Minutes and Summaries of the April 1845 Nauvoo General Conference

Transcription status

This file now contains complete transcriptions of the written conference material in both identified Church History Library manuscript witnesses: the full-conference April 6-8 minutes set and the more detailed April 6 section of Thomas Bullock booklet #3. It remains a fragmentary-fidelity draft because the underlying records summarize most discourses rather than preserving them verbatim. ¶

Do not split this material into individual talk files unless a later witness preserves real discourse boundaries. The surviving sources inspected here are minutes and summaries, so they belong together as a conference_record. ¶

Preferred witness: Nauvoo manuscript minutes

Catalog source: Nauvoo, Illinois, 1845 April 6-8. ¶

The catalog set contains five written manuscript images and one cover image. Its description identifies April 6 summaries, April 7 morning and afternoon business, and April 8 summaries. It is the most complete surviving witness in this record for the conference as a whole. The full written portion is transcribed below. Obvious insertions are incorporated; canceled drafting language is omitted where the replacement is unambiguous. ¶

April 6, morning session

Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, at Nauvoo, April 6, 1845, it being the first day of the sixteenth year of the Church. ¶

The choir sung "Hark the Jubilee" at a quarter past ten, while the assembly was collecting. Present: President Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Orson Hyde, Orson Pratt, George A. Smith, John Taylor, John E. Page, Willard Richards and Amasa Lyman of the Quorum of the Twelve; Father John Smith, President of the Stake; Bishops Whitney and Miller; the High Council; and about 22,000 persons. ¶

Elder Kimball called the meeting to order at half past ten a.m., and the choir sung the thirty-first hymn, followed by prayer by Elder Kimball. The choir then sung, "Come all ye Sons of Zion and let us praise the Lord." ¶

The morning was spent in teaching on the baptism for the dead by President Young, which will be hereafter reported in full. Conference adjourned until two o'clock. ¶

April 6, afternoon session

Two o'clock p.m. Conference met pursuant to adjournment. The fore part of which was taken up by the blessing of children, but owing to the immense number it was found impossible to complete the whole, when it was accordingly dispensed with; and the remainder of the afternoon was occupied in exhortation from the stand by Elder Page and President Young. The conference adjourned until tomorrow at ten o'clock a.m. ¶

April 7, morning session

April 7, 1845, ten o'clock a.m. Conference met pursuant to adjournment. After the conference was seated, in consequence of the high wind it was thought best to remove into the valley a little south, and the whole of this immense congregation was removed and comfortably seated in the short space of forty minutes. The choir sung "The Heavenly Vision" and was followed by prayer by Elder John Taylor, after which the choir sung another hymn. ¶

Elder Kimball rose and stated to the congregation some of the items of business which would be necessary to attend to during the day, viz.: the building of the Temple and the Nauvoo House; also, to take into consideration all old obligations against the Church, which are pouring in like a torrent; also to ascertain the feelings of the people in regard to sustaining the authorities of the Church under the present organization. ¶

President Brigham Young then arose and said he would now present the first item of business, which would be to present the authorities of the Church for the approval or disapproval of the conference. He also said he wanted to know if the Saints are satisfied that Joseph Smith lived and died as a prophet, seer and revelator to this Church. Whereupon Elder Phelps moved that we accept the labors of Joseph Smith— ¶

—as a prophet, seer and revelator to the nineteenth century, and that they are satisfied that he lived according to his profession and died a martyr to the truth. Carried unanimously. ¶

Elder Phelps moved that we accept the labors of Hyrum Smith, believing that he lived according to his profession and died a martyr to the truth. Carried unanimously. ¶

Elder Phelps moved that this conference accept the Twelve as the First Presidency and leaders of this Church. Carried unanimously. ¶

Elder George A. Smith moved that we acknowledge President Brigham Young as the president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles to this Church and generation. Carried unanimously. ¶

Elder George A. Smith moved that Heber C. Kimball be continued as one of the Twelve, and that he be sustained in his office. Carried unanimously. ¶

Moved and seconded that Orson Hyde be continued as one of the Twelve, and that he be sustained in his office. Carried unanimously. ¶

