Minutes of the December 1847 Council Bluffs Sustaining Conference

Transcription status

This file preserves a manuscript transcription of Thomas Bullock's 26-leaf "Pottawattamie settlements, 1847 December 23-27" (CR 100 318), held by the Church History Library. The catalog identifies only December 24, 26, and 27 as Conference sessions. Those are the scope of this record; all 19 leaves that fall within that scope (1-5, 8-19) are now transcribed. ¶

The item also contains a December 23 meeting of the Twelve, December 25 High Council and Twelve council meetings, a General Epistle recipient list, and a music-donation list. They are deliberately left out below because they are adjacent council business or administrative appendices rather than conference proceedings. ¶

Use bracketed notes for uncertainty rather than smoothing or supplying missing words -- see source_collation_notes above for which passages carry the most uncertainty (leaf 9 in particular). The secondary Brigham Young letter below corroborates the sustaining vote's outcome (names and offices match exactly) but remains a personal letter, not a substitute for the clerk's minutes. ¶

Transcription notation: ¶

• [illegible] for a word or short run that cannot be read.
• [word?] for a tentative reading.
• [gap: reason] for omitted non-conference material or material intentionally outside scope.
• Preserve original spelling, punctuation, abbreviations, speaker labels, cancellations, and line order as far as practical.
• Do not expand names or abbreviations unless the manuscript itself does so.

CHL Manuscript Transcription

Source: Historian's Office general Church minutes, "Pottawattamie settlements, 1847 December 23-27" (CR 100 318), 26 leaves, recorded by Thomas Bullock. The scaffold below follows the verified leaf map. Only the December 24, 26, and 27 Conference portions belong in this record. ¶

Leaf 1

[gap: December 23 meeting of the Twelve; outside this conference record.] ¶

Leaf 2

[gap: December 23 continuation at top of leaf; outside this conference record.] ¶

December 24 Conference begins

Friday 24 Dec. 1847 ¶

... ¶

At 11:15 Prest. young, and J. Young sang "Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken" ¶

The room not being fully fixed off, it was thought best to have but a short meeting Orson Pratt came in, having walked from W. Q. [Winter Quarters] this morning and was reqested to open the meeting. He rose and called to order, and then offered up prayer to God our Eternal Father and consecrated and dedicated this house as a house of prayer and thanksgiving. ¶

O. Pratt greatly rejoices [at?] the prin[?] of meeting with [illegible] such favorable [circumstances], not [harrowed?] up as we were 3 or 4 weeks ago. I hope we will [have] plenty of room in our hearts that we may filled with the Sp. [Spirit] - that the Servts. of the Ld. may speak with the power of the H. G. [Holy Ghost] - we rejoice at your diligence & faithfulness in building this house. ¶

Sung, Come come ye Saints ¶

W. Woodruff: I feel as tho[sic] I was in the midst of [mormonism?] - when we assembled [before] we [ad?(had)] [scarce] room - some of the [lambs?] [could] not find [room?] in the fold - but now we [have] a liberal room[?]. I am glad to see them. Nobody else in the world could [have] thought of such a thing as Mormons - to adjourn our meeting while we [could] build a house large enough - Pres. Young told us that our object is to see you - and to examine your [Spirit/Spirits] [whether] you were living in the faith, and to understand our own [Spirit/Spirits] that we may stand the scrutiny of all. It stands[?] us all to ex[amine] ourselves [whether] we [are] in the light. [Another?] object is to [lay] bus[iness] bef[ore] the Conf[erence]. The bus[iness] of our personal [circumstances] - emigration [next?] Spring - [marking?] locations - etc. and need [have] no fears if our minds [are] always [prepared] for [business?] of any thing coming that would [cross] our path - We [are] like the children of Is[rael] in the wilderness. We [have] a place sought out where we mean to build a city. Let us be prepared to [go?] to the mountains. [Illegible; abbreviation unknown] to stay here and farm and [illegible; same abbr. as last] go a preaching. If our wills [are] submissive to the [Lord] be our hand - whether to go or stay or go a preaching. If we get so [strait?] as to lean [illegible] either one way we may [have] things to [cross] our path. We ought to be [limber?] all the day long that the [Lord] [may] make vessels of [honor?] of us. The [Lord] has led this [people] all the time - every thing looks prosperous & comfortable - the [Lord] [has] governed all things - and blest us in the farm in the garden and his [hand has] been over you - all will be [right] with us if we will do right - the council that will be given us will be good - the [Lord] intends to lead his [people] in a way that they [may] be blest. The [Lord has said] it is [business?] to [attend] to the wants of his [Saints?]. We [have had] an[?] [interesting?] mission[?] this [Season?]. I see all the time the [illegible] blessings[?] of the [Lord] all the time. Whatever [business may] be laid [before] you, be ready to act on it. We [are] come to see your faces and [talk?] and comfort you - and if wrong set you right - and if right you can't[?] be set right. There is matter enough and business enough to [lay] before you. I feel thankful to meet with you and [pray] that you [may have] the [Spirit] of the [Lord] all the time - that you [may] carry out the council given you - and may the Lord bless you for Christ's sake. Amen. ¶

O. Pratt: As [Brother Woodruff] has remarked there are many things [pertaining] to the welfare of this ppl that is necessary to understand in their general [movements] as a [people] - one of the [principal] objects has been accomplished in finding out a location beyond the mountains. That is one of the greatest events of this [Church] and one of the most important in building up of this [Kingdom] - Every [person?] must be aware, that the [gathering together] of the [people] of God among the mountains where we can get access to the remnants of Joseph - this is one of the prime objects for which the B. of Mormon was [brought] forth - and all things tend to fulfil the sacred [contents?/covenants?] of that record & the [record] given to the [Church] - we can see the [hand] of God in directing the movements of this Ch. - we still keep upon our feet altho[sic] we [have] been almost crushed down by the burden on us & [altho?] we have been broken up in the eyes of the people - there never was a period in the history of [this?/the?] [Church] [when?/where?] there was better prospects for us than at this time - [herein?] is the greatness and wisdom and power of the Almighty manifested - altho we [are] driven from City to City and State to State and driven from our [illegible; poss. an abbr. for mother?] country, we can rise up in our power before the nation that [has] driven us out - we [have?] not [had] only ¶

Leaf 3

December 24 Conference continuation

the opposition of officers and men and rulers but also the [opposition] of Apostates. The very men that have rejoiced in these things [are] who [illegible] doubt that the [hand] of the [Lord] is over us. No person can doubt it, who has the Sp. of the Ld. in our hearts. That the great Jehovah is our friend & he will cause [Heaven?], and rulers and the powerful of the world quake as did Belteshazzar [before] the [servants] of the [Lord]. [I said?] we[?] had the [opposition?] of the Apostates. Where [are] they now? Look ye [Elders] of [Israel] at those men who thought to build themselves up. They are sunk. Sunk in their wickedness. We can hardly look down into their darkness to know that they are human beings like ourselves - you all know the course taken by Mr Rigdon and Mr. Strang. Tthey proclaimed they were the ones on whom the [Hand] of the [Lord] rested - (that) they were the favored ones to the millennium on to the Earth. They [illegible] this [Church] can't be the [Church] of God - [because] as Rigdon and Strang proclaimed we had no first [illegible] - the [First Presidency] - but they [are] the ones they proclaimed that have a first [Presidency]. Could not the [Lord] lead his [people] by teachers & deacons? Yes. There is nothing [against] it - The great Jehovah [could] do it. Did he not do it when this [Church] was in its infancy - [years] rolled on and [illegible] [High Council], [years] rolled on before the 12 were here - or the 70 - he certainly was with his [people]. It can not be disputed that he [could] sustain his [Church] a few years without even the [First Presidency]. ¶

[H.C. and G.A.S. come in] ¶

We admit we [have] not [had] the [First Presidency]? But still we [have] lived [through] it and tho they [have] them still they [are?] fallen - One of the items may be [before] this [conference] to [apppoint] a [First Presidency]. The D & C clearly show who [has?] to [appoint] them - the [people] [appoint] them. There are [persons?] in this [Church] that [have] all the ordinations that can be put on any man's head - but the [people] [have] to nominate them - and if nominated the [people] can vote and the [President] can preside over the welfare of the [Church] - [Illegible] is it the [lives?] of the 12 to sit down in one place until they be [gray headed] old men - the D & C show they [have?] to go into all the world and stand [before Kings] and Princes and nobles and mighty men of all the nations of the Earth and setting all things in order - instead of attending to temporal things while the nations [are] perishing. They [have] got to take charge of the affairs of the [Kingdom] - and see that righteous men will push the [people together] to the place where the [First Presidency] will be to council you - when the [Lord] could whip out the [Apostates?] with a [Church] not fully organized. I think he can whip Apostates when the [Church] is fully organized at any rate. ¶

W. Woodruff dismissed the [congregation] at 12:20 until 2 o'clock - with blessing. ¶

[President] Young councilled the [brethren] to bring Buffalo Skins or Sheep Skins to sit on - as the logs and seats were very unhealthy. ¶

The Twelve went to dine at Silas Richards' ¶

At 2.25 bro A. Lyman called the [congregation] to order when sung "Ere long the vail shall rend in twain" Bullock reporter ¶

Present: Young, Kimball, Richards, Pratt, Lyman, Smith, Woodruff - [Joseph] Young, A. P. Rockwood, [Zera] Pulsipher, B. L. Clapp ¶

Amasa Lyman prayed to our Heavenly [Father] - ask mercies - to smile propitiously on us - enable us to do things acceptable in thy sight - asked for blessings on the leaders of thy [people] - bless the 12 and all [Quorums?] that truth may hasten on - Thy work roll on in majesty - the Servants speak to enlighten [Saints?] - bless thy [people] under all [circs] - in valley[?] - peace be with them - wisdom sent from above - establish thy [people] in peace. Bless [Saints] scattered abroad - [Elders] return with [sheaves] - those who are going to preach - the hands of Zion be lifted up and enjoy peace and happiness - that all may be done acceptably—extend mercy to us and all honest in heart. Zion arise in glory & splendour etc. Amen. ¶

