Minutes of the April 1849 Great Salt Lake City General Conference

Transcription status

The spine of this file is now a direct transcription of Thomas Bullock's contemporaneous CHL minutes, not the First Presidency's later report. It is graded fragmentary: Bullock wrote at speed in a heavily abbreviated hand, and word-level uncertainty is present throughout. Bracketed expansions ([people], rej[oice]) are editorial; [?] marks an uncertain reading; [struck: ...] records a cancellation; ^ marks an interlineation. ¶

Do not split this into individual talk files: Bullock's minutes run speakers together without discrete, separately sourced transcript boundaries, matching the pattern of the other early-restoration conference_record files in this vault. ¶

The First General Epistle and the Frontier Guardian eyewitness note are retained below the manuscript as secondary witnesses. ¶

CHL Manuscript Transcription

Source: "Salt Lake City, 1849 April 6-12," CHL, CR 100 318, leaves 1-5, recorded by Thomas Bullock. Only the conference sessions are transcribed here; see the collation notes for the non-conference material that follows in the same folder. ¶

[Leaf 1] April 6. 1849

Snow on ground, melting - ground wet. ¶

General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints convened on the Temple Block in the Great Salt Lake City at 10 A.M. Present H.C.K. - L. Snow - D. Spencer & 30 others - a cold uncomfortable wet morning - ¶

at 10 min to 11 the few were called tog[ether]. by D. Spencer & called for them to sing a hymn, when they sung "This land was once a glorious place" ¶

Prayer by H.C. Kimball - (A. Lyman came) "Come all ye Sons of Zion" was sung - ¶

H.C.K. as we av. come tog. to hold the Conf. very few av. come, we wod. like to av. a General turnout - it will be well for us to [struck: adjourn] adjourn till 10 tomorrow ¶

L. Jackman moved we adjourn till 10 tomorrow morn - Winger[?] sec'd. - clear vote - ¶

Benediction by D. Spencer - when W. Richards came - (B. Young sick) ¶

[Leaf 1, cont.] April 7. 1849 — Cold Breeze — (B.Y. sick)

Conference met pursuant to adj[ournmen]t. - when Pres[t]. Spencer called meeting to order at 10 a.m. & Choir to sing ¶

Present - L. Snow - H.C. Kimball - F.D. Richards ————— Patriarch John Smith ¶

Choir sung "On mountain tops the mount of God" - Prayer by Lorenzo Snow - Choir sung "Come all ye Sons of Zion" - (A. Lyman came) ¶

D. Spencer as a considble. number are here. we will stay a short time & if weather moderates we'll continue - if not will adjourn - ¶

A. Lyman we find ourselves here, & the time is here of our Conf: we only realize in state of weather ano[ther]. lesson that we are still aving opportunity to learn - when we contemplate things in future - whet[her]. temporal or any o[ther]. matter in which we are interested - we seldom ever take into consn. that our item is seldom thot. of - & that is a disap[pointmen]t. if its happiness we often anticipate we enjoy it - but there are disap[pointmen]ts. bef[ore]. us & the object - the road may be more rugged - or difficulties greater than we anticipate - doubtless we av. also anticipated a pleasant Conf. but we did not calculate on the weather - when we look for bless[in]gs. in future - we must calculate to do right & then we may obtain it - at same time - we are in poverty indigence & want - the Gentiles fancy us a poor miserable [people] - yet we are the only [people] that av. the promise of Jehovah - that we shall triumph & not be overcome - that Zion shall be built up & stand for ever - when it is declared by the H. Spirit in latter times we av. no reason to be discouraged for we av. the promise that it shall not be given to ano[ther]. [people] - for our minds to be wretched or disturbed we av. no reason - for the work in which we are engaged shall continue until the [k]nowledge of God shall cover the minds of the [people] as waters cover the deep - & it will roll on in majesty & power - the happiest thing wod. be to trust in God - there is no [people] but put nine parts of his confidence in himself - & 1/10th. in confidence of God - are we willing to endure poverty - yes says one - but we want to av. our own way of management about it - ¶

we no that in Egypt there is leeks & onions - & over yonder (W) there is Gold - now its for the confidence we av. God that it is as much as we can do to get along with it - its no advantage to the cause of God to av. a good man die - but to live till he is 100 yrs old - if it is for the good advantage of God men to die - it wod. be better for us to av. died in our infancy - where is the S[ain]t. of God that as the moral courage in him to lay himself to the council of God - suppose all ad wanted to be rich since the commencement of the Ch. - where wod. the cause av. been - if you dont find the Gold mine a finer seive than you ever encountered I av. made a mistake - & you will find it a harder task to get Gold & wealth & av. the power to act according to the term of truth - for when men av. power to act then is the time to prove him what he is - ¶

when a man has been poor & gets rich he then looks down upon his poor bro[ther]. - as dirt instead of giving me bread to eat he wod. make me his Slave - who is our Bro. - all this [people] will call us bren when the sun shine of prosperity is round abt. us - suppose we are disgraced & arrayed bef. Gentiles & cast in prison we become dirty & filthy - who will come to us & then say bro-friend (W. Richards came & P.P. Pratt) or will it be like Jobs Wifes. & say why do you stick to your integrity why dont you curse God & die - but he s[ai]d. thou tallest like one of the foolish women - I will praise God tho he kill me - this [people] av. been called to the test whet. they wod. love the work of God - or what they wod. love their confidence - Gold & wealth as not done it - nor fine apparel - but the faith & perseverance of S[ain]ts. of God with the blessing of the L[or]d. - when we av. struggled long enough (J. Taylor came) he will take us away - [struck: after] or else he will roll on the tide same as he did in Job in his latter days - if there is not the prin. of integrity in the S[ain]ts. we av. not the prin. to carry on the work - its but an easy matter if our feelings are undivided - but if our energies are divided in accomplishing a variety of objects we dont accomplish any thing for our affections are divided & we do nothing as we shod. do - we shod. be in our feelings undivided & av. one indivisible int[erest]. & av. no int. any where else. (C.C. Rich came) we av. been tried in the furnace of affliction - some persecutions & inconveniences. its but a little - for we av. not been able to endure a great deal - if we ad been capaciated they mit. av. even more severe - but the L[or]d. as tempered the wind to the shorn lamb - the trial of prosperity will be 1,000 times worse than we av. travelled thro these past yrs. - ¶

