Minutes of the April 1848 Log Tabernacle General Conference, Council Bluffs/Kanesville, Iowa

Transcription status

This file preserves a complete transcription of Thomas Bullock's 22-leaf "General Conference minutes, Iowa" (CR 100 318), Historian's Office general Church minutes, covering the April 6-9, 1848 General Conference at the Log Tabernacle, Kanesville (Council Bluffs), Iowa. Leaves are numbered 1-22 in catalog-viewer order (image files CR 100 318_2_5_3.jpg through _2_5_24.jpg); Bullock's own page numbers, where present, are noted at the head of each leaf. Leaf 11 is a half-sheet team-subscription list; leaves 12 and 22 are docket wrappers. ¶

Transcription notation: ¶

• [illegible] for a word or short run that cannot be read.
• [word?] for a tentative reading.
• [gap: reason] for omitted or out-of-scope material.
• [struck: ...] for text cancelled in the manuscript; ^[...] for interlined insertions.
• Bracketed expansions (e.g. b[re]th[re]n, sec[onde]d) expand Bullock's abbreviations; original spelling and punctuation are otherwise preserved.

Day-by-Day Speakers, per the CHL Manuscript's Catalog Description

Source: catalog description for Historian's Office general Church minutes, "General Conference minutes, Iowa" (CR 100 318). This is the cataloger's summary; the manuscript's own text follows below. ¶

April 6: speakers were Orson Hyde, Brigham Young, George A. Smith, and Joseph Young; also a council meeting. ¶

April 7: speakers were Orson Hyde, Phineas H. Young (about Oliver Cowdery), Joseph Young, Heber C. Kimball, Orson Pratt, and Brigham Young. ¶

April 8: speakers were Wilford Woodruff, Orson Pratt, and Orson Hyde. ¶

April 9: speakers were Emer Harris, Orson Hyde, and George A. Smith; also a council meeting about bishops. ¶

CHL Manuscript Transcription

Source: Historian's Office general Church minutes, "General Conference minutes, Iowa" (CR 100 318, 22 leaves, recorded by Thomas Bullock). Transcribed 2026-07-24 by direct reading of the CHL leaf images; see fidelity_notes for method. ¶

Leaf 1 (file _2_5_3)

[marginal notes, top of page: "Mrs Smith to go to mountains" / "Ja[me]s H[ysl? illegible surname] and a bro in Valley" / "6 April 1848"] ¶

Conference at the Log Tabernacle, Iowa. ¶

Start 10 min to 10 B.Y., H.C.K., J.Y., W.W. & H. Herriman in H.C.K's Carr[iage]: cross the river - beautiful morn - as we go thro the willow Patch a large fire was running thro' the brush - made an awful roar & smoke - many ducks in the river. the b[re]th[re]n generally busy farming, & preparing for crops - grass peeping. ¶

arrive 12.10 P.M. found G.A.S. speaking ¶

G.A.S. we r now ready for organizin[g] B.Y. nominates [struck: Pres] O. Hyde to be Pres[ident] of this Conf - sec[onde]d. Carr[ie]d. O.H. - It [is] contrary to my expect[atio]n to be placed in this posit[io]n. as Pres. Y. is here I shall consider in the Pres[idenc]y anyhow [B.Y.?] I nominate Tho[ma]s Bullock to be 1st Clerk of this meeting - sec[onde]d car[ried] d[itt]o. Evan M. Greene to be the 2nd Clerk — do — do G.A.S. do —— Ute[?] Perkins be one of the Doorkeepers do — do G.A.S. do — James Guymon be ano[the]r doorkeeper — do — do O.H. The Conf. is now duly org[anize]d & ready to proceed to such bus. as ma[y] be laid bef[ore] it. all concerned ma[y] av [have] an opp[ortunit]y of reflecting; in the 1st place the offic[er]s of the Ch[urch] will be presented for your sanction & fellowship or the refusal as you ma[y] think necessary ano[the]r item I wo[ul]d advise be bro[ugh]t bef[ore] the fullest cong[regatio]n to start the teams & wagons to help remove those to the mountains who are to go - I no[w?] our b[re]th[re]n must go - & stores, mills & such things as r needed in a new [place?] I want you to think, wide, deep & liberal - & not only sa[y] Peace be with them but give them the means they want. then we want to learn the best wa[y] to settle in good order & peace to settle ourselves & we want to counsel & instruct so that all ma[y] go tog[ethe]r in harmony even if we sho[ul]d not get any handsome[?] patch of timber or prairie - but do right by one ano[the]r also concerning send[in]g Ministers to preach - the Sp of the L[or]d will direct this matter - & the why & wherefore will be told also select the best men & make travelling preachers thro Pot. Co. that they ma[y] keep the feelings of the b[re]th[re]n awake to a lively int[erest] of their [struck: best] good & welfare these r some of the matters & p[e]rh[ap]s o[the]rs may come up - & I desire br & sis that u lift your hearts that what we do on Earth that it ma[y] be recorded in heaven Motioned that we adjourn this meeting for one hour - sec[onde]d Carr[ie]d. I hope all will be punctual & come prep[are]d to sta[y] to the close of the meet[in]g that you may all hear the story & carry forth the same influence Dismissed with benediction by Pres[iden]t Young — ¶

The Council adjourned to Silas Richards Present Young, Kimball, Hyde, Smith, Pratt. N. K. Whitney, E. M. Greene, M[c]Kenzie, W.W.[?] Sisters Benson & Pratt O. Hyde read the laws & regulations concerning marriage for Pottawatamie Co. Conversation on the subject of the Revolution in France They then sat down to dinner & afterwards adj[ourne]d to Council House. ¶

2 P.M. Young, Kimball, Hyde, Smith, Pratt; Patriarch Morley - the Hi[gh] Council Jos Young - [A.?] Rockwood O. Hyde rose to attend to the bus. bef[ore] us & to ask the Sp of the L[or]d to direct us; it behooves us to call on his name - & offered up prayer & dedicated the Conf to the Mo[st] Hi[gh] - gave out hymn on 103 page "Mortals, awake, with angels join" &c [struck: Beg] O.H. it as been understood in our councils & by the [two or three words cancelled] [struck material] — Brigham Young HCK W R [the three names stand as a list; presentation of the First Presidency continues on the next leaf] ¶

Leaf 2 (file _2_5_4)

[Bullock's page number "2" at top] ¶

I motioned that we sustain Orson Hyde as one of the Quo[rum] of the 12 Apostles in the C[hurch of] J[esus Christ of] L D S. sec[onde]d cari[e]d { P P Pratt — do do { O. Pratt — do do { W. Woodruff — do do { J. Taylor — do do { G. A. Smith — do { A. Lyman Lyman Wight ————————— do — we feel yet to hold on to [t]o him. we av faith he will yet ret[ur]n to us & do a good work - he was [firm?] for us the last time we heard from him - we give him our fellowship & remember him in our prayers d[itt]o — — E. T. Benson ————————— do we take up the 7 [Fir]st Pres[iden]ts I move we sustain Joseph Young as one of the 1st Pres[iden]ts of the 70 sec[onde]d carr[ie]d do ——— Levi Hancock ——— do do ——— Henry Herriman ——— do do ——— Zera Pulzipher ——— do do ——— Albert V.[P.?] Rockwood ——— do do ——— Benj[ami]n L. Clapp ——— do do ——— Jedediah M. Grant ——— do ¶

at our Conf last winter when we talked ab[ou]t reorganiz[in]g the Ch. a vote for the whole Ch was ack[nowledge]d well by the case of Fa[the]r John Smith - it was a clean vote then - we can ack[nowledge] him in the [like?] [manner?] - by hands ————— do. this as not been discussed bef[ore] the [whole?] [--?] p[e]rh[ap]s there r some who do[ub]t it wo[ul]d hit the [views?] of the [ris]ing gen[eratio]n[?] - take the ch here & abroad - the minds of the [people] r perfectly ri[ght?] for the subject - a few ma[y] not see the necessity - if any av feelings that the ris[in]g gen[eratio]n will be deprived of their right they [ought?] of them to dismiss their fears the L[or]d God omnipotent as reared up this K[ingdom] & will sustain it - until all things r consummated & all things r triumphant - if he does not le[a]d & dictate the affairs then I sho[ul]d sa[y] wo to this [people] & last of all wo to myself it is for the [people] to discern betw[een] the good & the evil betw[een] the Sp of the L[or]d & oppo[site] spi[rits] if they humble themselves they will [know] God is for us & with us. it is our ri[ght] & priv[ilege] & was at the first Conf af[te]r death of J[oseph] to reorganize the Ch - we were not obliged to do it. - I felt to sa[y] to all apost[ates] & all hell, go it - we can whip u with one hand I used to tell the boys to stand still & let Uncle Sid go it - pretty soon J. J. Strang stretches up his neck. - I s[ai]d w[ell] Strang go it - Bro Hyde covered up Sid so perfectly that I dont no[w] if he has been seen since - if men cant be seen by their works they r not worth their room - I want every apostate to go every man & woman that cant put his neck up to it I want you to go - I wo[ul]d rat[her] go into wilderness with 6 men than with mill[ions]: who will not do righteously - Go Sidney & Strang draw out all the filth you can - it takes a man to be honest & upri[ght] from this time till he go to judg[men]t - you wont catch an honest man being a dishonest man u cant catch him there - & I dont no the Scrip[ture] which says my sheep hear my voice & dont heed it - I want you to produce it - it must be in Sid or Strangs bible. they r naturally dishonest in their feel[ing]s - & slippery in their deals if they were honest they wo[ul]d av heard the Shep[herd] & wo[ul]d av stuck to the Sheep fold & laughed the devils - a great many who r dishonest by reason of their fallen nature can & do become honest - my bible & the Jew the Greek Christian & L.D.S bible all sa[y] the Sheep hear the Shepherd - old daddy Rigdon ad to take an oath that he wo[ul]d never mouth rel[igio]n ag[ai]n in order to get bread. - I wo[ul]d rat[her] be shot in Carthage jail than deny my rel[igio]n - it was our privilege in the 1st place to reorganize the Ch. - many [people] repent & get so holy as to leave every body else but themselves - they get so holy as to le[a]k out[?] all good sense like my Stockings, let my toes out - I dont want them to dictate me - you no what as been s[ai]d - & what [we?] av done - some write letters that it is this one to lead the Ch - I no how it was ^[how it is] & how it will be - just as God will dictate the matter - there is a deal s[ai]d about covetousness thats idolatry - they covet that which does not belong to them - dont you see it here - in almost every thing you do - in your farming, your fam[ily?] - in the Ch - they r coveting things & handle things that they dont know what they r. I am as the friend of the [all?] - if I suffer persecutions the L[or]d will yet rule & sanctify it & del[iver] up the K[ingdom] to his Fa[the]r when he has put all things under his feet. - will we go with[ou]t a guilty conscience - every man & woman as to be tempted by a contentious Spirit — ¶

[transcriber's note: no speaker label appears on this leaf; the discourse runs continuously from the sustaining votes. Internal evidence (the speaker refers to "Bro Hyde" in the third person, recalls Carthage jail and "Uncle Sid"/Sidney Rigdon confrontations) points to Brigham Young, but the leaf itself does not name him.] ¶

Leaf 3 (file _2_5_5)