Sung “Come all ye Sons of Zion" [Wm. I. Appleby, E. Snow came in] ¶

Amasa Lyman by request of [President Young] will make a few remarks - if their hearts [are] cold and manifest [indifference] it was always [unpleasant] to me - from what we see[?] around us that the [Church] of L.D.S. a time and period in history since [becoming] a [people]. Matters of importance hang on the movements of [people]. No new [principle]: required of them to do [differently] with what always existed among them - they [should] walk in [obedience] to the [requirements] of God. They are called with holy calls to do a holy work accomplish a holy enterprise - it has been understood by [people] - by some on (a) small scale - [others] on liberal scale - but if they consider (the) importance of labor the history affords to me evidence that this matter is not appreciated. It is viewed as an object in distance yet not perfectly definite - neither the greatness of the object to accomplish [as?/on?] L D S. - the reason they do not appreciate is [because] I see them influenced by matters of far less importance and glorious - in things of perfect insignificance in [comparison] with the objects of the L.D.S. - some man is getting a little farm - their whole soul and entire mind is swallowed up in 160 [acres] of land of the footstool of Almighty - men do not appreciate calling into what they are called - they [would] only think of raising potatoes to support them to do the work of the [Lord]. This [people] are called to revolution the world - no [matter] kindred tongue or [people] that [are] HERE beyond what the [Saviour] are got to do—they are to turn the world in? side up, when the voice is out—it is entirely obscured the rays of light & under obscurity they will enlighten the world—it is to bear his commandments & become in very center of worlds—the worlds of earth & tree of life & give current principles of Jehovah that the [human] govt movement, & those who will do it—may see it all over the world—the end that is end in Sun to God: the [Bible] of every land is a big fighting law—instead of opening conv. when all nations [shall] come & see the mind of getting the truth the rule is just spread out—they draw the red flag; draw it down—they have discovered that they are as mean little in the civil as out of it—they discover that the rule does not connect bad with good—but collect the good & lead bad—the Lord is only to be controlled while the good is located in vessels—when men is [case?] and a little [inspired?] as it then gathers the good home—the evil and good will grow up in case of the household of wheat & tares—the good will become one indivisible whole—for his work the S? is called—this is work to be accomplished & we shd. bend our heads above water—we must act the real men—that we may accomplish the work—when the signs of things & good or bad it shd. make no diff. to us but be more determined to do our [work]—does the Sp. come within us so that we may entirely revolutionize the world that is morally sick & miserable—it is for the accomplishment of this labor that S? are to go together— ¶

Leaf 4

December 24 Conference continuation

It is strange the same [Spirit] is still found in [illegible] of this people. that is continually averse to [gathering] [together] - they always want to be about 25 miles from the place of gathering - the [Lord?] will leave but the [people] won't leave the cry of the [World?] - the net must be drawn [together] that [I?] may make a perfect Mormon bubbul[sic?], and pull some over righteous soul [together] that his [whining] and [complaining] may be heard and all be [portrayed?] on one page. The object is to give every honest man and woman a chance to be saved. They must be drawn [together] that the good and bad may be associated to make up the [Israel?] of God. The [gathering] is an important item. We [have] tried to [gather] in the midst of Gentiles. We [have] only succeeded a little while - [Because] so many bad fish were [gathered] inside (the) net so near alike to bad fish outside that can scarcely discover. And the good are exposed to their contaminating influence - and it is quite an easy matter to go down hill. Bit hard to get up especially when slippery. The [Lord] has been [gathering] the [people together according] to his own Will. I expect it will be some time [before] the one thing will be accomplished. There is no possibility of a [people] becoming a a [pious?] [people] while under (the) influence of so much wickedness - The [Lord] has [suffered] the [people] to be driven. The [Lord] has [appointed] a place where (the) [Saints] shall [gather together] and where there is no excuse for man not doing what he is called to do - it is to [gather] the [people together] to this [place] that they may be instructed in truth. And some place where truth and righteousness shall pour down upon (the?) [people] all (the) time. Mormonism is not going to be all [learnt?] in this year or next year. I expect some will be [taught?] in next [generations]. They gather [together] to do what they [have] to do after it - if they [are] to go to nations. The [revelations] of God and knowledge of principle will be that the [Elders] may be [messengers] of truth. If it is not so, it is perfectly nonsense for the 70 and [Elders] to be there. But it will be continually unfolding [day] by [day]. We [have] only been looking towards it these last 15 [years] - let us wake up - if you are going to be L.D.S. wake up and don't be swallowed up in a little patch of 160 acres. I don't want to be swallowed up in anything less than the redemption of the world. The [illegible] of Mormonism will wash[?] you up and your little farm - it will run over your farm and you too. The [Lord] don't care much about you or your farm if you get in the way. It's bound to travel onward[?] and go to the tops of Mormonism and if Zion gets in a low place, it is the highest low place there is in the Earth. All the corn and potato [doings?] is to strengthen you to do his work. Some [are] satisfied if they get a little farm, a fine[?] carriage and a few horses. If (he) sees a poor man in the street cries[?] (to) him "Out of the way(!) You [have] no [business] here(!)" It puts me in mind what [Heber C. Kimball] told of (a) dog [crossing] a river with a piece of meat in his mouth - seeing his shadow, snaps at it, and lost what he had in his mouth- ¶

[Thomas Bullock note] [Illegible] got out Word and Will of Lord [D&C 136]— ¶

Spoke of every man fulfilling their covenants. [Quote picks back up] I [have] no idea that the 12 [have] got to do all the work. Your pride[?] is no better than mine. I expect to get amply[sic] means by and by. You [are] no better than I am, you are no better than (the) 12. Don't think you [are] going to [illegible] the world over. Every man would be a speculator[?]. Don't mistake the shadow for the prize - and if you think I am mistaken in any of these things I will read the touchstone now! The Word and Will of the Lord - (reads it) I [have] read it half a 100 this side (of) the river. ¶

[10 mins to 4] ¶

G.A. Smith with pleasure gave his testimony to what has been [said] - I feel gratified to see you in so large (a) house and seem to be as comfortable as the weather will permit us. I [have] heard men tell what wonders they [have] done - by paying their own way and rejoicing in it - if men were only created to procure food and raiment - if he had only a coat of feathers or hair or bristles[?] then he [would] not [have] had much to toil for - We who [have] been heirs of a glorious [exaltation are] satisified if we can only exist - if that was the end of creation to eat, drink, dress toil[?] and die and go no further - it is better to go back get them and die contented - if any man does not go into the matter with his whole heart I [would] advise him not to go - if you want peaches[?] I [would] advise you to go the journey the [other?] way. If this [people] reflect on the [conference?] of 6 [October] desirous[?] to leaving Nauvoo. It was a universal [covenant] to use all our [property] to take the [Saints] to the place of [gathering]. This [covenant] is as much binding on this [day] as it ever was until every poor[?] [Saint] is gathered to the place. Bro. Amasa whipt me about getting a big farm and corn and potatoes, but I am in favor of every man going to the mountains that wants to. But if he is in for the corn and [potato] they grow admirably here. I expect my [illegible] will grind a good many of them. This is a fitting out place to start for mountains. This is nearest [settlement] to fit out to go. Those who can't go [should] go to work out[?] and raise a fit out[?] until every one is fitted out. If you go to the mountains you must take your dinner with them. And [illegible] have the men grind out their teeth[?] in [grinding?] old [buffalo] bull beef. I recollect old Sidney talk of the Lord's ways not being his ways - it's true. We went to mountains disposed of our beds and every thing to go to the mountains. When hurra boys, we want some soldiers - the Lord's ways are not as our ways and that was why 500 men had to go and serve the Devil in order to serve the [Lord]. When our houses[?] were being burned - they wanted us to go and fight for the U.S. If the [brethren? had] walked up to the council given them they would [have] missed it. We had the Devil to pay and it was better to pay the Devil in labor than any [other] way. Shall we relax our exertions [because] we did not all go thro the mountains? It reminds me of Joseph telling us to do certain ordinances - we [had] no time[?] to do it. I don't care how long it takes you [Saints?/Sister?] it may perhaps take you a 1000 [years] - and if it takes me a 1000 [years] my hair may be as grey as [Methuselah's]. I [have thought] so hard that I have [illegible] got a hair [between] me and heaven. I left Nauvoo willingly, [because] I was obliged to. I am going to the mountains, willingly, because I shall be obliged to. By and by we shall [have] the laws of Iowa. And then we shall [have] Constables etc. Bro. Bullock was reading me [illegible] books on Original Sin and (laughs) Total Depravity (loud laughter) there, don't you think I shall represent you well, when I come as a candidate to represent you. ¶

Leaf 5

December 24 Conference conclusion

B. Young: It is request we shall have a meeting at early candle light - it is my desire that we devote our time as a wh[ole]. dont be in a hurry - we shall hardly commence tomorrow. if you can meet us, we have much bus[iness] to lay bef[ore] you - the Emigrat[ion] bus[iness] of leaving our mills - Co[mpany] for carrying property to Valley - to become to all[?], if [B]en will meet, we want the Hi[gh] C[ouncil]. ¶

[illegible] righted up. the 70 want to do bus[iness] - the Elders is not in being any where - our bus[iness] can be done in evening - there will be preaching here this ev[enin]g[?] - I feel grateful to you for building this house. you have done as well as you cou[l]d. - this is the nicest log cabin I [have] seen. - adjourned meeting by benediction [at] (4.20) ¶

Pres[iden]t[s] Young, Richards, Woodruff, Pratt, Smith & J[ames?] Bullock went up to Silas Richards['] ¶

December 25 council material begins

[gap: December 25 High Council/Twelve council material; outside this conference record. Stop transcribing this leaf at the December 25 heading.] ¶

Leaf 6

[gap: December 25 council material; outside this conference record.] ¶

Leaf 7

[gap: December 25 council material; outside this conference record.] ¶

Leaf 8

[gap: December 25 continuation at top of leaf; outside this conference record.] ¶

December 26 Conference begins

Sunday 26 Dec. 1847 ¶

… ¶

Meeting in the Tabernacle in A.M. ¶

Present [President] Young, Smith, Benson, Pratt, Lyman, Richards, Woodruff ¶

[Joseph] Young, A. P. Rockwood, Z. Pulsipher ¶

[President] Young requested Wm. I. Appleby to preach on the signs of the times. ¶

Also requested W. I. Appleby to make up a scrap[?] book ¶

[Illegible] bro Benson came as soon as navigation opens ¶

Bro Hyde stay until later so as to be at W.Q. by 1st May ¶

1/2 past 10 house was called to order by H.W. Miller - and to[?] keep the aisles[?] clear - also let the stand be reserved for the 12 and those who [have business] there. ¶

The [High] Council [have] passed a law, that every man who has taken up a stray[?] [hand?] them[?] in list to the Clerk of the Council. The [Presidents are] authorized ¶

to take [possession] of strays which [have] not been described. ¶

Sung “Let all creation join to praise the Eternal God”. ¶

W. Woodruff called on the Lord by prayer - ¶

Sung “Great God attend while Zion sings” ¶

Wm. I Appleby my [beloved brothers and sisters] in the [Gospel] of [Jesus Christ] I feel happy in mingling with your society. I [feel] my weakness and [illegible] [before] the anointed of the [Lord] and I crave your individed[sic] [attention] and prayers. I came here to get [instruction] and not to instruct[?]. But I [have had] advantages in [learning?] the signs of times and watch progress of the work. No doubt you [remember?] when Mormonism first came to your ears you were told of what signs [would] follow. [5?/8?] [years] ago I heard the first sermon by our [beloved] Bro. Pratt - and now I will endeavor to tell you what occurrences [are] going on [sufficient] to convince you – and men of [high] standing [have] [illegible] there is something [hanging] over the [nation] and they feel it. [Divisions] and [separations are] going on. There is loss of confidence and it can’t be restored - there is a God in Heaven who overrules all things - Luke 21st ch. 24 v. (quoted/[illegible]) It is [necessary] to go back and commence [with Jews?]. ¶