Moved and seconded that Parley P. Pratt be continued as one of the Twelve, and that he be sustained in his office. Carried unanimously. ¶

Moved and seconded that William Smith be continued as one of the Twelve, and that he be sustained in his office. Carried unanimously. ¶

Moved and seconded that Orson Pratt be continued as one of the Twelve, and that he be sustained in his office. Carried unanimously. ¶

Moved and seconded that John E. Page be continued as one of the Twelve, and that he be sustained in his office. Carried unanimously. ¶

Moved and seconded that Willard Richards be continued as one of the Twelve, and that he be sustained in his office. Carried unanimously. ¶

Moved and seconded that John Taylor be continued as one of the Twelve, and that he be sustained in his office. Carried unanimously. ¶

Moved and seconded that Wilford Woodruff be continued as one of the Twelve, and that he be sustained in his office. Carried unanimously. ¶

Moved and seconded that George A. Smith be continued as one of the Twelve, and that he be sustained in his office. Carried unanimously. ¶

Moved and seconded that Amasa Lyman be continued as one of the Twelve, and that he be sustained in his office. Carried unanimously. ¶

The chairman then observed, concerning the course of Lyman Wight, his feelings are that we should let him remain for the present; probably— ¶

—hereafter there may be a time that he will hearken to counsel and do much good, which he is capable of, for he is a noble-minded man. ¶

The chairman then stated that the next article of business would be to present to the conference the Presidency of the Stake. Moved and seconded that Patriarch John Smith be continued in his office as president of this Stake, that he be sustained in his office. Carried unanimously. ¶

Moved and seconded that Charles C. Rich be continued and sustained in his office as counsel to Father Smith. Carried unanimously. ¶

Moved and seconded that George Miller be continued and sustained in his office as the president of the High Priests Quorum. Carried unanimously. ¶

Moved and seconded that William Snow and Noah Packard be continued and sustained in their office as counselors to President Miller. Carried unanimously. ¶

Moved and seconded that Samuel Bent be continued and sustained in his office as president of the High Council. Carried unanimously. ¶

Moved and seconded that George W. Harris, Alpheus Cutler, William Huntington Sen., James Allred, Henry G. Sherwood, Thomas Grover, Newel Knight, Lewis D. Wilson, David Fullmer, Ezra T. Benson and Aaron Johnson be continued and sustained in their office as members of the High Council. Carried unanimously. ¶

Moved and seconded that Joseph Young be continued and sustained as the president of the First Presidency of the Seventies. Carried unanimously. ¶

Moved and seconded that Levi W. Hancock, Henry Herriman, Zera Pulsipher, Jedediah M. Grant and Daniel S. Miles be continued and sustained in their office as assistant presidents to President Joseph Young. Carried unanimously. ¶

Moved and seconded that if Roger Orton will reform and become a good man, he be received and ordained as a member of this presidency. Carried unanimously. ¶

Moved and seconded that Samuel Williams be continued and sustained in his office as the president of the Elders Quorum. Carried unanimously. ¶

Moved and seconded that Jesse Baker and Joshua Smith be continued and sustained as counselors to President Williams. Carried unanimously. ¶

Moved and seconded that Newel K. Whitney and George Miller be continued and sustained in their office as bishops and trustees-in-trust to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Carried unanimously. ¶

Moved and seconded that Alpheus Cutler and Reynolds Cahoon be continued and sustained as Temple Committee. Carried unanimously. ¶

On the subject of the old Church debts coming in, it was moved and seconded that the debts of Kirtland and Missouri, and the debts that are said to be accrued in consequence of purchasing the Galland Tract in Iowa Territory, be dropped and come up no more; and the trustees shall be dunned for them no more forever; neither shall they be sold into the hands of the Gentiles. Carried unanimously. ¶

The conference then adjourned until two o'clock. ¶

April 7, afternoon session

Two o'clock p.m. Conference met pursuant to adjournment. The choir sung a hymn, which was followed by prayer from Elder Orson Pratt, after which the choir sung another hymn. ¶

By request of President Young, Elder Orson Pratt read the revelation given January 19, 1841, concerning the building of the Temple, Nauvoo House, etc., after which he read an extract from the Law of the Lord, page 240. ¶

