October 1840
Times and Seasons. 1840. "Minutes of the general conference of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints." October: 185-187.
Minutes of the general conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Letters read President Joseph Smith, Jr. One o'clock P.M. Conference met pursuant to adjournment President Joseph Smith, Jr. President Hyrum Smith Dr. John C. Bennett Elder Lyman Wight Sunday morning President Joseph Smith, Jr. President Hyrum Smith Conference adjourned for one hour President Joseph Smith, Jr. Dr. John C. Bennett Elder E. Robinson Article on Priesthood Elder Babbitt Two o'clock P.M. Conference met pursuant to adjournment Elder Lyman Wight President Joseph Smith, Jr. Dr. John C. Bennett |
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Minutes of the general conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints,
held in Nauvoo, Hancock county, Ill. Oct. 3rd, 1840.
The conference was opened by prayer by President W. Marks.
Joseph Smith jr. was then unanimously called to the chair, and R. B. Thompson, chosen clerk.
held in Nauvoo, Hancock county, Ill. Oct. 3rd, 1840.
The conference was opened by prayer by President W. Marks.
Joseph Smith jr. was then unanimously called to the chair, and R. B. Thompson, chosen clerk.
A letter from Elders Bent and Harris and one from Elder John E. Page were then read by the Clerk, which gave very satisfactory accounts of their mission.
On motion. Resolved. That a committee be appointed to ordain such as have recommends to this conference for ordination, and that elders Jonathan Hale, Elisha H. Groves, Charles C. Rich, John Murdock, Simeon Carter compose said committee, and report their proceedings before the conference closes.
On motion. Resolved. That a committee be appointed to ordain such as have recommends to this conference for ordination, and that elders Jonathan Hale, Elisha H. Groves, Charles C. Rich, John Murdock, Simeon Carter compose said committee, and report their proceedings before the conference closes.
The president
arose and stated that there had been several depredations committed on the citizens of Nauvoo, and thought it expedient that a committee be appointed to search out the offenders, and bring them to justice.
Whereupon it was resolved, that, Joseph Smith, Elias Higbee, William Marks, Vinson Knight, William Law, Charles C. Rich, Dimick Huntington, compose said committee.
On motion. Resolved, that R. B. Thompson be appointed the general church clerk in the room of Geo. W. Robinson, who intends to remove to Iowa.
It having been requested by Elder Page that the conference would appoint an elder to take charge of the church which he and Elder Hyde had raised up in Cincinnati.
On motion. Resolved, that Elder Samuel Bennett, be appointed to preside over the church in Cincinnati.
The president
then rose, and stated that it was necessary that something, should be done with regard to Kirtland, so that it might be built up; and gave it as his opinion, that the brethren from the east might gather there, and also, that it was necessary that someone should be appointed from this conference to preside over that stake.
On motion. Resolved, that Elder Alman Babbit be appointed to preside over the church in Kirtland, and that he choose his own councilors.
Conference adjourned for one hour.
arose and stated that there had been several depredations committed on the citizens of Nauvoo, and thought it expedient that a committee be appointed to search out the offenders, and bring them to justice.
Whereupon it was resolved, that, Joseph Smith, Elias Higbee, William Marks, Vinson Knight, William Law, Charles C. Rich, Dimick Huntington, compose said committee.
On motion. Resolved, that R. B. Thompson be appointed the general church clerk in the room of Geo. W. Robinson, who intends to remove to Iowa.
It having been requested by Elder Page that the conference would appoint an elder to take charge of the church which he and Elder Hyde had raised up in Cincinnati.
On motion. Resolved, that Elder Samuel Bennett, be appointed to preside over the church in Cincinnati.
The president
then rose, and stated that it was necessary that something, should be done with regard to Kirtland, so that it might be built up; and gave it as his opinion, that the brethren from the east might gather there, and also, that it was necessary that someone should be appointed from this conference to preside over that stake.
On motion. Resolved, that Elder Alman Babbit be appointed to preside over the church in Kirtland, and that he choose his own councilors.
Conference adjourned for one hour.
One o'clock P.M.
Conference met pursuant to adjournment.
An opportunity was given to the brethren who had any remarks to make on suitable locations for stakes.
Elder H. Miller stated that it was the desire of a number of the brethren residing in Adams county to have a stake appointed at Mount Ephraim in that county, and stated the advantages of the place for agricultural purposes &c.