Leaf 9

December 26 Conference continuation

In the year 70 Vespasian besieged Jerusalem and led them captive. 17 attempts [have] been taken to rebuild it, but [have] failed. How is it [then?/that?] it is to be rebuilt? The Gentiles say there [are about] 7000 Jews in Jerusalem. How did they begin to [gather] back? When Jesus was trodden down by Gentiles in [year] 1830 Sultan of Turkey rose to defend himself [against] Pacha of Egypt - she threw herself upon the European powers Austria Prussia and England and Russia. On 13 July 1840 [conference] was held in London and [have] names of nobles - Pacha [should] give up all held by Sultan all except Acra and Palestine The Plenipotentiary went to Alexandria and gave to Mehemet Ali, he gave an oath not to give up the places - he found he [could] do no better. See Universal Geography lately published – he [said] to Jews gather home to Jerusalem – Sultan released 6000 Jews ¶

(H. C. K. came in) ¶

A Jew told me that Baron Rothschild gave 2,000,000£ to [illegible] Jerusalem - O. Hyde then went to Jerusalem and tells us of the walls being built up by Jews. This is in fulfilment of prophecy. 1770 [years have] elapsed and no [gathering] until God interferes. Baron Rothschild is now a MP in [England]. Japhet is going to leave tents[?] of Shem - Jeremiah prophecies that all nations will be destroyed when Jews [are gathered]. Palestine fell back into Jews. England will be a nursing mother Jews were tortured[?] by Druses. England takes Palestine under her [protection]. England is afraid of Rothschild. They [illegible] him so much. A Jew in Lancaster [County] a [year] ago [said] he was going home soon to Jerusalem – I have heard the lectures[?] of Noah the [Elder?] of Sunday [illegible]. 2 [years] ago he asks [are] you not entitled to the Savior [illegible] Jews. Look at your ancient mothers. And we [would?/now?] call on you to help restore us to our exiled home - they call on them by the name of God of Jacob. There [are] near 2,000,000s[?] Jews within 20 miles - there [are between] 45 and 50,000 in the [Holy?] City - our [Savior] says lift up your eyes and behold the [hand] of the [Lord] is in it - England is at war with India and looks at Russia with jealous eye. France looks on England with jealousy - within last 6 [months] hundreds of thousands of dollars [are] broken up. More [illegible] than ever took place in same time before and famine staring in the face - Russia [illegible] - France and Spain is at loggerheads. Crowns [are?] tumbling[?] into crumbles[?] that [have] stood wreck[?] of ages - Louis Philippe is rich and marries off his [children] to the riches of [illegible] Duke of Montpensier made a match with Queen of Spain - in a few months she left his bed and took a [illegible] [illegible] of[?] the [illegible]. France draws sword[?]. 2 men in French [Parliament] [have] been bribed - one fined 100,000 franc other 50,000 franc By and by I will come to own[?] [illegible] and that is worse than all - France is at war with Abd el Kadin - France bring [about?] 90 Arabs alive - Abd El Kadin retaliates - 3 kings abdicate their thrones - the [Saints] of God understand it - In Ireland the [illegible] is too horrid to[?] relate - famine and war. They [have] ambition want to grasp whole[?] world. Look at Babylon and Greece and Persia when they got to the meridian, fall 10 times faster than rose - look at Rome the mistress[?] of [illegible] - discord began in Senate until [Senators] were [murdered] in cold blood. ¶

About 70 years ago we proclaimed our independence and bequeathed liberty to their [children]. This legacy was bequeathed to you and me Where is it now. It is gone to Wilderness for you and the virtuous to carry - Jackson [said] we [are] at peace with all world and 40 mil[lion] in treasury. Now Senators and Congress will spend 2 or 3000 to go to Congress and get 8 a day they get 750 for being there They [are] there for the loaves of fishes. They [have?/had?] cons. [meaning unknown] us[?] every thing - if you go there you find the head is sick and the whole body is sick. Justice has fled. They do not regard it - the [servants] of [Lord] call on them to repent and they [laugh] in your face. If I want a thing I [have] to go to the Chairman and bribe him to get him to pass it. If I am a Dem[ocrat] and a Dem [illegible] I get it passed. If I get 2/3 of them in my favor. I [have] heard men rise[?] up and swear they will [separate] the Union. [illegible] [against?] [illegible] un- less go into house, pray and in 15 minutes swear to each other they will take each other’s lives - I bet the U.S. [are] more afraid of the Mormon [people] than they [are] of Europe - their conscience pricks them they know they [have] done wrong. They [have] driven us just where the [Lord God of Heaven] wants you, among Lamanites - a man was recommended to get his bill passed - drive in a car[?] - put a bill in his [hand] and say nothing - but the bill passes - France owed our merchants an immense sum of money - 30 [years] ago – the orphans and [widows] were praying for their claims - they passed both houses. And the [President] vetoed the bill [because] they wanted the money - they fight mercies [because] they won’t pay their debts. The South wants mercies for slavery, [illegible, starts with a W] [brother?] in his proviso[?] that no slavery [should] be over any territory - what men [are] pleading[?] on the prairies[?] is mercies. Jackson died off Black Vomit. Ill and [illegible] were put in brunt[?] of battle like [illegible] - why - [because] they [have] fought the Mormons and now they [are] placed so as to know how sweet bullets tasted. England send over word to their consul to move where Congress moved. [England] has a mortgage in[?] Mexico - if they had [illegible] to keep an eye on Ireland, China, India - they [would have] attacked U.S. The U.S. wants more conquest why its ambition. They [are] spreading abroad - Russia is jealous of England and France - and U.S. follow in their [illegible]. While these things [are] going on the little stone rolls on, and no power can stop it - but what is consequence – the [Prophet] and [Patriarch are murdered] in cold blood - and the [Saints are] more dreaded. They will [increase?] while nations [are] crumbling to [illegible]. They don’t want the [illegible] [because] they can’t extend slavery. Now they want to extend it to Santa Fe – They care nothing [about] Vera Cruz or Mexico. This Congress ¶

Leaf 10

December 26 Conference continuation

will [prove] the hottest ever known - last [session?/season?] they [brought?] 10 Convicts out of Sing Sing - one man was fined 10000 - but what did he care he got 20000 for it. the world is [an?/in?] effervescence - America cant stand it long. Now[?] as the gold [becomes] dim - there has been some righteous[?] men in their midst and they [are] coming out - the cholera is coming [through] Russia - and is more virulent than in Bengal in 1814. England is taking all means to prevent it coming there - but they cant. The U.S. put me in mind [of] Nebuchadnezzar. We can whip Mexico - drive the [Saints] of God and feed Ireland. No less than 43 Ships were sunk[?] with provisions - a man came to me for [subscriptions] to send over to Ireland. While they won't do any thing for the poor Mormons - the very money that is sent to Ireland will [bring?[ over the trampers[?] to vote at the [President] - if you want to [illegible] they must [know] your politics - I saw a ship laden with Provisions, which in ... 4 days was struck by lightning, set on fire and went down - a vessel came to Newbury Port and 14 Bodies buried on the beach - Fish [have] been thrown up on the shores of New Jersey - a bolt of lightning blew up the magazine in Nashville and 100 buildings with it - in Arkansas a man shoots [another?] - in New Jersey a man stabbed there in Congress. Spencer told midshipman Somers that money and friends would [have] bought[?] him off and so let justice hang him. When a man makes great boasts we expect something greater from him and there is no nation boasts more than this - you [have] to put your finger in your ears and shut your eyes and then you [are] a good fellow. They go to Church on Sunday and is a good fellow and [before] 8 A.M. on Monday will cheat some one. The Telegraph is great thing - they dont see their state of anxiety[?] - they [have] only the crumbs that fell from the Prophets you [have] not the crumbs but only[?] the word - and [have] not the food - they live on what others [had] eat [before] = go into Exchange room in [Baltimore] and you can talk with [New York] they can bid good bye as quick as - does God get the glory no Mr. Morse[?] has the glory - [Suppose] I am a broker in N.Y. I send on to [Baltimore] and [Philadelphia] and can make 300000 in one hour - go strait[sic] to Telegraph - send on my communication & I give you 10000 - [another] will put on a string of silk and that is a non-conductor - a man cuts the [telegraph] - apply the battery wire[?] and again but got no communication - a piece of the wire was cut and a skein of Silk put in. What is that for but to make money - I [could] tell you more, but I [have said] enough to cause you to rejoice they may just as well fight [against] the bosses of Jehovah's buckles[?] as to upset this work. What [have] the [Servants] of God done in a few [years] since the [Prophet] and [Patriarch] were killed - you came here in your wagons and now on the other side river 7 [have] got[?] houses built this is a miracle if you talk of miracles - always [listen to] the small still voice and all will be right. First time I heard this work I obeyed it, I thank my heavenly [Father] for what I see & am - when I want to [obtain] a [testimony] I pray for the [Servants] of the [Lord] and then I get it and I want [to be?] with you to go over the mountains into Temple - I feel weak, like a child, when in presence of [Servants] of [Lord] - the cause of eternal truth shall rule on - while thrones fall - if you [had] seen the dead bodies [brought] up at [New] Jersey, by sleds 5 or 6 at a time - the destroyer is riding on the face of the waters and is stirring up the nations to death and blood - if the [Saints] only hold on they will ride over all - a voice says I will come and save you and [receive] you to myself - which may God grant for Christ's sake - Amen. ¶

Sung "all is well" ¶

Erastus Snow dismissed congregation with benediction 20min [to] 1 ¶

700 present, 200 females - ¶

all of the Council went to Silas Richards' for dinner - ¶

20min past 2 P.M. ¶

[President] G. A. Smith called to order ¶

Sung "Arise my soul arise" (Canada) ¶

Joseph Young offered prayer - [illegible] then rejoiced he had this glorious [privilege] after many [reflections] on past and vicissitudes that we [are passing through] and that many of us [are] located in so comfortable [circumstances]. I want to say the time [has] been when I had the greatest desire to see one man - to honor[?] who had the [privilege] of seeing the one man that heal'd all in the [illegible] - or vindicate the faith that was once [delivered] to the [Saints] - but I [have] seen the day when there was not a man that dared assert - neither [could] see an Apostle - I [illegible] for [years] after it. I became a Skeleton in [illegible] and desperate in [Spirit] - [when] I heard the 1st sound of some broken fragments it filled me with fire. "That's correct," said I. I'll go and see them. I went 300 [miles] in dead of Winter. 200 of the journey in a jumper with [brother] B. [Brigham?] - it was a great treat - ¶