The chairman then stated that he wanted to lay before the conference the subject of completing the Nauvoo House, whereupon Elder Phelps moved "that we fulfill the revelation by completing the Nauvoo House as soon as possible." Carried unanimously. ¶

The chairman called for a show of hands from all those who could and would take one share of stock in the Nauvoo House. There were so many hands uplifted that they could not possibly be counted. ¶

He next called for a show of hands from those who could and would take two shares. Quite a large number of hands were shown. ¶

He then called for a show of hands from all, both male and female, who, after they had done all they could to finish the Temple, are willing to sacrifice their all to finish the Nauvoo House rather than not to have it done. Every hand was raised in the congregation. ¶

The president then proclaimed to the conference that on next Monday the books for the Nauvoo House Association would be opened in the upper part of the brick store on Water Street. ¶

The conference then adjourned until tomorrow at ten o'clock a.m. ¶

April 8

Tuesday, April 8, 1845. Conference met pursuant to adjournment at ten a.m., and was addressed by Elders Kimball and Young upon the propriety of the Saints staying in Hancock County, and in the afternoon Elders Young, Page and Hyde addressed the assembly. ¶

Perfect union and harmony prevailed throughout the conference, and there was but one dissenting vote in the entire congregation. ¶

It was motioned by the president that henceforth and forever this city shall be called the "City of Joseph." ¶

Great praise is due to ex-Marshal A. P. Rockwood and his associates for their unwearied exertion to arrange and seat the numberless assembly, for the most perfect order was maintained by them throughout the whole city and the conference, and to the Saints universally for seconding their movements. ¶

On motion conference adjourned until the sixth of October next. ¶

William Clayton; Thomas Bullock, clerks of conference. Brigham Young, president. ¶

Elder George D. Watt, whose valuable services to this Church as professor of phonography are highly appreciated, has taken down the speeches delivered on this occasion, and they will appear from time to time as circumstances will allow. ¶

Willard Richards, recorder. ¶

Parallel witness: Thomas Bullock booklet

Catalog source: Thomas Bullock booklet (#3), 1845 April 6-20, 1845 August 3. ¶

The booklet contains 46 manuscript images. Catalog items 23-30 comprise the April 6 General Conference section; item 31 begins "April 20, 1845, 10 a.m. meet'g at the stand." The transcription below therefore stops at the end of item 30. Obvious abbreviations are expanded for readability; uncertain readings are enclosed in brackets. Canceled wording is retained only where it materially changes the sense. ¶

Morning session

Conference minutes of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, at Nauvoo, April 6, 1845, it being the first day of the sixteenth year of the rising of the Church of Jesus Christ. ¶

Choir sung "Hark the Jubilee" at a quarter past ten. Present: President B. Young, H. C. Kimball, Orson Hyde, Orson Pratt, G. A. Smith, John Taylor, John E. Page, of the Quorum of the Twelve; Father John Smith, President of the Stake; Bishops Miller and Whitney; and an immense congregation of about 22,000. ¶

H. C. Kimball called the meeting to order at half past ten, and for all to hear duly, as there is much business to be laid before this congregation; and called upon the choir to sing. They sung the thirty-first hymn. H. C. Kimball said, as we know there is a God in heaven, and we [injure] him, we can have the same weather. There was a large amount of money collected of [sinners] in that [D. D.], and offered up prayer to the throne of grace. The choir again sung, "Come all ye Sons of Zion, let us praise the Lord." ¶

President Brigham Young: There may be faith enough to still the winds and strengthen me. Be as quiet as possible, and it is necessary that all should be quiet. This day we shall preach, exhort, [sing and pray], and this afternoon we should bless those children who have not been blessed. I propose to speak on the baptism for the dead, that the Saints need not be in doubt on the subject. They who have knowledge to satisfy them and do not wish any more, I shall not be an apostle to them this day. ¶

I have made some statements on baptism for the dead that have caused much discussion. I have [said] that people cannot run at haphazard and officiate for their dead friends. This is revealed from the heavens through the Prophet Joseph—a plan whereby we may redeem the dead according to the order of celestial law—so that we may be acquainted with the celestial laws, so that we can carry out the principle, so that we can make our call and election sure. ¶