I speak of general things - men who will use means & power to do good while they av. been engaged in doing good. you never see them using power but prudently - whet. it is much or little - but there are o[ther]. Sp[irit]s. that are bound that av. never been exhibited - they av. not distrest any body - or done great evil bec. they never ad the power to do it - give them the power to do - & some will do rig[ht]. & some wrong - if some are drawn away when they are poor they will be same if they ad millions - they wod. get curved into some nook so as not to hear the widow cry &c & they want to go like a new fish in wrong end first - that they may watch - & if any one asked for the poor - they wod. make up such a sympathetic tale as to make a man cry - this is the Sp. of some wod. be S[ain]ts. - I av. seen them - some are gone to Gold mines - with such Sp. - & if any come back they ad want to get away by themselves & serve God like the Devil - they av. not confidence enough in God & wod. be afraid to start the length of this Valley witht. money in their pockets to pay for it - if we calculate to enjoy in this Valley what we expected - we shall find ourselves disappointed - some are poor & their only trial is if they can serve God faithfully in poverty - & when you prove it there we will turn the tide upon you - if you suffer yourself to become reckless in your feelings - it will be worse for you than your poverty - unless you maintain your integrity & keep your eye on the mark all the time - it is no diff[erence]. whet. we abound in wealth or struggling in poverty - use it right ¶

[Leaf 2] p. 2 — (A. Lyman concludes; April 7 session continues)

if we use that little rig[ht]. - by & by he'll enlarge the field & shew us whet. we serve God or honor ourselves - & spoke of the figure of the rich man & his Stewards) (E. Snow came) its the same that Heaven deals with us - & where we find ourselves in poverty today - tomorrow we shall av. a perfect load that almost sinks us into the Earth - & when the time comes to give us might & power he will give down might power & majesty to use - if we ad tell it liberally we av. got to be true & faithful - & if we are faithful over 2 talents the next time he may gave us a 100 - we are the creature of circ[umstanc]es - & if we are restive & dont work kindly. he is always afraid of us - & when he has a trust to commit - he will pass by us & make as it were a bridge over our nose - it is necessary we shod. be kind & gentle in the harness & then we shod. be sent out to do good - while the master sleeps at home &c. he feels we are true. such men are fit to be endued with power bec. they are proved that they will do right - oppression loses its power - for a man to be a virtuous man is to be ag[ains]t. the power of temptation & not let it overpower us - if we want to enjoy the blessing in this valley this is the course we shod. pursue - & be looking forward with confidence to the day of His coming - ¶

H.C. Kimball the weather is very much to my injury if I attempt to speak - the ideas that av. been advanced are good & wholesome doctrine & are of great worth to each one of us - so far as we are willing to treasure them up in our hearts - I av. ever been engaged in this cause & av. been with the body of this [people] from the begining to the present time - & av. never been absent from the body except when I av. been sent - I mean to stick to this [people] - this [people] belong to the 12 & those who are connected with them & they are just as much your [people] as mine - & I wish to God you all felt interested in it. that this work may roll on in more energy - this [people] are in embarrassed circs. & are poor - I want you shod. av. your eyes ears & hearts on those things that are spoken - inasmuch as some are without the comforts of life is a greater inducement to lay hold of the things that pertain to the future - I never saw the time that I ad more to do & nothing to do it with - I want you to understand from this time & for ever - we av. no power to save you. you av. got to save yourselves & grace yourselves in the eyes of the Al. - & as for your trusting in the arm of flesh to save you they av. no power to save you - females av. s[ai]d. if we take hold of a man & is sealed to him they can be saved & act like the Devil. I say its a lie - & they say it is a good hi[gh] P[riest]. that as taut me. I say as good the Devil. I av. sent P. Devils & El[der]. Devils - Its a lie & there is no truth in it - I wod. to God every man & woman wod. be lifted up by the Ho. Ghost & draw from the preacher what is in him - the [people] av. got to be preached to a long time bef. the Sp. is free - we are more like a Dough Cake & sad - why dont you get the Saleratus & Buttermilk in you that you may be like a light Cake - if you wod. get a little Saleratus into yourselves & your Husbands & come to meeting & then you wod. feel light & free - Good heavens is truly the tarrier[?] youve got what is preached into you - why dont you nourish it - like a mighty plant & give it room to grow - we want to preach a little to-day that we may transact the bus. quick when we bring it bef. you - many of you are looking to the day when you expect to be happy - glorified sanctified & filled with the power of truth - you will never av. any more happiness than what you are to day - it is for me to be happy to day & more so tomorrow - a person may say I am miserable to day & shall be tomorrow. I say unto you according to your faith so be it - if you want to be miserable, be miserable - I never expect to be any more happy than I am to day - I want to continue in integrity & trust in God - & may God bless me so to the end - in the days of prosperity I fear the consequences - in the days of trouble I am more cheerful - I never expect to see this [people] happy until they are perfectly obedient to the commandments of God - if you are disobedient to those who hold the keys of Salvation you will go to hell at last - its revelation ad after you & will be to all Et[ernit]y. - let your minds expand & enlarge & bring yourself into subjection - the words of my bren are just as dear to me as J. Smith's was to me - & I am bound to rec[eive]. the truth from one man as from anot. - when a man speaks the truth it shod. be valid - some say they honor the P. & dont honor the man - how can you honor the P[riesthood]. unless you honor the man? - you cant - & if you disregard any of the auth[oritie]s. you disregard a delegate from God - & you need not tell me you reverence God. you dont - let the [people] disregard a Bishop in his ward - & they disregard the ^man [struck: [people]] who placed him there - if that is not rig[ht]. I want some of you to get up here & teach me what is right - there are so many who av. suffered so much that they want to go to the Gold mines, as far as Pres[t]. Y. says go, I say go - but I av. not counciled any man to go yet - I never saw the time but I was willing to go to the Islands - all blessings & prophecies come upon the chil[dren]. of men thro' their faithfulness. I av. no power to bless any person unless they merit them by their uprightness & not a soul of you will be saved unless you become Prophets & Prophetesses - I am looking forward to see a Holy City built up & to see a Standard lifted up to all the nations of the Earth - it as got to av. means & materials - & when one winter more passes over our heads do you think it will find us as we are now - no - I expect to see a City built up - & to av. one half better crops than last year - dont pray bec. you are compelled to do but because you love to - there is too much of a feeling like this - I av. so much to do about saving my wheat that I dont care what kind of a day it is - but now you are here - you av. a little more Saleratus in you - many times may sin unto death & then be cursed - in that, there is no ifs in it - because they merit it - ¶

J. Taylor if we adhere to what we av. heard, it will prove a blessing - whilst if we neglect them & instead of obtaining an exaltation we shall sink down & down & sink to nothing - we are laying the foundation of a great K. - & of millions & millions yet unborn - if we accomplish the thing as far as we av. to do - our names will be handed down & be had in humble remembrance - men av. sought for exaltation & glory, they av. born rule among the nations of the Earth - they raised a fabric mighty for the time being - but by & by they dwindle into insignificance & there is nothing left to tell of their mighty power - where is the Carthagenian Roman or Macedonian - where are those mighty men. they are all gone & dwindled into insignificance - why is it that their glory is all departed - there must be a reason for it - & we can find out - or else we shall never be able to build a K. that will stand for ever - we too shall crumble into insignificance - they ad the bravest warriors the wisest generals & most eloquent orators that cod. be got - the great & mighty Roman nation sprung from a few individuals [struck: &c] &c - men in days of old thot. it too little bus. to go & get gold - they wod. lay aside their farming for a little while to fight - & then go back to plowing - when they rolled in luxury they dwindled into insignificance - if we want to be like God - we av. got to learn these things - men will go to be made to obey the laws of God - but the Servants dont want to be made - if we want to be exalted let us do what is right - Honor the P. & if we dont honor the P. we shall never honor ourselves - let every man honor the P. in his place - we are all of us poor miserable independent sinners - in the day of adversity always let us consider - I go in all the time for keeping my eye on the mark - ¶