[Bullock's page number "(3)"; archivist pencil "[Apr 6 1848]" top right] ¶

when a man makes a sac[rifice] & says I'll be faithful I'll be diligent to carry off the K[ingdom] of my God some ma[y] sa[y] what am I going to get for wa[ges] - my paymaster is sure as the rising sun - & can depend upon it. - I'll risk my pay - some r afraid of it that they will come short of going into the Cel[estial] K[ingdom] - I just dont care any thing ab[ou]t it. - I av enlisted in the service of my master & leave it to him what he'll do with me - if I've to go to hell the devil & I shall av a scratching - & as Joseph s[ai]d he wo[ul]d make a paradise of it - (Baptist preacher willing to be God damd) - I wo[ul]d quit it off if I did not think he was a ri[gh]teous man - am I going to av a bright crown - or the highest seat in heaven - I dont pra[y] for any seat in heaven - only for grace to lead the [people] & fight all the devils in it - & I never made any bogus except Bogus Brigham in the shape of W[illia]m Miller - if the L[or]d gives me strength to fight them until 69 yrs old - & I shall see it any how - if I do die - as to trouble I roll it off my shoulders I want to be as ri[gh]teous as the loving[?] Christians want us to be - I want to be just as good & holy - I sa[y] we ought to be so & then we sho[ul]d av peace among ourselves - & not be contending for an oak tree - if I stay here I shall settle where there is some timber - use all you want & preserve the rem[ainde]r - the fences & the forest - let me feed my corn to my [ene]mies sooner than to waste it. - if they want to go a wrong wa[y] its their own fault not mine - in using timber preserve all you can - act wisely as betw[een] [struck: God] ^[man] & man - I sa[y] dont worry yourselves God will overrule the acts of man - the rem[nan]t he will restrain & so [far?] [you?] can go but no fur[the]r. - the wrath of man will be restrained - I hold that which is beyond my control I will stop there - all is right - go ahead in every thing that is good & restrain from all evil. ¶

B.Y. I move that it is Uncle Johns right to be ack[nowledge]d the Pat[riarch] to the whole ch - O.H. sec[onde]d - Carr[ie]d. ¶

[struck: H.C.K.] G.A.S. I motion that W[illia]m Snow continue in his office as Pres[iden]t of the H[igh] P[riests] Quo[rum] this side of river - } sec[onded] carr[ied] B.Y. — ——— Moses Clawson be his councillor ————— do. do. W. Snow — —— Aaron Johnson be a[nother] Councillor ————— do — do. A. J. is to take ^[Alex'r] W[illia]ms place, who is going to mountains - B.Y. — ——— Josh[ua?] S. Clark be Pres[iden]t of El[ders] Quo[rum] this side the river ——— do — do. ——— Charles Hopkins — be a Councillor - ————— do — do. ——— Lewis Neeley ———— other C[ouncillo]r ————— do — do. H.C.K. I move that James Allred [struck: be one of the] [be] continued Pres[iden]t of the Hi[gh] Council of Pot. Co. — do. do. O.H. —— Ira Oviatt as a member ————— [sec'd] [carrie]d. B.Y. { [struck: W'm G. Perkins] { Aaron Johnson ——— do ————— do - do. [struck: W'm Snow] W[illia]m Draper ——— do (pro tem) till D[?]. Coulson returns ————— do - do. W[illia]m Snow ——— do ————— do - do Andrew H. Perkins — do ————— — do - do Evan M. Greene ——— do ————— do Lyman Stoddard ——— do ————— do Silas Richards ——— do ————— do Henry W. Miller ——— do ————— do Noah S. Buckley[?] ——— do ————— do. Heman Hyde ——— do ————— do - B.Y. I motion that Bro W[illia]m Snow be the Pres[iden]t until the return of Bro Allred - ——— do — do [struck: G.A.S. In ——— Geo Coulson be] G.A.S. It is known I av taken a considble int[eres]t in Bro Yocum who was shot to pieces at Hauns Mill a place has been bought[?] - it is necessary to raise 20. to pay for it - it is one of the greatest miracles that he is alive - & stroke[s] of such good acts will make the potatoes grow. O.H. we av now to talk ab[ou]t rais[in]g teams & wagons to go West - I no what the b[re]th[re]n want - the b[re]th[re]n who av come from the East av 2 or 3 wagons a piece & a good many yoke of oxen - the Pres[idenc]y of the Ch & a no. of men & fam[ilies] must go on with them - those who r actually necessary - they must take their fam[ilies] - here we r behind - they want to borro[w] the use of the teams & return them in the fall - how much better it will be to help them off - they will av the greater difficulty in procuring the means than we av - we dont want so much teams as we did last year - a great many teams can be spared - I trust but few entertain feelings of this kind & you no the necessity of the b[re]th[re]n going to the mountains - if they r sustained we r sustained - if they go down we go down - when it comes to the pinch - you av an outfit - & you can as soon let your teams & outfit go, for you av your land ready - I say to they[m?] go & I'll bless you instead of saying go & God bless you, do something yourself - I wo[ul]d to Heaven some of the Germans were here, with spade in [han]d - dont hold back dont be narro[w] in your feelings ¶

Leaf 4 (file _2_5_6)

[Bullock's page number "4"; lower half of leaf blank] ¶

If we sac[rifice] all the da[y] long we get a glorious crown in the end. r you willing to launch out - & then they come next year to help us - they will get to producing & will av plenty of corn for us - this is policy wisdom & ri[ght] - I'm confident this [people] will do it. - I will ask no man to do more than I do myself. - I am willing to let all I've got go & you cant do more - if you let em go you cant use em - I dont no in what shape they want em - ¶

B.Y. I move that the Divisions resolve itself into one & that is Josephs Division. - O.H. sec[onde]d - Carr[ie]d. my feelings r bro H.C.K 1st - bro Bullock our Clerk - bis[hop] Whitney. Jos[eph] Young want to go to mountains - I can raise ab[ou]t 14 teams - I cant go with[ou]t 20 wagons & 12 or 15 more to carry provisions - many fam[ilies] & orphan chil[dren] depend on me. 10 fam[ilies] hang on me besides my own wives & chil[dren] & they r not few I assure you - if you will come up & count them you r perfectly willi[n]g - I am willing to stay here ano[the]r year - if we can go we want to - if we cant well stay. I am not bound to this place nor any place on the Earth - the U.S. could not hire me to go - I am det[ermine]d never to av a will until God s[ai]d I ma[y] av a will - if the teams r put in the c[harge?] of the 12 we r responsible - & I will not be responsible for any horse ox mule cow wagon unless it is put into my c[harge?] - now dont put teams out at random - I want a teamster with every team then he ma[y] no for himself & is not deceived - I defy every man in the whole world to sa[y] that I've dealt deceitfully with him - it is a falsehood ¶

O.H. Those who r in favor of continuing the Conf until Sunday signify it (all hands up) J.Y. There is not one out of 10 on the o[the]r side the river av teams or their fit out. one lacks a yoke. ano[the]r lacks two - & so on - & spoke of the feelings of the b[re]th[re]n going with a yoke of ox & cow will 2500 besides beds - it is well to draw lots - but all want to go. Bro Brig[ham] Heber Richards & Woolley cant go & they r the best off. - I am willing to surr[ende]r all my means - & let a[ll?] go - & I stay - let them av teams, those that ought to go, & no there r idle wagons & teams - let all your surplus go & let them organize the Ch in the valley of the G.S.L. - we av all a p[ar]t of a fit out - & more can go - I suggest to draw lots - I sho[ul]d sa[y] take all that can be spared - & let them go & raise a city & prepare the wa[y] for us then there will be a plenty for all - I will plight my fai[th] once more let my teams go to assist these b[re]th[re]n - & if they dont come back let it be a sacrifice if we all withhold - we r all crippled & none can go - but let those go who ought to go do you feel that this is your feelings (loud shouts of aye) be as generous as you can & commit it [to] good auth[oritie]s[?] & you will be rewarded. - by this course some can go. let those go who can do the work that the L[or]d as given them to do. ¶

O.H. It is time to bri[n]g our Conf to a close for this da[y]. it is natural for us to want to stay as near as we can. I want the b[re]th[re]n on this side the river to remain in the house - those who r from a distance make them comfortable. - 1/2 past 4. - Dismissed with benediction by G. A. Smith ¶

[end of April 6 session; remainder of leaf blank] ¶

Leaf 5 (file _2_5_7)

[Bullock's page number "5"] ¶

Cloudy morn - S. breeze ¶

B.Y. H.C.K & Bishop Whitney staid at Ja[me]s Kimball's Conference 7 April 1848 - 1/4 past 10 A M T.B.[?] at Fa[the]r[?] Hyde's house at the Point Meeting in the ^[Log Tabernacle] [struck: two words] pursuant to adjournment from yesterday - ¶

Present Young, Kimball, Hyde, Woodruff, Smith, Pratt - T.B. E.M.G. J. Young. Rockwood, Clapp - N.K. Whitney - Hi[gh] Council, Hiram Clark. R.C.[?] ¶

El[der] Hyde called the house to order by giving out the hymn "Come all ye Sons of Zion" Prayer by Phinehas H. Young - [first name partly blotted/struck] Sung "Glorious things of thee r spoken" gloriously, led by B.Y. ¶

O.Hyde it will be tho[ugh]t that our b[re]th[re]n who r going to the W[est] sho[ul]d occupy the time dur[in]g the Conf. - & those who r going to the E[ast] sho[ul]d av the priv[ilege] of occupying the time - this is very natural & reasonable but at the same time, brother G[eorge] & myself will be left here & as this Conf will be the only opportunity for us to speak to you this morn[in]g - I want to la[y] some prin[ciples] bef[ore] u not that this cong[regatio]n no what I am going to sa[y] but I av a desire to stir up your minds to the grand principles of the cause of God - I shall feel [at] liberty thereafter to be a hearer to the b[re]th[re]n there is a pass of scripture, which wo[ul]d be a text - we do as we r led by the Sp that is in us. in the 5 Ch. of Matthew 25 & 26 v. "agree with thy adversary" &c I des[ire] b & sis an int[erest] in your prayers that I ma[y] speak those things that will bring down the bless[ing?] & approbat[io]n of our God & tend to the cause of ri[gh]teousness, the upbuilding of the K[ingdom] & the cause of God - the great adversary of mankind is the devil to the human fam[ily] their peace & hap[piness]: our Savior wo[ul]d never exhort us to agree with the Devil - this adversary is shewn by the preceding sect[io]n: "when thou goest bef[ore] the altar" &c how long is it that we ma[y] be in the wa[y] with our br[other]. so l[on]g as life shall last - circles may remove us far from one ano[the]r - & then be as tho we were old [friends?] - when u agree & make up your diff[erences] betw[een] man & man upon the noble prin[ciple] of heaven - then if u forgive one ano[the]r Heaven will also forgive - & you can be reconciled the same Sp is in the bosom of thy heavenly Fa[the]r. - here u see the danger of lett[in]g the thing pass along until the parties r [struck: settled] removed - then the acc[oun]t stands unsettled & u av to go to prison till u av p[ai]d the utmost far[thing]. - but if every thing done to the injured [par]ty is made up mercy steps in & justice is paralyzed - live tog[ethe]r in love & good will - if we r not one we r not his - we r exhorted in all the rev[elation]s & commandments of God to be one - we can only be united in ri[gh]teous prin[ciples] - where is perfect union there is power - & where there is no union there is no power - to the Sp of the Ch of the living God - it vibrates from Earth to Heaven - this is the Electric cord that carries it to heaven - it is the hi[gh]way of heaven to rece[ive] the Sp down & to convey it back to heaven - if some cherish the idea that they may steal & lie a little it causes the jars & schisms that often troubles us - those who r with[ou]t the law & av never tasted the joys of heaven - they r b[re]th[re]n to us & av a law. & if we av a higher law than they we r under greater obligat[io]n to obey that law - the sins of the [people] r resting upon us if we dont keep the coast clear - if we harden their hearts their blood will be on us - "agree &c" will [apply?] reg[ard]s to ourselves we sa[y] we r in the Ch of our God - r in the law of Heaven - we r in the light & altho they r in darkness still they r our b[re]th[re]n - the same Fa[the]r who begets our Sp, begets theirs also. there r certain individuals who av crept in upon us who cherish things that r not of us - I want to cleanse my garments of their blood - that peradventure some ma[y] be reclaimed - & their blood be on their own heads they r in darkness they do not no the truth. the light - they feel exasperated ags[t] us & will fight ags[t] the Ch as Satan fights ags[t] the Ch - the K[ing] of K[ing]s & L[or]d of L[or]ds - while we cant change the hair white or black - yet we av the shield of innocence to guard us - & we go to the throne of God untarnished & pure - this is the sure path to walk in - whatever else right they ma[y] av - we ma[y] became heirs to all things - here is the prin[ciple]: a certain bro[the]r speak[in]g in England was without purse or scrip - ad no money. he reasoned the Steamer belongs to my Fa[the]r - I do. & the same belongs to me - I saw the prin[ciple] - & his plausible course of reasoning I told him there is a spot in it it is rotten - here is a Fa[the]r who is wealthy & as riches - & as a Son who sows his Wild Oats - & go to his desk & take out money - & enjoy it - altho he is the heir to it he as bec[ome] a criminal & a good prospect for the penitentiary - hw [he] got the displeasure of his Fa[the]r, ¶

