--- title: Times and Seasons description: Issues of 1845 to 1846. 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: 6 number: 7 published: 1845-04-15 publisher: E. Robinson and D. C. Smith; later John Taylor publisher_place: Commerce and Nauvoo, Illinois language: en type: article reference: "“Conference Minutes,” *Times and Seasons* 6, no. 7 (April 15, 1845): 869–874." printed_title: CONFERENCE MINUTES. source: url: https://archive.org/details/per_utah-and-the-mormons_times-and-seasons_1845-04-15_6_7 transcription: Text from the Centerplace.org transcription (https://www.centerplace.org/history/ts/v6n07.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_1845-04-15_6_7 start_page: 869 end_page: 874 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 1845 (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_1845-04-15_6_7 publication_year: 1845 --- # Conference Minutes Special Conference of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, at Nauvoo, April 6, 1845; it being the first day of the sixteenth year. The choir sang "Hark the Jubilee" at quarter past 10 o'clock, while the assembly was collecting. Present President Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Orson Hyde, Orson Pratt, George A. Smith, John Taylor, John E. Page, Willard Richards, and Amasa Lyman of the quorum of the Twelve-Father John Smith, president of the stake-Bishops Whitney and Miller-the high council-and about twenty-two thousand persons. Elder Kimball called the meeting to order at half past 10, A. M.; and the choir sung the thirty-first hymn; followed by prayer by Elder Kimball; the choir then sang "Come all ye sons of Zion." The morning was spent in teaching, on the baptism for the dead, by President Young which will be hereafter reported in full. Conference adjourned until two o'clock. Two o'clock P. M. Conference met pursuant to adjournment; the fore part of which was taken up by the blessing of children, but owing to the immense number it was found impossible to complete the whole, when it was accordingly dispensed with, and the remainder of the afternoon was occupied in exhortation from the stand, by Elder Page and President Young; and the conference adjourned until to-morrow at 10 o'clock A. M. April 7, 1845-Ten o'clock A. M. Conference met pursuant to adjournment; after the conference was seated, in consequence of the high wind, it was thought best to remove into the valley, a little south; and the whole of this immense congregation was removed, and comfortably seated in the short space of about forty minutes. The choir sang "The heavenly vision," and was followed by prayer, by Elder John Taylor, after which the choir sang another hymn. Elder Kimball then arose and stated to the congregation some of the items of business which would be necessary to attend to, during the day, viz: the building of the Temple, and the Nauvoo house; also, to take into consideration all old obligations against the church, which are pouring in like a torrent, also to ascertain the feelings of the people, in regard to sustaining the authorities of the church under the present organization. President Brigham Young then arose, and said he would now present the first item of business, which would be to present the authorities of the church for the approval, or disapproval of the conference; he also, said he wanted to know if the saints are satisfied that Joseph Smith lived and died as a prophet, seer, and revelator to this church. Whereupon, Elder Phelps moved that we accept the labors of Joseph Smith as a prophet, seer, and revelator to the nineteenth century; and that we are satisfied that he lived according to his profession, and died a martyr to the truth.-Carried unanimously. Elder Phelps moved that we accept the labors of Hyrum Smith, believing that he lived according to his profession, and died a martyr to the truth. Carried unanimously. Elder Phelps moved that this conference accept the Twelve as the first presidency and leaders of this church. Carried unanimously. Elder George A. Smith moved that we acknowledge President Brigham Young as the president of the quorum of the Twelve apostles to this church and generation. Carried unanimously. Elder George A. Smith moved that Heber C. Kimball be continued as one of the Twelve, and that he be sustained in his office. Carried unanimously. Moved and seconded that Orson Hyde be continued as one of the Twelve, and that he be sustained in his office. Carried unanimously. Moved and seconded that Parley P. Pratt be continued as one of the Twelve, and that he be sustained in his office. Carried unanimously. Moved and