D. Spencer as we av. spent as much time as is prudent, & suggested an adj't. - & moved that we adjourn this Conf. until tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. - sec'd. Carried. ¶

Choir sung "Joy to the world the Lord is come" Benediction by John Taylor ¶

[Leaf 3] April 8. 1849

Conference met purs[uan]t. to adj[ournmen]t. & was called to order during a hail storm by Pres[t]. Spencer at 10 a.m. ¶

Present. H.C. Kimball - The Choir sung "The morning breaks the shadows flee" prayer by D. Spencer - Choir sung a hymn ¶

H.C.K. - the weather seems to be agst. us in doing bus. it is necessary for the bus. of the Conf. all the auth[oritie]s. of the Ch. shod. be present - there are only 4 or 5 present - all ought to be - in general the heads of bus. are backward - they ought to take the lead especially at Conf. & meetings - it seems general to be a backwardness until matters get worn & then coming forward - & made comparison of a Kettle of boiled potatoes - Ill warrant you to see the roads lined with [people] coming to meeting [struck: at] to yps[?] - I ask you are we all Saints - if so there ought to be a division line - those who are J.C. to be [k]nown[?] - I bel[ieve]. in being diligent - [struck: for that] man that is dilitory will always be behind & he can not partake of the blessing of this [people] - the day will come when there will be a transfiguration when the heavens will be opened - & the S[ain]ts. be touched with the finger of God & behold the glories - while the dilatory will lament & mourn - some will take their teams to the Kanyons on the Sabbath or make a party & av. a feast - I say to you if my family dont go to meeting I want them to stay at home - but I wod. rat[her]. they wod. come fasting & hear & filled with the H.G. & not come to a meeting when the rest are warmed - let us come to some order & att[end]. to the Sabbath - & not to av. some working more on the Sabbath Day & av. more washing of dishes than on any o[ther]. day - if I dont restrict my family then the sin be on my head - if it is my duty - it is yours & not av. your chil[dren]. running thro the Streets acting more like the Devil than human beings - its Pres[t]. Youngs feeling all the day long & he has [struck: said] it to you all the day long - the more loose you are the more reckless you will be - is it best to continue & att[end]. to our bus. - as av. a little wisdom & then adjourn - I want to tell my feelings that it may be a savor of life unto life - I dont feel in my [struck: heart] to chastise the [people] - but I will tell the truth if it takes my head off - I never was in a place that I felt it was my home before this - you av. nothing to pay but for running out the lands & entering it - all is without money & price - I expect in a few years to see as splendid houses as any in the Gentile world - & see the things that will cheer the heart of man & woman - I wod. as soon irrigate the land as to run the risk of storms & clouds & tempests in the States - the majority of this [people] are determined to be riteous - as long as we are S[ain]ts. can come here to rec[eive]. our Inheritances the without money & price, & where I never saw money plentier than it is here - it gave me sorrow to see the temptations of the [people] - one yr. wod. pass away until Gold is more plenty than brass copper & zinc - it will send scores & scores of this [people] down to hell - & if you say you will risk it - you are the very character that will go down to hell - for Satan has more power than you think - there are H.P. Devils & even Pharaoh led so many down to hell that they made him a King - & a H.P. here that uses his authority for leading men & women to hell will be a H.P. in hell - Devils go in troops & legions to fight the work of God & they are invisible to the natural eye - but they work to capture the chil[dren]. of men & lead them down to hell (P.P.P. & F.D. Richards came) H.C.K. invited some one to speak when ¶

C.C. Rich rose & cried would to God you wod. understand the metaphor made use of this morning - did you feel the testimony of Jesus that you shod. be one of that wod. that shod. be transfigured - if you ad not the testimony - get it - (A. Lyman came) (Pres[t]. Young walked to the stand) - let us remember that the God we worship is a cov[enan]t. keeping God - the Sp. beareth testimony that what has been s[ai]d. this morning is the truth - ¶

H.C.K. It is thot. best to proceed to bus. - & presented Pres[t]. B.Y. to be the Pres[t]. of the Ch. of J.C. of L.D.S. - D. Spencer sec'd. if you want them to dictate & counsel you dont vote unless you intend to do it - dont act no play with those things but be holy men & women & filled with the H.G. from this time henceforth & for ever & let us begin today & never became indifferent - vote put - & carried. ¶

A. Lyman presented H.C.K. as Pres[t]. Youngs first C[ounselo]r. - D. Spencer sec'd. - Carr[ied]. W.R. as Pres[t]. Youngs sec'd. Co. — do. ————— do. ¶

[struck: H.C. Kimball] [struck: presented] ^do moved that O. Hyde [struck: continue] be the Pres[t]. of the 12 Apos. of Ch. of J.C. of L.D.S. - sec'd. carried ¶

do ————— P.P.P. as one of 12 Apos. ————— sec'd. carried do ————— O. Pratt ————— do ————— sec'd. — do H.C.K. ————— W. Woodruff ————— do ————— sec'd. do do ————— J. Taylor ————— do ————— sec'd. — do do ————— G.A. Smith ————— do ————— sec'd. do do ————— A. Lyman ————— do ————— sec'd. — do do ————— E.T. Benson ————— do ————— sec'd. do do ————— C.C. Rich ————— do ————— sec. — do do ————— L. Snow ————— do ————— sec'd. — do do ————— E. Snow ————— do ————— sec'd. — do do ————— F.D. Richards ————— do ————— sec'd. — do do ————— Joseph Young 1st. Pres[t]. of 70 ————— sec'd. — do do ————— L.W. Hancock ————— do ————— sec'd. — do do ————— Z. Pulzipher ————— do ————— sec'd. — do do ————— H. Herriman ————— do ————— sec'd. do do ————— A.P. Rockwood ————— do ————— sec'd. — do do ————— B.L. Clapp ————— do ————— sec'd. — do do ————— J.M. Grant ————— do ————— sec'd. — do do ————— D. Spencer - Pres[t]. of this Stake ————— sec'd. — do do ————— David Fullmer ————— do ————— sec'd. — do do ————— Willard Snow ————— do ————— sec'd. — do do ————— H.G. Sherwood Pres[t]. of Hi[gh]. Council ————— sec. — do do ————— Titus Billings ————— do ————— sec'd. — do do ————— Eleazer Miller ————— do ————— sec'd. do do ————— John Vance ————— do ————— sec'd. do do ————— Levi Jackman ————— do ————— sec'd. — do do ————— Ira Eldridge ————— do ————— sec'd. — do do ————— E.H. Groves ————— do ————— sec'd. — do do ————— W.W. Major ————— do ————— sec'd. — do do ————— E.D. Woolley ————— do ————— sec'd. — do do ————— John Smith Patriarch for the Church ————— sec'd. — do. ¶