Leaf 6 (file _2_5_8)

[Bullock's page number "6"; O. Hyde's April 7 discourse continues] ¶

if he ad waited until he ad come of age - he wo[ul]d av ad it all & his Fa[the]rs blessings with it - if he ad pilfered it - he wo[ul]d shut up his fa[the]rs feel[ing]s - he wo[ul]d cut him from his birth right & give him no more portion — some will pilfer a little here & there - go & pilfer - but I'll venture every man meets the curse & displeasure of God & as no peac[e]: dont u see it shut up the good spirit. - but if you wait by & by his almighty arm is laid bare - & when he has cleared the wa[y] he can go & possess the whole - it is stooping to[o] low to pilfer a horse or an ox I want the whole world from the c[are?] of my Fa[the]r - this is the feel[in]g of my heart - "agree &c" whatever ma[y] be the condition of mankind at large. the same Sun shines upon the ungodly & all the works of Jehovahs hands & do unto o[the]rs as u want them to do unto us - if u carry out that prin[ciple] it will la[y] an eternal embargo upon any prin[ciple]: of that kind - "agree &c" it becomes us more particularly to make an ascert[ainmen]t to do ri[ght]: we no w[ha]t we av suff[ere]d: when we av done no wrong - ^[& in the name of the L[or]d] let wrongs be ever done on this prin[ciple] - never give a cause for them to do it - then we go forth untarnished & I feel to rej[oice]: in my soul. this I can sa[y] affliction as come upon us without a cause - if u suffer as an evil doer there is no reward - let me sa[y] cert[ai]n char[acter]s av been in Jail in M[iss]o[uri], av come here, & av been secreted. I want to exempt the relatives from all connected - but when I see p[er]s[on]s unwilling to give int[elligence] of p[er]s[on]s who r suff[erin]g these things to be - I cannot look upon them - but when they singly refuse to give inf[ormatio]n: I look upon them in the same light - there r p[er]s[on]s who av done it & I wo[ul]d rat[her] av given money than such a thing as this as been done - suppose a Fa[the]r mo[the]r bro or sis sho[ul]d secrete - I am not going to criminate them I want to shew the prin[ciple] as it is - sup[pose] a relative of mine had gone to prison - was punished - & was afterwards ri[gh]teous & upright - I feel he sho[ul]d not go to the fire & brimstone - but if I screen them insted[?]: he as to go to fire & brimstone & then am an[swera]ble for the innocent. blood that as been caused to flow by my shielding him - justice as got to av its [demands?] but if mercy can blunt the edge of justice. Amen to it - we wo[ul]d be in reality enemies to our own bro & son & to good orders of society - these things r all set aside by the effect of sympathy - which is the best I leav[e] it to every p[er]s[on] to ans[we]r? "agree &c" suppose a little leven is scattered here & there - a little leven levens the whole lump - one can steal - ano[the]r pass a bogus piece - ano[the]r steal a little - no harm - all av reasons - for doing it - its thro some charitable act - somethi[ng] like the Dove that as been pierced by an arrow wings its wings to its side it pushes the arrow to its vitals - it stings like ^[a serpent, it bites like] an adder just as true as water runs down hill or the smoke go up on hi[gh] - here is a representation from all parts & u can carry it abroad - the prin[ciple] of itself is very low but the policy is worse. it cant go down at all - suppose my [Dame?] [illegible] that she cant get down in the same manner these things cant go down with me or my b[re]th[re]n of the Council I feel they will endorse the same prin[ciple]. when any p[er]s[on] goes to reason are any harm to do this or that - & then go & do it - if its any harm to let it alone (no) - it goes right off at once - no - the consciences ma[y] be seared as a hot iron. if there is any harm to let it alone every p[er]s[on] will sa[y] there is no harm to let it alone — br & sis cant u go to heavens gate with a better conscience ([struck: 1/4 to 11]) - cant we go with better feelings & free from any change - its my opin[ion] that the p[er]s[on who] goes into the Eternal worlds avi[n]g done so - they will find a heaven strongly guarded with fire & brimstone - I sa[y] to u - if there is a thief in your neighborhood dont you feel that some of your cattle ma[y] be stolen - will not our own domestic habits[?] sa[y] it is better for us - the b[re]th[re]n av to come from Europe & the Nations of the Earth - if we heat the furnace so hot that it will singe their wings - I sa[y] dont heat the copper so hot as to blister our feet - every thing seems to dictate to me — keep yourselves unspotted is the best wa[y] for me. I reason thus that I ma[y] reach the feelings of some & shew them the impropriety of such thing - I tell u if we do it we av to pa[y] for it 4 fold & indeed an 100 fold - our experience as shewn us - & if it does not the very nature of things may - I feel u will sa[y] Amen to it & I feel they r prin[ciples]: that r sound & true of themselves & if they die by the [hand?] of the oppressor - we av gone for ri[gh]teousness sake & I feel you will sa[y] Amen — agree &c - ¶

Leaf 7 (file _2_5_9)

[Bullock's page number "7"; archivist pencil "[7 Apr 1848]"; O. Hyde's discourse concludes] ¶

make all right now we r about to set[tle] - I sa[y] upon the Sp of truth without alloy is the only [basis?] that u can agree - & we av the assurances of the blessing & the good Sp - & I feel of this respect I am free from the blood of those persons & I call on all of u to bear witness that I am clean from the blood of those that ma[y] be shed in this respect - b[re]th[re]n be united. but not in the things that I av been speaking ags[t] - if u do there r some one else ready to let the cat out of the bag. this is safe & good & God will bless the prin[ciple]. carri[e]d out & I think this [people] will - these r my feelings - I av written some resolutions but I leave them for the present - live & sig[?] ma[y] God bless u - amen - ([struck: 10 min to 11]) (25 min to 11) ¶

P. H. Young this is the first opportunity of see[in]g so many since last Xmas - I journeyed to the East - & but recently ret[urne]d & am gratified this morn. nothing wo[ul]d be more appropriate to our present situation - I went to see the 2nd El[der] in the C of J C L D S. O Cowdry & once more invite him to return to his Fa[the]rs house - found him in good health & prep[are]d to rece[ive] the word which I ad from the 1st Pres[idenc]y. & the 12 - it might be impossible for him to get to this Conf but he wo[ul]d be here bef[ore] the 1st Pres[idenc]y go over the mountains - he is willi[n]g to do his 1st works over ag[ai]n he wrote to David Whitmer &c - I av [not?] learned that they r on the wa[y] - I feel they will all be here as soon as circes [circumstances] will permit - he conversed freely ab[ou]t the coming forth of this work & was conscious that I ad fulfilled my mission all who were driven from N[auvoo] - av been blest in basket & store - & many r calculating to go over the mountains from Nauvoo to Wisconsin the mormons were most disconsolate & miserable - those who followed J J Strang J. E. Page lived in an Ice house apparently - not more than 7 or 8 houses in Voree - every man was ashamed of J. J. Strang - (10 to 12) ¶

Jos Young. I feel b[re]th[re]n & friends to rej[oice] that I av the priv of see[in]g so many of the S[aint]s tog[ethe]r. I am cert[ain] that there is no individual in our midst who will go awa[y] from this place from teaching & warning & not say that they hav ad line upon line & precept upon precept & no man can sa[y] he has not ad suff[icien]t counsel teach[in]g admonishing & salv[atio]n of all the honest. a good man is is penetrated to the bottom of his soul - & as [been?] remarked when an Ind[ividual] took a course that was virtuous & upright - all the powers of Earth & Hell combined ags[t]: them. the Sp left the tabernacle the poor weak emaciated Sp is gone to rejoice in the K of God - it is the man who as his face like a flint, the rocks of Gibraltar that defies the washing of the billows - he is unbaffled as the pillars that sustain Jehovah - he will die for the truths sake & never yield a hair - I dont [doubt?] but the L D S understand there is a cert[ai]n power [in?] him - that all creation will tremble bef[ore] them - if such a body of [people] as this av got that prin[ciple] what can stand bef[ore] them do you suppose - we can mow as big a Swath as we want to - for a certain purpose God as sent us - So I am come to do thy Will o God. then I am willing to la[y] down this tabernacle — O ye favor'd Sons & daut'rs of God ye r a favor'd [people] - let him be lowly - submissive to Council & be submissive to the will of God & all r yours ye r Christ['s] & He is God['s]. for shame on a man that will steal - I look upon him as pointing a dagger at the hearts of an innocent [people] - he is a murderer - I sa[y] catch him up - where do you want him? In Beelzebubs Cellar Kitchen chained down - this [people] av got enough to suffer by living Godly. there is a power in suffering that follows those who suffer innocently - they av as much again power. how do you feel you 70 when they take u up as spies & cast you into prison - how do you feel - you feel as tho your Sp were like a Sea of Glass & fire burning thro you - how warm how good you feel - Glory Hal[lelujah] - Glory to God - peace on Earth & good will to men - you get liberated. what an angelic man he is - is that not it that binds the devil - does he think he is going to convert the world by a wicked Sp - no - the wise man says Soft words turn away strife - Prisons wo[ul]d palaces prove If Jesus were dwelli[n]g with me do you know it - you do - love dwells in God & the man who has the Sp in him feels all love - I wo[ul]d 10000 times rat[her] le[a]d him - it is the greatest victory ever obtained by mortals. that man av power over themselves - he is the greatest man after all - we dont no the power of the devil - the stratagems of Satan - we wo[ul]d be cautious - a man who has the Sp of the L[or]d he is as bold as a Lion it is in them - b[re]th[re]n get that Sp. — will get as limber as a weazle all the time (laf [laughter]) - habituate yourselves to av a continued devotional Sp - keep yourselves clea[r] from every evil Sp & I'll insure your success - you av the immutable promise I will never leave thee nor forsake thee - this [people] can ¶

Leaf 8 (file _2_5_10)