seconded that William Smith be continued as one of the Twelve, and that he be sustained in his office. Carried unanimously. Moved and seconded that Orson Pratt be continued as one of the Twelve, and that he be sustained in his office. Carried unanimously. Moved and seconded that John E. Page be continued as one of the Twelve, and that he be sustained in his office. Carried unanimously. Moved and seconded that Willard Richards be continued as one of the Twelve, and that he be sustained in his office. Carried unanimously. Moved and seconded that John Taylor be continued as one of the Twelve, and that he be sustained in his office. Carried unanimously. Moved and seconded that Wilford Woodruff be continued as one of the Twelve, and that he be sustained in his office. Carried unanimously. Moved and seconded that George A. Smith be continued as one of the Twelve, and that he be sustained in his office. Carried unanimously. Moved and seconded that Amasa Lyman be continued as one of the Twelve, and that he be sustained in his office. Carried unanimously. The chairman then observed, concerning the course of Lyman Wight, his feelings are, that we should let him remain for the present, probably hereafter there may be a time that he will hearken to counsel, and do much good which he is capable of-for he is a noble minded man. The chairman then stated that the next article of business would be, to present to the conference, the Presidency of the stake; moved and seconded that Patriarch John Smith continue in his office, as President of this stake, and that he be sustained in his office. Carried unanimously. Moved and seconded that Charles C. Rich be continued and sustained in his office of counsel to Father Smith. Carried unanimously. Moved and seconded that George Miller be continued and sustained in his office, as President of the High Priests' Quorum. Carried unanimously. Moved and seconded that William Snow and Noah Packard be continued and sustained in their office as counsellors [counselors] to President Miller. Carried unanimously. Moved and seconded that Samuel Bent, be continued and sustained in his office as President of the High Council. Carried unanimously. Moved and seconded that George W. Harris, Alpheus Cutler, William Huntington Sen., James Allred, Henry G. Sherwood, Thomas Grover, Newel Knight, Lewis D. Wilson, David Fullmer, Ezra T. Benson, and Aaron Johnson, be continued and sustained in their office as members of the High Council. Carried unanimously. Moved and seconded that Joseph Young be continued and sustained as President of the First Presidency of the Seventies. Carried unanimously. Moved and seconded that Levi W. Hancock, Henry Herriman, Zerah Pulsipher, Jedediah M. Grant, and Daniel S. Miles be continued and sustained in their office, as assistant presidents to President Joseph Young. Carried unanimously. Moved and seconded that if Roger Orton will reform and become a good man, he be received and ordained as a member of this presidency. Carried unanimously. Moved and seconded that Samuel Williams be continued and sustained, in his office, as the President of the Elder's Quorum. Carried unanimously. Moved and seconded that Jesse Baker, and Joshua Smith be continued, and sustained as counsellors [counselors] to President Williams. Carried unanimously. Moved and seconded that Newel K. Whitney and George Miller be continued and sustained in their offices, as Bishops, and Trustees in Trust, to the church of Jesus Christ of Latter day-Saints. Carried unanimously. Moved and seconded that Alpheus Cutler and Reynolds Cahoon be continued and sustained as Temple Committee. Carried unanimously. On the subject of the old Church debts coming, it was moved and seconded that the debts of Kirtland, and Missouri, and the debts that are said to be accrued in consequence of purchasing the Galland tract in Iowa Territory, be dropt [dropped] and come up no more, and the Trustees shall be dunned for them no more for ever;-neither shall they be sold into the hands of the Gentiles. Carried unanimously. Conference then adjourned until 2 o'clock. Two o'clock P. M, conference met pursuant to adjournment. The choir sung a hymn, which was followed by prayer from Elder Orson Pratt; after which the choir sung another hymn. By request of President Young, Elder Orson Pratt read the revelation, given January 19th, 1841 concerning the building of the Temple, Nauvoo House, &c. After which he read an extract from the Law of the Lord, page 240. The chairman then stated that he wanted to lay before the conference, the subject of completing the Nauvoo House, whereupon. Elder Phelps moved "that we fulfil [fulfill] the revelation, by completing the Nauvoo House, as soon as possible." Carried unanimously. The chairman called for a show of hands from all those who could, and would, take one share of stock in the Nauvoo House, there were so many hands uplifted that they could not possibly be counted. He next called for a show of hands from those who could and would, take two shares; quite a large number of hands were shown. He then called for a show of hands from all, both male and female, who, after they had done all they could to finish the Temple are willing to sacrifice their all, to finish the Nauvoo House, rather than not to have it done.