[Margin note: Brigham it was Brig. that went after him and preached it to him] ¶

I knew I had met[?] the thing that I [could] be saved by. And consequently the darkness was over all. But this causes all to rejoice the meek of the heart - those who have [illegible] [about?] things [have] been corrected - and [have] gone into waters of [baptism] and come out in newness of life - And [preparing] for that place where all is peace tranquility and all [happiness] and every heart filled with perfect solace - we keep the [unk. abbrev., starts with "com"] of God, gather [together] and prepare to [receive] the [blessings] of the [Celestial] [Community?] - I [have] a word of council to a [certain] [portion] the 70 - those [separate] and [different] officers preside over them - the great body [are] here today. I don't [believe] you can say then[?] ¶

Leaf 11

December 26 Conference continuation

It is always better to keep on the safe side of the fence, better to fall short than go beyond your bounds - if you go out of sight of the [illegible] you [are] in danger - keep within the bounds of law don't make a breach upon the order of God, if you do you lose the [Spirit] - you lose your recollection - there [are] some of the 70 who [are] going to Fort Kearny. I feel no objections - it's a free country - They want to take [illegible; poss. 20?] wives, mothers, [sisters], and [daughters] - I won't take any wife, [sister] or [daughter] - if you want to [return?] the faith of the [Latter Day Saints] [illegible] when you can [have] access to the current - it is better to keep our families where Sp[irit] & influence of the [Priesthood?] is - keep where there is a savory influence - or they will deny the [Spirit] of [Jesus Christ] and [become] Apostates. I am sanguine in that - I [say?] to all [mormons?] and [sisters] - stay with [Latter Day Saints] if you want to be made [celestial]. If you want to lose the [Spirit] go among the Gentiles and you will go over the dam and go to [destruction] - I [know] the tendency of influence - I [know] danger especially those which [are] very [fascinating]. I [have] got to [have] purest [principle] of virtue Now [Sisters] take that for [caution] and all [persons?] interested - I [say] abide the [people] of the [Saints] let your labor be with your hands in the body of [people]. If a man gets whisky in him - the [Spirit] is out - I [say] 70 lay it aside - ask the Lord to open the Heavens to you and it will keep you from freezing - don't use the name of his God when he [covenants] he will not do it. [Then?/Brethren?] you do not [have] what you do when [you] do these things take [precautions] or[?] you will bleed to death. You will be like a dry branch [prepared] for [burning] - be [cautious] prayerful, let your hearts ascend on [high]. Let a little of that [Holy Spirit] rest upon [you] and know how things stand [between] [you] and God and know what [you are] about all time he has compass and knows the [designs] of God - he shuns[?] them as he shuns[?] the serpent[s?] in the grass. I pray the [Lord] may bless the [Elder] 70 - and [brethren] and me with [Holy Spirit] that we [may] manifest the reciprocity due from one[?] to [another] - the [Lord] God [illegible] is willing we [should have] recreation but don't go to Babylon after it. ¶

H. C. K[imball] wants to [say] a few words. I wish I [had] language to communicate what is in my heart - I wish I [had] power but weakness of human nature hinders me - I don't fear to speak the truth as it is in [Jesus Christ]. if I [have] any [principles?] in any thing on the whole Earth, it is my [religion]. I glory in [Lord] and not in vague[?] things of this Earth. I never [seen?/saw?] day I am more weaned from world than today. I am in this world only to [lay] up treasures that [are] in heaven - it is a world of sorrow pain death and [disappointments]. I ask his hand in all things, if it were not I [should] be attached to it - I wish every world felt as I do. If [Elders?] see things as I see them they [would] never commit a sin knowingly - what is use of man or woman doing a thing - why is it that men & women sin - they sin by impulse of the moment & they [would] give all world in 5 min after if they [had] not done it - I am teaching things as I bel[ieve]. Your sin with your eyes open and you will find yourself naked as Adam was, when [Lord] talked with him and then banished him from garden - He got him out of the way that he [might] not be any more exposed that's why he put the fig leaves on him. I wish with all my soul that this [people would] do as they [know] - if they will do as they [are] told, it will be one [eternal] vision [before] our eyes all time, we [should] never tremble[?] and our feet [would] never slip. this [people] is [reduced?] in great degree [because] they [have] not the confidence they do not take that [righteous] course - the [Elders] of Israel will [have] to [have] implicit confidence in each [other] when we [are] at home and in our fields - when we leave home we can leave our families among [people] who will respect our rights - and not [have] men come and [say] I am a great big preist in 70 - and can take [you] a little [higher] - the God[?] sees in secret and will reveal things openly - every thing that is done in secret will be [declared] on house top away with it - inasmuch as you restore confidence in breast of Wives [children] and [families] - the [Spirit] of God will begin to rest upon you and the [day] will come that [you] can make the Earth to quake this is what I want to see when we [bring about] this [reformation] among ourselves - [you] will [have] more confidence in the 12[?] and the heavens will be opened and [you?] will [receive] [light?] - they [have] to drag [you] in [proportion] to the team - they [are] [dragging] [through] this world to approximate nigher to heaven - they get it by [restoring] confidence - and the [Lord] said [pray?] on [brethren] that they [might] obtain every [blessing] - he will [bestow] all on us and all we [are] worthy of - [brother] [Joseph, i.e. Joseph Young] [as] spoken the truth. This [people] don't [know] what is good - they the Soldiers get up a ball and invite our women to go - o shame on such works as this - to think that we [are] going among the Soldiers to re-reform - the Twelve [have] counciled them not to go but they must go and dance [because] they [are] corrupt - o shame. I am averse to such unrighteousness - the Gentiles were cut off and [are] [illegible] off until they [are] grafted in - I [said] I [would] sooner take my family and [sew?] them up in ¶

Leaf 12

December 26 Conference continuation

buffalo skins - I will not suffer them to go among them - I will declare the truth here and for henceforth in the name of the [Lord] God of Hosts in his name I glory and [have] pride - I am proud of [principle] of leaving my native country for name of Jesus. I [have] got best kind of men 12 never better on Earth - I [know] them their [feelings] they [are] of one heart and mind & like little [children]. I wish all [Quorums?] feel as we do - and then they [would] feel the power of God and I [know] the [reformation?] will go from this log house - and when this is done all Israel is converted it is a easy matter to [have] a pure [people] if every man will begin the [restoration?] - Elders [have said] that what is done in secret & no eye beholds - but they [are] mistaken. The angels [know] the working of these [Spirits] - those [people] who do not take a way to atone for their sins here will [have] to atone for them else where - some men's sins will go to [judgment] altho they [are] committed in secret - I feel what [brother] Hyde [said] to G.A.S. those men who take advantage of [others] they [are] poor they will be poor and never will rise and cannot rise in [power] in glory in [exaltation] in this life - they will go [almost?] pennyless altho they [have] things in their [posession]. I verily [believe] these [things] to be true - I want they sh[oul]d let them alone - be [righteous] and a holy [people] & keep [hands?] [off?] - what a holy [people] we [should] be, when every man and woman will be a pure and holy - and ready to [receive] council - every man that turneth from his wickedness and becometh a [righteous] man his sins [are] forgiven and if he turneth from [righteous] to unrighteous[?] his sins roll on him [again] - if that is not Scripture I [have] made it - and that's as good - I feel to reform and keep reforming from this time henceforth and for ever and my work [may] be well done and may be found a faithful steward over those [things] committed to me. I don't intend to sustain any man [or] the children that [have] come from any loins but will deliver them into the hands of the Judges of [Israel] and let them be dealt with by law - now try it and see if it's not so - if I do [choke] any one I [know] I shall be curst - my [children are] subject to the [Priesthood?] my boys that [are] 70 [are] controlled by that [Priesthood?] and I am controlled by the [Priesthood] and [have] been for the last 15 or 16 [years]. I never [had] the pleasure of planting a tree and partaking of the fruit - I [have] had pride in that - but no pride in those who [have] sowed iniquity and unrighteousness and [brought] forth the fruits of [destruction] - do [you suppose] those men [are] going free[?] - and will get into [Celestial Kingdom]. I tell [you] I don't want to be guilty of them - these [things] must needs be but [woe] be to them by whom they come - don't s[ay] any thing but what you [have] license - don't go to work till you get license - if [you] go - you [are] sure of going to hell - I [say] withstand such things and be humble and contrite. [Brother] Joseph [expressed] the sentiments of my heart. I will use up every thing I [have] got and will be faithful and diligent - then the [Lord] will send the quails and [buffalo] - I am just warning my [brethren] I never expect to mingle with the Gentiles any more - we hoist a standard where all nations [have?/are?] come to pattern after us - I [say] to them go to hell - [right away?] - I won't pattern after [you] - I [have] been washed and made clean but I [won't] go like the sow and wallow in the mire [again] - it's an injury to them - may the [Lord] inspire your hearts that [you may] reverence him. Serve the Lord - fulfil our [Covenants] and [help?/keep?] roll on the [Saints] to the mountains - ¶

[half past 3] ¶

E. T. Benson will [say] a few words - is thankful for it - wants to bear testimony to the truth - I want to bear testimony to the truth. It is laid plain [before] us - it is my desire to drink deep into these things - it is for our [salvation] and [exaltation] in the [Kingdom] of God - it is good for every [Saint] that names the name of [Jesus Christ] - and if a man or woman who does not profess the name of Jesus they [may] take warning by what has been [said] - they can not successfully contradict what has been [said]. I [know] a man is not happy in any [other situation] - there is an aching void in his bosom [day] to [day] - if a [Saint has] the torch[?], we used to put the torch [before] us in bow of boat - why [because] we [have] eyes to see what is [before] us - then let us follow the torch that the [illegible] [has] given us - it illuminates the [heart?/hearth?] but if we run ahead of the torch it do us no good [because] we [have] no eyes behind us. I heard the Prophet [say] he went into the little end of horn and expanded and defied all nature to put him out at the end of the little end - I [have] a mission to go to my native land - it is necessary for us to be [prepared] to go to all places - you must go to hell and wage a war with all the devils in hell - I [have] got a mission to hell ¶