[Bullock's page number "8"; Jos. Young's discourse concludes] ¶

boast of the greatest victories - but never praise yourselves but give the Glory to God - give it to God himself - walk in it & be in it like a well of water springing up to Cel[estial] life - you can be in the midst of Algerine[?] Sp with such a Sp & the L[or]d God will hear your voice & respect your prayers - b[re]th[re]n & sis be humble prayerful - & when you see animosities breaking out - throw a little cold water on it - [do] good - it is a great deal better to save men than dam[n] them - I go in teeth & to[e] nails against stealing my face is set ags[t] it - as the L[or]d lives I will not withhold my own Son if justice claims him - take care it is better to whip men than to suffer them to get heavier crimes & sink them deeper into wickedness - we can save your children & exalt them but if we suffer them to go astray - we ma[y] expect our own souls to be wrung out of us - let any of my chil[dren] sa[y] they will go ags[t] my commands they will find out a sudden cooler - what to rise in rebellion ags[t]: their parents & not correct them - I will correct them in the n[ame] of my Fa[the]r & Jesus my Sav[io]r - all men can av it - Shame on men who cant controle their chil[dren] - he ma[y] not be able to control his wife - but he ma[y] control his chil[dren] - teach it to them that it ma[y] be a second nature - that they ma[y] be trained up wi[th] us[?] - I give u my test[imony]. it is like pepper & salt & requires a little seasoning - b[re]th[re]n we shall never all meet again until we r waked up in the morn of the res[urrectio]n soon we shall hear the trump again - do you suppose you will get a res[urrectio]n as soon as the S[ain]ts who av done ri[ght]: - apply yourselves to the commandments that you ma[y] come up in the morni[ng] of the res[urrectio]n. — we shall never all meet again - we r about all separating to Earths remotest ends - but when this Earth becomes a sea of fire then the S[ain]ts will claim the Et[erna]l life[?] - I contend always all men act from selfish prin[ciple] - there is not a man on all Earth that is willi[n]g to be d—d - its all humbug - I am not willi[n]g & you r not - they r all selfish - no tongue can describe what u av to enjoy in the Et[erna]l world - who can dwell in Et[erna]l burning - he who swears to his own hurt - & changes not he holds his opin[ion]: he can stand on mount Zion & dwells in Et[erna]l burnings - if we r in a fiery furnace let this testimony be the Lord lives & we shall be gathered into all martyrs & the Saints. Pray God this ma[y] be our happy lot - Amen - ¶

O.H. as we av got instru[ctio]n[?] enough to reclaim every person who is in the reach of bei[ng] [saved] "I motion that there is a veto & an effectual one to all these things & if mild ones will not do stronger must do" & read a series of resolutions - I av written the feelings of my own mind E. M. Gree[ne]: I move that they be adopted - sec[onde]d I am pretty warm & ma[y] av put in too much pepper - but you r now cool & understand it - some person moved a second reading - re-read - B.Y. It is moved & sec[onde]d that it be adopted - I am ready to vote - upon this item of doct[rine] or law I dont no what you call it - this article that br Hyde has been reading I av a few remarks on it - I am as much opposed to wickedness as any man can be - I use a figure I am a physician I [deal?] in Cathartics & Astringents - but if we were to take as much astringent as this it wo[ul]d kill every man of you with the bilious cholic - O.H. Jack I was heated & was warm - I think it is true it wo[ul]d give them the bilious cholic & that is what I want give those who will not obey good & wholesome counsail - but I do not want to injure any good p[er]s[o]n - if what as been s[ai]d will not reclaim men - we must use those means that will reclaim them - I am willing to let it go J.Y. all who no for me for 10 y[ea]rs no I am a labori[n]g man - my motto is always "honesty is the best policy." every man that has stole a dollar it has cost 10 - who wants to throw out a bait for our enemies to av advantage over us - none but a fool - I sa[y] if my Son my bro my Fa[the]r commit a crime let them be punished & let truth shine - as the Lord lives - if a man secretes property I sa[y] secrete him this [people] r all the time in hell in regard to such Char[acter]s - I tell you that man has not the Sp - he is a Serpent, an adder - rotten in his heart. I sa[y] let every man in this community uproot every thi[e]f & let him av no Inheritance - but when we r persecuted for ri[gh]teousness. sake - I sa[y] stand up to it - it has led to bloodshed - I sa[y] if my Son has done wrong - hand him over to punishment - if every man is upright the men from the Garrison r powerless - & I want none of his faith nor his fighti[n]g for me - I want every ¶

Leaf 9 (file _2_5_11)

[Bullock's page number "9"; archivist pencil "[7 Apr 1848]"] ¶

• I will withdraw the document - when I wrote it. - I was warm, it is too full of pepper I think as it has been bef[ore] the public & the [people] will do right - & now I withdraw the document - B.Y. to the Hi Council. O.H. - G.A.S. & all the El[ders] who stop here - if they av confidence in me I can point out a wa[y] that this [people] will walk without fetters - that Inst[rumen]t. wo[ul]d be too strong - I sa[y] let your documents alone - you H C. make no more laws - if those men who broke jail wo[ul]d go ags[t] this [people] - they wo[ul]d be cleared. I sa[y] dam such d—d rascals. dam all wicked men - if the [people] will be led by me I will lead you in a wa[y] that you no not - if you keep your cov[enan]ts you will break no laws - if men r found in transgression - then you Hi Co can deal with them - if I catch them I drop them bef[ore] I send them to M[iss]o[uri] - I wo[ul]d drop him on the spot cut his throat - hide him up - they took W[illia]m Bird[?] - we never heard any thing from him - they took him by the auth[orit]y of a mob & if a man comes to take me I'll shoot the d—d rascals - hold your tongues & say nothing - lay low & watch for black ducks - I swear by the Gods of Eternity I'll kill the man - & lawyers I swear by the Gods I'le never employ you - priests & lawyers - they get out the writs & will bring on the mob. - I go all the time prepared to catch them on the spot - let your papers alone you Hi C[ouncil]. - do you hear me! (yes) keep your pens off paper - & dont judge men before hand - if the worst enemy I had was to come to my house I wo[ul]d feed him & lodge him - but if he comes to prowl for blood I swear I'll kill em - but if they come kindly I will be kind to them - I am a great coward - I wo[ul]d not dare to go into M[iss]o[uri] or Ill[inois] - I am too great a coward - they wo[ul]d kill me - if a man does wrong [hand] him over to the Off[icers] of this Co., & not [hand] him over to a mob officer - (& ridiculed the Grammar with a most hearty laf [laughter]) 10 min to 1 - O.H. I motion that we unitedly take all lawful & proper & wise measures to keep off the thieves - if it is your mind signify it by uplifted [hand]s (all up) Dismissed by Luke Johnson's benediction —

1/2 past 2 P.M. Present Young, Kimball, Hyde, Pratt, Smith, Woodruff - Young Rockwood The Conf: was called to order by Joseph Young who gave out an hymn - "Let every Mortal ear [attend?]" Prayer by O. Pratt. - Sung hymn "Ere long the vail shall rend in twain" Sung "all is well" O. Hyde read the items of business. H. C. Kimball "I motion that William Draper Sen be ordained a Patriarch in the Church" Sec[onded] Carried then rose & s[ai]d he ad a notion of going to a country where I do not live under ground. a good deal as been s[ai]d toda[y] & yesterda[y] - good council as been laid bef[ore] this [people] to lead you into the Cel[estial] world - what as been [tol]d before u will lead u to a hi[ghe]r attainment but if you do not practice it - it will leave you just where it finds u - every man & woman as got to save themselves - some av an idea that we can save them &c where is there a Potter that ever intends to make a vessel of dishonor - no - the clay was not passive in his co[ntrol?]. he rece[ive]d no reward - he grinds the same lump in a mill & makes it a vessel to honor the L[or]d will grind them over ag[ai]n - when the Gentiles r marred - he will cut them off & put the Jews in, then he will make them into a vessel of honor - it is the easiest thing in the world to be saved & placed in a glorious posit[io]n - my b[re]th[re]n will give council according to the dictates of the Sp. we've got to be submissive & bring our passions into subjection & let our wills be swallowed up in his. we ma[y] as well commence it here as in the valley - I tell you the devil will follow us to the valley - there will be 7 devils to one man - Mary Magdalene had a [vessel?] with [seven?] & many women av vessels now. & men too I motion that every man & woman controul themselves & then we need no delegates - cant a man or woman serv[e] the L[or]d without bei[n]g whipt up to it - I wo[ul]d not give a snap for it - they wo[ul]d only be servants & wo[ul]d av to be whipt up to it & kept in subjection. - I av in view to a glorious resurrection its in myself to obtain it - God as placed the truth in every one - let every man be ri[gh]teous in & of ourselves - here is ano[the]r thing to raise teams - very few intend to go - is it best to send men over the mountains, or the [people] to go & them to sta[y] here - the S[ain]ts mi[ght] av gone to the valley the year we left Nauvoo & if it ad been done it wo[ul]d av been ¶

[transcriber's note: the un-labeled discourse after H. C. Kimball's Draper motion is evidently Kimball's (Bullock's "then rose & s[ai]d"); the extended potter imagery matches Kimball's own trade.] ¶

Leaf 10 (file _2_5_12)

[Bullock's page number "10"; H. C. Kimball's discourse concludes] ¶

we av ad 500 [illegible] & 500 more were taken out of their ranks the Wives & Chil[dren] r now here - as to my own feeli[n]gs I am perfectly passive - there is not a man but wo[ul]d sa[y] "here take my team & get it out of my wa[y]" - this is the 1st time & p[e]rh[ap]s will be last - the hearts of this [people] ought to be as little chil[dren] - the men ought to go with the teams themselves & let the boys stay at home. I will give all the teams & wagons I've got - my teams r most of them old which saved me much trouble - I feel a great many times like crying - it makes me sick - if you let your teams go you will av them ag[ai]n so that no man shall av occasion to grumble - I mean to keep them a going - I've only 50 or 60 years more to live - when men look upon them you will see them as I see them - we can go just as we r if there is no o[the]r way I'll let bro B[?] av my teams & he'll come back & fetch me - you will never lose any thing for w[ha]t you do - it is not right I sho[ul]d make teams good which I never ad - those who bless shall bless you &c & you shall be blest all the da[y] those that do right - ¶

O.Hyde It appears br Young Kimball & Richards [r to] go to the mountains & the rest of the Co. of the 12 [remain?] - & those who r under the immediate controul of the council - it is those under the council that we [r] to help - I suppose whatever teams r brought out to any of these men is one & the same thing & it does not matter which of them has it - it is the teams that we want & the 3 Pres[iden]ts want them at their own disposal —— ¶

B.Y. concerning the wives of the Soldiers whose husbands r in the valley - shall we send those Sisters to their husbands at all hazards, or shall they tarry here - ¶

O.H. it appears the Sold[ie]rs cant obtain their land warrants only by coming here - I presume its the case it appears fr[o]m[?] the Sold[ier]s r scatt[ere]d in California - if the wives go over it is uncertain when they meet - many may be here - some ma[y] want to speak - I suppose their wishes wo[ul]d be according to the decision of this council - I give it as my judgment that they r better off here than there - they can get their land warrants & the Wives will av the favor of their husbands Co. to the Valley - ¶

O.P. I want to make a few remarks - some individuals consider it a yoke of bondage to be placed in certain circumstances - cert[ai]n things r to be done by a vote of the conf - & o[the]rs it is not a matter to pass a decision upon it - my feelings r these there ma[y] be individual cases where they av made every disposition to go over altho they ma[y] be advised to the contrary - & some might murmur & complain that it is a bondage - I wo[ul]d sa[y] leave the fam[ilies] of the soldiers to act according to their will & pleasure whe[the]r to go there or stay here - it wo[ul]d be better for them to ret[ur]n here & secure what is due them 4 or 500 it wo[ul]d amount to considerable - more than they co[ul]d do there - if it is 100 each it wo[ul]d be 40000 this is worth saving - it is the wisest for them to sta[y] in this Country they & their husbands might complain & murmur & if left to themselves they cannot murmur - ¶

