Minutes of the October 25-26, 1831 Orange Conference

Source note

Preferred witness: Minute Book 2, pages 10–15, accessed 21 May 2026. The record begins on JSP page 10 and continues through page 15. It preserves conference proceedings, reported remarks, testimonies, ordinations, and business, but not complete independent sermon transcripts. ¶

Additional witness: History, 1838–1856, volume A-1, page 156, accessed 21 May 2026. The later history supplies a short retrospective summary of attendance, business, and the committee appointments. ¶

The transcripts below follow the Joseph Smith Papers expanded-transcription presentation: original spelling and punctuation are retained; editorial additions appear in brackets; insertions appear in angle brackets; cancellations appear with strikethrough; and manuscript page endings are linked to the corresponding JSP image and transcript page. ¶

Historical introduction

The conference met at the home of Serenes Burnett in Orange, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, on 25–26 October 1831. It continued work begun at the 11 October conference in Hiram and included instruction concerning the high priesthood, individual testimonies and covenants, support for the families of absent elders, ordinations, and plans for the next general conference. ¶

This is represented as one conference record because the surviving minutes intermingle reported remarks with business and do not preserve discrete, complete talks. ¶

Transcript

Minute Book 2

25–26 October 1831 • Tuesday–Wednesday

Minutes of a general Conference held at the dwelling of br. Serenes Burnet[t] in the Town of Orange, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, October 25, 1831. ¶

Names of those ordained to the High priesthood
Joseph Smith jr.	Joseph Brackenbury (Dec’d)
Oliver Cowdery	William E. Mclellin
John Whitmer	Major N. Ashley (cut off.)
Hyrum Smith	Stephen Burnett
Sidney Rigdon	Edmund Durfee
Samuel H. Smith	Joel Johnson
Simeon Carter	Levi Jackman
Reynolds Cahoon	Emer Harris
Martin Harris	Frederick G. Williams
Joseph Smith sen.	Priests
Wheeler Baldwin	Lyman Johnson
John Smith (license taken)	Edward Johnson (denied the faith)
Elders	Benjamine Carpenter (not felloshiped)
David Whitmer	Ruggles Eames
Peter Whitmer [Jr.]	Teachers
Silvester [Sylvester] Smith	William, Smith
Luke Johnson	Uziel Stephens
Burr Riggs (cut off)	Hiram Griffith
Silvester Parker (left the Church)	Deacons
Orson Hyde	Titus Billings
Daniel Stanton	Serenes Burnett and John Burk

Prayer by br Simeon Carter, Glorious things, were then sung Bro Sidney Rigdon arose & said that he wished to make a few observations connected withe the object of our assembling our selves together, When God work’s all may know it, for he always answers the prayers of the Savior for he makes his children one, for he by his Holy Spirit binds their hearts from Earth to Heaven, And in this thing God had taught his children to sing a new song even about Zion which David Spoke of, &c, God always bears testimony by his presence in counsil to his Elders when they assemblethemselves in perfect faith and humble themselves before the Lord and their wills being swallowed up in the will of God p. 10 ¶

Br Joseph Smith, Jr., said we have assembled together to do the business of the Lord and it is through the great mercy of our God that we are spared to assemble together, many of us have went at the command of the Lord in defience of every thing evil, and obtained blessings unspeakable in consequence of which, our names are sealed in the Lambs’ Book of life, for the Lord has spoken it. It is the privilege of every Elder to speak of the things of God &c, And could we all come together with one heart and one mind in perfect faith the vail might as well be rent to day as next week or any other time and if we will but cleanse ourselves and covenant before God, to serve him, it is our privilege to have an assurence that God will protect us at all times ¶

Br. John Whitmer said that a certain clause in the Church Covenants was too much neglected he feared by the brethren, read accordingly. ¶

Br. Frederick G. Williams enquired if it was the business of this conference to take into consideration the situation of the families of the absent Elders. Br. Sidney Rigdon said that he supposed that it was, saying, I bear testimony that God will have a pure people who will give up all for Christ’s sake and when this is done they will be sealed up unto eternal life. ¶

Br. Joseph Smith jr. said that the order of the High priesthood is that they have power given them to seal up the Saints unto eternal life. And said it was the privilege of every Elder present to be ordained to the High priesthood. ¶

Br. Emer Harris said that he was determined to be for God & none else & with his assistance to do his will ¶

Br. Orson Hyde said that he covenanted to give all to the Lord and be for his glory and as to all his works his heart responded a hearty. Amen. ¶

