Minutes of the April 1858 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, April 6, 1858. President Brigham Young presiding. 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. sessions. ¶

This conference was held during the height of the Utah War. Johnston's Army, dispatched by President Buchanan, was camped at Fort Bridger. Brigham Young was coordinating the "Move South" — an organized evacuation of northern Utah settlements (Salt Lake City, Ogden, and others) southward to Utah Valley and beyond, with instructions to burn the abandoned settlements rather than let them fall to the Army. ¶

President Brigham Young emphasized attending to daily duties promptly (filed separately as "Duties of the Day") and reviewed current Church policy and national politics (filed separately as "Policy Review and Utah War Situation"). He discussed land redistribution plans and gave relocation instructions, counseling members to consolidate strength in specific southern locations. ¶

President Orson Hyde delivered brief morning remarks (filed separately) and an extensive afternoon discourse on divine government and prophecy (JD 7:48-53; filed separately with full text), arguing that "legitimate" governments require inspired prophets and contrasting God's kingdom with earthly nations. He referenced Daniel's prophecy about God's kingdom "break[ing] in pieces all others," and compared the Saints' situation to biblical examples — Joseph in Egypt, Hebrew children, and Herod's attempt on Jesus. He warned the U.S. military campaign would result in national shame. ¶

President Daniel H. Wells discussed the Deseret Currency Association and monetary circulation needs under the evacuation conditions, urging Saints to eliminate wickedness from their ranks (filed separately). Elder Lorenzo Snow commented on the Saints' remarkably joyful demeanor despite the crisis (filed separately). President Heber C. Kimball described family relocation efforts and characterized the trials as a purifying process (filed separately). Elder Erastus Snow continued on the spiritual benefits of relocation (filed separately). ¶