B.Y. I am willing that they sho[ul]d go & meet their husbands & come back. we plead with the b[re]th[re]n to go into the army. I feel myself bound to see them to return to their families. they ma[y] av every picayune in the world - does this Conf think - r we justified in leaving those families & going to the mountains (yes) - If there is one that can sa[y] that I av not dealt kindly with them let them say it - (none) I wo[ul]d pull off my coat to make clothing for their chil[dren] - Can we go & leave them & you feel right about it. - here's bro Levi wo[ul]d rat[her] stay in the valley than come & see a mobocrat Christians ( ¶

O.H If you feel the b[re]th[re]n shall go in peace & leave the wom[e]n (clear vote) thats it go in peace - ¶

B.Y. the case of the W[ido]ws & Poor in Winter Q[uarters]. we want them all out forthwith - will the b[re]th[re]n on this side go & locate those families on this side - I'll keep some of my teams all the time going to remove them - & if I can steam the b[re]th[re]n out from the [struck: bottom] I shall - rat[her] than they be drowned out - ¶

G.A.S. I motion that a Committee ^[of 5] be appointed to select locations on this side of the Mis[souri] - [struck: & co-operate with the br'n th't might] & strongly recommended this being attended to sec[onde]d Clear vote ¶

O.H spoke feelingly about oppression ¶

[remainder of leaf blank] ¶

Leaf 11 (file _2_5_13) — half-sheet, team subscription list

[archivist pencil heading: "7th April 1848 (page 10)" — an appendix to the April 7 afternoon session] ¶

the ground is broken here - they r goi[n]g awa[y] from the comforts of life exc[ep]t: what they take with them I'll go their bail for the whole & be responsible for all & If I've nothing - you may av me & then work all the teams - ¶

W[illia]m Draper J[unio]r a yoke of Cattle the only one he has Brother Bickford —— one — one waggon George Garner one Russel Homer waggon prepared Philip Garner [struck: one] one d[itt]o Jesse Souder two one Jonathan Browning team all fitted out driver & provisions [struck: Daniel A] Henry Woollen one one wagon ¶

Squire Merrit 100 [struck: do] Flour ~ ¶

O.H. "I move that the item of the Council av ^[all] the Stray Cattle [struck: in the possession of bro Ho—] [struck: right off] that can be found. sec[onde]d - Carried unanimously one against. H.C.K as long as we transact the business I motion that every person man & woman vote one way or the other — sec[onde]d Clean vote — H.C.K I motion that those who av wintered the cattle av a reasonable compensation for their trouble, or their tithing sec[onde]d Clean vote ¶

[added lower on the sheet:] Absalom Perkins one waggon - no cover Thomas B. Joy one wagon to W Richards ¶

Leaf 12 (file _2_5_14) — docket wrapper

[Endorsement on the outside of the folded minutes, otherwise blank:] ¶

Minutes of a Meeting 7 April 48 Iowa. ¶

Leaf 13 (file _2_5_15)

[Bullock's page number "11"] ¶

G.A.S. if we dont assist the poor fam[ilies] we ma[y] be assured we shall not av the blessings of Jehovah it was my intention to av got a list of the branches & apportion the poor among them - they can settle them among the branches ¶

O.H. It was suggested that bro Stoddard be among the branches & make arrange[men]ts about the poor - ¶

G.A.S. I nominate bro W[illia]m Draper J[unio]r act as one of the Committee to settle the poor on th[is] side of the river sec[onde]d carr[ie]d ——— Lyman Stoddard ——— Car[rie]d ——— [struck: Jesse P. Harmon] ——— ——— Jerome Benson ——— ——— Luman H Calkins ——— Carr[ie]d ——— Benjamin L Clapp ——— Carr[ie]d ¶

tomorrow P.M the Pres[iden]ts of the diff[eren]t branches will assemble here tomorrow - after dismissal - ¶

B. L. Clapp wants a faithful young man to come & help me in a farm up there - ¶

Br Dibble will put up his sceneries - of the martyrdom at Carthage Jail & "a view of Joseph Smith's last Speech at Nauvoo" ¶

Adjourn till tomorrow at 10 A m. Benediction by G. A. Smith - ¶

Saturday April 8 - 1848 10 1/4 A M warm clear day - met at Log Tabernacle purs[uan]t to adj[ournmen]t." a crowded house W. Woodruff G. A Smith T.B. J. Young - B. L Clapp A P. Rockwood R.C.[?] ¶

House called to order by Jos[ep]h Young Prayer by B L Clapp - sung "Come let us anew" ¶

W.Woodruff spoke & felt it to be an important time to be at Conf. &c - we av now got to go abroad. to seek[?] - when we met at head Quarters & drank at the head fountains of the water of life - I consider we au[ght] to improve the pres[en]t time & treasure up the things as furniture in our minds - when I look at the world, see the signs of the times, we av somethi[n]g to do we cant sit at our ease in the Valley. Pot. Co. or elsewhere his Sp is moved upon to go out into the vineyard - our labo[rer]s as got to magnify his call[in]g. if he dont magnify his talent the blood of men will be required at is [hands] & - I feel it to move me to make the sac[rifice]: for the last 16 y[ea]rs popular applause will not cause me to [stay?] but ad rat[her] settle down in peace at home. when we realize that all creation groans & all the heavenly host r look[in]g down upon the Earth & no that the nations r doomed to meet those things - their eyes r not open to see it - they feel something is the matter - we men r called to preach Salvation will there not be a great responsibility resting upon us. I realize that these refreshing times will be far between than they av been - we av to spend many years in the viney[ar]d bef[ore] we can return - you may present events & cry it aloud to the nations of the Earth they look upon it as foolish - the ante diluvian were interested in the preaching of one man, yet only 8 souls bel[ieve]d. they prep[are]d an ark - & were saved - what can be the feelings of the Messiah bef[ore] the fall of the Jews. we feel it & see it & comprehend it in some degree - it opens a field for reflection - the joy wo[ul]d be very great, but we cant comprehend it - we av got a long time to spend - this Ch has been wandering 18 y[ea]rs driven from our houses & lands - it seems long - admitt[in]g it sho[ul]d be 100 y[ea]rs bef[ore] the Sav[io]r comes. it wo[ul]d be as quick as the raising from the d[ea]d. & I sometimes marvel the L[or]d as suff[ere]d us to so short a time to prepare for so long Eternity - we av got to live as long as our Fa[the]r. - having but to spend a da[y] at time we shall get thro with it - it stands us to be faithful & to be subject to our Heavenly Fa[the]r so long as we live here - it is too late in the da[y] to try to back out in the thi[n]gs that we r engaged in - the moment we stop serving God who as done every thing as his hands we r undutiful chil[dren]. & we injure ourselves - where the Jews any better to sustain the trials than Christ was. but when Jerusalem fell they went down to destr[uctio]n with[ou]t a ra[y] of hope to sustain them - we av a hope which the world av not - altho we av to wander on the prairies & in the wilderness & eat Corn Dodger we shall av the victory while judgments r over the [world?] - where is the consolat[io]n to those who av driven them out - when pestilence & famine put in for their ¶

Leaf 14 (file _2_5_16)

[Bullock's page number "(12)"; W. Woodruff's discourse concludes] ¶

We av nothing to gain by denying our L[or]d - & if the world ever gets a glory they av to confess that Jesus is the Christ & always be behind - the eyes dont gain any thing in the eyes of the L[or]d his God - men women & children or the Devils, he has none at all - & the Devil will laf at him - I wo[ul]d be more honorable to stand up & the Devil will reproach the Almighty for the Saints doing evil - Job was honorable in the eyes of God angels & the Devil - we av got to become friends with God in this world or in some o[the]r - for the L[or]d will prove you unto death the ancient Apostles r going to judge the 12 tribes of Is[rael]. we la[y] down our bodies in order to come out as a revised & beautiful Edit[io]n new the more knowledge a man as the more he will be tried by Satan - the S[ain]t who does his duty is above the power of Satan - it becomes us as Saints of God to do right in all things that we do not bring a disgrace on our Heavenly Fa[the]r. - all Heaven will weep over us & our Fa[the]r wo[ul]d not own us - said a few words to those who enlisted into the service of the U.S. - if you curse & swear you wo[ul]d be despised by the very men who swear - & God & angels will despise you - all the world hate the mormons because of their Union. if you dont [disgrace?] your [crew?] they will respect you the more - pray for all - even your beasts - the very air is impregnated with impure Sp. & a man can keep his Sp. if he'll be faithful, even if the L[or]d sho[ul]d send him to hell on a mission - if a man is faithful, the Lord will reveal it in dreams or visions. if any dangers r round them - the Lord will preserve you from every evil Sp - let us not defile our tabernacles - but our consciences as pure as a sheet of paper - the ties of nature r very different to the ties of the P[riesthood]. - many of them will turn you out of doors - when we strike [hands?] with the P. it flashes like lighting - let no man or woman use those [tokens?] that [ruin?] them - said a few words to the Elders who were going to preach — & every man to be in his place & station - I wo[ul]d not give a hair for a Prophet who co[ul]d not unravel thread that I co[ul]d not see my way out of - there's a fire in Zion, & a furnace. & it will continue to inc[rease]: - the Lord requires you to warn the world altho they wont hear you. a few will hear, but I mourn for the Land that gave me birth. spoke to the [people] who dwell here ab[ou]t bro Hyde & Smith - they will be clothed with the Sp & power of God [comfort?] the W[ido]ws, orphans, sick, & poor. if we were not proved here God wo[ul]d not no whe[the]r to exalt us or not. - & blessed the [people] - ¶

Sung all is well (O.Hyde came in) G.A.Smith called the house to order for Isaac Morley to speak on the organization. there is but one Grand Division - & urged them to organize full & complete - every good man will comply with the requirements of the P[riesthoo]d - there is much to govern a family - in peace, in love, govern by intreaty - & see that your Wives walk by the Sp of intreaty. & keep the intelligences in your own bosom walk in love one towards ano[the]r & you will see condescension - every man has suff[icien]t light to govern his family already - Jealousy destroys many a family. tis better to confide than to suspect & we av all yet to become one - hearken to the still small voice - Remember your Cov[enan]ts in the Temple & let them be implanted in your memories - b[re]th[re]n you will see the da[y] & pr[ay]s sooner than you expected & you ma[y] wish that you ad been prepared - & blest the [people] - it will be well to av all organized bef[ore] we go to the [mountains] or send them to the mountains after us — adjourned for one hour at 1/2 past 12 - O Pratt dismissed with benediction ¶

Saturday 8 April 1848 2 P.M. Joseph Young called the house to order - & sung "O happy souls who pray" & then offered prayer to our Fa[the]r. T.B. Present O. Hyde. G. A. Smith - O. Pratt - J. Young - A. P. Rockwood O. Pratt gave out "Glorious things of thee r spoken" - O. Pratt then offered up prayer for several sick persons who had sent in requests - & then addressed the b[re]th[re]n & sis[ters]: it certainly is a pleasure to me to assemble with the S[ain]ts of the [Most?] H. G[od?]. for it is a duty & priv[ilege]: [we?] ad peculiar feelings since [we] met ^[be]f[ore] in this Conf altho history & av not as yet s[ai]d but few words yet my tho[ugh]ts av been constantly on stretch. the sceneries that av taken place av been revolving in mind the various revolutions we av passed - for 18 y[ea]rs. if those S[ain]ts now under sound of my voice that ad an existence in the Ch 18 y[ea]rs ago ad been told that they wo[ul]d av been compelled to pass thro trials & privat[io]ns that av been ¶

Leaf 15 (file _2_5_17)

