Ilion, Herkimer Co., New York

Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, convened at Ilion, German Flats, Herkimer county, on the 17th and 18th of May, 1845.

Conference met at 2 P. M., and organized by appointing Elder Eleazer Willes, President, and George England, Secretary.

Official members present-six Elders and one Priest.

Sung a hymn. Prayer by the President. Sung a hymn; after which a call was made for representation of branches.

Ilion branch represented by Elder England; eighteen members, three Elders and one Priest.

Milford Centre [Center], by Elder Chidester; four members and one Elder.

Village of Westford, by Elder Bacon; four members and two Elders.

Cherry Valley, by Elder Bacon; four members, three of the Utica branch, and one Elder.

After which Elder Bacon addressed the congregation from the 7th chapter of Paul to the Hebrews, 11th, 12th and 19th verses, setting forth the order of the priesthood, and the church going into the wilderness, or the general apostacy [apostasy] of the church of Christ, which he proved beyond contradiction, in an able and masterly manner.

Meeting adjourned to Br. England's at early candle light.

Met agreeable to adjournment. Opened by singing.

Prayer by Br. Chidester; after which he called upon the saints to bear witness to the truth of Mormonism.

The saints then arose one by one, and gave their testimony in favor of the truth; and said they would live by every word that proceeds from God, and would uphold and subject themselves to the counsel of the Twelve apostles of the Lamb of God. Some of the gifts were manifested, which caused us to rejoice in the kingdom of God. Unity and love prevailed.

Sung a hymn. Benediction by Elder Hewet.

Adjourned till Sunday morning 10 o'clock.

Met according to adjournment.

Sung a hymn. Prayer by Elder Theophilus Taylor. Sung another hymn.

Br. Wm. Segar represented the Utica branch on Sunday morning; twenty two members, two Elders and one Priest, in a scattered condition.

The President then addressed the congregation from the 24th of Acts 14th and 15th verses, setting forth and showing what was called heresy in these days followed by Elder Taylor at half past 11 till half past 12.

Adjourned till half past 1 P. M. Benediction by Elder Taylor.

Met agreeable to adjournment.

Sung a hymn. Prayer by Elder Bacon.

He then arose to address the congregation from the 28th chapter of Isaiah, 21st, 23d and 23d verses, showing that Isaiah had in view a great work to be commenced in as late a generation as the present, and that it had already commenced, which he proved in a very clear and lucid manner. Proving that this continent was the place for the setting up of the ensign to gather the dispersed of Judah, and assemble the outcasts of Israel followed by Elder England, who backed up the gospel with his testimony, and spoke in behalf of suffering innocence, and exhorted all those who had not embraced the gospel to do it immediately and by that means secure to themselves eternal life.

Br. Steele made some remarks, and gave his testimony to the truth of Mormonism, and said he knew it to be the work of God, and was acknowledged by signs following the believer.

The President then made some remarks to sign seekers, showing that if the sectarians preached the pure gospel of Jesus Christ, they are very much to blame to ask a sign from those that they say have the spirit of Belzebub [Beelzebub].

Br. Hewet gave his testimony in favor of the work of the last days.

Br. Chidester gave his testimony in behalf of the work of God in Mormonism, and left his testimony against all that would not learn the way of life, through prayer and faith to that God that gave his Son as a ransom for the world.

Br. Taylor bore testimony in favor of Mormonism, and exhorted all within the sound of his voice to search the truth as it is in the Lord Jesus.

Sung a hymn, and adjourned till early candle light, at Br. Burgdorff's.

Met at Br. Burgdorff's, sung a hymn. Prayer by Elder Bacon.

After which the sacrament was administered.

Br. Bacon exhorted the saints to faithfulness, unity and love to each other, and called on them to bear testimony.

Br. Taylor next exhorted the saints to unity, and spoke of the calamities that awaited the ungodly, and that Judah's fierce lion would arise from the thicket and destroy the nations that forget God.

Brother England next exhorted the saints to love and unity, and to prepare for our exit from among the Gentiles, and go to the beautiful city of Nauvoo. He thanked God that there was one woe which had never come upon the Mormons yet, after all their persecution. The Savior says Woe unto you when all men speak well of you. That is the woe; who is there that speaks well of the Mormons? They are very scarce, and if any one wishes to obey the gospel, they must expect to loose [lose] their good name if they have any. I have lived in this place three years, nnd [and] was respected by every one, but as soon as I came into the kingdom of God, then Satan began to rage, and sectarians foamed till they have run out lies till their Father shall help them no more.

Brother Steele made some remarks about signs. They said they would believe if they should hear him speak in tongues, and they have heard him speak in tongues several times and they are worse than ever.

Brother Chidester Gave his testimony to the truth.

Brother Hewit said he had been sick for several years, and the doctors had given him up, and said he could not live. But as soon as he heard the Mormons he believed and was administered unto, and his neighbors said if he got well they would believe also; and now I am as well as any man, and they won't believe yet, and I testify to every man that I was healed by the power of God, through the administration of one of his servants, a Mormon Elder.

Resolved that the minutes of this Conference be forwarded for publication in the Prophet.

The Conference adjourned, sine die.

ELEAZER WILLES, President.

George England, Secretary.