MINUTES OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE
Of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints,
convened in the Bowery adjoining the north end
of the Tabernacle, Great Salt Lake City, and
commencing Sunday, , at 10 a.m.
Called to order by Prest. Kimball, who requested the
congregation to close up, keep order, and be as quiet as
possible, that all may hear. Our religion comprehends
every thing on the earth, therefore let us be Saints, for
to us this is the very gate to heaven.
A hymn was read by the clerk; sung by the choir.
Prayer by Prest. J. M. Grant.
Singing by the choir.
Prest. B. Young exhorted the saints to keep profound
silence, and told the doorkeepers to stop driving away
those children who come early in order to get a seat in
which to hear and worship comfortably.
Elder George A. Smith addressed the congregation,
saying it is enough to try the lungs of a giant to speak to
this immense congregation. Alluded to the church on the
6th of April, 1830, when it was organized with six mem-
bers, and now those few have increased to a great and
mighty people. Referred to the first cause which pro-
duced the exterminating order of Governor Boggs in Mis-
souri. Exhorted the people to make good fences, to save
forage, and provide comfortable shelter for cattle in win-
ter, and spoke upon other matters of policy. Compared
the blessings of health we enjoy with the sickness in Illinois and Missouri.
Names of 177 persons, called to go on missions, were
read.
Prest. Kimball notified those whose names were read
to come to the Tabernacle at 5 o'clock this evening, that
they may receive their blessings and make arrangements
for starting.
Choir sung, "O my Father, thou that dwellest."
Benediction by Elder W. Woodruff
April 6, 2 p.m.
Called to order by Prest. Kimball
A hymn, by Bernard Snow, was read; sung by the choir.
Prayer by Prest. Joseph Young.
Choir sung a hymn.
Elder Orson Pratt asked a blessing on the sacramental
emblems, and preached to the assembled thousands.
Names of 70 persons, selected to go on missions, were
read.
Choir sung an anthem.
Benediction by Lorenzo Snow.
5 p.m.
115 missionaries received their blessings under the
hands of Elders P. P. Pratt, O. Pratt, G. A. Smith, W.
Woodruff, L. Snow and E. Snow.
, 9 a.m.
Showery. Meeting in the Tabernacle.
Called to order by Prest. Kimball.
Singing by the choir.
Prayer by Elder W. Woodruff.
Choir sung, "Come all ye saints who dwell on earth."
Elder Parley P. Pratt addressed the congregation; al-
luded to the spirit of prophecy manifested yesterday;
referred to the time when he first saw the Book of Mor-
mon and received the priesthood, and contrasted that
period with some of the results at this time, the eleventh
hour of the last dispensation.
Elder Lorenzo Snow spoke upon the close times we are
passing through, and exhorted the saints to be faithful
and exercise wisdom.
Elder Thomas Bullock read the "Act incorporating the
Deseret Agricultural and Manufacturing Society;" also the bye-laws of said Society.
Called for persons who are willing to turn in property to
help the P. E. Fund.
Choir sung, "Oh Lord, thy people bless," &c.
Benediction by J. M. Grant.
2 p.m.
The band played "Hail Columbia," and a march by
St[r]auss.
Congregation called to order by Prest. Grant.
Choir sung, "Bring forth the royal diadem."
Prayer by Elder W. Woodruff.
Choir sung, "Praise the Lord, all ye nations."
Elder Woodruff treated upon the Deseret Agricultural
and Manufacturing Society.
In accordance with a resolution passed by the Conven-
tion, the Constitution of the State of Deseret was read by
Thomas Bullock, and presented by Prest. Grant, for ap-
proval or disapproval by the people, when it was unani-
mously adopted by the vast host of electors present.
The Memorial asking for the admission of Utah into the
Union was read by Elder Bullock, and on presentation by
Prest. Grant was unanimously adopted.
Prest. Grant presented Geo. A. Smith and John Taylor,
Delegates elected by the Convention, and their election
was unanimously confirmed by the people.
Prest. Grant then 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;
Jedediah M. Grant, second counselor, Prophet, Seer, and
Revelator.
Orson Hyde, President of the Quorum of the Twelve
Apostles, and Parley P. Pratt, 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 quo-
rum.
Joseph Young, Levi W. Hancock, Henry Herriman,
Zera Pulsipher, Albert P. Rockwood, Benjamin L. Clapp,
and H. S. Eldredge, Presiding Presidents over all the
Seventies.
Brigham Young, President of the Perpetual Emigrating
Fund to gather the poor: H. C. Kimball, W. Woodruff
O. Hyde, G. A. Smith, E. T. Benson, J. M. Grant, D. H.
Wells, Edward Hunter, Daniel Spencer, Thomas Bullock,
John Brown, William Crosby, A. Lyman, C. C. Rich, Lorenzo D. Young, P. P. Pratt, O. Pratt, F. D. Richards,
and Daniel McIntosh, his assistants, and agents for said
fund.
