Minutes of the April 1857 General Conference

Minutes of the General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, convened in the Bowery adjoining the north end of the Tabernacle, Great Salt Lake City, commencing Monday, April 6, 1857. President Brigham Young presiding. ¶

The April 6 morning session (10 a.m.) heard President Brigham Young on conference business, including Temple construction progress, the Express Carrying Company operations, missionary work in Canada and the States, and the Perpetual Emigrating Fund (filed separately as "Object of the Express Carrying Company"). He emphasized selecting "Elders of 'the right stripe'" for missionary effectiveness and urged members to "store up grain enough to last seven years." President Daniel H. Wells addressed indebtedness to the Perpetual Emigrating Fund, public works progress, and spiritual prosperity (filed separately). President Heber C. Kimball discussed Temple construction, endowments, and grain storage in anticipation of coming scarcity (filed separately). ¶

The April 6 afternoon session featured President Brigham Young on economic principles, domestic management, and waste prevention among laborers and families (filed separately as "The Power and Importance of Economy"). ¶

On Tuesday, April 7, Elder Joseph L. Heywood conducted the sustaining of General Authorities. Presidents Young, Wells, and Kimball offered various remarks. Wednesday and Thursday sessions featured Elder Wilford Woodruff (two discourses, both filed separately), Elder Franklin D. Richards, Elder Lorenzo Snow (filed separately), Elder Joseph Young (filed separately), Elder John Young (filed separately), and others on topics of missionary work, consecration, and personal commitment. ¶

This conference was held in the closing months before the U.S. government dispatched Johnston's Army to Utah Territory, which would result in the Utah War later in 1857. ¶