He[?] retained the Stands in the place of Fat[her]. Jos[eph]. Smith & Hyrum - as Pat[riarch]. over the Ch. of J.C. of L.D.S. & is placed upon him according to succession - he is Pat. of Pat. in this Ch. & I feel to see to the stem I want you to uphold him & intercede for him bef. the L[or]d. that he may be filled by virtue of his Office that every word he may pronounce on you be fulfilled - ¶

do ————— John Young as Pres[t]. of H.P. Quorum ————— sec'd. — do do ————— Reynolds Cahoon as his 1st. Co. ————— sec. — do do ————— Geo. B. Wallace ————— 2nd Co. ————— sec'd. — do do ————— John Nebeker as Pres. of El. Quo ————— sec'd. — do do ————— N.K. Whitney as Pres[t]. Bishop in Ch. of J.C. of L.D.S. ————— sec. — do ¶

[Leaf 4] (April 8 morning session concludes)

H.C.K. presented W. Richards as Historian of Ch. of J.C. of L.D.S. ————— sec'd. — Carried ¶

H.C.K. then rose & s[ai]d. the tithing of ourselves for building public works such as Council house - we want the Bishops to see that the work is [k]nown[?] - & that the [people] labor there for their tithing for the good of the community - & desirous that we meet & do bus. in that error for the good of this [people] temporally & spiritually - the Ch. Farm as to be fenced as well as o[ther]. works - do you feel int[erest]. in the general good - that we may av. a house of prayer & supplication & the El. that go to the nations - here is El. Pratt & o[ther]s. going to the nations & av. rec'd. no instan[ce]. as yet - I am in favor of its going ahead - & if you will do it by anot[her]. Sabbath we shall pretty near see the walls reared ¶

J. Taylor - in regard a tithing we all understand it - the Bishops are acquainted with those matters & by att[ending]. to it - the Bishops ought to be sustained in their Office as we av. put them into office - we ought to honor them in their office as much as an angel coming down from heaven - if we honor them by ad will honor us - we ought not to look upon as a Bishop as an inferior Office - if a Teacher comes to my house & council me Im bound to listen to his instrns. as much as to listen to Pres[t]. Young - I am glad to see the Streets opening - we want public places to meet in & act with a public sp[irit]. that we may exalt ourselves in the eyes of the nations - if we devote the tithe of our labor to the public work we can do it easily - if you keep oxen lazy they will be like the bulls do - & they will do all our things work & no fear - the L[or]d. says try me & prove me & I will pour out blessings so that you cant contain them - if we go to work & do what he commands us to do & he does not fulfil his contract. we cod. tell him of it - as there is a good deal of bus. to be done it is thot. best to adjourn until 1 P.M. - as they are now been here [struck: long] enough - ¶

Congregation arose & were dismissed with benediction of John Taylor ¶

[Leaf 4, cont.] April 8, 1849 — afternoon session

Conference met pursuant to adjournment & were called together at 1/2 past 1 by Pres[t]. Spencer ¶

Present H.C. Kimball, A. Lyman - C.C. Rich - E. Snow - P.P. Pratt - L. Snow - ————— I. Morley Pat: ————— D. Spencer Pres[t]. & 2 C[ounselo]rs. - ¶

Choir sung "Come all ye Sons of Zion" - [struck: prayer] by Isaac Morley & Choir sung "Glorious things" ¶

P.P. Pratt invited the [people] to look out the streets when they come to meeting - & not to trample on plowed ground - & when they get in habit of walking in the straight path the rest can be planted - & accommodate the trees - ¶

H.C.K. - as we av. not ad any St[reets]. formally [k]nown - I want you to no the Streets were laid off 2 yrs ago - we left the roads & the [people] to see if they wod. walk in them - but there is now Officers & Executors & we desire the [people] may walk straight forward in the path - & after this we shall consider men as willing to trample their neighbors under their feet same as their crops - today the [people] av. raised their hands to sustain the Officers & now see to it - that you obey them - I want this [people] to do right that no man be saved quicker than being heedless in our course & for every member in their several Wards to be ob[edien]t. to their Bishops - how can you honor God unless you honor the Bishopric & then you take burdens off my Pres[iden]t. - or else you will destroy him & he not live - & not go to him for council in every little thing that a child of 10 yrs old may council upon - I am in earnest & [struck: say] with the armor of the Al. from henceforth & for ever - & I want to see the officers on the Stand first & not last ¶

P.P. Pratt presented Jas. H. Smith as C[ounselo]r. to John Nebeker Pres[t]. of El. Quo — sec'd. Carried do ————— Aaron Sevey - 2nd. Co. ————— do — do. do ————— Joseph Harker Pres[t]. of A.P. ————— do — do. do ————— McGee Harris ————— Teachers ————— do — do. do ————— Wm. C. Smithson ————— Deacons ————— do — do. ¶

H.C.K. called on El. Lyman, C.C. Rich & D.H. Wells to lay the matter before them & organize N[auvoo]. Legion — ¶

A. Lyman it is a novel thing to av. the N.L. out in the Rocky mountains - the Com[mittee]. av. made engagements necessary for the organiza[tio]n. & av. deferred it till Conf. that we might see the [people] altogether - & now the consummation of the organiz[atio]n. will depend on Rich & Wells - & requested the men to report themselves to the Com. bet[ween]. the ages of 14 & 75 & suggests John Brown as Capt. of Engineers - ¶

C.C. Rich supposes a great portion of the males were enrolled in N.L. - if not they [struck: wod.] av. an int[erest]. felt in this matter - & that the [people] will get up the N.L. & to exist for all eternity - ¶

H.C.K. spoke again abt. the Council House - & wants to see it reared - [struck: wants] wod. most of the [people] realize it - there is not a man or woman but wod. exert themselves to get it built - we want a place where the Co. can meet once twice or thrice a week - where we can attend to our temporal bus. - it is like a shield to defend Kings from the Javlin's Spear or ball - this Co. is for their temporal existence & to protect the vitals of this Ch: this is the hiding place for this [people] to be protected - we want an upper room & lower room. for the Co. & Quo. to meet in - will we go to work & take hold as a [people] - if so I want you to manifest it - (all up [struck: ...] tha[?] [struck: [people]] ) if we cod. get the [people] tog[ether]. 3 or 4 weeks they wod. begin to walk - I am in earnest & mean just what I say - I want you shod. feel int. for that concern - & then we will fence the Ch. Farm - I want you to feel like a troop that you may leap over a Wall & take the jaw bone of a Buffalo & knock them head over heels. be up & doing - let us walk in the element that proceeds from the Almighty - you that av. more than you need & it over to the Bishops that they may & it out to the [people] that the [people] ma bless you - & not retain it, that you may be cursed - those men that stay here & cultivate the Earth they will be blest & those who go according to Co. will be blest - that person whet. male or female who dont appreciate what they av. will never be satisfied in time or eternity - never prophesy evil any more - it is your plaguey bad prophecies that makes it so hard for us to fight against - if you see it as I do you wod. never prophesy evil agst. yourselves families or friends - ¶

