Minutes of the October 1871 General Conference

Minutes of the Forty-First Semi-Annual General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, convened in the New Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, October 5-8, 1871. A special conference preceded the main sessions on October 5. First Presidency: Brigham Young, George A. Smith, Daniel H. Wells. Quorum of the Twelve: Orson Pratt, John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, Charles C. Rich, Lorenzo Snow, Franklin D. Richards, George Q. Cannon, Brigham Young Jr., Joseph F. Smith. ¶

President George A. Smith addressed the need for Saints to remain diligent about "the interests of the kingdom of God" amid material prosperity. President Daniel H. Wells testified that "God had spoken from the heavens and revealed the fullness of the holy gospel." Elder George Q. Cannon cautioned against merely being "good fellow[s]" without genuine religious commitment, emphasizing that faith required "humility, honesty, virtue, sobriety." Elder Wilford Woodruff bore witness to Joseph Smith as prophet and Brigham Young's faithful leadership, and addressed "the patriarchal order of marriage." Elder John Taylor delivered the principal sermon on "The Unchangeableness of the Gospel—The Triumph of Truth," emphasizing that gospel principles remain "the same yesterday, today, and forever." ¶

Key themes: the unchangeableness of the gospel, plural marriage doctrine, the decision to build the St. George Temple, tithing and religious obligation, and perseverance amid outside opposition. ¶