-Every hand was raised in the congregation. The President then proclaimed to the conference, that on next Monday, the books for the Nauvoo House Association would be opened in the upper part of the brick store on Water street The conference then adjourned until to-morrow at 10 o'clock A. M. Tuesday, April 8th, 1845. Conference met pursuant to adjournment at 10 A, M. and was addressed by Elders Kimball and Young, upon the propriety of the Saints staying in Hancock county, and in the afternoon Elders Young, Page, and Hyde addressed the assembly. Perfect union and harmony prevailed throughout the conference and there was but one dissenting vote in the entire congregation. It was motioned by the President, that henceforth and for ever, this city shall be called the "city of Joseph." Great praise is due to ex-Marshall A. P. Rockwood, and his associates for their unwearied exertion, to arrange and seat the numberless assembly, for the most perfect order was maintained by them throughout the whole city and the conference-and to the saints universally for seconding their movements. On motion conference adjourned until the 6th of October next. BRIGHAM YOUNG, President. WILLIAM CLAYTON, } THOMAS BULLOCK } Clerks of Conference. Elder George D. Watt, whose valuable services to this church as Professor of Phonography, are highly appreciated; has taken down the speeches delivered on this occasion, and they will appear from time to time as circumstances will allow. WILLARD RICHARDS, Recorder. Never have we seen the time before when the people were more willing to receive and listen to counsel than now. The High Council have only had one case in about seven weeks. Our magistrates have nothing to do. We have little or no use for charter or law. Every man is doing his best to cultivate the ground, and all are anxious to provide things honestly in the sight of all men-to honor our God, our country and its laws. Whenever a dispute or difficulty arises, a word from the proper source puts all to right, and no resort to law. May God ever save us from this snare of men, this drainer of the purse, and this fruitful source of contention and strife. Kirtland, Lake Co., Ohio, April 5, 1845 Conference convened according to previous appointment at 10 o'clock A. M. The house was called to order by Priest John Young, and proceeded to organize the meeting by appointing Br. Hiram Winters to preside over the conference, and Luman Heath Clerk. Sung a hymn introductory prayer by Br. John Young. The President then addressed the meeting upon the subject of the rise and progress of the church, showing the propriety and necessity of supporting the authorities of the same, and of using our influence and means to assist in the building of the Temple at Nauvoo. A motion was then made, seconded and carried unanimously; that we sustain the Twelve, as the presiding authority of the church; and that we assist in building the Temple at Nauvoo. Some remarks were then made by Elder John Young upon the subject of dissensions, which had taken place in the church.-A motion was then made, seconded and carried, also, unanimously; that Elder Hiram Kellogg and wife; Elder Amos Babcock and his wife; also Mrs. Bond, Betsy Markell, and Betsy Farrington, who had united with the Rigdon party, be cut off from the church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. Voted that Elder John Knapp be cut off from the church, for purloining money, and running away with an abandoned woman, by the name of Maria Mason, and leaving his family in distressed circumstances. Several of the Saints then expressed their views and feelings sung a hymn;-benediction by the Clerk;-was then adjourned until 11 o'clock to-morrow morning. Met according to adjournment. Opened the meeting by singing. The Pres't. then read the 50th chapter of Isaiah. Prayer by L. Heath. A very interesting sermon was then delivered by the President of the meeting, which was listened