Minutes and Discourse, 1–5 October 1841

Monday 4th A. M. Conference opened by the choir singing hymn 183 and prayer by Bro. .

Pres’t. Joseph Smith made a lengthy exposition of the condition of the temporal affairs of the church, the agency of which had been committed to him at a general conference in —explaining the manner that he had discharged the duties involved in that agency, and the condition of the lands and other property of the church.

On Motion, resolved—That Elder be vested with power of attorney to go, settle, and if possible close a business concern left in an uncertain condition by Elder deceased.

Prayer by Bro. —Adjourned for one hour.

P. M. Conference opened by the choir singing hymn 88 and prayer by Elder .

Bro. spoke at some length on the subject introduced in the former part of the day, and on the old debts and obligations that are freqently brought up from and ; one of which, in the form of a $50 note, he held in his hand and proclaimed as his text.

On Motion, Voted viva voce unanime That the trustee in trust of church property here, be instructed not to appropriate church property to liquidate old claims that may be brought forward either from or .

Pres presented to the notice of conference some embarassment growing out of his signing as security, a certain obligation in in favor of Mr Eaton.

On motion, Voted that church property here shall not be appropriated to liquidate said claim.

Bro. made some appropriate and weighty remarks on the importance of more liberal consecrations and more energetic efforts to forward the work of building &c. After purchasing Bro. ’s text by paying him fifty cents, he tore it in pieces and gave it to the winds, saying “go ye and do likewise.” Choir sung hymn 104 and Pres’t. closed by prayer. Conference adjourned to meet tomorrow morning 9 o’clock.

Tuesday 5th A. M. Conference opened by the choir singing hymn 274 and prayer by Bro. .

Bro. , by request of Pres’t. Joseph Smith, presented and read to the conference a recent letter from Esq, one of the proprietors of the , in reference to some misunderstanding in the adjustment of their claims, and conciliatory of any hard feelings growing out of such misunderstanding.

Bro. spoke on the contents of the letter and express[e]d his earnest desire that that business might be speedily adjusted, and a proper title obtained by the church. Bro’s. and followed with appropriate remarks.

On motion, Voted that Pres’t. Joseph Smith write an answer to on the subject of his claim.

On Motion—by Pres’t. Joseph Smith—Voted that the Twelve write an epistle to the saints abroad to use their influence and exertions to secure, by exchange, purchase, donation &c., a title to the .

Bro. presented an appeal from the Elder’s Quorum against Elder charging him with a breach of the ordinances of the , and of the peace with falsehood and with scismatical conversation and behavior—signed by . After hearing suffic[i]ent testimony in his case.

On Motion Conference Voted that Elder be cut off from the church.

Closed by the choir singing 275 hymn, prayer by . Adjourned for one hour.

P. M. Conference opened by the choir singing hymn 104, and prayer by Bro. .

Bro. read to the conference, the minutes of a special conference held in the city of Aug. 16th 1841.

Pres’t. Joseph Smith made remarks explanatory of the importance of the resolutions and votes passed at that time.

On Motion, Voted, that this conference sanction the doings of said special conference.

Bro. proposed to the congregation, that those who would take laborers on the into their houses to board with them while thus laboring should manifest their willingness by ri [p. 579]