Leaf 13

December 26 Conference conclusion

and my [brother] is going with me - what for - to block the wheels and not go back [again] - I want to do all things that is necessary I [know] it wants all the wisdom to [sustain] myself in the [Kingdom] of God. I feel first rate, we [have] the greatest reasons to rejoice - altho we [have] been banished from civilization - I thank God for it - I [have] too many scales on me yet and may be some trouble for my [brethren] to get them off - there [are] so many disaffected members in the [Kingdom] of God that we [are] stopt - the [Servants] of the [Lord have] blessings enough to put them on the crown of your head and roll down to your shirts - the [Kingdom] is here the power is here - the [servant] of the [Kingdom has] to carry these things with him - a [servant] of the [Lord] goes [South] and delivers council - and [illegible] council will council things that will corrupt the minds of the [Saints] of God - the [servants] of God will work [righteousness] all the [day] long - and you can see [right through] a man just as plain as you can see [through] an old lantern - how necessary it is to keep our [covenants] with God and be perfectly passive in the hands of the [Lord]. I dont want any man to condemn me until I [am] proved that I lead men astray - let us watch the torch and the man that carries the torch - feel what Council [say] and [when?] one [word?] is dropt - no - let that be end of law - I wish we [had] time to hold [meetings] two weeks that Elders [may] roll out like peals of thunder - and that you may be converted over [again] - I want to feel as [though] I was converted every [day] - and then I feel first rate - I [know] this is the work of God - I leave my home my family my [brethren] - and if I did not [know] that this was the work of God I [would] not leave my family with any faith to do good. I give them council and if they go [contrary] I am not [accountable] - but if I teach them wrong doctrine the sin is on my head - but I go [away] rejoicing - I [know] it will not do to sit down in a nutshell - but I must keep moving that I may not corrode and [become] rusty - altho I am a weak man I feel pretty strong - I must do as I am told - I must harness myself to battle and go ahead - look what is about to come up - you can[not?] comprehend what is coming up - I [said] I did not think so much of a man who [could] not leave his turnip patch and go do the work of the [Lord], go to the nations of the Earth with [salvation] in his hands - one [says] I [have] a wife and can't go - I [have] a farm and it needs cultivation - see what we [have] heard this [afternoon] - I [would] not give a curse for all the telegraphs in hell - I am as quick as lightning - and as the boy [said] I [have] dad[s] got a yoke[?] as quick [again] as these - we all [have] licences to preach the gospel and when we show ourselves approved let us ask the Lord to give us a little more and we can then [say] as the Queen of Sheba the half [has] not been told us. I despise the ways of some men as I do the gates of hell - I wage war with all unrighteousness for I [know] it is from hell. Let men repent of what they [have] done and restore four fold. I feel I [have] as much as I can control and more than I can control - and sooner than injure the feelings I [would say] as [brother] Joseph [said] let me go to Eternity alone - ¶

4 o'clock. ¶

[Brigham Young] I want all the 12 - [High] Council - 70 - [High] Priests - [Elders] Priests teachers and deacons to come tomorrow - H.C.K. And be very punctual that every man may come and every body else - bring your dinners and stay all day - and if you [have] not been careful to [pray] night and morn - begin tonight - [pray] tomorrow - come here tomorrow and you shall [have?] one of the best days you ever had - and see if we can[not] a fire that will not go out from this time henceforth and for ever (Amen) ¶

The [company] of men to gather up [companies?] of Iowa meet tomorrow [morning] early - ¶

Dismissed by G. A. Smith 1/2 past 4 - ¶

[Thomas Bullock's own diary-style notes occupy the rest of the page; not conference proceedings] ¶

Leaf 14

December 27 Conference begins

Monday Dec. 27. 1847 ¶

A delightful morning - fulfilling prophecy of H.C.K. yesterday - S.W. wind. W. Clayton, W. Pitt, J. Hay, Ed. Duzette, J. Hutchinson the band from Winter Quarters played several enlivening airs on the Stand - the room was crammed ¶

the glory of the Lord is here - all is well - John Hay sung "The Seer" - with musical accompaniments - Joseph Young called on the name of the Lord - ¶

Present: [Presidents?] Kimball, Pratt, Woodruff, Smith, Lyman, Joseph Young, A. P. Rockwood, B. L. Clapp, Z. Pulsipher - Wm. I. Appleby, W. Major, T. B. [Thomas Bullock?], R.C. ¶

Sung "See the streams of living waters" ¶

H. C. Kimball invites[?] the house to come to order - [has] a bad cold and needs strength to [lay] [before] this [people] a few [ideas?] and I do it for every individual's salvation - I [desire] to speak the wisdom and [Spirit] of God and do every man good - I feel interested for this [people] and feel like a [Father] to watch over this [people] male and female and seek[?] their entire [interest?] - and this is to be a universal feeling [throughout] all [Israel] that angels [may] minister unto us [Sabbaths?/Saints?] Where men [have] violated the [Priesthood] they [have] defiled their tabernacles, angels [won't] visit them and the [Holy] Ghost will not dwell there - oh begin to contemplate on these thing[s] from this moment - men [have] violated the P[riesthood] by unlawful connections with each [other] those men and women [are] living in adultery and [have] violated the [Priesthood]. I can't rest till my shirts [are] cleaned - all these things [are] done in secret and no man [knows] it but the [Lord] says when a man does this he loses the [Spirit] and begins to rot [when?/where?] it is grafted in the tree it will perish [and] [can't] be restored [again] they will pine [away] and die and go to hell [without] letting any one [know] their case - you can't hide it up - I [know] there is such cases they will reveal themselves. What is done in secret will be proclaimed on the house tops. I want my [brethren] to understand that no man has any [right] to these matters unless he receives license from Head Quarters - if I did such a thing I [would] go to the 12 and tell [them] ¶

[W. Richards came in] ¶

if I [have] to make my atonement with my head I [say] do her up. I say to 70 go to First [Presidency] of 70 and if they dont [know] how to make an atonement let em go to head quarters - the [atonement] is to satisfy the demands of justice for it [has] got to be done I [say] to the [officers] go to their [Presidency?] that we [may] prune tree and cut off any branches that we[?] [may] be justified - every man see to it forthwith or we shall make it a public affair - we can see them plain - the [light] shines - you can see a great deal by light of Sun than moon and moon more than stars - the more light a man [has] the more he sees his imperfections. I want you to take a course to be saved and dont delay matters. I [would] go [right] forthwith and never be satisfied until I [had] made atonement - and if ever [you] ever outlive it, you will do better than I think you will and it is [high] time for us to arise in name of Elijah's God and sit. [abbrev. unknown] up our families lest the sins be required at our hands - I feel as much anxiety for my [brethren] and more than ever - I [know] the 12 feel as I feel and [would] speak the [illegible] of what I say - they [are] good men and will stand by your rights. The [day] will be their heads will be severed from their bodies and women will be put to death some where or other - and the quicker it is put out of way the better or we stop progressing - those who dont want go to valley but want to do wickedness stop now - for we shall put righteousness to line so line then[?] [you] will think it's split but isn't [this sentence was barely legible] - they who violate the [Priesthood] violate all [blessings] and all endowments and [you have] to ho your orw all over [again] - a man violates all [rights] of [Priesthood] I'll assure you it is so - I [have] told it [illegible] with best of feelings and now I can go home happy and feel as [though] angels [would] come and comfort me and so[?] long as I maintain the [principle] of truth I [have] no fear nor [illegible] to fear to meet my[?] God - I want my [brethren] and [sisters] to be [righteous] - I don't suppose more than 1 [family] out of 5 that pretends to [pray] in their [families] - and they curse 12 and their very existence - you [may] as well endeavor to get [between?] the 12 as to [separate] the 12 - who did Jesus send as delegates to you - why 12 dont curse the poor fellows - they [are] cursed enough already. I heard [Brother?] Miller preach that world was at end in 5 [years]. I [illegible] let[?] [right] off - I [thought] I had but time to get in he planted - Alpheus[?] watered and God gave the [increase] - I feel right - but after all there is chance for [improvement] - I want my [illegible] to press [forward] and block up wheels. if every man will take the [right] course he will gain influence - in a few years your influence will be as great as it is now - but there will be still greater - [brethren] [you have] got to save yourselves and if you don't do it you [are] calculating to make a leap into Paradise - but I tell you where you left off - in [moment] of [illegible] you [have] got to hoe your row over [again]. I can save a [dead] man but I cant save a live man - Paul s[ay]s save yourselves from this untoward [generation] the power is in yourselves - [Sisters?] [you have] got to save yourselves by listening to council - [you?] want your minds stirring up so as to become a [light?] biscuit - it is healthy and warm and congenial to the stomach. I [have] a many things to tell you, and may God help you to strive to keep his commandment[s] from this time [forward]. ¶

Joseph Young [1/4 to 12?] wants to [lay] a few items [before] 70. I responded[?] to the teaching this morning - and do you [receive] it do you [believe] in it - (Loud shouts of Aye) indulge me a few moments on a few items - you understand nature of compact - there is a [certain] portion of power and [rights] [belonging] to every [person] and every [privilege] given to us. no man [has] a [right] to walk over - we [have] a [right] to our existence and defence to our liberty only don't use that liberty to the exclusion of [others] - the gospel is a system of liberty - some men [say] you [are] a free liberty - [illegible] walk over you - a man is in bondage the moment you walk over him and you [should] hold his liberty sacred ¶

Leaf 15

December 27 Conference continuation

there is [certain] [rights] and [privileges] which you yield[?] up for gift of the whole - while in a compact body. (figure of coming on stand) that's humane glorious angelic beautiful and modest - it is better to be modest than presuming and decks him in jewels. mento[?] this [principle] - [because] it leads to [other] things - there is a [certain Quorum] of which I [have] over[?] to preside - and a Council to preside [over] all every individual ought to concede to this - men ought to be well disciplined to this - this is certainly correct - it is good [had?] in[?] I want to see[?] there [are] upwards of 30 [quorums] of 70 [Elders] - a portion of these hold the [Presidency] and they don't consider it a great thing at all They don't respect it [because] they dishonor it. When I see a man violate his sacred rights I understand him - [others have] a little power and [are] blowed up like a bladder - like a bag of wind - a many[?] try[?] to split the hairs. I love them - they [are] most numerous - but few of the [illegible] excesses on either side - one says it is right to use our influence over [another] - you exert an influence to get in with the rich - that man will help the poor - I get his riches send them to Head Quarters that is a good [illegible] - that is right - there [are certain] men who [are] officers in the [Church] and [are] more scarce than they were - some men [would] [say] bring those men to punishment - the big wheel is rolling. I tell you 70 [High Priests Elders Priests Teachers] and [Deacons] you [are] not so remote but you will come [before] the [Lord] one time or [another] [and?] never be afraid - don't be scared - you will [have] your reward all right - oh what a good [Spirit] the [Lord's Spirit] is - to put the best construction on it - that suffers long - [make?/mark?] these traits of [Godliness?/Savior?] by and by a man abuses his power - and a man wants to come [forward] - one says I object and I object and I [object] that's punishment enough - that man loses his influence and power - and supposes he apostatizes and goes to hell - is not he punished enough - he is discouraged almost ready to commit suicide - oh be kind try to save him - you 70 you [have] a little power don't rise and [say] I am great long[?] I and you little crooked you - bind up the broken hearted comfort the mourner and don't lord it over God's heritage - and you [have] to wait until [Conference?] comes along again - wash him clothe him and [say] go in peace sin no more - lead them along by a hair. Feel after their interests and don't you see how many you can save - Bring up all old grudges lay up the Tomahawk and reap it no more - I want to go to the mountains for my health - I [have] yet to learn [whenever?] I can go[?]. It is necessary that the 70 [have] a [President] here - it [may] perhaps be wisdom to put the [Quorum] into a mass and let other[?] officers [have] power for the time being - now you [have] some of my ideas [about] God[liness?] - I am [an] independent man - I [have] many a time sat in pain under a Methodist preacher. I was in perfect pain. I am determined to speak my feelings [whether] it grieves a man or not. I tell you every man shall hear my voice a [President] of 70 [has] no [right] to give council unless it is subject to a higher appeal. My [Father] was an hero of 76 the blood runs in my veins - I [have] a ri[ght] to my rights and [so?/say?] as any o[the]r man. ¶

