church, the spirit of persecution and of casting reflections upon the authorities God has chosen to be his special witnesses of the gospel of his Son to the nations of the earth, as has been revealed in its fulness [fullness] in these last days by the administration of holy angels, bearing to earth truth's unfading laurels. Prayer was then offered up to the throne of grace, by the president. Elder Grant then stated what business would most probably be brought before the conference. Adjourned till 2 o'clock, P.M. Two P. M. Conference met-opened by singing a hymn and prayer, by the President. Sung a hymn. The president then stated conference was ready to receive any necessary business that should be brought before it. Whereupon, it was then Motioned and seconded, that brother E. Marshall be ordained a priest. Motioned and seconded, that brother John Ewings be ordained a priest. Motioned and seconded, that brother N. B. Helverson be ordained an elder. President Smith addressed the elders and priests present, that have the privilege, on the importance of travelling [traveling] to preach the gospel, magnifying their calling, honoring the priesthood and bearing testimony to the glorious truths that Israel's God has revealed unto his people. Also on charity that the saints of God ought to abound with. After which he took occasion to reprove Elder B. Winchester for his course against the quorum of the Twelve, in New York, Philadelphia and other places; Elder Winchester arose before the church and stated that the quorum had slandered him, had taken his license, that he had spent four hundred dollars in going and returning from Nauvoo and other places, to answer to charges prefered [preferred] against him, and that the Twelve had never explained the reason why he was suspended; and many other charges too ridiculous to mention. He states as reasons that he will not sustain the authorities of the church, or go out to preach the gospel. A call was then made by the president for all the elders present residing in Philadelphia, who were willing to travel and preach the gospel, to signify the same by rising upon their feet.-Whereupon, four arose. Motioned and seconded, that brother Tross be ordained a teacher. Motioned and seconded, that brother G. Clarke be ordained to the office of a deacon. Motioned and seconded, that brother J. P. Smith be ordained a teacher. After the ordination of the several officers, a call was made for the representation of the different branches in New Jersey. Whereupon Elder Appleby represented the branch at Recklesstown, Burlington county, consisting of 30 members, including two elders, one priest, one deacon; twelve members having removed away. Also, a branch at Bordentown consisting of 12 members, including 1 elder and one priest.-Two having removed away. New Trenton, five members, not yet organized, none others from Jersey represented. Elder Grant then represented the branch in Philadelphia amounting to 334 members, including officers. The standing of many members not fully known. A call was then made by the president for all the elders and official members present that were willing to uphold the Twelve in their calling and authority by their faith and prayers, to signify the same by rising upon their feet.-Whereupon all present arose, except Elders Winchester, Wharton and McLane. Conference then adjourned until 8 o'clock in the evening. Opened in the evening by singing a hymn and a petition to the throne of grace, by Elder Grant. Sung a hymn. Elder Grant then stated that the next business under consideration, was, the building of the Temple of the most high God at Nauvoo, which was to be built by the tithing of the saints, and that it is the imperative duty of every saint of God to aid and forward as much means as were in their power for the completion of the same, that the saints may receive the blessings which God has in reserve for his people, at the completion of the Temple, and called upon the saints in Philadelphia and elsewhere to aid and assist their brethren at Nauvoo, who are struggling against persecution, penury and nearly every other impediment to complete the Temple of Israel's God. Whereupon, it was Motioned and seconded, that Elder Grant be appointed as trustee, to receive donations from the saints, and forward the same to Nauvoo for the building of the Temple. Carried. On motion it was Resolved, That members of this church who absent themselves in general from the church and communion table, are not considered members in good standing in the church. Conference then adjourned by a benediction of the president, until Sabbath morning at 10 o'clock. Sabbath, 10 A. M.-Conference met, sung a hymn. Prayer by Elder Appleby. After which, a spirited discourse was delivered by Elder Grant, from Matt, vi. chapter, 3d verse. Sung a hymn, and adjourned until half past 2, P. M. Afternoon. Met; opened with singing a hymn and prayer, by Elder Grant. Elder Horner then addressed the congregation on the subject of the gift and blessings of the spirit, and the privileges of the saints. After which, communion was administered by Elders Grant and Appleby. Conference then adjourned until half past 7 o'clock, in the evening. Met in the evening and opened by singing a hymn, and prayer by the president. After which, Elder Appleby delivered a convincing and moving discourse from 1st Epis. Cor. xv; 22 23:-showing the joy and glory there is in store for those who have obeyed the gospel and held out to the end;-beginning at the fall of Adam, and in the consequence of it, how redeemed by Christ, the order of the saints coming forth, their reign on the earth, the last resurrection, judgment of the wicked, the new heaven and earth where sighs, tears, and moaning shall have an end, and nought [naught] but peace and unadulterated joy be the blessings of the saints forever and ever. Sung a hymn. Conference dismissed by a benediction of the president, asking God the eternal Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, to let his blessings attend his people, and guide and protect them with his almighty hand. At the close of the conference, Elder Appleby was ordained to the office of high priest, under the hands of President Smith; Peter Hess, high priest, and Elder Horner. Adjourned. WM. SMITH, Pres. W. I. APPLEBY, Sec'ry. St. Louis, September 29, 1844. A Special Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, held in the city of St. Louis,-Brother Riley in the chair; the meeting was opened with singing; Brother Read addressed the throne of grace. It was voted, that a committee be appointed to district the city, so that the priests and teachers may the more conveniently attend to their duty; and that the poor and sick may be attended to; and that all things may be done in order. Voted, that this committee be appointed by a council meeting. Voted that a committee of three be appointed to wait on the landlord of the room over Liberty Hall, and ascertain if it can be obtained for preaching. Voted, that Brother Clemens, Quamby and Rogers act as that committee. A letter was received from Brother Small declaring his firm conviction, according to the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, that Sidney Rigdon was the only man to lead this church, since the death of Brother Joseph, and by it he was willing to stand or fall; the letter was read by Brother Riley, after which the trial of Sidney Rigdon was read before the church, and then Brother Riley addressed the meeting at some length: there was then an expression of the meeting called for by Brother Riley, to ascertain how the branch stood as regards the Twelve; the vote was nearly unanimous, only four hands being raised for Sidney Rigdon. After singing and a benediction by Brother Riley, the meeting adjourned. A. ROGERS, Sec'y.