Minutes of the April 1855 General Conference

Minutes of the General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, convened in the Tabernacle, Great Salt Lake City, commencing Friday, April 6, 1855, at 10 a.m., President Brigham Young presiding. ¶

In the stand: President Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Jedediah M. Grant. Of the Twelve Apostles: Orson Hyde, Orson Pratt, Wilford Woodruff, George A. Smith, Ezra T. Benson, Charles C. Rich, Lorenzo Snow. Seventies: Joseph Young, Zera Pulsipher, Albert P. Rockwood, Henry Herriman, Levi Hancock, Horace S. Eldredge. High Priests' Quorum: David Pettegrew. Presiding Bishop: Edward Hunter. Presidency of the Stake: David Fullmer, Thomas Rhoads, Phineas H. Young. Clerk of Conference: Thomas Bullock. Reporters: George D. Watt, John V. Long. ¶

Conference was called to order by Elder Hyde, with the Tabernacle crowded. President Brigham Young noted that this was the 25th anniversary of the Church's organization with six members, reviewed its rise and growth, and delivered his "Faithfulness and Apostasy" discourse (filed separately). The afternoon session sustained Brigham Young as President, Heber C. Kimball and Jedediah M. Grant as his counselors, and the full slate of General Authorities (Twelve Apostles, Patriarch, Seventies presidents, Presiding Bishop, Stake presidency and High Council, and others), with "not one negative vote was given." Several local officers were released and replaced (John Lowry replaced by Warren Snow as Bishop of Manti; Noah W. Bartholomew dropped as Bishop of Fillmore; Isaac Higbee replaced by James C. Snow as Stake President of Provo; Asahel Perry replaced by Aaron Johnson at Springville). Fifty-three persons were called on missions, with fifteen more added after remarks by President Jedediah M. Grant and Elder Orson Hyde. ¶

On Saturday, April 7, the conference convened in the new Bowery (seating about 12,000) due to the Tabernacle's capacity. The Trustee in Trust's report was read and accepted. President Heber C. Kimball and President Young spoke on the tithing report, Bishops' duties, the Temple, and consecration. The Preamble and Constitution of the Deseret Theological Institute was read and its officers elected, with Brigham Young as president. The afternoon session heard from Elder Orson Hyde and Elder Orson Pratt, whose "Progress of the Work—Consecration—Preaching to Israel—The Times of the Gentiles—Sanctification of the Saints" discourse (JD 2:259-266) is filed separately. An evening Seventies meeting was addressed by President Joseph Young. ¶

On Sunday, April 8, Elder George A. Smith spoke on "Ordaining Young Men to Office" and Elder Ezra T. Benson on "The Word of Wisdom" (JD 2:360-368 and JD 2:357-359 respectively; both filed separately). The afternoon session heard from Elder Phineas H. Young, Elder Lorenzo Snow, Elder Wilford Woodruff, Elder Charles C. Rich, and President Brigham Young, whose "Preaching and Testimony—Gathering Israel—The Blood of Israel and the Gentiles—The Science of Life" discourse (JD 2:266-271) is filed separately, followed by a list of those called on missions and the statistical report. ¶