P.P. Pratt requested the Bishops & Co. from the County to call out P.'s & B.P.'s & rec[eive]. their ordination ¶

J. Taylor s[ai]d. it was necessary for all letters to be carried by the mail - the legitimate channel - wherever there is a mo[re] genl. & cause to sustain it & persons who carry letters are liable to be fined - if we can av. a mail in confidence we must support it - it is expected that letters must be p[ai]d. ¶

D. Spencer requested the Bishops to strike a right furrow outside the street - that the [people] ma know where to travel ¶

W. Richards rejoiced to see the S[ain]ts. at this long[?] - & his health is not sufficient to speak much - I am here bec. a few poor bren in Pott[awattamie]. Co. loaned me a yoke of Cattle each, many av. died. I now feel for those poor bren so as to invite some bren who av. Gold Dust to hand it over as a loan - & I will return it to you with int[erest]. - I don't no what wod. be more acceptable to the L[or]d. than this little thing - I do anticipate the day that I can live to do good to my bren - all the doings are good especially of bro K. in regard to our Pres. - & I beseech of you to go to your officers in your wards for little council & not wear[y]. Pres[t]. Young out - he is bore down as it were into the Earth by Counselling - go to the respective officers for council - Moses is ready to hear the never of you but when it is not necessary go to Aaron & Moses & they can council you - if your Officers dont no how to Council - hold still & then go & get the Co. - & then you can hear Pres[t]. Young all the day long - dont run to Pres[t]. Young to get council how a Cat shod. gather a mouse - then when you go to Moses you wod. find him up in the 3rd. heavens - if it is, then heed it - these Bishops & B[isho]ps. are helps to help the [people] & the Priesthood - Pres[t]. Young ¶

H.C.K. thats true isn't it - if it is, then heed it - ¶

[Leaf 5] p. 5 — (April 8 afternoon session concludes)

is pressed to death & you make dogs of them & crush them to death - they run right over the men appl[ied]. to council them - it is for the Bishops to go & get council - now stay in your own place - now the wheel is going stand in your place & perform your duties. for gods sake let men live & dont crush them - (Heber is full of himself the day & caused much laughter) ¶

P.P. Pratt I move we adjourn this conference to meet at this place on the 6th. Oct. 1849 - at 10 a.m. - sec'd. - ¶

H.C.K. kept on speaking saying keep on prophesying good concerning Israel, but when you are inspired by the Devil change your tongues - you had better eat your tongues out than send your soul to hell - I wod. to God that every man & woman wod. att[end]. to their own bus. - & not interfere with any other mans wives - if you do I prophesy you shall be broken up - & if this is true I want every one to say amen (loud amens) I am a plain talking man - I want to see every man act in his calling - & respect those that are in their places - ¶

Question of adj[ournmen]t. put - & Carried — Dismissed with benediction by P.P. Pratt ——— ¶

---

The manuscript continues on this leaf with a meeting that is not a conference session — see the collation notes below. ¶

Eyewitness Note from the Frontier Guardian

Source: Frontier Guardian, April 18, 1849, Vol. 1, No. 6, p. 2. An independent, contemporaneous item, not a reprint of the General Epistle below. Some words remain uncertain in this print scan and are bracketed. ¶

CONFERENCE. ¶

Our Conference commenced on Friday the 6th inst. Thursday was a very unpleasant day and [it stormed?], so the Conference was not [well?] attended, but on Friday it commenced snowing and continued snowing to some extent through the Conference. This did not, however, deter the Saints from meeting according to appointment, and on Friday and Saturday the [Log Tabernacle?] was completely filled, and many stood outside unable to gain admittance. On Sunday it was still more thronged, and the day being pleasant, many remained without the whole day, unable to find room within the walls of the house. ¶

The First General Epistle

Source: Millennial Star, Vol. XI, No. 14 (July 15, 1849), pp. 227-232, itself reprinted from the New York Herald, June 22, 1849. ¶

First General Epistle of the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, from the Great Salt Lake Valley, to the Saints Scattered Throughout the Earth -- Greeting: ¶

Beloved Brethren: Since the General Epistle of the Twelve Apostles, from Winter Quarters, December 23, 1847, many events have transpired, interesting in their nature as pertaining to the advancement of the church, preparatory to the coming of the Son of Man; and we cheerfully improve this, the earliest opportunity, to communicate to you a brief history of these events, together with such counsel as the Holy Spirit shall indite. ¶

The winter and spring of 1848 were diligently improved by many of the apostles and elders, in visiting the churches and brethren in different parts of the States, counselling and setting in order the things of the kingdom, and in endeavouring to procure means for the removal of the church at Winter Quarters to the Great Salt Lake City; but, although some of the Saints were liberal according to their ability, yet there was not sufficient collected to defray the expences which the presidency had previously incurred in searching out a new location and other similar operations for the benefit of the church, without rendering them any assistance for their contemplated journey, which was finally facilitated by the loan of teams, &c., by the brethren on Pottowatamie lands, and friends in and about camp. ¶

The general conference, on the 6th of April, 1848, held at the Log Tabernacle, in Iowa, unanimously acknowledged brother Brigham Young to be the president, and Heber C. Kimball and Willard Richards his counsellors; the three constituting a quorum of the first presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ¶

Brothers Young and Kimball left Winter Quarters in May, and brother Richards in July, with large emigrating companies for this place, where they arrived in September and October, and found the Saints enjoying almost universal health. Elder Amasa Lyman also accompanied this camp, and about the same time Elder Orson Pratt left Winter Quarters for England. Elder Woodruff took his departure for Canada, and Elders Hyde, George A. Smith, and Ezra T. Benson, located with the Saints on Pottowatamie lands. Brother Richards left Winter Quarters entirely vacated; many of our cattle having been destroyed by the Indians, and many horses stolen on both sides of the river. A portion of brother Kimball's camp was fired upon at the Elk Horn river by a band of the Ottoes and Omahas, and three of the brethren were wounded, two of whom are maimed for life. ¶

