April 1859
Deseret News. "Minutes of the Annual Conference." April 13, 1859: pg. 41.
MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE President Joseph Young President Heber C. Kimball 2 o'clock p.m. Elder George A. Smith Patriarch John Young President Daniel H. Wells Thursday, April 7, 1859, 10 o'clock, a.m. Sustaining of the General Authorities Elder John Taylor 2 o'clock p.m. President Brigham Young President Daniel H. Wells |
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MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS.
Convened in the Tabernacle, Great Salt Lake City, Wednesday, April 6, 1859, 10 a.m.
President Brigham Young, Presiding.
On the Stand: Presidents Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball and Daniel H. Wells;
Of the Twelve Apostles: Orson Hyde, Orson Pratt, Wilford Woodruff, John Taylor, George A. Smith, Ezra T. Benson, Charles C. Rich, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow and Franklin D. Richards.
Seventies: Joseph Young, Albert P. Rockwood and Levi W. Hancock;
High Priests: John Young, P. H. Young and Samuel L. Sprague;
Presiding Bishop: Edward Hunter;
Patriarch: John Young;
Presidency of the Stake: Daniel Spencer and David Fullmer;
Reporters: George D. Watt and John V. Long.
Choir sung: "God moves in a mysterious way." Prayer by Orson Hyde. Singing by the choir.
Convened in the Tabernacle, Great Salt Lake City, Wednesday, April 6, 1859, 10 a.m.
President Brigham Young, Presiding.
On the Stand: Presidents Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball and Daniel H. Wells;
Of the Twelve Apostles: Orson Hyde, Orson Pratt, Wilford Woodruff, John Taylor, George A. Smith, Ezra T. Benson, Charles C. Rich, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow and Franklin D. Richards.
Seventies: Joseph Young, Albert P. Rockwood and Levi W. Hancock;
High Priests: John Young, P. H. Young and Samuel L. Sprague;
Presiding Bishop: Edward Hunter;
Patriarch: John Young;
Presidency of the Stake: Daniel Spencer and David Fullmer;
Reporters: George D. Watt and John V. Long.
Choir sung: "God moves in a mysterious way." Prayer by Orson Hyde. Singing by the choir.
President Joseph Young
spoke of the merciful interference of the Almighty for the deliverance of his people; alluded to the weaknesses that mortals were subject to; admonished the Saints to be faithful and diligent; treated upon the ebbing and flowing of the Spirit of God; said that it was for the trial of our faith, and that such transitions as the Saints experienced were calculated to call into requisition the best faith and feelings of the people of God. He contended that the day would come when every man's faith would be tested; rejoiced to meet with the Saints in conference and longed to see the day when they would be of one heart and one mind.
Choir sung, "Home Again."
spoke of the merciful interference of the Almighty for the deliverance of his people; alluded to the weaknesses that mortals were subject to; admonished the Saints to be faithful and diligent; treated upon the ebbing and flowing of the Spirit of God; said that it was for the trial of our faith, and that such transitions as the Saints experienced were calculated to call into requisition the best faith and feelings of the people of God. He contended that the day would come when every man's faith would be tested; rejoiced to meet with the Saints in conference and longed to see the day when they would be of one heart and one mind.
Choir sung, "Home Again."
Pres. H. C. Kimball
blessed the people in the name of the Lord; bore testimony to the truth and applicability of the remarks of Pres. Joseph Young; advised the Saints to watch the still small voice of the Spirit and to follow its wise dictations and suggestions; spoke plainly of the necessity of practicing sobriety, virtue and righteousness; exhorted the brethren to be faithful in all things, and prophesied that the Saints would never leave the mountains till they become pure before God, and that the Lord will multiply blessings upon the righteous forever, while he will curse the wicked, the liar, the adulterer and the apostate; bore testimony to the mission of Joseph Smith—that he knew him to be a Prophet, and that Pres. Brigham Young is a Prophet also—that he knew those things by the Holy Ghost and the revelations of Jesus Christ.
Choir sung, "O ye mountains high."
Benediction by Pres. D. H. Wells.
blessed the people in the name of the Lord; bore testimony to the truth and applicability of the remarks of Pres. Joseph Young; advised the Saints to watch the still small voice of the Spirit and to follow its wise dictations and suggestions; spoke plainly of the necessity of practicing sobriety, virtue and righteousness; exhorted the brethren to be faithful in all things, and prophesied that the Saints would never leave the mountains till they become pure before God, and that the Lord will multiply blessings upon the righteous forever, while he will curse the wicked, the liar, the adulterer and the apostate; bore testimony to the mission of Joseph Smith—that he knew him to be a Prophet, and that Pres. Brigham Young is a Prophet also—that he knew those things by the Holy Ghost and the revelations of Jesus Christ.
Choir sung, "O ye mountains high."
Benediction by Pres. D. H. Wells.
2 o'clock p.m.
Singing. Prayer by Elder Orson Pratt. Choir sung a hymn.
Singing. Prayer by Elder Orson Pratt. Choir sung a hymn.
