Minutes of the April 1878 General Conference

Minutes of the Forty-Eighth Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, convened in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, April 6-8, 1878. President John Taylor presiding. Quorum of the Twelve: John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, Orson Hyde, Orson Pratt, Charles C. Rich, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow, Franklin D. Richards, George Q. Cannon, Brigham Young Jr., Joseph F. Smith. Counselors: John W. Young and D. H. Wells. Patriarch: John Smith. ¶

Saturday, April 6 Morning Session: Elder Wilford Woodruff delivered [[1878-04-woodruff-the-blessings-realized-by-the-saintsmen]] (filed separately), emphasizing church organization through angelic administration and temple ordinances for the deceased, referencing recent St. George Temple work. Elder Lorenzo Snow spoke on knowledge of God as salvation, and Elder Brigham Young, Jr. also spoke (both summary only). ¶

Saturday, April 6 Afternoon Session: Elder Franklin D. Richards spoke on the safety of the Gospel from the world, addressing the polygamy controversy and Perpetual Emigration Fund benefits, and Elder Erastus Snow spoke on godliness not being a mystery (both summary only). Elder George Q. Cannon delivered [[1878-04-cannon-labors-and-experience-of-the-eldersthe]] (filed separately). ¶

Sunday, April 7 Morning Session: Elder Orson Pratt delivered [[1878-04-pratt-parable-of-the-vineyardthe-gradual-organization]], discussing organizational growth over 48 years and priesthood duties, and Elder George Q. Cannon delivered [[1878-04-cannon-ideas-held-by-the-latter-day-saints]] (both filed separately), documenting Utah's advantages and analyzing polygamy's role in statehood denial. ¶

Sunday, April 7 Afternoon Session: President John Taylor delivered [[1878-04-taylor-no-man-can-direct-the-kingdom]] (filed separately), establishing that the work predates Joseph Smith and defining apostolic, priestly, and elder responsibilities. ¶

Monday, April 8 Morning Session: Elder Joseph F. Smith spoke, followed by comment on reports (summary only). ¶

Monday, April 8 Afternoon Session: Missionary calls were read, a statistical report was given, Elder George Q. Cannon spoke again, the General Authorities of the Church were sustained by vote of the Conference, and an auditing report closed the conference (all summary only; never printed in full in JD). ¶

Key themes: divine revelation directing church organization, temple construction and proxy work for deceased, territorial self-sufficiency and governance, statehood aspiration blocked by polygamy, youth employment and marriage, Perpetual Emigration Fund obligations. Statistical and sustaining reports presented. ¶