The plan of salvation is perfect of itself. It is calculated to redeem, to save all the human family from the days of Adam until now. Many acknowledge by their conduct and practicing that they do not understand it. ¶

At the same time they positively [belie] that [within our reach are] all the means of salvation. The plan of salvation is within our reach, and all the means are in our power. All the finest machinery you ever saw is not to be compared with the plan of salvation, for that is adapted to the capacity of all the human family. ¶

The laws of the kingdoms of this world—if they selected out the best laws of justice and equity—they would not bear any resemblance to the laws of heaven, for that is perfect. To that man who receives more, more shall be given here. Although you have not heard it except by the Prophet Joseph, do not revolt at it, but ask the Holy Spirit that it may enlighten you. ¶

When we get the Temple done and proceed to our washings and ordinances, you will never see a woman going forward to be baptized for a man. When an infinite being reveals his will to a finite being, he must descend to the capacity of a finite being. There is not one of the sons and daughters of Eve that have had the fulness at once. Even in Christ [the infinite Jesus in England preached the gospel a little from Brother Joseph, an epistle on the subject]. I see all that doctrine in the Bible. I rejoice in it, that my ancestors may rise to the same glory that we can attain. ¶

When we came home, President Joseph preached it in a plain [manner]. There was an addition given to it: we must appoint clerks and have one or two witnesses, or it will be of no avail to the Saints. The Lord leads his people a little at a time, and when a man receives a little he shall continue to receive more, until he obtains to the fulness of the Godhead. When they have progressed through millions of worlds, it is eternity still before them. ¶

Look now, O ye Latter-day Saints, behold the ignorance of the world. How much at the idea of seeing angels— ¶

Who is there here who has seen visions, etc.? Where are we? You will be thankful for the little you have in future years. You will be apt to say, "Oh, how ignorant were the Latter-day Saints who were assembled on the sixth of April 1845 in the City of Joseph." ¶

Joseph has left the keys of the mansion here, and they know how they are to go and to lead this people. If we are faithful in the small things, greater will be given unto us. ¶

I ask this congregation if God ever called a man to commence a thing that he could not carry out. Here has been our elderly sisters have been baptized for their fathers, brothers, grandfathers; and one says, "I want my son to be ordained to the high priesthood and ordained as a patriarch," and now a sister wants and asks for a prophet, seer, and revelator. They commenced a work which they cannot carry through. You can knit a stocking or make clothes, but you cannot save your fathers. Then you all say, "We will not commence a thing which we cannot carry through." ¶

Paul says the woman is not perfect without the man, neither is the man perfect without the woman. I tell you the truth as it is in the bosom of eternity: a man cannot be perfect [without] a woman at his side. That is spiritual-wife doctrine: to be baptized for her father, grandfather, and her friends who are gone into eternity. ¶

Some find fault if I tell you things that Joseph never told you. There is no man on this earth who does not govern a wife and family upon the principle that Jesus leads his Church—they cut all the bonds asunder. Any man who does not govern his family the same as Jesus does, he will be damned. Now, will you elders go and beat your wives and [abuse] them? Where all the history pertains to a celestial law, it does not all come at once. ¶

When the angel came to Cornelius, all he told him was to send to Joppa for one Simon surnamed Peter. Then did Paul go along with you to Damascus, and he was there brought and baptized. Husbands, honor your wives. When you are baptized for your wife's father, let her go and be baptized for your mother. Let elders take their wives and be baptized for my wives, mothers and sisters, and you shall therefore [preside] over them, and shall preside over all your male relations, and all of them. All must be in their proper place. Give a man and woman their proper order, and they will never be removed out of his place, but will continue to get glory and honor. Brother Joseph did not tell you all at once. ¶

We have taken the wooden font down. Some men who don't understand anything complain that the Prophet did not reveal it to Joseph to have a stone font at first. How would it have been if God had told Abraham to build a temple, when [he was told to offer up his son]? He tells man just as much as he can receive—wisdom, faith, etc. ¶

The next house we have to build will exceed this in [size and] beauty, as this exceeds any other; and when we build that Temple in Jackson County, it will be fit for God to walk in. I say in the name of the Lord that we shall build this Temple in Jackson County in this generation. It is just as likely as not that God will say, "Go and overlay that font with gold." ¶