(B.Y. & E.T.B. came in 12 minutes past 12) ¶

I despise the principle of trampling on the [rights] of a man - I love a patriotic noble soul filled with liberty. That soul will not do wrong. I feel it run [through] my veins all the time. I want to speak [about] revenge. We speak of judgments rolling on the Earth like forked lightnings and thunder bolts - the report will be a vexation to them - you can't look upon human calamity but sorrow for it - the sympathies of angels [are] upon them - even when Lucifer the son of the [morning] fell it is [said] the angels wept that the tears ran down the hills - oh let it excite the sympathy of every one - you [know] how to sympathize with man - mark it ye Elders harbor no revenge [against] any man - if a man attempts to strike you, that [Spirit] is very easily catching[?] - paralyse his blows by moral courage - if you take the bad [spirit?] it is [illegible] dog[?] - now [Elders] and 70 these [are] true [principles]. Be humble [before] the [Lord], and you will be like Jesus slip out of their hands and [away] [again] and [gone?/again?] - I [acknowledge] to my [brethren] I am indebted to my [brethren] under God and [Joseph] Smith for all I [have] got. Let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth - [before] I [would] rail - let me feel after the poor, lead them into baptism etc - ¶

H. C. called over the names of the 70 - ¶

J. [Young] every [President] presides over his [quorum]. there is no diff[erence] like 2 peas[?] - in case of vacation of 1st Council of 70 - I want to propose [us?/we?] [are] not so confined in our [particular] offices we can suspend a few of the [offices?] - here [are] 30 [quorums] since the [Presidents are] all of a size - [excluding?] those who [are] blowed up. [Would] it not be well for you all to agree to [have] a [Presidency] for time being - and all other [Presidents] be in in [subjection] to them - all to be as of one [quorum] instead of 30 - will you be willing to it (Yes) - ¶

B.Y. It is my mind the 70 do not meet as a [quorum] here - we [have] no [organization] here and don't mean to [have] - the [High] Council can manage any man who does a mean thing - ¶

B.Y. [Brethren] of 70 as well as [other] officers - I will speak in regard to your [Presidency] - there [are] about 36 quo[rums] - each quo[rum] is filled up to 70 men - Officers, officers and those who fill them[?] - the 1st Pres[idenc]y is a quo[rum] wherever they [are]. 12 when [separated] can't be supplied by any [others] neither can the 70 ¶

They [are] permanent standing [quorum] to the [Church] - in [regard] to [High] Councils - one may be here - 1 at Point[?] - 1 Garden Grove 1 Pisgah 1 W.Q. - and where necessary. These will help and assist others in all the affairs of [Church]. [Presidents] of 70 preside over 1st 70 - that [quorum] is all taken up by placing[?] them over [other quorums] - the 1st 7 [Presidents] when their [quorum] is [gathered together] - in case there is no 1st [Presidency] or 12 - the responsibility [would] rest on 1st [quorum] - this is read in D&C. The [Presidency] [would] call their 63 men[?] and themselves their voice [would] be same as 1st [Presidency] or 12 - in case we don't locate - the [Presidency] the 12 or[?] 1st [Presidency] they can't fill vacancies where no [quorums] are[?] ¶

Leaf 16

December 27 Conference continuation

can't organize - we don't calculate to remain here any longer than to remove to a Stake of Zion - the standing [quorums] [are] not needed here - yet we must [have] helps [governments] etc. We select a [High] Council and place a man to preside[?] - in [illegible] Pisgah we [have] [another?] [High] Council and [President] if we [are] disposed - we can [have] [another] on the N[orth] of us - in this case there is no man woman or [person] who is independent of [High] Council - what is use them of doing 7 men to fill vacancies of 1st [Presidency] - if men violate laws of God the [High] Council can punish them every 70 or [High Priest has] a [right] to [say] come I want to preach the Gospel of [Jesus Christ] - if a man wants to roar war like thunder I dont care how much good you do - if you want [a] [Presidency] you must come to us - we shall leave enough to push [people together] - the 12 will soon be [scattered again] & call to their assistance the 70 and set in order the things of [Kingdom] - it is contemplate[d] we sh[ould] organize a 1st [Presidency] - we [have] proved to God[?] - S[ain]ts and all manner of sinners and Devils that we can carry the [Kingdom] off triumphant - if uncle Sid [Sidney Rigdon] bows down and is in humility - I hope he will come again - and as to Strang it puts me in mind - you [are] all sheep and don't [know] the voice of the Shepherd. Aye - I s[ay] get out of the way - the [people] want to come here and thither and faster - we dont wish to keep up anything [unknown abbrev.] only to remove over home - if we [are] driven again and again it goes faster and faster to the consummation of all things - the Lord will do all things just right - I only want to be faithful to the end and let the [Lord] do the rest - there [are] great many things I [would] like to [say] to the [people] - to men women and [children] that they [may have] the [Spirit] to expand - and by and by [become] men and women in the [Lord] - if you will read what is written on the [resurrection?] and be so humble you can learn - all things [are] overshadowed to those who [have] not the [Spirit] but when the veil is taken off it is simplified to their understanding - so it is with other doctrine - all things [are] written for our [Salvation] - the doctrine of gathering we [have] come to, and that is needful for us on[?] the [resurrection] - just show me one man that holds the keys of [resurrection] [illegible] there has been a [resurrection]. Jesus was raised [before] he saw [corruption] - this was a promise to the [Savior because] of the importance of the work. You know Mary run to the sepulchre just as a woman ought to - she saw a man, in the garden. she ran along and found that an angel who holds the keys of the res[urrection] - who has [received] his body. He has passed the [resurrection] - an angel was sent it is a [resurrected] body, a minister of life and [salvation]. Angels [are] set apart with the keys of the [resurrection] power. He went down same as Jesus went to Lazarus - Jesus knew who [would] roll [away] the stone - he knew all [about] it - that angel opened the graves of the just men - the [dead] came forth. It was done by men who had the ministry of the [resurrection] - who [had] [received] their bodies. and hold the Keys. the [Almighty] will wake them up in the twinkling of an eye. they may just do as they please. Mary knew his voice. she fell [right] down at his feet - every woman will come right to her husband's feet same as Mary. Jesus [had] a work to do [before] he [could] be touched. It is made simple and plain you know it is the [principle] of being [baptized] - but never realized until the [Elders] came along - and to [lay] on hands for the sick etc. I [have] seen [some] men who were so enthusiastic as to think of converting their friends - if people will realize what they enjoy they can make heaven. I realize my enjoyments to day - my soul is happy and can cry aloud and shout Hallelujah - The privilege of seeing the [people] of God - it fills me with fire - and my soul with consolation - this is the best day I [have] seen in my life - this is a heavenly day - a day of Zion. The air is impregnated with peace - feel as ready to go to heaven if I am wanted - I am at peace with all heaven, all earth, and all hell if they will keep out of my road - but if they wont - I [have] waged war with them right straight[?] - ¶

B.Y. A parallel of work for the last one year and 4 months cannot be found from the days of Adam to now - I want to be visiting you continually. I want you to have [business?]. That is important so that we come to see you - ¶

Joseph Young - we now call on the 70 to [back?/lash?] up [wherever?] he shall have a [dedication] of this house - and good music - and good preaching Will we [have] a Jubilee - ¶

B.Y. I motion we [have] our Jubile[e], already commenced, and if you want the same subject, continued in all its varieties - Say I - Aye ¶

Joseph Young - When will we [have] this Jubilee & put it to all the officers & sisters, by Quorums - ¶

B.Y. I motion we [have] a good time now - ¶

Joseph Young I propose it to be on the 3rd Sabbath in January - and then[?] continue the Jubile[e] - we want the [honorable?] [High] Council Hi[gh] Priests - [Honorable] Sisters and all who can get in the house. My Soul is as big as all creation - ¶

Prepare your habitations and enlarge your hearts annd come here with your hearts burning & flaming within you - we will bring our wives within us - ¶

Music played a Cotillion Air (20 mins to 2) ¶

John Hay sung "Come come ye Saints" with violin accompaniment[s]. ¶

G. A. Smith - there [are] still a few items of [business]. I love the teaching of [brother] Kimball they [are] pearls of great [price] - and those who don't follow them will be ruined - [brother] Joseph's teachings [are] precious and pure - the doctrine of the [resurrection] is like revelations to [us] - and the music how it cheers the heart - these[?] [principles] show us the path to eternal life I like the doctrine with all my heart and it remains for me as one of the 12 to stay here - and therefore I am interested in them - it is also necessary to take care of the little things - I want this [people] to raise a tremendous crop of potatoes wheat [illegible] and I am now going to give advice - I [should] advise every man who is well situated to rig up their teams in the best possible manner to push the people from the [other] side of the river to the mountains - and use all their power for that purpose. I want to see you fulfil your covenants and push thosea off who ought to go and the Lord will bless you an 100 fold the [blessings] of the [Almighty] God will be on the crop. I want to see every ¶

Leaf 17

December 27 Conference continuation

man up early in the [morning] and make great [preparations] for great crops - I want to see schools and send every child to school - and put your boys to work to making rails and assist in making farms - I calculate that there will be a great quantity of potatoes [brought] here - I don't want to see a man kill his calf - raise every colt lamb pig sheep - use rigid economy don't kill a calf of 60 [pounds] but an ox of 9 or 1000[?] - it is necessary to avoid difficulty in every way - the land that we inherit is a blessing from the [Lord] and the man that does not make improvements ought not to be paid - I advise there be no quarreling [about] timber - don't pick up timber and then keep your [brethren] off - the land is free for you and your [brethren] I despise the waste of timber - dont waste it or quarrel [about] it - act as free with the [brethren] as the [Pottawattomies] were when we came here - those men who must remain raise your animals and prepare for going over the mountains if we call on the [Lord] night and morn and refrain from evil and keep ourselves pure the [Lord] will bless us and next year we can gather 3 times as many to the mountains as we do this year - and I prophecy it in the name of Israel's God - it is not just to raise our property, be reasonable and treat one another as Saints - and don't raise your property 3 prices - it's all nonsense and foolery. He who can't use his property let him put his hand into the hands of the Bishops. ¶