On the 30th of November we received a Mail from Kanesville, Iowa, by the hand of Capt. Allen Compton and three other brethren, giving us the cheering intelligence that many of the Saints who were unable to proceed further on their journey, had settled in various parts of Pottowatamie county, and had been exceedingly blest in raising grain, excellent crops, vegetables, flocks and herds, and in preparation generally for future emigration, and that union and brotherly love prevailed. ¶

By the same Mail we also learned that the unparalleled prosperity of the work had increased the church in England, and the British dominions adjacent, more than 7,000 souls during the previous year; while the power of God, with the power of the devil opposing, had been made manifest, as in days of old, to the great joy of the Saints. ¶

Lyman Wight's manifesto was received at the same time, which clearly demonstrated to the Saints that he was not one with us, consequently the Church disfellowshipped him, and all who shall continue to follow him. ¶

On our arrival in this valley, we found the brethren had erected four forts, composed mostly of houses, including an area of about forty-seven acres, and numbering about 5,000 souls, including our camp. The brethren had succeeded in sowing and planting an extensive variety of seeds, at all seasons, from January to July, on a farm about twelve miles in length, and from one to six in width, including the city plot. Most of their early crops were destroyed, in the month of May, by crickets and frost, which continued occasionally until June; while the latter harvest was injured by drought and frost, which commenced its injuries about the tenth of October, and by the out-breaking of herds of cattle. The brethren were not sufficiently numerous to fight the crickets, irrigate the crops, and fence the farm of their extensive planting, consequently they suffered heavy losses; though the experiment of last year is sufficient to prove that valuable crops may be raised in this valley by an attentive and judicious management. ¶

The winter of 1847-8 was very mild, grass abundant, flocks and herds thriving thereon, and the earth tillable most of the time during each month; but the winter of 1848-9 has been very different, more like a severe New England winter. Excessive cold commenced on the 1st of December, and continued till the latter part of February. Snow storms were frequent, and though there were several thaws, the earth was not without snow during that period, varying from one to three feet in depth, both in time and places. The coldest day of the past winter was the 5th of February, the mercury falling 33 degrees below freezing point, and the warmest day was Sunday, the 25th of February, mercury rising to 21 degrees above freezing point, Fahrenheit. Violent and contrary winds have been frequent. The snow on the surrounding mountains has been much deeper, which has made the wood very difficult of access; while the cattle have become so poor through fasting and scanty fare, that it has been difficult to draw the necessary fuel, and many have had to suffer more or less from the want thereof. The winter commenced at an unusual and unexpected moment, and found many of the brethren without houses or fuel, and although there has been considerable suffering, there has been no death by the frost. Three attempts have been made by the brethren with pack animals or snow shoes to visit Fort Bridger, since the snow fell, but have failed; yet it is expected that Compton will be able to take the Mail east soon after April Conference. ¶

In the former part of February, the Bishops took an inventory of the breadstuff in the valley, when it was reported that there was little more than three-fourths of a pound per day for each soul, until the fifth of July; and considerable was known to exist which was not reported. As a natural consequence, some were nearly destitute while others had abundance. The common price of corn since harvest has been two dollars: some have sold for three; at present there is none in the market at any price. Wheat has ranged from four to five dollars, and potatoes from six to twenty dollars per bushel; and though not to be bought at present, it is expected that there will be a good supply for seed by another year. ¶

Our public works are prosperous, consisting of a council house, 45 feet square, two stories, building by tithing; also a bridge across the Western Jordan, at an expense of 700 dollars, and six or seven bridges across minor streams, to be paid by a one per cent property tax; also, a bath-house at the warm spring. ¶

A field of about 8,000 acres has been surveyed south of and bordering on the city, and plotted in five and ten acre lots, and a church farm of about 800 acres. The five and ten-acre lots were distributed to the brethren, by casting lots, and every man is to help to build a pole, ditch, or a stone fence as shall be most convenient around the whole field, in proportion to the land he draws; also, a canal on the east side, for the purpose of irrigation. There are three grist mills and five or six saw mills in operation, and several more in contemplation. Mill stone, equal to French burr, is found here. ¶

The location of a tannery and foundry are contemplated as soon as the snows leave the mountains. ¶

The forts are rapidly breaking up, by the removal of the houses on to the city lots; and the city is already assuming the appearance of years, for any ordinary country; such is the industry and perseverance of the Saints. ¶

A winter's hunt, by rival parties of one hundred men each, has destroyed about 700 wolves and foxes, 2 wolverines, 20 minx and pole cats, 500 hawks, owls, and magpies, and 1000 ravens, in this valley and vicinity. ¶

On the return of a portion of the Mormon Battalion through the northern part of Western California, they discovered an extensive gold mine, which enabled them by a few days delay to bring a sufficient quantity of the dust to make money plentiful in this place for all ordinary purposes of public convenience; in the exchange the brethren deposited the gold dust with the presidency, who issued bills, or a paper currency; and the "Kirtland Safety Fund" re-signed, is on par with gold. ¶

Elder Addison Pratt arrived in company with a part of the battalion on the 28th of September, 1848, and found his family in health, from whom he had been absent about five years, on a mission to the Society Islands, where have been baptized about 1200 souls; Elder Grouard, who still remains at the islands, having baptized about 620 at Aua. The confidence of these native Saints is very great in the work of the Lord, and they seek for counsel in all their ways, insomuch that Elder Grouard's labors became insupportable, and caused him to risk a voyage of 300 miles in an open boat, to bring brother Pratt to his assistance; and although he was shipwrecked on this voyage, yet he was prospered, was taken up by a passing vessel, accomplished his mission and returned to Aua with brother Pratt; thus by the labors of Elder Rogers, who returned and died some two years since, and Elders Pratt and Grouard, the gospel has been planted on some twelve or fifteen of the Western Islands. ¶

On the 1st of January, John Smith, uncle to the prophet, Joseph Smith, was ordained patriarch to the church, holding the keys and powers thereof, the same as Father Joseph Smith and Hyrum. ¶

On the 12th of February, Charles C. Rich, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow, and Franklin D. Richards were ordained members of the quorum of the Twelve Apostles, to fill the vacancies occasioned by the removal of three to the First Presidency, and Lyman Wight, disfellowshipped. The names of the members of the Twelve Apostles now are, in their order, as follows: -- ¶

Orson Hyde, Parley P. Pratt, Orson Pratt, Wilford Woodruff, John Taylor, George A. Smith, Amasa Lyman, Ezra T. Benson, Charles C. Rich, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow, and Franklin D. Richards. ¶

Of the Presidency of the Seventies, Zera Pulsifer, Levi W. Hancock, Jedediah M. Grant, and Henry Herriman are in this valley; Joseph Young and Benjamin L. Clapp are in Pottowatamie county, and Albert P. Rockwood is on a mission to the Eastern States. Joseph Young is the presiding officer of the Seventies. ¶

Immediately after filling the quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the First Presidency, assisted by the Twelve present in the valley, proceeded to organize a Stake of Zion at the Great Salt Lake City; Daniel Spencer, president, and David Fulmer and Willard Snow, counsellors. ¶