David Fullmer, President of this Stake of Zion, Thomas
Rhoads and P. H. Young his counselors.
George A. Smith, the Historian and General Church
Recorder.
Not one negative vote was given.
Eight persons were voted to go on missons.
President Grant then related what is doing in England
towards removing 10,000 persons from that country this
season, and called on the people to aid the P. E. F. Com-
pany by all the means in their power, so that the com-
pany may increase their sphere of usefulness.
President Kimball spoke concerning the missionaries
sent out at this conference, and exhorted the people to
store their grain, for the time would come when people
from the nations and States will come here to buy grain
from us. No man, said he, has language with which to
portray the troubles that are coming upon the world, and
I know it is so.
Singing by the choir.
Elder W. Willes sung, "Deseret the home of the free."
Choir sung, "O my Father thou that dwellest."
Benediction by Elder Willes.
5 p.m.
President Kimball said some of the missionaries may
not have had their endowments, but opportunity will be
given for their receiving them.
The Apostles met in the Tabernacle, and blessed and set
apart 83 persons to their missions.
The Seventies held their quarterly conference in their
Council Hall.
Tuesday , 9 a.m.
Called to order by Prest. Kimball.
Singing by the Choir.
Prayer by Patriarch Isaac Morley.
Singing by the Choir.
Elder Ezra T. Benson addressed the congregation.
Singing by the Choir.
Elder Orson Pratt spoke a short time upon the divine
authenticity of the Book of Mormon.
Elder Patrick Lynch gave an interesting account of
some of his experience while preaching in Ireland.
Singing by the Choir.
Conference adjourned to meet in the Tabernacle on the
6th of October next, at 10 a.m.
Benediction by Patriarch John Smith.
Thomas Bullock,
Clerk of Conference.
The Conference was numerously attended, and
the customary harmony characterized its action.
The list of names of those appointed on mis-
sions was not presented in time for this number.
—ED.
MINUTES OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE
Of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints convened in the Bowery adjoining the north end of the Tabernacle, Great Salt Lake City, and commencing Sunday, April 6, 1856, at 10 a.m.
7 Apr, 2 pm*
DNW 6:40, 4/9/56 p8
2 p.m.
The band played "Hail Columbia," and a march by Strauss.
Congregation called to order by Prest. Grant.
Choir sung, "Bring forth the royal diadem."
Prayer by Elder W. Woodruff.
Choir sun;g, Praise the Lord, all ye nations."
Elder Woodruff
Elder Woodruff treated upon the Deseret Agricultural and Manufacturing Society.
In accordance with a resolution passed by the Convention, the Constitution of the State of Deseret was read by Thomas Bullock, and presented by Prest. Grant, for approval or disapproval by the people, when it was unanimously adopted by the vast host of electors present.
The Memorial asking for the admission of Utah into the Union was read by Elder bullock, and on presentation by Prest. Grant was unanimously adopted.
Prest. Grant presented Geo. A. Smith and John Taylor, Delegates elected by the Convention, and their election was unanimously confirmed by the people.
Prest. Grant then 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; Jedediah M. Grant, second counselor, Prophet, Seer, and Revelator.
Orson Hyde, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and Parley P. Pratt, 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 (eldest Son of Hyrum), Presiding Patriarch.
John Young, President of the High Priests' Quorum
Joseph Young, Levi W. Hancock, Henry Herriman, Zera Pulsipher, Albert P. Rockwood, Benjamin L. Clapp, and H. S. Eldredge, Presiding Presidents over all the seventies.
John Nebeker, President of the Elders' Quorum, [James Henry Smith|James H. Smith]] and Aaron Sceva his counselors.
Edward Hunter, Presiding Bishop of the whole Church.
Lewis Wight, President of the Priests' Quorum, George Dockstader and William Whiting his counselors.
McGee Harris, President of the Teacher's Quorum, Adam Spiers and David Bowman his counselors.
Alexander Herron, President of the Deacons' Quorum, John S. Carpenter and Frederic A. Mitchell his counselors.
Brigham Young, Trustee in Trust for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Daniel H. Wells, Superintendent of Public Works.
Truman O. Angel, Architect for the Church.
Brigham Young, President of the Perpetual Emigrating Fund to gather the poor: He. C. Kimball, W. Woodruff, O. Hyde, G. A. Smith, E. T. Benson, J. M. Grant, D. H. Wells, Edward Hunter, Daniel Spencer, Thomas Bullock, John Brown, William Crosby, A. Lyman, C. C. Rich, Lorenzo D. Young, P. P. Pratt, O. Pratt, F. D. Richards, and Daniel McIntosh, his assistants, and agents for said fund.
David Fullmer, President of this Stake of Zion, Thomas Rhoads and P. H. Young his counselors.
Heman Hyde, Eleazer Miller, Phinehas 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.
George A. Smith, the Historian and General Church Recorder.
Not one negative vote was given.
Eight persons were voted to go on misisons.