to with profound attention by the congregation. Benediction by Elder John Young. The conference adjourned for one hour. The ordinance of baptism was administered during intermission. Met according to adjournment. Sung a hymn of praise unto the Lord. Prayer by Br. Alanson Pettingall. The communion was then administered by Elders Young and Pettingall, unto about one hundred Saints. Union and harmony prevailed in our midst. The blessing of children and the ordinance of confirmation was then performed. A vote was then taken that Betsy Farrington be received into the church by baptism. Order and unanimity of feeling characterised [characterized] the conference, and the Saints in this place appear to be more united than they have been for some time past; and have, in general, a determination to keep the commandments, and gather unto the body of the church. It was then voted that the minutes of this conference be forwarded to the editor of the "Times and Seasons" for publication. Voted that the conference be adjourned until the 6th of Oct. next. HIRAM WINTERS, Pres't. LUMAN HEATH, Clerk. Minutes of a regular quarterly Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints held in Greenwood, Stuben Co. N. Y., on the 5th and 6th of April 1845. Opened by singing and prayer by Wm. D. Pratt, after which, by motion of J. J. Guinand, Wm. D. Pratt was sanctioned president and Joseph West appointed secretary. The president then stated the object of the conference, which would come under the late regulations at Nauvoo. Official members present-high priests two, seventies one, elders ten, teachers one, deacons one. Representation of the different branches. Greenwood branch represented by J. Jeremer, twenty-five members, including one elder, one teacher, two removed, one died, one baptized, since the last conference. Portage branch represented by Wm. D. Pratt, twenty members, including two elders, one deacon. Ossian East branch represented by J. France, thirty-nine members, including two elders, three priests, two teachers, one deacon, five baptized since the last conference, and five cut off. Prattsburgh branch represented by A. Norton, forty-two members, including seven elders, one priest, one teacher, one deacon, two baptized since the last conference, and two cut off. Ossian West branch represented by Wm. D. Pratt, thirty-eight members, including four elders, one priest, one teacher, two deacons, three scattering members in Monroe county. Hornby branch represented by P. Van Valkinkburgh, forty-one members, including four elders, one priest, one teacher, three deacons, thirteen scattering members, four taken letters, one baptized, and three cut off since the last conference. Loon Lake branch represented by Wm. D. Pratt, seven members, including one elder. Hume branch represented by G. W. Fowler, twenty-five members, including three elders, one priest, scattering members represented by the same, four in Little Genesee, Alleghany [Allegheny] county; five in Rochester. The president then arose and gave much good instruction to the elders; followed by Elder Redfield. Adjourned half an hour. Met pursuant to adjournment and opened by singing. The president then made some very appropriate remarks upon the authorities of the church, also, of some who were once Latter-day Saints, bnt [but] have been cut off from the church by the authorities of the same, and were following a man whom God had not clothed with authority. Therefore resolved that we uphold by our faith and prayers the Quorum of the Twelve, and all the authorities of the church at Nauvoo-carried unanimously; after which a discourse was delivered by Elder Tappin, upon the resurrection of the dead, followed by Elder Redfield. Adjourned till early candle-light, to meet on the hill three miles from this place. Met agreeable to adjournment, prayer by the president. A discourse was then delivered by Elder Clark on the priesthood. Followed by the president. Adjourned till to-morrow at nine o'clock to meet at the former place. Sunday morning at nine o'clock met according to adjournment. Opened by singing and prayer by Elder Van Valkingburgh [Valkinkburgh?]. After which a discourse was delivered by Elder Fowler, upon the first principles of the gospel. Followed by Elder Van Valkingburgh Valkinkburgh?]. Adjourned until one o'clock P. M.