Minutes of the April 1856 General Conference

Minutes of the General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, convened in the Bowery adjoining the Tabernacle, Great Salt Lake City, commencing Sunday, April 6, 1856. President Brigham Young presiding. Clerk: Thomas Bullock. Reporters: George D. Watt, John V. Long. ¶

The Tabernacle was filled to capacity, with overflow in the surrounding bowery. The April 6 morning session opened with remarks by President Heber C. Kimball requesting order among the congregation. Elder George A. Smith delivered the principal morning discourse on "The Leaven of the Gospel—The Saints Should Divest Themselves of Old Traditions—Policy of Making Good Farms and Storing Up Grain" (JD 3; filed separately). The afternoon session featured Elder Orson Pratt on "The Advantages of the Latter-day Saints, Compared With the Disadvantages Under Which Noah Labored" (JD 3; filed separately). An evening missionary meeting was held in which 115 missionaries received blessings. ¶

On Monday, April 7, Elder Parley P. Pratt delivered a discourse on "Progress of the Latter-Day Church—The Saints of All Ages Cooperating for the Success of the Kingdom of God on the Earth" (JD 3:307-316; filed separately), reflecting on 26 years since the Church's restoration and discussing the prophetic role of Brigham Young as successor to Joseph Smith. Elder Lorenzo Snow offered brief remarks. The General Authorities were sustained by unanimous vote, and the Saints' application for Utah statehood was discussed. ¶

The April 7 afternoon session heard from Elder Wilford Woodruff, President Jedediah M. Grant, and President Heber C. Kimball. On Tuesday, April 8, Elders Ezra T. Benson, Orson Pratt, and Patrick Lynch addressed the conference. ¶

177 names were read for missionary calls; 70 were selected for specific missions. First Presidency, members of the Quorum of the Twelve, Seventies presidency, Presiding Bishop Edward Hunter, and Patriarch Isaac Morley were present. ¶