The High Council consists of Isaac Morley, Phineas Richards, Shadrach Roundy, Henry G. Sherwood, Titus Billings, Eleazer Miller, John Vance, Levi Jackman, Ira Eldridge, Elisha H. Groves, William W. Major, and Edwin D. Woolley. ¶

John Young is president of the High Priests' Quorum, with counsellors Reynolds Cahoon and George B. Wallace. ¶

John Nebeker is president of the Elders' Quorum, with counsellors James H. Smith and Aaron Sceva. ¶

The valley is settled for twenty miles south and forty miles north of the city. The city is divided into nineteen wards; the country south into three wards, and north three wards, and over each is ordained a bishop, with his counsellors, with Newel K. Whitney, president of the bishops' quorum, presiding, who has been instructed to set in order all the lesser officers. ¶

About thirty of the brethren have recently gone to the Utah Valley, about sixty miles south, to establish a small colony for agricultural purposes, and fishing, hoping thereby to lessen the call for beef, which at the present time is rather scarce, at an average of seven and eight cents per pound, but will improve with the vegetation. ¶

The wards of the city, generally, consist of nine blocks, each three squares, and each ward will be fenced by itself this season, on the plan of a big field, for the purpose of saving time for cultivation. ¶

In consequence of Indian depredations on our horses, cattle, and other property, and the wicked conduct of a few base fellows who came among the Saints, the inhabitants of this valley, as is common in new countries generally, have organized a temporary government, to exist during its necessity, or until we can obtain a charter for a territorial government, a petition for which is already in progress. ¶

There have been a large number of schools the past winter, in which the Hebrew, Greek, Latin, French, German, Tahitian, and English languages have been taught successfully. ¶

Last fall the brethren had liberty to cut all the timber within thirty miles of the city, provided they would haul it into the city in the course of the winter. They have been diligent and done the best they could, but have made but a small beginning towards securing what there is within fifteen miles. ¶

The month of March and April, to the 4th, was very mild and pleasant, and many small crickets have made their appearance, but large flocks of plover have already come among them, and are making heavy inroads in their ranks. ¶

For the future it is not wisdom for the Saints to leave the States or California for this place, unless they have team and means sufficient to come through without any assistance from the valley; and that they should bring breadstuffs sufficient to last them a few months after their arrival; for the harvest will not be gathered, or the grain ready for gathering. The inhabitants of the valley will be altogether dependent on the crop of this season for their support, and will have no time to leave their tillage with their teams to bring in emigrating camps as they have hitherto done. Beside, quite a number of men, professors and unprofessors, whose God shines best in gold, have left, and are about leaving, for the gold mines, to spend the season; the natural consequence of which will be a decrease of labor here in raising grain, while, many of their families remaining, the number of consumers will not decrease in proportion to the laborers. There are an abundance of nutritious roots in this valley, so that we have no fears of starvation; yet all the time that is expended in digging for roots will diminish the agricultural labour, and be a loss to the next harvest. ¶

The scarcity of grain since the settling of this valley has caused the slaughter of a multitude of cattle, which leaves room for a fresh supply as fast as opportunity shall present; and the emigrating brethren will do well to remember that they are liable to lose many on their journey; also their cattle are good property after their arrival, and there is no fear to their bringing too many cows, young cattle, sheep, oxen, or the choicest breed of stock of any kind, to this place; for any of these articles are better here than gold, for they will purchase what is to be purchased here when gold will not do it; as will also geese, ducks, turkeys, pea-fowls, guinea-hens, domestics, dry goods, groceries, window-glass, nails (mostly 6, 8, 10, shingle, and a few four-penny), cotton yarn, a variety of dye stuffs, particularly dye setts, paints, gum myrrh, copal and shellac, spirits of turpentine, paper, books, saws, files, screws, and sheet tin of the best quality, hardware, cutlery, iron suitable for mills and all kinds of farming utensils, sligo sheet iron, steel of various kinds, copper and brass sheeting, crockery, glasses, looking-glasses, shoe leather, harnesses, harness trimming, mill saws, mechanics' tools, wire of various sizes, door locks and trimmings, cupboard and padlocks, all of which are better than cash in this city. Crockery and glass of any description had better be packed in cotton for safe conveyance, and the cotton will be very useful here. A variety of shoe leather is particularly wanted this season, and a large amount. ¶

There are an extensive variety of grain and seeds already in the valley, but that should not prevent the Saints from bringing choice seeds from any part of the earth, for every thing good that can grow here is wanted; and a large amount of the Osage orange, Cherokee rose tree, and English hawthorn seeds are needed this year for hedges, and the potato, or hill onion, for eating; also lobelia, mulberry, and black locust seed. Any amount of unadulterated silesin, or French beet seed, would be useful here this season. ¶

The brethren in Pottowatamie, who cannot fit themselves out this season as we have suggested, will do well to continue where they are, striving for the same object the next year; and the Saints in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, and Africa, will continue to gather on the Pottowatamie lands, and prepare for their future journey agreeable to our previous instruction. Notwithstanding, if there are young or single men, or men of families, (who can leave them comfortably provided for to come on next season,) who can be spared from Pottowatamie, to come on here this season, and raise grain, build houses, &c., it would be well for them to come; for one such man here can do more, in providing for the future arrival and wants of the Saints, than three can in tarrying in Iowa; but if they have a golden god in their hearts, they had better stay where they are. Let all these things be decided in wisdom by the council which is among you. ¶

The Twelve at Pottowatamie will see that copies of this epistle are forwarded to the Saints in all the Eastern nations. ¶

Elder Amasa Lyman is delegated to carry this epistle to the Saints in Western California, and cause it to be circulated among the brethren in the western hemisphere as far as possible; not forgetting the Society Islands, whither Elder Addison Pratt, with his family, and other elders, are expecting to repair the present season. ¶

We would remind the Saints in Western California, who are not coming hither this season, that they have it in their power to do much good, by forwarding to this place their tithing and donations, to the extent of their ability; and the more liberal they are in this thing, this season, the more they will have to bring with them when they come; for their offerings are now needed by the poor Saints, and the Lord has put it in your power to help them, and your stewardship will be required at your hands; and as you give, so it will be given unto you. ¶

Several elders have already received their appointment on foreign missions, to the Western Islands, England, and various nations, but wisdom dictates that their labors be retained here, at least until after the approaching harvest. ¶

Brothers Parley P. Pratt and John Taylor, as well as Amasa Lyman and the rest of the Twelve recently ordained, are in this place, and are labouring night and day to do good to the church and locate their families comfortably, so that they can again have the privilege of going forth to the nations and preaching the gospel. If the Saints abroad want to see the elders from this place, let them send us their means according to their ability, that the hands of the faithful may be let loose; that the cords with which they are bound may be severed, and that the elders of Israel may feel themselves free as air, and with joyful hearts leave their families and kindred and all that is dear to them here, and soar away as on eagles' wings to the nations, proclaim the gospel of salvation, the day of deliverance to the oppressed; gather the outcasts of Judah and the remnants of Ephraim from the four winds to the place of their inheritance; that Zion may be built up, Jerusalem re-established, and the glory of the latter day fill the earth. ¶