[Bullock's page number "(13)"; archivist pencil "[8 Apr 1848]"; O. Pratt's discourse continues] ¶

if they ad convictions, they wo[ul]d av fainted & wo[ul]d not av endured all the suff[erin]g heaped upon [us] it r wisdom in God not to no w[ha]t awaits us bef[ore] hand. we r such frail creatures & cant endure as much as we sup[pose] we c[a]n. we av not suff[icient] fort[itude]. to stem - we wo[ul]d screen ourselves by bei[n]g unfaithful or shrinking from duties hence Jehovah does not portray the scenes his S[ain]ts will av to pass thro - tho there av been hints that his [people] sho[ul]d pass thro great tribulat[io]ns the partic[ula]r diff[iculties] were unknown to us a many wo[ul]d not av born up under tho[se] - many items of doc[trine] av ben communicated to this [people] just as they were able to rec[eive] them - if they ad ben communicated at the rise unless the power of Jehovah was manifested by miracles continually. they co[ul]d not av bel[ieve]d by this [people] - doct[rine] that will enlarge their hearts & bless[ing]s that o[the]rwise they co[ul]d not possess - mortals av to be led along by deg[rees] - steps in the rise the Ch[urch] av rec[eive]d they must be [chastened?] for [good?] - who co[ul]d av rec[eive]d the doc. all we co[ul]d do in the beg[inning] was to rec[eive] some of the simplest doc of the Ch & almost impossible to swallo[w] them - 18 y[ea]rs av roll[e]d & gone to oblivion & we still av an existence as a Ch[urch] we av greatly enlarged as [people] weve stretched out curtains of Zion & her cords. - outparts of Earth & lonely Isles av seen li[ght] of Et[ernal] truth shin[e]d in mind & red[eeme]d them from lost & fall[e]n condit[io]n - thous[an]ds av ben converted [others?] av sold possess[ion]s & tak[e]n journey x great deep raging ocean so as to be taught by the L[or]d God he as shewn it forth not only rev[eale]d himself to [people] giv[in]g li[ne] upon li[ne] precept upon precept & is with this [people] pour[in]g out bless[ing]s - [h]as given gift of H G. to serv[an]ts & maidens - as lift up sick & afflicted times with[ou]t no. - as imparted gifts. by these things we av nown that our God as not forsaken us [look at?] his [people] - by not suff[erin]g us to go with[ou]t chastise[men]t - yr af[te]r yr to pres[en]t time how many of this [people] wo[ul]d av ben honest & upright pure in heart & maint[aine]d th[ei]r [faith] if nothi[n]g but prosp[erit]y ad hovered around them - very few wo[ul]d av cont[inue]d faithful if prosp[erit]y ad att[ende]d this [people] - the L[or]d as dealt with us in a wise wa[y] its best. we no God is for us bec[ause] we av is Sp - sick av ben healed in many inst[ances]. re[ceived?] [from?] livin[g] heavens - insp[ire]d Serv[an]ts to predict things that ma[y] await them from tim[e] to tim[e] - causes us to pass thro tribulat[io]ns we r will[in]g to bear up under it - for our good & Sal[vatio]n: its grievous to be born sometimes - why is it that the [people] co[ul]d not be suff[ere]d to build up in Jackson C[ount]y & let em remain there - plague pest & sick wo[ul]d not try them so much as to drive em from the goodly land which he ha[d] giv[e]n them for all et[ernit]y pest & plague mi[ght] av prevailed over it & left but wo[ul]d not be so grievous as to be cast out from our inheritances - some gave up truth & faith. we mi[ght] av reasoned in similar manner that we av waited [these?] [years?]. it ma[y] be asked why not chasten them some o[the]r ways - he as is works marked out in his own mind - if we ad suff[icient] faith to gaze on scenes that will take place. we w[oul]d see many scenes of distress & also many things that will take place & transpire. we av not such suff[icien]t reason - none av an idea what the S[ain]ts av to do till perfected. however it matters not with us if we r det[ermine]d to be faithfully. if in prosp[erit]y or adv[ersit]y - all is rit provided we av it in our hearts - suppose the enemies were permitted to oppress more in S. L Valley - its all ri[ght]: & if to grow & inc[rease] in those mountains like the thousands of Is[rael], & bec[ome] truly blest in relation to riches & will all be for best. the L[or]d will not suffer this until the S[ain]ts as a maj[orit]y r willing to rec[eive] them - we ma[y] think we r prep[are]d but I very much do[u]bt it & we av not yet ben tried in prosperity - weve always ad somethi[n]g by us to oppress us - taki[n]g into consi[deration] all the calamities. this [people] av not ben tried in prosperity if we r not yet prep[are]d I sa[y] O Lord permit it not - for I wo[ul]d sooner see my b[re]th[re]n rece[ive] Chastisement - than to be let alone in this life & endure the miseries of the life to come - this [people] av ad every prin[ciple] of good laid bef[ore] us with eloquence & it wo[ul]d be superfluous to speak of it. - if [we] fe[e]d chil[dren] to[o] much [one] sort of food it wo[ul]d bec[ome]. nauseous - there's a medium to take - & things av ben told this [people] [that it] wo[ul]d be superfluous at this time - one item I wish to make a few remarks - I feel interested in it — & my b[re]th[re]n - & I want men & women to consider ab[ou]t it, it will be beneficial to all that is the risi[n]g gen[eratio]n the boys & girls ma[y] rece[ive] not only proper inst[ructio]n for th[e] gov[ernmen]t of them. it makes no diff[erence] what some [people] ma[y] think on this matter. the L[or]d God as it recorded in the D.&C our duties - it is not of little importance - truth came from God & no man can point out a truth but came from God ¶

Leaf 16 (file _2_5_18)

[Bullock's page number "14"; O. Pratt on education continues] ¶

what kind of truths r most beneficial? some ma[y] be exquisite - af[te]r the parents av rec[eive]d the truth of the gos[pel] - rec[eive]d its ordinances - it is necessary to prune ab[ou]t the hearts of our chil[dren] - they ought to be tau[gh]t the necessity of pray[in]g - good manners - the prin[ciples] that ought to exist bet[ween] man & man & bet[ween] one & ano[the]r. - ano[the]r ^[prin: is] gentility - not starched up collar & gold rings & strut ab[ou]t every one else - but to conduct ourselves to make our fellows happy & la[y] aside vulgarity - parents get it first then chil[dren] - then teach our chil[dren] the duties [they owe?] to parents & one to ano[the]r. - & see that they do it - if [you] cant do it by gentle means - not give them up & let them run to ruin - see that they do it - bring them up in the wa[y] they sho[ul]d go - the ris[ing] gen[eratio]n sho[ul]d be tau[gh]t not to trifle - but strict as among anc[ien]t Israel - if chil[dren] wo[ul]d still be rebellious to put them to death - we no such thi[n]g will not be restored - but it a[d] better be ret[urne]d to this Ch. parents ought to educate chil[dren] at home - parents cannot instil all these prin[ciples] into their chil[dren] - then be agreed to get a teacher & instruct them in things they wo[ul]d not learn at home. - I want this [people] to introduce a system of educat[io]n - it co[ul]d not be introduced to [an]y great extent - I dont feel in [the] cutti[n]g of these circ[umstance]s, that our chil[dren] sho[ul]d be [un]educated - the L[or]d taut us in Jackson C[ount]y. to educate - is it not necessary to [struck: settle] ^[educate] th[ei]r chil[dren]. its the chil[dren] that will be the [next?] christians - that must stand bef[ore] Emperors & great men & speak as moved upon by the H S. shall we neglect to cultivate the talents because he has given us his Sp. - we co[ul]d not expect any thing from the Al[mighty] unless we r laborious - we cant expect that the L[or]d God will do all in his [work] if we do naut on our part - the Gen[tiles] teach chil[dren] to read, write, grammar - bro B. disagrees with our [plans?] but can speak correctly as much as any o[the]r man if they r to write & publick in the English language - altho it is a very imperfect language & it is nec[essar]y to teach the rising gen[eration] - to learn as the D & C[ovenants?] says the knoledge of the nations - at home of this little planet that we inhabit. then we can act with dignity wherever we r sent - nothing pertaining to learning is evil - where truth is taught, its good in its place. we might with same propriety do awa[y] with the gift of tongues & gifts - God made the riches that mankind might use it to is glory human fam[ily]: r full of selfishness & covetousness - I feel an anxiety that [people] in Pot C[ount]y. ma[y] establish rig[ht] sistem of education [even?] th[ose] mi[ght] not go to valley - if some can accumulate money then they wo[ul]d educate their chil[dren] you will av as much to contend with there as here - & you will be sorry & your chil[dren] [too] - I sho[ul]d endeavor in every branch to av a com[mittee]. of men of sound capacity - they consider the neighborhood - put up a dwelling - capab[le] teachers qualified to teach - then see that chil[dren] go to schools they will do it - when time comes when you r located - the thi[n]g will be more rigid - I wo[ul]d be willi[n]g for some one else to take my chil[dren]. I wo[ul]d vote that a parent [wh]o will not teach his chil[dren] - that ano[the]r p[er]son sho[ul]d take those chil[dren] who wo[ul]d educate them - I av spoke on th[is] subject - I exhort you to seek diligently - & re[ar] Academies, Universities & Colleges - until you astonish the natives with the int[elligence]: of the S[ain]ts of God - some will consider these things as things of naught they dont appreciate it & esteem it as nothing - the S[ain]ts will take the thing into consi[deratio]n. - if they dont this [people] will sink into degradation - into barbarism. - God as commanded it - & this [people] will yet bec[ome]. the wisest & most learned [people] upon the face of the whole Earth. - the wisdom of God & the power of the H G. will not be given to a [people] who will not acquire it - they will av to use every exertion to obt[ai]n information & noledg[e]. - I leave the S[ain]ts of God to do as they please - this is merely my own thoughts & the responsibility is on my own shoulders. — it is of importance that the duties in relation to sending the 1st Pres[idenc]y & those whose duties it is to go to the mountains - it is a duty by the Cov[enan]t made in the Tem[ple] of [our] H[oly?] God - most of us agreed with uplifted [hands] that we wo[ul]d use all our propert[y] to remove the [people] to a place that sho[ul]d be sought out &c - shall we withhold any thing from this purpose in the face & eyes of this Cov[enan]t. - & let our b[re]th[re]n go 1/2 prep[are]d to the Mountains. use every [exertion] exert your [powers] to carry out that Cov[enan]t - it is not forgotten - they will be remem[bered] in futurity as much as those that were made thousands of y[ea]rs ago - they will be [carried] to the da[y] of judg[men]t. - w[it]h all the acts of our live[s] - I am anxious that the Pres[idenc]y sho[ul]d ¶

Leaf 17 (file _2_5_19)

[Bullock's page number "15"; archivist pencil "[8 Apr 1848]"; O. Pratt concludes] ¶

go with those who av to go - if they r in the valley to do things in due season every thing will go on right - & every timber of the Great building will go up. in order - if persons withhold their teams the condemnation will be upon their heads - exert yourselves to the uttermost to accomplish this thing I consider this one of the mo[st] important things bef[ore] the Conf. - it cant be impressed too much on the S[ain]ts I am not going to the valley - but av a mission to the East & States for y[ea]rs - & when considering the importance of things resting upon the Shoulders of the 1st Pres[idenc]y & I feel my own imperfections - yet I feel in my heart that I shall be enabled to do some good in the n[ame] of the L[or]d. - & if I can meet with the approbat[io]n of the L[or]d God & my b[re]th[re]n it will be the joy of my heart. - I look upon this Conf for the last time it gives me feelings on your acc[oun]t as well as my own acc[oun]t. - I want to see this [people] filled with noledg[e] [bear on?] liv[es?] & see the predictions fulfilled on their head & I exp[ect]. to see them enjoying the [glories?] that God as promised them - if I do ri[ght]: - all is well - it matters not if I live years o[r] [not?]: I sa[y] ma[y] the L[or]d God of Is[rael] bles[s] u with all the bless[ing]s that your hearts can abide - [may] you seek to build each o[the]r up - virtue & morality shining like the meridian Sun &c &c blessed them in the name of J. C. Amen - ¶

