Minutes of the April 1864 General Conference

Minutes of the Thirty-Fourth Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Great Salt Lake City, commencing Wednesday, April 6, 1864, at 10 a.m., President Brigham Young presiding. ¶

On the stand: Of the First Presidency, Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Daniel H. Wells; of the Twelve Apostles, Orson Hyde, Orson Pratt, John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, George A. Smith, Charles C. Rich, Franklin D. Richards; of the First Presidency of the Seventies, Joseph Young, Levi W. Hancock, Albert P. Rockwood, John Van Cott; of the Presidency of the High Priests' Quorum, Edwin D. Woolley, Samuel W. Richards; of the Presidency of the Stake, Daniel Spencer, David Fullmer, George B. Wallace; of the Presidency of the Bishopric, Edward Hunter, Leonard W. Hardy, Jesse C. Little. Reporters: George D. Watt and John V. Long. ¶

Wednesday, April 6: President Daniel H. Wells addressed the conference on the Public Works, urging Wards to furnish teams to haul granite for the Temple and timber for the new Tabernacle. President Heber C. Kimball gave instruction and counsel. In the afternoon, Elder John Taylor delivered a discourse on the gathering of the Saints, and Elder George A. Smith spoke on the satisfaction of attending conference and the obligation of Church members to live worthily. ¶

Thursday, April 7: Elder George A. Smith spoke on the influence of false spirits in early Church history, including spiritualism and table-rapping. In the afternoon, Elder Orson Pratt preached on the Gospel of Eternal Salvation, touching the pre-existence of man, and Elder Charles C. Rich spoke on the practical duties of life. ¶

Friday, April 8: Elder Franklin D. Richards reviewed the Saints' history of persecution and counseled domestic economy. President Brigham Young spoke on tithing, stating he would not hold in fellowship merchants, Saint or Gentile, who amassed fortunes from the people without paying tithing. In the afternoon, Elder Wilford Woodruff spoke on the riches of the Gospel, Elder W. W. Phelps spoke on the gathering to Zion amid the nations' wars, and Elder George A. Smith spoke on prosecuting Temple and Tabernacle labor. ¶

Saturday, April 9: Elder Orson Hyde prayed and preached on the triumph of the work of God. Elder John Taylor presented the General Authorities for the sustaining vote, all unanimously sustained: Brigham Young as President with Heber C. Kimball and Daniel H. Wells as counselors; Orson Hyde as President of the Twelve, with Orson Pratt Sr., John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, George A. Smith, Amasa M. Lyman, Ezra T. Benson, Charles C. Rich, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow, Franklin D. Richards, and George Q. Cannon as members; John Smith as Patriarch; the Stake presidency and High Council; John Young as President of the High Priests' Quorum; Joseph Young and the first seven Presidents of the Seventies; the Elders', Priests', Teachers', and Deacons' Quorum presidencies; Edward Hunter as Presiding Bishop (with Leonard W. Hardy and Jesse C. Little as counselors); William H. Folsom as Architect; Daniel H. Wells as Superintendent of Public Works (with John Sharp newly added as assistant); and George A. Smith as Historian. In the afternoon, Elder John Taylor spoke on the U.S. Constitution and presented missionary calls; several persons were cut off the Church for drunkenness, crime, and apostasy. ¶

Sunday, April 10: President Brigham Young delivered a discourse on the necessity of the Holy Ghost in preaching and on observing all commandments. President Kimball spoke at length of his early experience in the Church, and President Wells spoke of his desire to contribute to the work. Elder George A. Smith invited Saints driven from Jackson County, Missouri, to register their names and family information at the Historian's Office. President Kimball moved adjournment to October 6, and President Young blessed the Priesthood and all Israel to close the conference. ¶