We have often told the Saints that those who come to this place should be fully determined to keep the commandments of God and work righteousness, otherwise they could not expect the blessing of heaven to rest upon them; for there is nothing here which need to hinder any man from doing right; and, knowing as we do the temptations and designs of the enemy of all good in endeavouring to lead men astray from the path of duty, we are constrained to say to the Saints, that those whose hearts are not fully set in them to work righteousness and follow the counsel of those whom God has appointed to lead His people in these last days, but those who love a little shining dust, or filthy lucre, and care more to gratify their own covetous propensities, by running hither and thither after they have arrived at this place, like the wind upon the mountains, they had better keep away; such Saints are not wanted here: God has no use for them, neither have his servants; for the kingdom of heaven can easier be built up without them than with them. ¶

The Saints need not suppose that, because they cannot all gather to this stake of Zion at the present time, there is nothing for them to do. Let the elders preach the gospel everywhere, as they have the opportunity, and let all Saints everywhere watch and pray without ceasing, lest they be found sleeping, as at midnight, and the bridegroom should make his appearance and close the door against them; for there never has been a time, since the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, when there has been a wider field opened for the exercise of faith and good works, with a prospect of success therein, than at the present. ¶

The public buildings and other public works necessary for establishing a stake of Zion at this place, will require a great amount of means, besides labor and many materials, such as window-glass, nails, door trimmings and fixtures, fastenings, and trimmings of various descriptions will be wanted before they can be manufactured here; all of which will require means to purchase and transport. We have therefore appointed Elder Orson Hyde our agent in the United States generally, to receive and gather tithing and donations. We have also appointed Elder Wilford Woodruff our agent to receive and gather tithing and donations in Canada, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and adjacent islands, as he shall have opportunity. We have also appointed Elder Orson Pratt, of Liverpool, our agent to receive and gather tithing and donations in England and the British Islands, and from all the Saints adjacent; and we invite all the Saints in the east to be faithful and diligent in making their remittances to these our agents, that we may speedily have means to procure such materials as are necessary to prosecute the work the Lord has given us to do; and our agents will keep an accurate and detailed account of all such tithing and donations, and appropriate the same only to our order. ¶

On the 4th of April there was a heavy snow-storm in the valley, but the earth was clear again by mid-day of the 6th. Some rain on the 6th caused an adjournment of the annual conference of the church till the 7th, and the day was spent in preaching and teaching, and conference closed on Sabbath, P.M., having been attended by a large assembly of the Saints, who unanimously acknowledged the several officers mentioned in this epistle. ¶

To Elder Parley P. Pratt has been assigned a mission to the Western Islands, whither he is expecting to go before another winter. It is also expected during the same period that Elder Charles C. Rich will enter on the mission assigned him, by locating himself and family somewhere in Western California. ¶

That the Saints may be faithful in every good word and work, and be diligent in all things, and yet not by haste and waste, which bringeth destruction; and, inasmuch as they cannot be prepared to come to this place this season, let them be persevering in making preparation, and wait their time in patience, and it shall be well with them; for the Holy Spirit will dwell with them, which will cause gladness of heart and cheerfulness of countenance, so that every burden will be light and every yoke easy, which is the prayer of your brethren in the new and everlasting covenant, and your servants continually for Christ's sake. Amen. ¶

Brigham Young, ¶

Heber C. Kimball, ¶

Willard Richards. ¶

Collation notes

• The claim that no minutes survive is retracted. This file previously stated, in fidelity_notes and in these notes, that "no minutes-style record of this conference is known to survive or has been located." Bullock's minutes were in the CHL all along, in a folder titled by date range ("Salt Lake City, 1849 April 6-12") rather than by conference, and marked open to research. They are now the preferred witness.
• Why the conference looked empty in the printed record. The First General Epistle says the conference did no independent business beyond sustaining "the several officers mentioned in this epistle," and the earlier pass reasonably read that as the whole story. The minutes explain it: April 6 opened in snow and mud with about thirty people present and Brigham Young sick, and Kimball moved adjournment within the hour because "very few av. come." The real business — the sustaining votes, the Council House, the Nauvoo Legion — happened on April 8, which the epistle compresses into a single clause.
• Bullock's weather notes corroborate the Frontier Guardian. He heads April 6 "Snow on ground, melting - ground wet," April 7 "Cold Breeze," and records that April 8 was called to order "during a hail storm." The April 18 Frontier Guardian item, which the earlier heavyweight pass added precisely because it described the weather and the crowds, is independently confirmed.
• Non-conference material in the same folder, deliberately excluded. Bullock's own wrapper docket names two subjects: "Conference Minutes at G.S.L. City" and "^[Rich & Lyman] Sending a company to California and a mail eastward." The conference occupies leaves 1 through the top of leaf 5. What follows is not conference proceedings and is not transcribed above:
  • April 8, 1849, 7 P.M. — a council of the First Presidency and the Twelve at one of Brigham Young's houses, held after the conference adjourned, discussing an interview before Amasa Lyman's departure, a settlement on the San Joaquin, sending one of the Twelve to the Pacific coast, recruiting Stockport weavers and mill men from England, and the calling of C. C. Rich. It also contains explicit plural-marriage instruction. This is a private council, not a public session, and per indexes/conference-calendar.md would classify as other rather than general_conference. Flagged for Noah: it may warrant its own file, but that is a scoping decision, not a transcription one, and it was not made here.
  • April 12, 1849, 4 P.M. — an office meeting listing the twelve men going east with the mail (Allen Compton as captain, with Benjamin Hawkins and Jedediah S. Woodard as his counsellors) and their readiness and breadstuff, with Brigham Young's charge to them: "never divide this Co. - never separate - dont leave a man on the Prairie - all be united - & you will travel as easy & as fast."
• The sustaining list matches the epistle's account and extends it. The epistle refers generally to officers "mentioned in this epistle"; the minutes give the roll as voted, name by name, including the four apostles ordained on February 12, 1849 (Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow, Franklin D. Richards, Charles C. Rich) taking their place in the quorum, and Kimball's charge on presenting John Smith as Patriarch: "he is Pat. of Pat. in this Ch."
• Stale cross-reference corrected. These notes previously said the April 6, 1848 Log Tabernacle conference "is not yet covered by its own conference_record in this vault." It now is — see 1848-04-conference-record-log-tabernacle-conference.md.
• This conference adjourned to October 6, 1849, matching the companion 1849-10-conference-record-great-salt-lake-city-conference.md file in this vault.