Joseph addressed the men to go and build a wooden font to answer for the present. We shall have a font that will make the Gentiles faint away. [He related the story of] the Methodist lady at Kirtland. They are so full of the devil, so mournful, that they are afraid they will tread upon their own Christ. One who has his sins forgiven will have a glorious, bright countenance. If you do not believe it, go and look at yourself in a glass. ¶

We will have a [pool] to bathe the sick in, same as in Jerusalem. When we are ready to go into the font, we will tell you the order of it. I hope we shall have a healthy season. We shall have a summer of peace. You cannot go into any town in Massachusetts and find such a healthy congregation as this here today. ¶

I say unto you all, be faithful, do what is right, go as far as anyone can ask, and we shall outstrip the world. There is Zion. The Zion is right here. The Millennium has commenced. ¶

The principle of peace is here. There is no contention between the brethren and sisters. All is peace. It is growing stronger and stronger. This is the Millennium, the day of rest. The Saints will increase in peace, virtue, etc., and there will not be any place for the devil, or those cast out; they will be driven off. There will be no place for the devil to reign. They killed Joseph because he wanted to spread this glorious principle to the world. ¶

Conference adjourned until two o'clock. ¶

Orson Hyde asked a blessing from the Lord. ¶

Afternoon session

P.M., 6 April 1845. ¶

Present: B. Young, O. Pratt, O. Hyde, J. E. Page, H. C. Kimball, A. Lyman, Bishop Miller, John Taylor, G. A. Smith, D. Goforth; about 22,000 persons. ¶

O. Hyde called to order twenty minutes past two and called upon the choir to sing. O. Hyde announced that the revelation of J. C. Bennett will be read to this congregation, and you can judge for yourselves what is of the Good Shepherd and what is not. It was read by Phinehas Young. President Young called on the choir to sing, and they sung "On the Mountain Top Appears." ¶

Orson Hyde spoke of the revelation of John C. Bennett and Wm. E. McLellin, and said Thomas [Bullock] well knew that revelation was manufactured by J. C. Bennett at Hampton, for "I was there." Orson Hyde then prayed. The choir sung. ¶

J. E. Page spoke to the parents of children on the blessing of them. Orson Hyde, Orson Pratt, John Taylor and John E. Page then went down to bless the children. ¶

The manuscript lists children blessed in two short tables spanning this page and the next. The first is headed "Child / Father / Child," pairing siblings under one shared father: Sarah, Ariza, and Cordelia Emery, children of Levi Emery; Charles Godfrey, son of Major Godfrey; and Thomas Perrin, son of Charles Perrin. The second table is headed "Child / For / Mother" and adds mothers: Francis Savage, child of William Sawyer and Mary; Henry Carles, child of Edward Carles and Catherine; Albert Fuller, whose guardian is named Isaac Fuller, and mother Melissa J. Fuller; and Mary Isabell Morse, child of Gilbert Morse and Cynthia Ann. ¶

President Young said, "We shall be obliged to adjourn the blessing of the children. How do I know but that some of these children will be carried out of the conference and the parents go into the world? Hearken to counsel; submit to your duties, or you may see the time that you will be sorry." ¶

John E. Page: It appears the Spirit of Truth requires me to address this congregation. We learn a great many lessons by the things we suffer. I have cared too much for the opinions of my fellow man. I gaze upon the Kingdom of God in this assembly. The young men will take up the burden and sound it to the ends of the world. ¶

As it regards the things of this nasty, dirty little earth, the principles of truth are simple and plain and can reach after every man. If he will be saved, a man must choose to be guided and exalted, and it needs no argument to prove the moral agency of man. The Spirit of Truth will lead a man into truth. The religion of the true God is in itself a mathematical system, and is a very important one. When it is laid out in its plainness, it is adapted to every case and will reach after the whole world. ¶

If a man is not of one religion, he must be of another. He is naturally a religionist. It does not matter what name it is. Man can reel and believe anything. Man naturally [receives] the same religion that their fathers did. Those who embrace the fulness of the Gospel discharge some peculiar duties, and our children suppose they must believe exactly the same as their parents. ¶