On motion. Resolved, that a stake be appointed at Mount Ephraim in Adams county.
There being several applications for the appointment of stakes, it was resolved that a committee be appointed to organize stakes between this place and Kirtland, and that Hyrum Smith, Lyman Wight and Alman Babbit compose said committee.
Conference met pursuant to adjournment.
An opportunity was given to the brethren who had any remarks to make on suitable locations for stakes.
Elder H. Miller stated that it was the desire of a number of the brethren residing in Adams county to have a stake appointed at Mount Ephraim in that county, and stated the advantages of the place for agricultural purposes &c.
On motion. Resolved, that a stake be appointed at Mount Ephraim in Adams county.
There being several applications for the appointment of stakes, it was resolved that a committee be appointed to organize stakes between this place and Kirtland, and that Hyrum Smith, Lyman Wight and Alman Babbit compose said committee.
The president
then spoke of the necessity of building a “House of the Lord” in this place.
Whereupon it was resolved, that the saints build a house for the worship of God, and that Reynolds Cahoon, Elias Higbee, and Alpheus Cutler, be appointed a committee to build the same.
On motion. Resolved, that a commencement be made ten days from this date, and that every tenth day be appropriated for the building of said house.
then spoke of the necessity of building a “House of the Lord” in this place.
Whereupon it was resolved, that the saints build a house for the worship of God, and that Reynolds Cahoon, Elias Higbee, and Alpheus Cutler, be appointed a committee to build the same.
On motion. Resolved, that a commencement be made ten days from this date, and that every tenth day be appropriated for the building of said house.
President Hyrum Smith
arose and stated that there were several individuals, who on moving to this place, had not settled with their creditors and had no recommend from the branches of the church were they had resided.
On motion. Resolved that those persons moving to this place, who do not bring a recommend, be disfellowshipped.
arose and stated that there were several individuals, who on moving to this place, had not settled with their creditors and had no recommend from the branches of the church were they had resided.
On motion. Resolved that those persons moving to this place, who do not bring a recommend, be disfellowshipped.
J. C. Bennett, M.D.
then spoke at some length, on the oppression, to which the church had been subject, and remarked, that it was necessary for the brethren to stand by each other and resist every unlawful attempt at persecution.
then spoke at some length, on the oppression, to which the church had been subject, and remarked, that it was necessary for the brethren to stand by each other and resist every unlawful attempt at persecution.
Elder Lyman Wight
then addressed the meeting.
Conference adjourned until tomorrow morning.
then addressed the meeting.
Conference adjourned until tomorrow morning.
Sunday morning.
Conference met pursuant to adjournment,
and was opened by prayer by Elder Babbit.
The clerk
was then called upon to read the report of the presidency, in relation to the city plot, after which
Conference met pursuant to adjournment,
and was opened by prayer by Elder Babbit.
The clerk
was then called upon to read the report of the presidency, in relation to the city plot, after which
the president
made some observations on the situation of the debts on the city plot and advised that a committee be appointed to raise funds to liquidate the same.
On motion. Resolved, that William Marks and Hyrum Smith compose said committee.
On motion. Resolved, that a committee be appointed to draught a bill for the incorporating of the town of Nauvoo, and other purposes.
Resolved, that Joseph Smith, Jr., Dr. J. C. Bennett and R. B. Thompson, compose said committee.
Resolved that Dr. J. C. Bennett, be appointed delegate to Springfield, to urge the passage of said bill through the legislature.
made some observations on the situation of the debts on the city plot and advised that a committee be appointed to raise funds to liquidate the same.
On motion. Resolved, that William Marks and Hyrum Smith compose said committee.
On motion. Resolved, that a committee be appointed to draught a bill for the incorporating of the town of Nauvoo, and other purposes.
Resolved, that Joseph Smith, Jr., Dr. J. C. Bennett and R. B. Thompson, compose said committee.
Resolved that Dr. J. C. Bennett, be appointed delegate to Springfield, to urge the passage of said bill through the legislature.
President Hyrum Smith,
then rose and gave some general instructions to the church.
then rose and gave some general instructions to the church.
Conference adjourned for one hour.
One o'clock, P.M.
Conference met pursuant to adjournment
and was opened by prayer by Elder J. P. Green.
One o'clock, P.M.