Br. Hyrum Smith said that all he had was the Lord’s and he was ready to do his will continually ¶

Br. Frederick G. Williams said that he renewed again the covenant before the Lord to give all to him. ¶

Br. Wm. E. Mc.lellin said that he had the greatest reason to rejoice of any present and that he also would be subject to the will of God even unto death. ¶

Br. Silvester Smith said that he had the testimony that it was the will of the Lord to seal his Saints, and also covenanted to give all to the Lord. ¶

Br. Reynolds Cahoon said that he could not obtain to express his heart, but said that he gave all to God. Also reminded the brethren of the constant care of the Savior for them. p. 11 ¶

Br. Peter Whitmer jr. said, ever since my beloved brethren, ever since I have had an acquaintance with the writing of God I have [blank] eternity with perfect confidence ¶

Br. Samuel Smith said that ever since he had set out to serve the Lord, not to regard the favor of man but the favor of Heaven. ¶

Br. Martin Harris said that he was anxious that all should be saved &c. also read two verses in the book of Revelations, also covenanted to give all for Christ’s sake. ¶

Br. John Smith said that he felt through grace to do the will of the Lord notwithstanding his extreme old age, also felt to covenant to give all to the Lord. ¶

Br. Daniel Stanton said that he had a long time since covenanted to do the will of God in all things, and also said that it was his desire to be sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. ¶

Br. David Whitmer said that he felt to declare to this conference that he had consecrated all that was his to the Lord, and also was desirous to do all for the glory of God. ¶

Br. Simeon Carter said that he was thankful that he had been spared & preserved to go to the land of Zion according to the commandment of the Lord, for he received it as from his mouth & also thanked the Lord that his feet had trodden upon the consecrated ground which was the inheritance of the saints. Testified that the book of Mormon was true. Mourned because of the falling away since he took his journey to the Land of Zion. ¶

Br. Joseph Brackenberry said that he blessed the name of the Lord that he could bear testimony of the truth of the book of Mormon, and also consecrated all to God before he was baptized, he was also determined to go on to the end of his life ¶

Br. Levi Jackman said he gave all his ability to do the work of the Lord. ¶

Br. Major N. Ashley said that it was by the help of the Lord that he had been preserved, yet his greatest fear was for those who were weak in the faith. ¶

Br. Wheeler Baldwin said that he rejoiced while he heard those give their testimony who had been up to the land of Zion, said he had many times been directed by the Spirit of God, also felt to do the will of the Lord in all things, &c. ¶

Br. Joel Johnson said that he had professed religion for a number of years, also felt to bear testimony of the goodness of God, and to consecrate all to the Lord. p. 12 ¶

Br. Edmund Durfee said that he had professed religion for a number of years yet now felt to bear testimony of the goodness of God, & also to consecrate all to the Lord. ¶

Br. Joseph Smith [Sr.] said that he had nothing to consecrate to the Lord of the things of the Earth, yet he felt to consecrate himself and family. Was thankful that God had given him a place among his saints, felt willing to labor for their good. ¶

Br. Luke Johnson said that he was determined to be for God and none else come life or death, also remembered his covenant that he would consecrate all that he had to the Lord. ¶

Br. Hyrum Smith said that he thought best that the information of the coming forth of the book of Mormon be related by Joseph himself to the Elders present that all might know for themselves. ¶

Br. Joseph Smith jr. said that it was not intended to tell the world all the particulars of the coming forth of the book of Mormon, & also said that it was not expedient for him to relate these things &c. ¶

Br. Frederick G. Williams laid before the Conference the case of Sister Marsh & family who were somewhat destitute. ¶

Br. Titus Billings said that he was surprised that the case of Sister Marsh should be brought to this Conference, as she and her family were provided for as well as her brethren around her. ¶

Br Joseph Smith Jr said that he intended to do his duty before the Lord and hoped that the brethren would be patient as they had a considerable distance. also said that the promise of God was that the greatest blessings which God had to bestow should be given to those who contributed to the support of his family while translating the fulness of the scriptures; also said until we have perfect love we are liable to fall and when we have a testimony that our names are sealed in the Lamb’s Book of life we have perfect love & then it is impossible for false Christs to decieve us. also said that the Lord held the Church bound to provide for the families of the absent Elders while proclaiming the Gospel: further said that the God had often sealed up the heavens because of covetousness in the Church. Said that the Lord would cut his work short in righteousness and except the church recieve the fulness of the Scriptures that they would yet fall. p. 13 ¶