-met according to adjournment. Opened by singing, after which a very spirited discourse was delivered by Elder Norton, from Isaiah xxiv. 1:6., showing that the covenant made with the Jews, had been broken, also, proved from the scriptures, that God had promised to renew it in the last days, and also, showed to every honest hearted person that the work had already commenced. Followed by Elders France and Redfield, who gave much good instruction relative to the Temple of God at Nauvoo, and also, upon the necessity of the Saints tithing themselves. Followed by Elder Guinard: also, some very appropriate remarks were made by the president. Adjourned until seven o'clock in the evening. Met pursuant to adjournment; prayer by David H. Redfield. Resolved, that the elders in the different branches that cannot go up to Zion, shall preach as circumstances shall permit. Resolved, that these minutes be sent to New York, to be published in the Prophet. N. B. The next regular quarterly conference will be held near Dotico Corners, in the town of Burns, Alleghany [Allegheny] County, on the fifth and sixth of July 1845. WILLIAM D. PRATT, Pres't. JOSEPH WEST, Secretary. Minutes of a Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, held at Franklin, Oakland co. Mich., on the 22d and 23d of March 1845. The meeting was called to order by Elder Wm. Burton at half past ten o'clock P. M.-Elder David Evans was chosen to preside, and Wm. Burton was chosen clerk. A hymn was sung' and prayer by Elder O. Jefferds. The president then arose and addressed the conference upon the business to be transacted, relative to the building of the Temple, and for the further spread of the gospel in all the world. The representation of the different branches was then called for. Franklin branch, by Elder J. M. Wait, twenty-eight members, five elders, two priests and one teacher. Southfield branch, Oakland co., by Elder J. Savage, five members, one elder and one priest. Waterford branch, Oakland co., by Priest Green, ten members, one elder, one priest and one teacher. Avon branch, Oakland co., by Elder G. Mercer, eighteen members, one elder, and two priests. Washington branch, Macomb co., by Elder Manoris M. Goff, twelve members, three elders and one priest. St. Clair branch, town of Otterville, St. Clair co., by Z. J. Warren, fourteen members, one teacher and one deacon. Lapeer branch, Lapeer co., by Elder H. N. Lathrop, fifteen members and two elders. Pine-Run branch, Vienna Town, Genesee co., by Elder A. C. Chapel, seventeen members, two elders, two priests and one teacher. Pleasant Valley branch, Livingston co., by Elder B. B. Searls, thirty-eight members, four elders, one priest, one teacher and one deacon. Cedar branch, Livingston co., by J. M. Wait, fourteen members, one elder and one teacher. Leroy branch, Inghane co., by J. M. Wait, nine members, one elder and one teacher. Brown Town branch, Wayne co., by L. Bronson, Priest, seventeen members, one priest and teacher. Livonia and Bedford branches, Wayne co., by Elder L. N. Kendall, twenty-four members, one elder, one teacher and two deacons. Scattering members in different counties in this part of the State-Oakland co. fifteen; Wayne co. seven; Washtenaw co. twenty; Monroe co. fourteen; Livingston co. thirteen; St. Clair co. six members. Moved that Elder William Van Every be appointed to preside over those branches represented at this conference. The president made some remarks upon the subject of the gathering, and the necessity of finishing the Lord's house as soon as possible. Conference adjourned to meet again at half past six o'clock P. M. Benediction by Elder Burton. Conference met agreeable to adjournment:-opened by singing, and prayer by Elder W. Burton. The president then preached upon the subject of prophecy. Adjourned until tomorrow at seven o'clock A. M. Benediction by Elder J. Savage. Conference met according to adjournment: opened by singing, and prayer by Elder J. Savage. The president then spoke upon tithing, &c. Adjourned for one hour. Met agreeable to adjournment. After the usual solemnities, a discourse was delivered by the president relative to changing the ordinances, &c. Adjourned to meet again at seven o'clock P. M. Benediction by Elder W. Burton. During the intermission six were added to the church by baptism. Met agreeable to adjournment: opened by singing, and prayer by Elder Wm. Burton.-Those that were baptized were confirmed by Elders Hickey and Burton. Some remarks were made by Elder D. Hickey, and many others of the elders spoke, and also the brothers and sisters: truly the spirit of the Lord was manifest. Moved that the conference adjourn until the last Saturday and Sunday in June next, to meet in Oakland Town, Oakland co., Mich., four miles north of Rochester. Benediction by the president. DAVID EVANS, Pres't. WILLIAM BURTON, Clerk. TIMES AND SEASONS. CITY OF NAUVOO, APRIL 15, 1845.