Elder George A. Smith
addressed the conference. Spoke from the text, "Straight is the gate and narrow is the way that leads to life, and few there be that find it." Reasoned on the purification of the Saints, the difficulty of getting men to live their religion, whereas many could be found who were willing to die for it; contended that, if the testimony of Peter, James and John was true when they called upon men to repent and obey the gospel, it is true now, and that if God would reveal his mind and will for the instruction and salvation of the people then, he would do the same now; admonished the people to learn to control their thoughts and actions to know that they were right for themselves, to do right for the love of righteousness and truth, and not because some man said what was right, and to live before God so as to have the light of the Spirit of truth in them continually; treated on faith, punctuality and honesty. He bore testimony to the First Presidency being men of God, set by revelation to guide and control His Church and Kingdom on the earth.
Choir sung a hymn.
addressed the conference. Spoke from the text, "Straight is the gate and narrow is the way that leads to life, and few there be that find it." Reasoned on the purification of the Saints, the difficulty of getting men to live their religion, whereas many could be found who were willing to die for it; contended that, if the testimony of Peter, James and John was true when they called upon men to repent and obey the gospel, it is true now, and that if God would reveal his mind and will for the instruction and salvation of the people then, he would do the same now; admonished the people to learn to control their thoughts and actions to know that they were right for themselves, to do right for the love of righteousness and truth, and not because some man said what was right, and to live before God so as to have the light of the Spirit of truth in them continually; treated on faith, punctuality and honesty. He bore testimony to the First Presidency being men of God, set by revelation to guide and control His Church and Kingdom on the earth.
Choir sung a hymn.
Patriarch John Young
next addressed the congregation. He spoke on the prosperity of Zion, the union of the Saints, the blessings in store for the faithful, the future increase of God's kingdom, the overthrow of Satan’s kingdom and the final triumph of the righteous.
next addressed the congregation. He spoke on the prosperity of Zion, the union of the Saints, the blessings in store for the faithful, the future increase of God's kingdom, the overthrow of Satan’s kingdom and the final triumph of the righteous.
Pres. D. H. Wells
made a few remarks relative to fasting and prayer and recommended the Saints to keep the fast day on to-morrow.
Choir sung, "The happy day has rolled along.
Dismissed by Elder Woodruff.
made a few remarks relative to fasting and prayer and recommended the Saints to keep the fast day on to-morrow.
Choir sung, "The happy day has rolled along.
Dismissed by Elder Woodruff.
Thursday, April 7, 1859, 10 o'clock, a.m.
Meeting called to order by Pres. Daniel Spencer.
Choir sung "When quiet in my house I sit."
Prayer by Elder John Taylor. Singing.
Meeting called to order by Pres. Daniel Spencer.
Choir sung "When quiet in my house I sit."
Prayer by Elder John Taylor. Singing.
Elder Taylor presented the authorities of the Church as follows:--
Brigham Young, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Prophet Seer and Revelator. Heber C. Kimball, First Counselor, Prophet, Seer and Revelator. Daniel H. Wells, Second Counselor, Prophet, Seer and Revelator;
Orson Hyde, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and Orson Pratt, Wilford Woodruff, John Taylor, George A. Smith, Amasa Lyman, Ezra T. Benson, Charles C. Rich, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow and Franklin D. Richards, members of said Quorum;
John Smith, Presiding Patriarch;
John Young, President of the High Priests' Quorum; Joseph Young, Henry Herriman, Zera Pulsipher, Albert P. Rockwood, Horace S. Eldredge and Levi W. Hancock, Presiding Presidents over all the Seventies;
John Nebeker, President of the Elders' Quorum;
Daniel Spencer, President of this Stake of Zion;
Heman Hyde, Eleazer Miller, Phineas Richards, Levi Jackman, Ira Eldredge, John Vance, Edwin D. Woolley, John Parry, Winslow Farr, William Snow, Daniel Carn and Ira Ames, members of the High Council;
Edward Hunter, Presiding Bishop of the whole Church;
Lewis Wight, President of the Priest's Quorum;
McGee Harris, President of the Teacher's Quorum;
Alexander Herron, President of the Deacon's Quorum;
Brigham Young, Trustee in Trust for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints;
Daniel H. Wells, Superintendent of Public Works;
Truman O. Angell, Architect for the Church;
Brigham Young, President of the Perpetual Emigrating Fund to gather the poor. Heber C. Kimball, D. H. Wells and Edward Hunter, his assistants and agents for said fund;
George A. Smith, Historian and General Church Recorder; Wilford Woodruff, his assistant; who were all sustained by the Conference.
Choir sung "Great is the Lord."
