Minutes of the October 1866 General Conference

The Semi-Annual Conference convened in the Bowery, Great Salt Lake City, Saturday, October 6, 1866, President Brigham Young presiding. On the stand: the First Presidency (Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Daniel H. Wells); of the Twelve Apostles, Orson Hyde, John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, George A. Smith, Amasa M. Lyman, Ezra T. Benson, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow, George Q. Cannon; Patriarch John Smith; the Seventies presidency; the High Priests' Quorum presidency; the Stake presidency; the Bishopric presidency; and local leaders including Peter Maughan (Cache County) and Lorin Farr and C. W. West (Weber County). Reporters: George D. Watt and Edward L. Sloan. Choirs from the Tabernacle, Ogden, and Logan performed throughout. ¶

Saturday, October 6: President Brigham Young exhorted the Elders to bear testimony and not be deceived. President Heber C. Kimball testified of the kingdom of God within the Saints. President Daniel H. Wells spoke on the fulfillment of missionary promises and urged care of the season's abundant grain harvest. In the afternoon, Elder Orson Hyde spoke on the Lord's work commencing among the nations and bore testimony of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young. Elder John Taylor spoke on the true organization of the Church of Christ compared to the churches of the world. ¶

Sunday, October 7: Elder Wilford Woodruff bore an extensive personal testimony, including an account (which he said he had never before borne publicly) of an attack by evil spirits in London and deliverance by three angels, witnessed alongside Elder George A. Smith. Elder Erastus Snow recounted his conversion and missionary history. In the afternoon, the Sacrament was administered by Bishop Hunter and assistants. President Brigham Young spoke on the uniformity of the gospel's truth, reviewed the early settlement of the Territory, and called for a public vote on suppressing gambling houses, brothels, and grog shops, which the congregation overwhelmingly supported by show of hands; he also addressed the estranged family of Joseph Smith. President Heber C. Kimball briefly corroborated these remarks. An evening priesthood meeting heard from Bishop Hunter, Elder John Taylor, and Elder George Q. Cannon. ¶

Monday, October 8: Elder George A. Smith recounted history surrounding Joseph Smith's later life and the revelation on plural marriage. President Brigham Young spoke on the authority and keys conferred on the Twelve. In the afternoon, Elder Edward L. Sloan 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 (Daniel Spencer with George B. Wallace and Joseph W. Young as counselors) and an expanded High Council; the High Priests', Seventies, Priests', Teachers', and Deacons' Quorum presidencies; Edward Hunter as Presiding Bishop; William H. Folsom as Architect; Daniel H. Wells as Superintendent of Public Works; and George A. Smith as Historian. President Joseph Young spoke on living the gospel and gratitude for the Saints' agricultural labor. Elder Levi W. Hancock bore testimony, and several musical numbers were performed. President John Young closed by testifying of the persecuted but enduring nature of God's chosen servants, blessed the people, and adjourned the conference to April 6, 1867. ¶