Adjournment moved for by the moderator until evening. ¶

The Clerk begged the privilege of laying before the Conference in the evening the necessity of sending certain Elders to visit the Churches and obtain means for the support of br. Joseph Smith jr. & those appointed to assist him in writing & copying the fulness of the Scriptures, as was concluded upon in a conference held in Hiram, Oct. 11. 1831. Conference adjourned, Prayer by br. Wm. E Mc.lellin. ¶

Oliver Cowdery Clerk of Conference. ¶

Conference commenced according to adjournment— opened by singing, prayer by br. Orson Hyde, singing again. ¶

Brs. Orson Hyde Simeon Carter, Emer Harris & Hyrum Smith were appointed & ordained, agreeably to a motion of the Clerk, to visit the churches agreeably to the Conference of Oct. 11. 1831. ¶

Br. Sidney Rigdon said it was the privilege of those Elders present to be ordained to the High Priesthood, telling them that if they then should doubt God would withdraw his spirit from them. ¶

The following Elders were then called seated & ordained by the Clerk, Viz: David Whitmer Peter Whitmer jr. Silvester Smith Luke Johnson Burr Riggs, Orson Hyde, Daniel Stanton Joseph Brockenbury William E Mclellen, Major N Ashley, Stephen Burnett, Edmund Durfee Levi Jackman, Emer Harris, Frederick G Williams, several brethren were then called by the Clerk who were desirous to preach the gospel. ¶

Br Joseph Smith Jr, was appointed to examine these brethren, presenting themselves for ordination, after prayer said that he had a testimony that each had one tallent and if after being ordained they should hide it God would take it from them; exhorted them to pray continually in meekness. Said that those who had been previously ordained Priests would be ordained Elders, & the others would be ordained Priests; the clerk then by appointment ordained br Lyman Johnson <​an Elder​> and brs Calvin Stod[d]ard, Ezekiel Rider, William Scobey, Uziel Stephens, William Smith William Cahoon, Albert Jackman, Stephen Strong, Calves Willson, Lumon [Luman] Gibbs. Eleazer Willis Michael B. Welton Gideon Carter Priests. ¶

Conference adjourned until 8 o’clock A.M. on 26th. ¶

Oliver Cowdery Ck. of Co. ¶

Conference convened according to adjournment opened by singing “Go on ye pilgrims,” prayer by br. David Whitmer p. 14 ¶

Br. Sidney Rigdon then made certain remarks on the privileges of the saints in these last days. Remarks to those who were ordained to the High priesthood last evening saying that the Lord was not well pleased with some of them because of their indifference to be ordained to that office, exhortation to faith and obedience setting forth the power of that office. ¶

Br. Orson Hyde said that he received the rebuke in meekness. The same by brs. Stephen Burnett Joseph Brackenberry, Levi Jackman & Frederick G. Williams. ¶

The Clerk said that the directions which himself & his br. David Whitmer had recieved this morning respecting the choice of the twelve, was that they would be ordained & sent forth from the Land of Zion. ¶

Voted that this conference appoint another General conference in Amherst Lorain County on the 25th. January 1832. ¶

Voted that brs. Sidney Rigdon Oliver Cowdery Hyrum Smith & Orson Hyde speak this day to the congregation which shall assemble. ¶

Closed, Prayer by br. Sidney Rigdon. ¶

Oliver Cowdery Clerk. ¶

Orange Cuyahoga County Ohio, Oct. 26. 1831. ¶

History, 1838–1856, volume A-1

¹At the conference on the 25, at Orange, 12 high-priests, 17 elders, 4 priests, 3 teachers, and 4 deacons, together with a large congregation attended. Much business was done, and the four remaining Committee, authorized by the conference at Hiram on the 11th, a were appointed and consisted of Simeon Carter, Orson Hyde, Hyrum Smith and Emer Harris. ¶

Compiler's notes

Tyler’s collection-level compiler’s note is preserved verbatim. ¶

Notes from Tyler’s compilation

On the 25th, the conference was reconvened: ¶

From the Minutes Book: ¶

The conference was adjourned until the evening: ¶

Vault presentation

• The later History A-1 summary and the fuller Minute Book 2 record remain separate so that retrospective framing is not silently combined with the contemporaneous minute tradition.

Textual and contextual notes

Notes

1. Minutes, 25–26 October 1831. ↩