Brigham Young, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Prophet Seer and Revelator. Heber C. Kimball, First Counselor, Prophet, Seer and Revelator. Daniel H. Wells, Second Counselor, Prophet, Seer and Revelator;
Orson Hyde, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and Orson Pratt, Wilford Woodruff, John Taylor, George A. Smith, Amasa Lyman, Ezra T. Benson, Charles C. Rich, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow and Franklin D. Richards, members of said Quorum;
John Smith, Presiding Patriarch;
John Young, President of the High Priests' Quorum; Joseph Young, Henry Herriman, Zera Pulsipher, Albert P. Rockwood, Horace S. Eldredge and Levi W. Hancock, Presiding Presidents over all the Seventies;
John Nebeker, President of the Elders' Quorum;
Daniel Spencer, President of this Stake of Zion;
Heman Hyde, Eleazer Miller, Phineas Richards, Levi Jackman, Ira Eldredge, John Vance, Edwin D. Woolley, John Parry, Winslow Farr, William Snow, Daniel Carn and Ira Ames, members of the High Council;
Edward Hunter, Presiding Bishop of the whole Church;
Lewis Wight, President of the Priest's Quorum;
McGee Harris, President of the Teacher's Quorum;
Alexander Herron, President of the Deacon's Quorum;
Brigham Young, Trustee in Trust for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints;
Daniel H. Wells, Superintendent of Public Works;
Truman O. Angell, Architect for the Church;
Brigham Young, President of the Perpetual Emigrating Fund to gather the poor. Heber C. Kimball, D. H. Wells and Edward Hunter, his assistants and agents for said fund;
George A. Smith, Historian and General Church Recorder; Wilford Woodruff, his assistant; who were all sustained by the Conference.
Choir sung "Great is the Lord."
Elder John Taylor
spoke of the gathering of the Saints from the nations, the difference between a conference held by the Latter-Day Saints and one held by the religious world; refuted the supposition entertained by many that the Saints have to act according to the doctrine of a few leading men, and contended that the way the people in this Church were governed so easily, was by the authorities teaching them good and correct principles, and that then they governed themselves. Spoke of the power of the gospel to unite the people together, alluded to the gifts promised to the faithful in Christ; gave a brief history of his first acquaintance with the gospel, bore testimony that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God, that he was acquainted with him living, and knew him when dying. Concluded by exhorting the people to fear God and observe righteousness, that they might be blest in time and exalted in eternity.
Choir sung "How beautiful upon the mountains, &c."
Benediction by Ezra T. Benson.
spoke of the gathering of the Saints from the nations, the difference between a conference held by the Latter-Day Saints and one held by the religious world; refuted the supposition entertained by many that the Saints have to act according to the doctrine of a few leading men, and contended that the way the people in this Church were governed so easily, was by the authorities teaching them good and correct principles, and that then they governed themselves. Spoke of the power of the gospel to unite the people together, alluded to the gifts promised to the faithful in Christ; gave a brief history of his first acquaintance with the gospel, bore testimony that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God, that he was acquainted with him living, and knew him when dying. Concluded by exhorting the people to fear God and observe righteousness, that they might be blest in time and exalted in eternity.
Choir sung "How beautiful upon the mountains, &c."
Benediction by Ezra T. Benson.
2 o'clock p.m.
Singing. Prayer by W. W. Phelps.
Choir sung the hymn on page 215.
Singing. Prayer by W. W. Phelps.
Choir sung the hymn on page 215.
President Brigham Young
showed the necessity of the Saints adding knowledge to knowledge in relation to the things of God. Commented on the text contained in the Book of Job, "There is a spirit in man, and the Spirit of the Lord giveth it understanding." Spoke of man as a being created a little lower than the angels, and of his being capable of receiving intelligence until he is perfect. Described the relationship of angels to God and to man, showing that they were beings who had passed through a mortal existence, received their tabernacles, passed the ordeals and proved themselves worthy of exaltation, and said that the principles of life were calculated to exalt people to thrones, principalities and powers, and that all men had the privilege of coming to the knowledge of truth by the gift and power of the Holy Ghost. Recommended the brethren to be diligent in all things, and especially in their agricultural pursuits. Blest the people in the name of the Lord.
showed the necessity of the Saints adding knowledge to knowledge in relation to the things of God. Commented on the text contained in the Book of Job, "There is a spirit in man, and the Spirit of the Lord giveth it understanding." Spoke of man as a being created a little lower than the angels, and of his being capable of receiving intelligence until he is perfect. Described the relationship of angels to God and to man, showing that they were beings who had passed through a mortal existence, received their tabernacles, passed the ordeals and proved themselves worthy of exaltation, and said that the principles of life were calculated to exalt people to thrones, principalities and powers, and that all men had the privilege of coming to the knowledge of truth by the gift and power of the Holy Ghost. Recommended the brethren to be diligent in all things, and especially in their agricultural pursuits. Blest the people in the name of the Lord.
President Wells
said: In presenting the names of the various Quorums this morning, the name of Benjamin L. Clapp was omitted. He has been dropped from the Seventies, and it is now moved and seconded that he be cut off from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.—Carried.
Choir sung "Now let us rejoice in the day of salvation."
President Kimball adjourned conference until the 6th of Oct. at 10 a. m., and then pronounced the benediction.
said: In presenting the names of the various Quorums this morning, the name of Benjamin L. Clapp was omitted. He has been dropped from the Seventies, and it is now moved and seconded that he be cut off from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.—Carried.
Choir sung "Now let us rejoice in the day of salvation."
President Kimball adjourned conference until the 6th of Oct. at 10 a. m., and then pronounced the benediction.