[margin note: Jacob Myers let his house go to him.] ¶

Let us [have] the [blessing] of the Almighty and let us go at it with all our might and strength - God will give you power to do just as much as God requires of you - I can [say] that my friendship [between] me and the 12 is like Jonathan and David['s]. I want see them [illegible] off to the mountains and we shall [have] the joy of having fulfilled our covenants - and if my [brethren] thinks it a good plan I want to see you all go at it - I feel like a perfect Galvanic battery - I want to see the great work accomplished - I want the [people] to be lean to be benevolent - we shall [have] to bring our [Conference] to a close and when they send teams, send good teams and good wagons - and put in provisions to eat - I know this is a great and glorious work - [may] God give you power to accomplish every good work in name of [Jesus]. Amen ¶

Band played a tune - ¶

G. A. Smith - as you [are] going to [have] a 1st rate spree I wish the [brethren would] take hold and help me - I can get along with 4 I want them 18 feet Square ¶

[brother] John P. Barnard will give one log timber 18 by 22 - ¶

H. Miller I move that we build them - Clear vote ¶

G. A. Smith I move bro[ther] Miller [bosses] it, same as this - Clear vote - ¶

H. Miller you [have] shown your liberality in building this house and now we [have] [another] chance to prove our liberality - I [have] been well paid for this - this [Conference] - I want every branch to go at it - some branch get puncheons[?] - [others] boards - fetch them right on - we want to finish them nice - if you don't build the house, don't come to the spree[?] ¶

O. Pratt there [are] one or two things to [lay before] the Conf[erence] - one is about the mill that has been put up in W[inter] Q[uarters]. when you reap your crops you will want to turn your corn into flour and meal - there [are] so many inhabitants that can't go over the mountains - you will [have] more persons here than these mills will grind for - we want to raise [sufficient] to purchase stones, iron, and the rest will be taken in property - ¶

[another] item of [business] is in relation to a full [organization] of the [Church] - with that [Quorum] that has been taken away by [persecution] and [oppression] - if there [should] not be a [reorganization] and filling up of [Quorum] - it [would] be giving the Devil power - he [would say] he had put one [Quorum] to death, and then he [would] put the 12 to death and then go to work to destroy the [other] quo[rums] - in order to defeat the adversary in these thing[s] - as fast as a [Quorum] is taken away from our midst it is our privilege to reappoint - if we [have] been able to overcome apostates and the power of darkness with the [Quorum] taken away from our midst how much more shall we be able to overcome them when we [have] all the [quorums] flourishing in our midst - ¶

The [people] elect these officers - it is your [privilege] to [have] it again in your midst - it is beneficial in [another] [point] of view The time has come when the 12 must [have] their hands liberated to go to the ends of the Earth - if there is no 1st [Presidency] it confines the 12 too much to one place - in confining them to head quarters they cannot [have] their eyes on the distant parts of the Earth and regulating all things as strictly as they [should] be regulated - when we go abroad filled with the inspiration of the [Almighty] we can push them to head quarters where they can have those great and heavenly scenes [opened] to their view. that we want a 1st [Presidency] that we [may] go abroad among the nations of the Earth It has been wisdom to allow the [Church] to be disorganized that they [might] show his power over apostates - in 1st rise of this [Church] there were years [before] there was a [person ordained] to the [High Priesthood according] to order of Melchisedek - years passed [away] and the [Church] prospered - [years] rolled over heads [before] - [High] Council - or [illegible] existed - if they prospered without the 1st [Presidency] was not existed - does it follow that they [are] always to be [without] a first [Presidency]? - I want to see this subject acted on by the [Brethren] and [Sisters] - ¶

Leaf 18

December 27 Conference continuation -- First Presidency sustaining vote

James Allred asked [whether] they [could] nominate any man out of any [quorum] ¶

O. Pratt - If I was to go every man and woman ask who is the man - they all [know] the man - ¶

[Heman] Hyde - I nominate Brigham Young to be 1st President - W. W. Major [seconded]. ¶

G. A. Smith - when Joseph and Hyrum were killed the 12 [had] a right to nominate a [Presidency] or go ahead without one Joseph [received] his [ordination] from [our?/an?] Apostle P[eter], J[ames] and J[ohn]. let the [Church say] we appoint him and uphold him and then you [have] a 1st [Presidency]. There is nothing on the earth but what we [have] got and if we needed more God [would] give up more. ¶

I want to be free the 12 want to be free - the question is shall we organize the [Church] ¶

(Yes) ¶

A. Lyman - it has been remarked that we can't get the matter wrong - the legitimate course that [should] be taken is clear. There is an association of the members of the body[?] that they [are] appropriate and harmonize one with [an]other and always will until those prime[?] : [are] changed - we find there [are certain] things told in the [organization] of the [Church] as pattern is given us of God. Body is perfectly organized with head - and the head is the medium of nourishment to body - but in [return] is combined the highest [interest] in the body - they [are] concentrated in the excellence of the head - if the head has capacity to [know] more than any [other] member of [the] body - the head is responsible for the acts of the body with which it is associated. The question is settled with us - the 12 [have] led the [Church] in the absence of the [Presidency] - now the [interests] of the body can't be served any longer [without] a [Presidency]. they must [eventually?] drop the accomplishment of carrying the gospel to the distant nations of the Earth, for all to bec[ome] recipients - and pushed to home. the work is faltering for want of the servants of the [Lord] being set free - if we take our influence to get out at the little end of the Earth we [should] dwindle into nothingness - the [salvation] of mankind require this thing to be acted on - who is to be the leader is settled already - he who furnishes the materials is the man - he is at the head already he has been [acknowledged] for [years] - when this thing is done - what makes him a great man - the [people have] a [right] to accept or reject any man - does the [people receiving] J[oseph] S[mith] make him any thing - it gave him nothing but make him a [servant] - he [illegible] preside over them and that made him their slave - the right is in the [Priesthood] not in [people]. I want all the [Elders] to understand this [principle] - God [Almighty] made the head [before] he made the [Church] - shall the heel[?] rise up[?] & [say] to the man who built the house we made you - they [have] no [right] to - the head [has] to dictate to all at home - the head is amenable to its head - this head is big enough for any of us to be troubled [about] without troubling ourselves about others - it is time we [should] begin to understand correct principles - the fountain of wisdom the keys of knowledge and understanding at the head of this [Church] - ¶

The [Priesthood?] is here - men should understand these things as they go along - if the [Church] is [organized] with a 1st [Presidency] the 12 [are] at liberty to go to ends of world and push[?] the [people] by thousands - here is the power of doing the work of God - instead of being cooped up in the [Salt Lake] City one can go to the East - [another] to W[est]. to N[orth]. to S[outh]. these master [Saints?/Spirits?] hold the keys of life - the seeds of life [are] planted in the 4 corners of Earth - Zion will enlarge - [and] she will [say] spread abroad, give me room - Zion is enlarging herself all the while - there is no question in my mind [about] a first [Presidency] ¶

G. A. Smith Elisha H. Groves: I make a motion that we have organize a First Presidency over the Church - W. W. Major sec[onded]. ¶

William W. Major I move that President Brigham Young be the First President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints - Henry W. Miller [seconded]. Clear vote ¶

Not a vote against either vote ¶

B. Young I nominate Heber C. Kimball as a Councillor - P. H. Young [seconded]. Clear vote - as ——— William Richards — [ditto] —— Phinehas H. Young [seconded] [ditto] ¶

G. A. Smith now the thing is right ¶

B. Young - I motion that we have a Patriarch over the whole Church - H. C. K. [seconded] [ditto] — [ditto] I motion that Uncle John Smith be the Patriarch over the whole Church - H. C. K. [seconded]. [ditto] ¶

Band played a lively air - medley - ¶

B. Young - we must now [bring] our meeting to a close. I think it [would] be a good plan to right up the [captains?] of 100-50-10 - make an appointm[en]t on this side the river[?] - What I [have] heard to [day] is as good doctrine as ever I heard in my life the [Spirit] of the [Lord] is here joy - Communion of the [Spirit] with each othere and God is here - let no ground in grace until we come to perfection may the consolation of the [Lord] be with you - that you [may] not be left to tarnish your glory - Grieve not the [Holy Spirit] of the [Lord] do that which is [right] administer [salvation] to your fellow beings - when the enquiry is made is this [received?] never do a thing until you [know] it's ri[ght] - cease until you find out what is [right] - pause and get understanding - the [Lord] has [intended?] to whip, correct, chastise us - it is for us to learn what we [could] not learn without - ¶

Leaf 19

December 27 Conference conclusion

Same [persons say] we were driven from [Missouri] for our iniquity - its an insult to me - to Almighty - to truth to innocence to virtue but for being chastised for my iniquity it never touched me - my Heavenly [Father] and [Elder] [brother?/brethren?] [know] as much as we do here and if we don't get perfect in the 1st year - I [know how] to elude the Devil and shun his influence we [have] been driven here - the [hand] of the [Lord] is in it it's as visible as the [shining] of the Sun it is visible to my natural eyes - it's all right. When we get to be of age - we shall shout Amen it is right we shall make the upper courts ring - but we [have] something to do [before] then - I shall see the whole influence and [know?] it has been done by the wisdom of whom who sees all things - I don't find much fault with the devil he is doing his business - the prophecy that was given yesterday this is one of the happiest days of my life - is not the bliss of heaven - who is there who feels hatred malice and wicked things - if they came to door they stand there and here all is Paradise - there is nothing more done this [day] than I knew at the death of Joseph - and I shall do the same - I shall stand up and [know] the old [illegible] I will do right without being trammelled in my feelings in the least - as the Lord will - is my will all the time - as he dictates so I will perform - if he don't guide the ship we'll go down in the whirlpool - Jos[eph] was squeezed in at the little end of the horn and it has grown to a perfect [again?] - Jos[eph] told the 12 there is not one [principle] or one key to enter in the [Celestial] Gate but what I [have] given you - I [have] showed you and talked it to you - the [Kingdom] is set up and you [have] the perfect pattern - you can lead the [Kingdom] in at the Gate I am going to rest - the [Lord] called him - he, us - now you stop this [organization] - and [say] there is a [quorum] that ends with death - you [would have] to dwindle away and you go out at the little end of the horn - if your [President] [has] not dictated things [right] in name of God of [Israel] come [forward] and just tell where he has done wrong - but I [know?] he has done just [right] and knows it all the time - God is always here by his Angels or his [Spirit] - Jesus take no [thought] you shall [say] in the very hour it shall be given you the Comforter will abide with us continually and we calculate to continue to do so - it [would] be misery to me - a good many will [have] to do their work over again - ¶