The Jews rose up and stoned the prophets because they told the Jews more than Moses did, and the same thing is done now because men have an impression that no more revelation is given, and they then kill that prophet to death. The Lord never did reveal anything in its fulness to the Saints at the first time, and [did so] in spite of the objections of the people, because the Lord does not reveal all things at once. When the Latter-day Saints [moved] from England, he gave [revelation] from time to time as they stood in need. All things might have been revealed to Enoch or Abraham, but we have no record of it. ¶

The great God, in the management of his kingdom, adapts all to the people as he gives it to them. Have we arrived to our fulness? Have we come to perfection? A ray of light struck my understanding that the Millennium had begun. What is to be understood by the Millennium? Why, I used to say it is the final perfection of all things. I understand now it is where the Priesthood has begun. ¶

Fear not him that can kill the body. He that is not willing to lay down his life for me is not worthy of me. Those that can do this can defy all the men they can bring against Nauvoo. When we take into consideration our worthiness to appear before Jesus Christ—to enjoy an inheritance in the Kingdom—if there is beauty, glory, excellency in the prophet of futurity, let us try to do it. ¶

Where is the state that has not trampled on the Latter-day Saints? Is the surrounding world asleep? They are as aware of it as we are, that they are afraid to die. On the other hand, the Saints stand on the point of defiance. The brave die but once. The Priesthood gives the finishing touch and can induct man into eternal glory, and we feel it in our bones, in our heart. There was more bravery in Joseph Smith's little finger than either in Washington or in Bonaparte. ¶

They knew not how far it was to heaven or hell because they had not the Priesthood. There is not a company of greater import than this company on the sixth of April 1845. They have not faces here, as long as our [views to hold] hang the battles on. A man who knows the truth has the stamp of the Priesthood upon him. What is it that makes the Saints look so cheerful? ¶

[He spoke on John C. Bennett's revelation and Sidney Rigdon's actions.] Does the spirit of union not rule in Nauvoo? I never knew so much union and brotherly kindness as what there is now, and the people just do what they are told to do. ¶

It is [said] of Joseph Smith, he was a peculiar man. He was from the cradle of the highest science, that of revelation, and God Almighty rocked the cradle for him. Joseph Smith introduced the scripture, the Spirit of Revelation, to Sidney Rigdon. Jehovah drew ten times more the divinity and proof of Joseph Smith than any man can do of any other. ¶

I feel at coming at things in a plain way, and truth ahead from the Bible. Sound philosophy and sound divinity is one and the same thing. What is nature but science? It emanates from God. It rules suns and worlds and descends to the smallest things. We see in the revelation of the Bible that they harmonize with true philosophy, and they come to pass in due time. All things that come from God harmonize one with the other. ¶

If Joseph Smith is a fallen prophet, and this Church here assembled is an apostate church, then God is a liar! I know that this Church, organized in this state, county and city of Nauvoo, is the Church of God, and all other is the spirit of Antichrist. ¶

Collation notes

• The full-conference minutes are preferred because they cover April 6-8. The Bullock booklet is more detailed for April 6 but contains no April 7-8 conference material.
• Bullock's notes summarize Brigham Young's baptism-for-the-dead discourse and John E. Page's afternoon address rather than preserving verbatim reports. The published versions should be registered as separate witnesses rather than silently substituted for these notes.
• The catalog asset URLs were previously reversed in this file: ea840e35-... is the six-image April 6-8 minutes set, while the user-supplied 9acf0f86-... URL is item 23 of the 46-image Bullock booklet.
• 2026-07-19 heavyweight review corrected several Bullock-booklet misreadings against the scans, most notably the children-blessed list: the manuscript names Sarah, Ariza, and Cordelia Emery (children of Levi Emery), Charles Godfrey (son of Major Godfrey), Thomas Perrin (son of Charles Perrin), Francis Savage (child of William Sawyer and Mary), Henry Carles (child of Edward Carles and Catherine), Albert Fuller (guardian Isaac Fuller, mother Melissa J. Fuller), and Mary Isabell Morse (child of Gilbert Morse and Cynthia Ann) -- not the "Burbry"/"Orvin" names the prior draft guessed.