October 1839
Times and Seasons. 1839. "Proceedings of the general Conference." December: 30-31.
Proceedings of the general Conference President Joseph Smith, Jr. Sunday morning October the 6th President Joseph Smith, Jr. Elder Lyman Wight President Joseph Smith, Jr. Elder Lyman Wight Monday morning October the 9th President Joseph Smith, Jr. Elder Lyman Wight |
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Proceedings of the general Conference
Proceedings of the general Conference, held at Commerce, Hancock County, Illinois, on Saturday the 5th day of October, 1839.
The meeting was opened by prayer, by President Joseph Smith Jr. after which he was appointed president and James Sloan, Clerk of the Conference, by the unanimous voice of the meeting.
Proceedings of the general Conference, held at Commerce, Hancock County, Illinois, on Saturday the 5th day of October, 1839.
The meeting was opened by prayer, by President Joseph Smith Jr. after which he was appointed president and James Sloan, Clerk of the Conference, by the unanimous voice of the meeting.
The President
then spoke at some length upon the situation of the Church, the difficulties they had had to contend with, and the manner in which they had been led to this place; and wished to know the views of the brethren, whether they wished to appoint this a stake or not, stating that he believed it to be a good place and suited for the saints.
It was then unanimously agreed upon, that it should be appointed a stake and a place of gathering for the saints. The following officers were then appointed viz:
William Marks to be President.
Bishop Whitney, to be bishop of Middle Ward.
Bishop Partridge, to be bishop of Upper Ward.
Bishop Knight to be bishop of Lower Ward.
George W. Harris, Thomas Grover, Samuel Bent, Newel Knight, Henry G. Sherwood, Charles C. Rich, David Fulmer, David Dort, Alpheus Cutler, Seymour Brunson, Wm. Huntington, Lewis D. Wilson, to be high Council; who being respectfully called upon, accepted at their appointment.
It was then voted that a branch of the Church be established on the other side of the river, in Iowa Territory, over which Elder John Smith was appointed President:
Alanson Ripley, Bishop, and Asahel Smith, David Pettegrew, John M. Burke, Elijah Fordham, A. Owen Smoot, Edward Fisher, Richard Howard, Elias Smith, Williard Snow, John Patton, Erastus Snow, Stephen Chase, were elected high council.
Don C. Smith, was elected to be continued as President of the high Priesthood.
Orson Hyde to stand in his former office, and William Smith to be continued in his standing.
Letters were then read respecting the absence of Members from ill health.
It was voted, that Harlow Redfield be suspended until he can have a trial and in the meantime that he should not act as President of a branch, or preach.
Voted, that John Daley, James Daley and Milo Andrus retain their station in the church.
Voted that Ephraim Owen's confession, for disobeying the word of wisdom be accepted.
Brother Edward Johnston, William Allred, Benjamin Johnston, Wm. B. Simmons, Samuel Musick, Wm. W. Edwards, Sr., John S. Fulmer, Wm. H. Edwards, Jr., Jabez Lake, Hosea Stout, Benjamin Jones, Thomas Rich, Henry Our Bough, Allen J. Stout, Reddin Allred, Esaias Edwards, George W. Gee, John Adams, Jesse M'Intire, Daniel Miller, James Brown, Simson I. Comfort, Henry Miller, Graham Coltrin, Artemus Johnson, William Hyde, Joseph G. Hovey, Andrew Hendry, Robert D. Foster, Redick N. Allred, Fields B. Jacamey, Eli Lee, Zadock Bethers, Hiram W. Maxwell, and Thomas S. Edwards, were appointed Elders of the church who all accepted of their appointment with the exception of Thomas S. Edwards.
John Gaylord, was admitted into the church upon his confession.
Abel Casto was confirmed by the laying on of hands.
The meeting then adjourned until Sunday morning after which six were baptized by Joseph Smith Jr.
then spoke at some length upon the situation of the Church, the difficulties they had had to contend with, and the manner in which they had been led to this place; and wished to know the views of the brethren, whether they wished to appoint this a stake or not, stating that he believed it to be a good place and suited for the saints.
It was then unanimously agreed upon, that it should be appointed a stake and a place of gathering for the saints. The following officers were then appointed viz:
William Marks to be President.
Bishop Whitney, to be bishop of Middle Ward.
Bishop Partridge, to be bishop of Upper Ward.
Bishop Knight to be bishop of Lower Ward.
George W. Harris, Thomas Grover, Samuel Bent, Newel Knight, Henry G. Sherwood, Charles C. Rich, David Fulmer, David Dort, Alpheus Cutler, Seymour Brunson, Wm. Huntington, Lewis D. Wilson, to be high Council; who being respectfully called upon, accepted at their appointment.
It was then voted that a branch of the Church be established on the other side of the river, in Iowa Territory, over which Elder John Smith was appointed President:
Alanson Ripley, Bishop, and Asahel Smith, David Pettegrew, John M. Burke, Elijah Fordham, A. Owen Smoot, Edward Fisher, Richard Howard, Elias Smith, Williard Snow, John Patton, Erastus Snow, Stephen Chase, were elected high council.
Don C. Smith, was elected to be continued as President of the high Priesthood.
Orson Hyde to stand in his former office, and William Smith to be continued in his standing.
Letters were then read respecting the absence of Members from ill health.
It was voted, that Harlow Redfield be suspended until he can have a trial and in the meantime that he should not act as President of a branch, or preach.
Voted, that John Daley, James Daley and Milo Andrus retain their station in the church.
Voted that Ephraim Owen's confession, for disobeying the word of wisdom be accepted.