B.Y. the [High Priests are] requested to be here next Sabbath at 11 We adjourn to this place on 6 April next - propose Samuel Gould to be [ordained] an [High Priest]. [brethren] of 70 to attend here on Sabbath 3 weeks in [January] - bring your own provisions - wagons etc. and board yourselves - ¶

Band played a lively air. ¶

B.Y. the [brethren] who [have] been in Army and get [certificates] take their land in Pott. lands - the [illegible] will trim[?] them off if they can - Smith had so much hell[?] in him that he [would] not do a good deed - why did not he muster them out of Service as they were mustered in - he will [receive] his reward in due time - he did know better - he has been in the U.S. some time - we can get their [certificates] and we can get pay - get the land free - when the U.S. [bought] the Pelt lands they [bought] the whole concern[?] - they can't get one farthing for their betterments - if a man or woman is with the Pott. they [have] to leave their betterments - we told them in the valley We have no land to sell nor yet to buy But they might have all they [could] occupy ¶

I s[ay] in the name of the L[or]d J[esus] C[hrist] be you blest - Amen - ¶

B.Y. I move that the [Conference] adjourn till the 6 of next April to meet at this place P.H.Y. [seconded] Clear vote ¶

G. A. S[mith]. dismissed the Congregation with benediction - 5 mins to 4 ¶

Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna, to God & the Lamb Amen Amen & Amen three times over ¶

Band played a tune on 3 Violins ¶

God save the King ¶

Leaf 20

[gap: cover or summary material associated with the item; do not treat as proceedings unless a later check identifies conference text.] ¶

Leaf 21

[gap: music collection/donation appendix; outside this conference record.] ¶

Leaf 22

[gap: music collection/donation appendix; outside this conference record.] ¶

Leaf 23

[gap: music collection/donation appendix; outside this conference record.] ¶

Leaf 24

[gap: General Epistle recipient/admin list appendix; outside this conference record.] ¶

Leaf 25

[gap: General Epistle recipient/admin list appendix; outside this conference record.] ¶

Leaf 26

[gap: General Epistle recipient/admin list appendix; outside this conference record.] ¶

Source Scope, per the CHL Manuscript's Catalog Description

Source: catalog description for Historian's Office general Church minutes, "Pottawattamie settlements, 1847 December 23-27" (CR 100 318). This is the cataloger's summary, not the manuscript's own text. ¶

December 23: meeting of the Twelve with Joseph Young and others; speakers Wilford Woodruff and Joseph Young. Not part of this conference record. ¶

December 24: Conference meetings in the log tabernacle; speakers Wilford Woodruff, Orson Pratt, Amasa M. Lyman, and George A. Smith. ¶

December 25: meetings regarding Pottawattamie High Council organization; also an afternoon council meeting regarding filling positions in the Council of the Twelve. Not part of this conference record. ¶

December 26: Conference; speaker William I. Appleby. ¶

December 27: Conference sessions; speakers John Young, Heber C. Kimball, Ezra T. Benson, Joseph Young, Brigham Young, and George A. Smith, with the vote to sustain the First Presidency. The manuscript also includes a list of those to receive the General Epistle and a list of those donating for a collection of music; those administrative appendices are not part of this conference record. ¶

Brigham Young's account, from his letter to Orson Spencer

Source: Millennial Star, Vol. X, No. 8 (April 15, 1848), pp. 114-115. ¶

In December last we appointed a day to hold a conference on the other side of the river, in a large double block house, occupied by one of the brethren, where the Saints congregated in such large numbers that we found it impracticable to continue our conference, the house being so crowded and many shouting at the windows to get in, so that we adjourned for three weeks to build a house capable of holding the Saints. Accordingly, on the 24th, we convened again at the "Log Tabernacle," which they erected in a short time, during the severest weather we have had this winter. It is a well-constructed, capacious log house, 60 by 40 feet inside, and will seat 1000 persons, with a recess or stand 20 by 10 feet for the priesthood and a clerk's bench: it is certainly an ornament to this new country, and shows a little of Mormonism. I told them at the conference that the brethren had built, fenced, and made as many improvements in the short time they had been there (about a year) as they would in Missouri in about ten years; and it is a fact, and they have raised a crop equal to any we used to raise in Illinois. ¶

At this conference we suggested to the brethren the propriety of organizing the church with a first presidency and a patriarch, as hinted at in our General Epistle, and the expediency of such a move at this time was so clearly seen by the brethren, that they hailed it as an action which the state of the work at present demanded, and as a means to liberate the hands of the Quorum of the Twelve, who now feel at liberty to go abroad and herald the truth to the ends of the earth, and build up the kingdom in all the world. Accordingly Brigham Young was nominated to be the first president of the church, and he nominated Heber C. Kimball and Willard Richards to be his two counsellors, which nominations were seconded and carried without a dissentient voice. Father John Smith was then nominated to be patriarch of the whole church, in the same capacity as Father Joseph Smith was, and also Brother Hyrum -- seconded and carried unanimously. The Spirit of the Lord at this time rested upon the congregation in a powerful manner, insomuch that the Saints' hearts were filled with joy unspeakable; every power of their mind and nerve of their body was awakened and absorbed: a dead stillness reigned in the congregation while the President spoke. He said: -- ¶

"This is one of the happiest days of my life; it's according as Heber prophesied yesterday, our teachings to-day have been good. I never heard better. Is not the bliss of heaven and the breezes of Zion wafted here? Who feels hatred, malice, or evil? If you come to the door with a bad spirit, it would not come in with you; no, it could not mingle here: but when you enter, your feelings become as calm and gentle as the zephyrs of paradise; and I feel glory, Hallelujah. Nothing more has been done to-day than what I knew would be done when Joseph died. We have been driven from Nauvoo here, but the hand of the Lord is in it, -- visible as the sun shining this morning; it is visible to my natural eyes; it's all right: and I expect when we see the result of all we pass through in this probationary state, we will discover the hand of the Lord in it all, and shout Amen -- it's all right! We shall make the upper courts ring; we have something to do before then. I don't calculate to go beyond the bounds of time and space where we will have no opposition, -- no devils to contend with; and I have no fault to find with the providences of the Lord, nor much fault to find with the people; and if the devils keep out of my path I will not quarrel with them. As the Lord's will is my will all the time, as he dictates so I will perform. If he don't guide the ship, we'll go down in the whirlpool. Joseph told the Twelve, the year before he died, 'there is not one key or power to be bestowed on this church to lead the people into the celestial gate but I have given you, showed you, and talked it over to you; the kingdom is set up, and you have the perfect pattern, and you can go and build up the kingdom, and go in at the celestial gate, taking your train with you.'" ¶

The instrumental band was then called upon to perform, when the heavenly vibrations fell on the tender nerve of the ear, accompanied by the Spirit of God, and the Saints shouted, "Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna to God and the Lamb. Amen, Amen, and Amen!" led by Brother George A. Smith. The conference lasted four days. We had indeed an excellent time, and on the 13th January attended another meeting, convened by the seventies, which they called a Jubilee; but I told them it could not be considered a Jubilee spoken of in the Revelations, for all bonds were not broken, and I called it Jubilo, -- when the Saints assembled and spent the Sabbath in preaching and exhortation; and on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, had preaching and teaching concerning the organization of companies for travelling westward, -- music, and other recreations. We had a blessed meeting -- all hearts were comforted and lifted up above our trials and persecutions, and went home rejoicing in the benefits and privileges of the liberty of the gospel of Jesus Christ; and I pray they may thereby be stimulated to pursue the path of righteousness, and fill up the remainder of their days in promoting the kingdom of peace and happiness on the earth. ¶

Collation notes

• Young's letter dates the successful (second) meeting to "the 24th" of December and says the conference "lasted four days" (Dec. 24-27); the CHL manuscript's catalog description confirms this and adds Dec. 23 as an earlier meeting of the Twelve alone, before the full Conference opened in the Log Tabernacle on the 24th. The First Presidency sustaining vote is now confirmed to Dec. 27 specifically, matching indexes/conference-calendar.md's Dec. 25-27 window (which appears to undercount by starting two days after Young's letter's "24th").
• The first, overcrowded meeting attempt ("in December last... on the other side of the river, in a large double block house") is described as happening before the Log Tabernacle meeting, with a three-week gap to build the Tabernacle; Young's letter does not give that first attempt's exact date.
• This conference ratified the Twelve Apostles' Dec. 5, 1847 council decision (at Orson Hyde's house) to reorganize the First Presidency; see this vault's 1848-04-conference-record-log-tabernacle-conference.md and 1848-10-conference-record-great-salt-lake-valley-conference.md for the two later conferences (Council Bluffs, April 1848; Great Salt Lake Valley, October 1848) that, per Jenson's Church Chronology, ratified the same reorganization again for Saints not present at this one.
• "Father John Smith" (uncle of Joseph Smith Sr.) was sustained here as Patriarch to the whole Church; this is corroborated by Jenson's Church Chronology, which separately notes John Smith "had been sustained as a 'Patriarch in the Church' as early as the general conference held at Winter Quarters, April 6, 1847" -- a full earlier conference this vault does not yet have a conference_record for.
• The CHL manuscript's day-by-day description confirms Young's letter is describing the same conference this file records, and adds named speakers Young's letter does not mention (Wilford Woodruff, Orson Pratt, Amasa M. Lyman, William I. Appleby, Ezra T. Benson, John Young) across the full Dec. 23-27 run.
• Now that the manuscript's own text is transcribed (leaves 1-5, 8-19), the clerk's minutes and Young's letter corroborate each other closely on the sustaining vote itself: both give Brigham Young as President, Heber C. Kimball and Willard Richards as counselors, and John Smith as Patriarch, with no dissenting vote. The manuscript adds detail the letter omits or compresses -- named seconds for each nomination (Orson Hyde nominating Young; William W. Major moving the motion, seconded by Henry W. Miller; O. H. Young and Phinehas H. Young seconding the counselor nominations; Heber C. Kimball seconding both Patriarch motions), Amasa Lyman's extended body-and-head argument for why the Twelve needed a First Presidency restored, and the organizational discussion earlier on Dec. 27 about consolidating the ~30-36 quorums of Seventy under a single presidency. The letter's quoted Brigham Young remarks ("This is one of the happiest days of my life...") do not appear verbatim in the manuscript at that point in the transcription; either Bullock's minutes paraphrase more heavily there or the quoted remarks come from a portion of Young's closing address whose wording diverges between the two witnesses -- flagged as an open question rather than resolved by preferring one witness over the other.
• Leaf 9 (Dec. 26, William I. Appleby's "signs of the times" discourse) is the least certain leaf in the transcription -- dense, fast longhand covering many contemporary place names and figures (Jerusalem, the Ottoman Sultan, Rothschild, the Mexican-American War, European revolutions of 1847-48). A second reader collating against the leaf image would likely improve on several bracketed readings there.