Minutes of the October 1880 General Conference
Conference record
Minutes of the Fiftieth Semi-Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, convened in the Large Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, October 6-10, 1880. President John Taylor presiding. Counselor D. H. Wells; Patriarch John Smith. ¶
October 6: Elder Charles C. Rich urged devotion to temple construction and spiritual development. Elder Lorenzo Snow spoke on the relationship between believers and God. President John Taylor explained the conference's purpose of doctrinal conformity. Elder George Q. Cannon praised Latter-day Saint unity (all summary only). ¶
October 7: Elder A. Carrington spoke on revelation as God's method of communicating divine will. Elder Wilford Woodruff spoke on priesthood responsibilities, temple work, and tithing. Elder J. D. T. McAllister spoke on worldliness, Sabbath observance, and moral conduct (all summary only). ¶
October 8: Elder Franklin D. Richards spoke on missionary expansion in the southern states. Elder Orson Pratt spoke on priesthood history from Adam through all dispensations (both summary only). ¶
October 9: Elder Moses Thatcher spoke on human fallibility, Elder Daniel H. Wells spoke on God's government, President Joseph Young spoke on overcoming natural inclinations, and Elder Joseph F. Smith spoke on forgiveness (all summary only). ¶
Sunday, October 10 Solemn Assembly Morning Session: Elder Orson Pratt delivered [[1880-10-pratt-the-divine-authority-of-the-holy]] (filed separately). ¶
Sunday, October 10 Solemn Assembly Afternoon Session: President John Taylor delivered [[1880-10-taylor-the-organization-of-the-first-presidency]] and Elder Wilford Woodruff delivered [[1880-10-woodruff-organization-of-the-first-presidencyresponsibility-of]] (both filed separately), marking the formal reorganization of the First Presidency with John Taylor sustained as President of the Church. Church leadership sustained; Doctrine and Covenants formally accepted as scripture. The Perpetual Emigration Fund was discussed. ¶
St. George Temple ordinance statistics (through June 1880): 99,523 baptisms for the deceased; 41,791 endowments; 15,889 ordinations; 14,255 sealings; 1,314 children sealed to parents. ¶