Brother Edward Johnston, William Allred, Benjamin Johnston, Wm. B. Simmons, Samuel Musick, Wm. W. Edwards, Sr., John S. Fulmer, Wm. H. Edwards, Jr., Jabez Lake, Hosea Stout, Benjamin Jones, Thomas Rich, Henry Our Bough, Allen J. Stout, Reddin Allred, Esaias Edwards, George W. Gee, John Adams, Jesse M'Intire, Daniel Miller, James Brown, Simson I. Comfort, Henry Miller, Graham Coltrin, Artemus Johnson, William Hyde, Joseph G. Hovey, Andrew Hendry, Robert D. Foster, Redick N. Allred, Fields B. Jacamey, Eli Lee, Zadock Bethers, Hiram W. Maxwell, and Thomas S. Edwards, were appointed Elders of the church who all accepted of their appointment with the exception of Thomas S. Edwards.
John Gaylord, was admitted into the church upon his confession.
Abel Casto was confirmed by the laying on of hands.
The meeting then adjourned until Sunday morning after which six were baptized by Joseph Smith Jr.
Sunday morning October the 6th.
The Conference met pursuant to adjournment at 8 o'clock, A. M.
When, Samuel Williams, Reuben Foot, Orlando D. Hovew, Junis Rappleyee, Sheffield Daniels, Albert Miner, David B. Smith, Ebe'r Richardson, Pleasant Ewell, William Helm, were appointed Elders of the Church and were obtained under the hands of Reynolds Cahoon, Seymour Brunson, Samuel Bent and Alpheus Cutler.
The Conference met pursuant to adjournment at 8 o'clock, A. M.
When, Samuel Williams, Reuben Foot, Orlando D. Hovew, Junis Rappleyee, Sheffield Daniels, Albert Miner, David B. Smith, Ebe'r Richardson, Pleasant Ewell, William Helm, were appointed Elders of the Church and were obtained under the hands of Reynolds Cahoon, Seymour Brunson, Samuel Bent and Alpheus Cutler.
After some remarks from
the President
respecting observing order and decorum during conference,
the President
respecting observing order and decorum during conference,
Elder Lyman Wight,
spoke as to the duties of Priests, Teachers, etc.
spoke as to the duties of Priests, Teachers, etc.
President J. Smith, Jr.
then spoke as to appointing a Patriarch and other matters connected with the well-being of the church. Having now got through the business matters, the President proceeded to give instructions to the Elders respecting preaching the gospel, and pressed upon them the necessity of getting the spirit, so that they might preach with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven, to be careful in speaking on those subjects which are not clearly pointed out in the word of God, which led to speculation and strife.
Those persons who had been baptized were then confirmed, and several children received blessings by Elders Bent, Cutler and Brunson.
then spoke as to appointing a Patriarch and other matters connected with the well-being of the church. Having now got through the business matters, the President proceeded to give instructions to the Elders respecting preaching the gospel, and pressed upon them the necessity of getting the spirit, so that they might preach with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven, to be careful in speaking on those subjects which are not clearly pointed out in the word of God, which led to speculation and strife.
Those persons who had been baptized were then confirmed, and several children received blessings by Elders Bent, Cutler and Brunson.
Elder Lyman Wight
then addressed the meeting, on the subject of raising funds by contribution, towards paying for the lands which had been contracted for, as a settlement for the church, after which contributions were received for that purpose.
Judge Higbee was appointed to accompany Presidents J. Smith, Jr. and S. Rigdon to the City of Washington.
The meeting then adjourned until Monday morning.
then addressed the meeting, on the subject of raising funds by contribution, towards paying for the lands which had been contracted for, as a settlement for the church, after which contributions were received for that purpose.
Judge Higbee was appointed to accompany Presidents J. Smith, Jr. and S. Rigdon to the City of Washington.
The meeting then adjourned until Monday morning.
Monday morning October the 9th.
Conference met pursuant to adjournment.
Conference met pursuant to adjournment.
The President
spoke at some length to the Elders, and explained many passages of scripture.
spoke at some length to the Elders, and explained many passages of scripture.
Elder Lyman Wight
spoke on the subject of the resurrection, and other important subjects. When he offered the following resolution, which passed unanimously:
Resolved, That a new edition of Hymn Books be printed immediately, and that the one published by D. W. Rogers, be utterly discarded by the church.
Elder Ezra Hayes was then put upon trial for teaching doctrine injurious to the church and for falsehoods: which having been proved against him, his license was withdrawn and he required to give satisfaction to those whom he had offended.
Charges having been preferred against Brother Rogers, it was agreed that the case be handed over to the high council.
Asahel Perry made application to be received into fellowship, and was voted into his former standing.
After having referred the business not gone into, to the high council; the president then returned thanks to the conference for their good attention and liberality; and having blessed them in the name of the Lord, the conference was dismissed.
The next conference was appointed to be held on the 6th day of April next.
spoke on the subject of the resurrection, and other important subjects. When he offered the following resolution, which passed unanimously:
Resolved, That a new edition of Hymn Books be printed immediately, and that the one published by D. W. Rogers, be utterly discarded by the church.
Elder Ezra Hayes was then put upon trial for teaching doctrine injurious to the church and for falsehoods: which having been proved against him, his license was withdrawn and he required to give satisfaction to those whom he had offended.
Charges having been preferred against Brother Rogers, it was agreed that the case be handed over to the high council.
Asahel Perry made application to be received into fellowship, and was voted into his former standing.
After having referred the business not gone into, to the high council; the president then returned thanks to the conference for their good attention and liberality; and having blessed them in the name of the Lord, the conference was dismissed.
The next conference was appointed to be held on the 6th day of April next.