Conference met pursuant to adjournment
and was opened by prayer by Elder J. P. Green.
President Joseph Smith, Jr.
then arose and delivered a discourse on the subject of baptism for the dead, which was listened to with considerable interest, by the vast multitude assembled.
Dr. Bennett, from the committee to draught a charter for the city, and for other purposes, reported the outlines of the same.
On motion. Resolved that the same be adopted.
then arose and delivered a discourse on the subject of baptism for the dead, which was listened to with considerable interest, by the vast multitude assembled.
Dr. Bennett, from the committee to draught a charter for the city, and for other purposes, reported the outlines of the same.
On motion. Resolved that the same be adopted.
Dr. Bennett
then made some very appropriate remarks on the duty of the saints in regard to those, who had, under circumstances of affliction, held out the hand of friendship, and that it was their duty to uphold such men and give them their suffrages, and support.
then made some very appropriate remarks on the duty of the saints in regard to those, who had, under circumstances of affliction, held out the hand of friendship, and that it was their duty to uphold such men and give them their suffrages, and support.
Elder E. Robinson
then arose, and gave an account of the printing of another edition of the book of Mormon and stated that it was now nearly completed and that arrangements had been made for the printing of the hymn book, book of doctrine and covenants, &c.
Conference adjourned to Monday morning.
Monday morning, Oct., 5th. Conference met pursuant to adjournment and was opened by prayer by Elder Lyman Wight.
then arose, and gave an account of the printing of another edition of the book of Mormon and stated that it was now nearly completed and that arrangements had been made for the printing of the hymn book, book of doctrine and covenants, &c.
Conference adjourned to Monday morning.
Monday morning, Oct., 5th. Conference met pursuant to adjournment and was opened by prayer by Elder Lyman Wight.
Elder R. B. Thompson
after a few preliminary remarks, read an article on the priesthood, composed by president Joseph Smith, Jr., after which,
after a few preliminary remarks, read an article on the priesthood, composed by president Joseph Smith, Jr., after which,
Elder Babbitt
delivered an excellent discourse on the same subject at some considerable length.
Conference adjourned for one hour.
During the intermission a large number were baptized.
delivered an excellent discourse on the same subject at some considerable length.
Conference adjourned for one hour.
During the intermission a large number were baptized.
Two o'clock P.M.
Conference met pursuant to adjournment.
Elder Lyman Wight
addressed the conference on the subject of baptism for the dead and other subjects of interest to the church.
Conference met pursuant to adjournment.
Elder Lyman Wight
addressed the conference on the subject of baptism for the dead and other subjects of interest to the church.
The president
then made some observations, and pronounced his benediction on the assembly.
then made some observations, and pronounced his benediction on the assembly.
Dr. J. C. Bennett
said that many persons had been accused of crime, and been looked upon as guilty, when on investigation it has been ascertained that nothing could be adduced against them, --Whereupon,
On motion; it was resolved that no person be considered guilty of crime, unless proved so by the testimony of two or three witnesses.
Dr. Bennett next brought before the conference the treatment the saints had experienced in Missouri, and wished to know, whether the conference would take any further steps in relation to obtaining redress.
On motion. Resolved that Elias Higbee and R. B. Thompson be appointed a committee to obtain redress for the wrongs sustained in Missouri.
The committee on ordinations reported that they had ordained thirty nine to the ministry.
On motion. Resolved that this conference be dismissed, and that the next conference be held on the 6th day of April next.
Joseph Smith, Jr., Pres't.
R. B. Thompson, Clerk,
said that many persons had been accused of crime, and been looked upon as guilty, when on investigation it has been ascertained that nothing could be adduced against them, --Whereupon,
On motion; it was resolved that no person be considered guilty of crime, unless proved so by the testimony of two or three witnesses.
Dr. Bennett next brought before the conference the treatment the saints had experienced in Missouri, and wished to know, whether the conference would take any further steps in relation to obtaining redress.
On motion. Resolved that Elias Higbee and R. B. Thompson be appointed a committee to obtain redress for the wrongs sustained in Missouri.
The committee on ordinations reported that they had ordained thirty nine to the ministry.
On motion. Resolved that this conference be dismissed, and that the next conference be held on the 6th day of April next.
Joseph Smith, Jr., Pres't.
R. B. Thompson, Clerk,