T.B. R.C. & W. Major sang "Hail ye mighty men of Israel" ¶

Alpheus Cutler bore testimony ¶

O.H. has been truly edified at the remarks of our aged bro. [struck: I am sorry] [I say?] I am sure that bro [Cutler's?] discourse was good & calculated us to do good. I want this [people] [blessed?] whatever teaching or prin[ciple]: I av done for the bless[ing] of this [people]. & with an eye single to the welfare of this [people] - Pres[idenc]y. remarks were wise & good - the sp of truth must live tho the letter die. - & I trust will live in the hearts of all - I care not what the penalty is ags[t] what I spoke - if a man hold[s] is [hand] in the fire until it is burnt off it shall be death - not a soul wo[ul]d object to it - for no one wo[ul]d do it - apply the same law to stealing & to an honest heart he will never flinch - it wo[ul]d not drive an honest man to the mountains or keep him awa[y] - for it points to Jehovah I go in for mercy being mingled in our deliberations & not oppress a man who is willing to do right. - but if there r profligates it becomes us to use the power that God as giv[e]n to us that we ma[y] do good to o[the]rs & to us - if I were to take the sense of this [people] I feel it will be found that I never did oppress any. - if I did oppress any one let him speak (none) my course will be on the same track bec[ause] I feel it is right whatever tends to right good peace good will is of God - in whatever I have erred in being too heated was for the good of the S[ain]ts — I av not asked you for the 1st [time?] — I intend to keep as free from being a burden to my b[re]th[re]n & if I can be the humble inst[rumen]t in bring[in]g peace, it will be the crown of my rejoicing - God in mercy grant that the shield of mercy be our bulwark for me & you (Amen) there is a moral power that will cause the wicked to stand aloof - all of you reflect what is the good of the whole - r we poor & miserable, let us be frugal - & in the sight of the just of the L[or]d & the humble men of the Earth - may the best of heavens blessings rest upon you - for the few for whom it was int[ende]d. there is a moral influence that can singe the offender. - in reg[ar]d to the rest[?] of marriage & o[the]r things let it go - let every El[der] beware how he steps forward with[ou]t the thing is ri[ght] & proper - if promiscuous marriages r made it will scatter the S[ain]ts. - I av my [eye] upon [it?] - is the Sp that will secure happ[iness]. I feel it will. I del[ivered?]. it calmly & forcibly the feelings of my heart - if I & bro George sho[ul]d be left here I manifest my feeli[n]gs - I shall in the fear of my God discharge my duties. any thing like stealing or deceiving - I no it is foreign to most of you - it is like an arrow that drinks the very vitals of my body. - It becomes us now to awaken & select wise & judicious men to hold an influence that will sec[ure] the bless[ing] of heaven - we want men to take their circuit - & go like fresh heralds & carry their infl[uence]: to the remotest branches - here's an opportunity of doing good - those who r remote from us ma[y] become cold, & partake of the coldness of the Gen[tiles] - to think of the cold feelings that they entertain it stir[s] us in & them to obt[ai]n the bless[ing] - let us be anxious to la[y] up a treasure in heaven - there is the home of our Fa[the]rs & Mo[the]rs & ma[y] we strike [hands?] with them - this is the deliverance that my heart desires - if we get only a cracker in the da[y] of hunger it is refreshing. let heaven see our good designs that it ma[y] be perpetuated to us - my soul is full of good feelings - ma[y] God bless you & every one that desires to do the will of God. May the Sp be with you - I co[ul]d [say] more - but the time wants to be occupied — ¶

Leaf 18 (file _2_5_20)

[Bullock's page number "16"] ¶

G.A.S. [struck: We r] I move that we put several good men upon the same track as bro Stoddard sec[onded] - carr[ie]d — I nominate Bishop W[illia]m Draper J[unio]r to be one of those men do. do. Ben. L Clapp —————————— do do Jerome Benson —————————— do do continue Lyman Stoddard —————————— do do. ¶

Bishop Daniel Miller made some remarks about a house for brother Yocum - ¶

O. Hyde "I move that this place be called Kanesville" sec[onde]d Carried - ¶

G.A.S. I av ben studying about the teams & I want to see the Pres[idenc]y on the track as soon as grass grows & that they will send on the wagons teams & provisions to roll them on West + if we were all put on a great treadmill - a few wo[ul]d go very slow - but all going make it go swift - we can roll off an immense Co. - I want to see the b[re]th[re]n on & in this matter - I av been consid[ere]d a Politician - & now something of a Dr — a man may be as well sentenced to be hung in the U.S. as to live on these rivers 12 months - if he dont hang till he's dead he can shake to death. - I wo[ul]d run less risk to be in a battle of Waterloo once a year as to be fighting the ague every year. make your houses dry, & aired - I consider it the duty of every community to nourish & cherish the sick. (told some anecdotes about Drs). & recommended Dr Luke Johnson - keep your children out of the night air - get floors in your cabins - dont live on the ground. I want the b[re]th[re]n to take hold of these items, & we'll take care of your health - told them to use Acids & Vinegar - & Electioneer'd to come up to the Sticking point of liberty, & vote - he "wished to bore their eyes until their very eyes were knocked out" - I vote for J[ame]s[?] Polk[e], & if he hasn't Poked the country, I am mistaken." - & I intend to go to the G.S.V. & rejoice - & if I catch a thief I shall take the priv of cutting his throat & mind my own business - (full of anecdotes) there r a few men who commit iniquity & when men will impugn all this innocent [people] I sa[y] he shall be cursed (Amen) - any man who has a Wagon or team it is now time to mention it - O.H. it was the desire of br Young & br Kimball that Dr Luke Johnson be recommended as a Physician — I do the same - I bel[ieve]. he is as good as can be found. J. Young at 1/2 past 8 ^[tomorrow morn.] the 70 will meet here to transact some business - moved & sec[onde]d that [we] adjourn till tomorrow morn at 10 — Carr[ie]d: Dismissed with benediction by W[illia]m Snow - ¶

Sunday April 9. 1848 ¶

O.Pratt. W. Woodruff - J. Young - A. Cutler - T. Bullock - &c staid at Silas Richards O. Hyde came to breakfast. went to Tabernacle at 1/2 past 8 to att[en]d meeting of 70s ordained 11 members took up a Collection for brother Yocum to buy a Cow - ¶

at 10 A.m. Conf was called to order by G.A.S. pursuant to adj[ournmen]t - gave out a list of sick to be prayed for - & then off[ere]d prayer. John Kay sung "the Seer" Emer Harris rose & spoke - bro of Martin - & seen the rise & progress of the work - & bore a strong testimony to the truth of the work, & of the truth of the doctrines spoken at this Conf: & took a text from 25 Matt: sheep on right goats on left & hit the people hard in wanting "the one thing needful" - to help bro Yocum - & in retaining their teams - there was a great lack - if you do all o[the]r things & neglect this one thing - remember it will be "depart ye cursed" &c. my garments r clean, on this one thing - every thing else has been touched on - ¶

O.H. There are a number of the b[re]th[re]n - the 1st actors in this K[ingdom] - who wo[ul]d be glad to speak & I glad to hear - it stands us in [hand] to do the bus[iness]. & when that is done let it be occupied in this wa[y] - I expect'd the Pres[idenc]y here & do still. I feel a little delicate in advancing in one thing until they come - Pot[tawattamie] lands r not yet surveyed - the b[re]th[re]n av made claims & r encroaching on one ano[the]rs rights. we r all desiring & look[in]g for the time when the L[or]d will give us the whole Earth. - suppose Providence as opened the way - & he as given us the land" - & we r [worrying] ab[ou]t our claims in Pot Co. - if he give us the whole Earth - you wo[ul]d quarrel ab[ou]t your Lands - if you r unfaithful in Pot Co - who will give ¶

Leaf 19 (file _2_5_21)

[Bullock's page number "17"; O. Hyde continues on land claims] ¶

you the whole Earth? here is a test - fancy the L[or]d says to himself. we'll open the way, & leave the S[ain]ts in Pot Co. to see just what they will do - what course they will take & how they will agree about the [claims] - I dont like to see b[re]th[re]n going to law ab[ou]t a claim - all we want is, to get enough to eat - we shall die & av all we possess - you r afraid of losing your rights - & I'll illustrate - a cert[ain] bro makes a claim - buys it of Indian - plows round to mark his claim - ano[the]r man claims my claim by making a fence. he will not abide the decision of the Hi Council - but will av his own council - what can I do? - I want you to sanction what I motion & if we can get the united voice of this [people] we will prostrate them. "I motion that this Conf recommend to a bro. after making it known to the Council ^[that he has made a claim & another claims it] we would advise ^[the first man] to withdraw his claim to the wishes of the avaricious man & let it be recorded on the records of the Great God - & then that the avaricious man shall not prosper but that he may come to the offended man to beg for his bread - O Pratt sec[onde]d. Carried unanimously - the voice of the [people] is the voice of God - & then the man will find himself in Snag Harbor - [continuing:] I pity that poor man who shall do such an action - & it will put an end to the miserable manner in which some men r going ab[ou]t their claims - ¶

G.A.S. we av the use of plenty of land while we stay - the land is rich, but the timber is scarce there is a general rush -: I suggest there is good timber & water twix[t] & prairie if we go a little ways to enjoy it - you cant 1/2 get into this house - we want every man to go up to the tall timber - Gallands grove - 10 mi of good timber & every facility - & we will go up & build em a Log Tabernacle - lay your claims in good places. if we sta[y] here 5 y[ea]rs - we r a used up [people] & sho[ul]d av to go somewhere for Timber - I advise you to settle on good claims - 1/2 sections - run a furro[w] round your claim & no just man will come on your claim - a great many cant settle to any am[oun]t - they can never sell those claims - for they r not big enough to settle on - I av remarked - a many men now[?] they can av a 1/2 sect[io]n - they run their claims all into one - its best for all of them except the poorest, to clear out & leave the poor man in poss[essio]n - I consider those who live opp[osite] W.Q. - that an edict from the Gov. of M[iss]o[uri] will not be so severe ^[or fatal] as an edict from the M[iss]o[uri] River on the 15 July - we expect to see it under water this yr & I want you to understand I am clean & free from the wrong - I av given due notice - & they cant say as a Watchman that I av not given a faithful warning - those who reside on W.Q. av made great farms & r in the same loss to leave their claims as you. I advise you not to crowd in here & not leave room to breath - then spoke of bro Yocum & a vote of last Conf - to get him a house & Land. he is rendered a martyr to the cause of God. I am address[in]g the presiding members in Pot C[ount]y, Bishops & S[ain]ts. - - when we left the Temp[le] in N[auvoo] we cov[enante]d to let our prop[ert]y go to remove all to the mountains. - I dont want the poor to be left in W Q. & to be [used] up by the Indians. I no in the n[ame] of the L[or]d God of Is[rael] for I am a Son of a P[atriarch?]. & am related to a fam[ily] of P[atriarchs?]. that if I am not mistaken we shall not be blest in our houses &c but if they use all their exert[io]ns in the n[ame] of Is[rael's] God that their crops will produce an 100 fold & will prove a bless[ing] to us - but if we dont do it. - we shall not be blest - I prophecy in the very nature of things - I tell you the truth - where a whole [people] unite to bless the W[ido]w & orphan - he will bless their [crops] call they av put their [hands] to - & prof O P. as addressed you on the subj[ec]t of educat[io]n. - labo[rin]g under these disadvantages myself I no w[ha]t the [people] want - they want learning - I respond to the views of bro Pratt - I wish all the chil[dren] sent to school & learn them to read & give such noledge as shall make them useful - that they ma[y] go as wise men & better prep[are]d than men who av lived in abundance - I am ashamed of the schooling in this neighborhood. they ought to av ad a school all the season & learn them to be useful & do them good - bec[ause] I can get up & bawl like a tiger - you ma[y] think your chil[dren] can do the same - but you dont no my embarrass[men]ts - some men av taken it into consi[deratio]n - but o[the]rs think it only secondary - if any of you reflect on the Settle[men]t of the great S L C in the course of 1 or 2 y[ea]rs the team now required will be an abundance - provided we can send men to raise grain to sustain you & your families - we can then find the land filled with abundance - it is to the int[eres]t to every man to send those on that r needed - & the sooner we can go with safety - we call on every man who can spare a wagon or team to mention it - it is not safe to go with[ou]t 2 barrels of flour to a p[er]son - Spring is advancing if you abide the [counsel] laid bef[ore] you the L[or]d God of Is[rael] will bless you - & ma[y] he bless you. Amen - ¶

Leaf 20 (file _2_5_22)

[Bullock's page number "18"; Sunday April 9 continues] ¶

O.H. 29 yoke of ox & 19 Wagons av been raised this Conf - & I sho[ul]d judge if all felt as they aught twice that no. wo[ul]d be raised in 1/2 an hour - there is a call now made & such a one as will never be needed ag[ai]n. - you who av Wagons & Cattle wo[ul]d cheerfully sell them to get Cash - I can [see] them at every corner ready for sale - its more important - our salvation is hung upon this very point. - whe[the]r the Pres[idenc]y will be [here] or not I do not [know]. I am not willing this matter sho[ul]d be left at loose ends — (a discussion took place) the teams & wagons that r going to the mountains be sent to the Ferry, commencing now - those that r not fitted out let them be taken up forthwith that they ma[y] av time to fit them up - & let them all be delivered by the 20th. - & they will furnish a man to rece[ive] them ¶

O.H there r 2 mills there for sale - The Pres[idenc]y av left word that B[?] & Colby r enjoying a liberal supply of goods - provided they deal honorably. - Mr. B as dealt very honorably & help[e]d & blest the poor - & been kind - the b[re]th[re]n say that's the case with Mr. B. while there - he was the 1st that came &c W[illia]m [Snow?] I motion that we support them provided they dont bring a doggery with them — Sec[onde]d. O.H. I no they will not descend to a low nasty doggery. we dont sa[y] you shall buy of them but when you can do best & it is my feelings that we patronize that establishment - we will not bind [you] by a vote but this is our feelings & our recommendat[io]n - & Austin S.[?] / Bro Merrill - it was left with Bishop Whitney to att[en]d to when he went awa[y] + O.H. I no not one who as not just debt ags[t] the Ch - if we av to pay all - we sho[ul]d swallow ourselves [—] ¶

O.Pratt dismissed for one hour with benediction ¶

The Council of the Twelve & Patriarch Morley adjourned to Silas Richards house Present Hyde, Pratt, Smith, Morley. Bishops Calkins & Silas Richards Conversation on the subject of the tithi[n]g - & appointing other Bishops - G.A.S. suggested there be several Bishops - & Jos[eph] Knight a travelling Bishop to oversee all the poor. - & equalize the burthen - O.H suppose we select the most upright men for Bishops - G.A.S. Knight is the most active Bishop we av ad Woodruff came in G.A.S recommends Abram Co[r]n[?] for Mill Branch ——— W. Draper ——— Council Point ¶

O.H. wants some expression taken about bro G. & myself. - it'll be a satisfaction to me. - bro Young suggested to me that there sho[ul]d be a Pres[iden]t & 2 Co[unselor]s G.A.S all I sho[ul]d want is an ack[nowledgmen]t. - is it the wish of them for us to stay. - I dont want to be ack[nowledged] as a Pres[iden]t but the Hi Co. - & the auth[oritie]s to bear. - if you r ack[nowledged] as a Pres[iden]t & 2 Co[unselor]s - every burthen is thrown on you - ¶

after dinner went ag[ai]n to council - Conversation on Bishops. - & if the [people] want us to stay among them - Fa[the]r Morley. the Hi Council is to ward off any thi[n]g - Conversation on Emigration. - & organization - ¶

2 P.M. Council adj[ourne]d to Log Tabernacle & found bro Hiram Clark preaching G.A.Smith went forward in prayer - O.Hyde spoke of bro Pratt going to England - & enquired if it was the voice of this Conf. that we go to England & labor with bro O. Pratt — or shall we stay here & labor among you A.H Perkins I move that [struck: you both] bro G.A. Smith & O. Hyde stop in Pot. Co. & labor" sec[onde]d all hands up - contra vote none O.H well as it is your choice that we sta[y] - you no what kind of customers we r - you av our prayers wishes - we scold pretty hard & r cross sometimes - we r willing to labor for the good of this [people] & ma[y] God grant that we ma[y] do you good. - & be the means of Sal[vatio]n in the [hands] of God — & inasmuch as you abide our teachi[n]gs I sa[y] in the n[ame] of the L[or]d you shall av rain in its season & disease & death will av no power on you keep out of the dews when you can - & out of the night air ¶

Leaf 21 (file _2_5_23)

[Bullock's page number "19."; archivist pencil "[Apr 9 1848]"; O. Hyde continues] ¶

honor your parents & the poor that is among us - He that considereth the poor & shall go & take them to his house the light shall break forth &c - go & take your teams & bri[n]g the poor - your hearts shall [be] enl[arged]. & be glad - your hearts shall be full of marrow & fat things - but let the poor labor for you - it[?] will be good for them, & you - I wo[ul]d make a great farm & dig up the hazle brush & [have] them in [the] meal & wheat they want wheat. - & it excludes laziness from our midst & causes the whole machinery of industry go to keeping body & soul tog[ethe]r & we shall all be happy as we can be - that man that is able, & wont work, shant eat now - & blest the [people] - ¶

G.A.Smith. spoke ab[ou]t the tithing - the 1st Pres[idenc]y tho[ugh]t we ad sense enough to do our own bus. & av [there]f[ore] cleared out & left us boys to do our own bus - we propose those [persons] who av tithing to pay - pay it to the Bishops in the sev[era]l neighborhoods. - - Bishop Draper near here - Bishop Coons - Bishop Miller - & they can disburse it as it is needed - the preachers can report to the Bishops from time to time - & when a bishop moves awa[y] let him [hand] it over to his successor I sho[ul]d beg leave to move that we carry it into effect - O. Hyde - sec[onde]d. Carried [struck: I suggest] ^[I motion] that we pay to Bishop Miller until the o[the]r arrange[men]ts r ready - O.H. sec[onde]d - Carr[ie]d if you raise the 160 a[cres]. the poor can scratch at it - & ano[the]r year it will be a handsome — I move that Bishop Coon keep an acc[oun]t of tithing ab[ou]t the mill — sec[onde]d Carr[ie]d ———— Draper for Council Point neighborhood sec[onde]d - ———— this Conf: leave the bus: with the Council for them to manage it as they think best sec[onde]d Carr[ied] if one neighborhood has more poor than ano[the]r we can assist them - united we stand - divided we fall - as the drunken man s[ai]d when he [went] off the post - united we stand divided I fall - ¶

O.H. the matter of hav[ing] Schools in the diff[eren]t branches. it is a debt we owe our children ourselves - the world at large & our God - I sincerely exhort the b[re]th[re]n & sis to establish Schools & let your Chil[dren] go to School that they ma[y] make some advances in educat[io]n & learn good manners. the b[re]th[re]n who r fitted to travel will av a mission for this purpose - & av already procured em 300$ worth of School books for the good of the rising gen: & which shall do honor to ourselves & our chil[dren] - & not recoil into the shade but burst out into the Sun shine - I want James H. Flanagan & Tho[ma]s M[c]Kenzie be coupled tog[ethe]r. to go forth & collect means for Schools - shall it be so - I want you all to address yourself with propriety & not get such a licking as I did the other day (laf) if it be your minds that bro Flanagan & bro M[c]Kenzie go on this mission signify it by the uplifted [hand] (all up) I motion that br Stoddard, Draper & Benson go right into arrangements for settling the poor & if they want more men that they av power to call more men to their assistance sec[onded] carr[ied]. that is one of the greatest offices conferred upon, man - G.A.S. I move that the Hi Council meet with them - O.H. when riding up to W.Q. I proclaimed ags[t] the [people] living there to leave that place & flee to the land of [tall] timber - remember you r warned of this - not to besto[w] your labor there - within the last y[ea]r the b[re]th[re]n in St. Louis - they no. over 1000 who are escaped from Nauvoo - & they av contributed something like 1800 dollars for the poor & the Pres[idenc]y does it not call for a grateful ack[nowledgmen]t. - & tho bro Felt is a small man - he calls a moral influence all powerful for good - & I feel to sa[y] in the name of the L[or]d he shall ride & the branch in S[ain]t Louis shall be blest - Amen I motion they r good [people] & av done their duty & r entitled to our gratitude our sympathy & our bless[ing]s on their heads — sec[onde]d all up & if any one as gone there professing ^[to be] some great man - bro Felt as stept up - I sa[y] God bless them - it was thro my labors that they were established & I feel in my soul God bless them (amen ¶

O.Hyde I motion that this Conf. adjourn until 6 Oct next - sec[onde]d carried - I feel to sa[y] in my heart remember the things you av heard & carry them out in your daily walk & the L[or]d bless you - G.A.S. ret[urne]d thanks to the Doorkeepers & Marshalls - & dismissed the Conf: with the blessing of the Lord - at 1/4 to 3 - ¶

Mem[o]: William Draper Sen[io]r was ord[aine]d a Patriarch under the hands of Orson Hyde, G.A. Smith & [I.?] Morley ¶

Leaf 22 (file _2_5_24) — outer docket wrapper

[Endorsement on the folded packet, otherwise blank:] ¶

April 5. 6. 7 & 8. 1848 Minutes of Conference at Log Tabernacle Iowa ¶

Extracted from for History compilation R L C[?] ¶

[transcriber's note: the docket's date range differs from the minutes themselves, which run April 6-9; the "Extracted... History compilation" note and initials are a later Historian's Office annotation.] ¶

Collation notes

• "The Log Tabernacle" is the Kanesville/Council Bluffs meetinghouse; the settlement was formally named Kanesville by O. Hyde's motion recorded on leaf 18 (April 8).
• This conference ratified the same First Presidency reorganization first decided by the Twelve on December 5, 1847 and ratified at the December 27, 1847 Council Bluffs conference (see 1847-12-conference-record-council-bluffs-sustaining-conference.md) and again at the October 8, 1848 Great Salt Lake Valley conference (see 1848-10-conference-record-great-salt-lake-valley-conference.md).
• The First General Epistle's one-paragraph recollection of this conference (secondary witness above) is consistent with the manuscript's fuller record of the sustaining.
• The speaker of the leaf 2-4 discourse is unlabeled in the manuscript; internal evidence (third-person references to "Bro Hyde," Carthage, "Uncle Sid," "Bogus Brigham") points to Brigham Young, but the transcription leaves the attribution in a note rather than the text.