Chapter XIV

GENERAL CONFERENCE FOR APRIL, 1844, CONCLUDED--THE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT THE WHOLE LAND OF AMERICA IS ZION--INSTRUCTIONS TO ELDERS SET APART FOR MISSIONS--A GENERAL CONFERENCE IN ENGLAND.

_Monday, April 8, 1844.--[Conference Report Continued_.]

At three-quarters past 9 a.m., President Joseph Smith took his seat
on the stand and requested the choir to sing a hymn. He called upon
Elder Brigham Young to read 1st Corinthians, 15th chapter, as his
own lungs were injured.

Elder Brigham Young said--to continue the subject of President
Smith's discourse yesterday, I shall commence by reading the 15th
chapter of 1st Corinthians, from an old Bible; and requested W. W.
Phelps to read it.

Prayer by Elder Brigham Young, after which the choir sang a hymn.

_President Joseph Smith's Remarks--The Whole of America Zion_.

President Joseph Smith said:--It is just as impossible, for me to
continue the subject of yesterday as to raise the dead. My lungs
are worn out. There is a time to all things, and I must wait. I
will give it up, and leave the time to those who can make you hear,
and I will continue the subject of my discourse some other time. I
want to make a proclamation to the Elders. I wanted you to stay,
in order that I might make this proclamation. You know very well
that the Lord has led this Church by revelation. I have another
revelation in relation to economy in the Church--a great, grand,
and glorious revelation. I shall not be able to dwell as largely
upon it now as at some other time; but I will give you the first
principles. You know there has been great discussion in relation
to Zion--where it is, and where the gathering of the dispensation
is, and which I am now going to tell you. The prophets have spoken
and written upon it; but I will make a proclamation that will cover
a broader ground._ The whole of America is Zion itself {319} from
north to south, and is described by the Prophets, who declare that
it is the Zion where the mountain of the Lord should be, and that
it should be in the center of the land._ When Elders shall take up
and examine the old prophecies in the Bible, they will see it.

The declaration this morning is, that as soon as the Temple and
baptismal font are prepared, we calculate to give the Elders of
Israel their washings and anointings, and attend to those last
and more impressive ordinances, without which we cannot obtain
celestial thrones. But there must be a holy place prepared for
that purpose. There was a proclamation made during the time that
the foundation of the Temple was laid to that effect, and there
are provisions made until the work is completed, so that men may
receive their endowments and be made kings and priests unto the
Most High God, having nothing to do with temporal things, but their
whole time will be taken up with things pertaining to the house
of God. There must, however, be a place built expressly for that
purpose, and for men to be baptized for their dead. It must be
built in this the central place; for every man who wishes to save
his father, mother, brothers, sisters and friends, must go through
all the ordinances for each one of them separately, the same as for
himself, from baptism to ordination, washings and anointings, and
receive all the keys and powers of the Priesthood, the same as for
himself.

_I have received instructions from the Lord that from henceforth
wherever the Elders of Israel shall build up churches and branches
unto the Lord throughout the States, there shall be a stake of
Zion. In the great cities, as Boston, New York, &c., there shall
be stakes._ It is a glorious proclamation, and I reserved it to
the last, and designed it to be understood that this work shall
commence after the washings, anointings and endowments have been
performed here.

The Lord has an established law in relation to the matter: there
must be a particular spot for the salvation of our dead. I verily
believe there will be a place, and hence men who want to save
their dead can come and bring their families, do their work by
being baptized and attending to the other ordinances for their
dead, and then may go back again to live and wait till they go
to receive their reward. I shall leave my brethren to enlarge on
this subject: it is my duty to teach the doctrine. I would teach
it more fully--the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. God is
not willing to let me gratify you; but I must teach the Elders, and
they should teach you. God made Aaron to be the mouth piece for the
children of Israel, [1] and He will make me be god to you in {320}
His stead, and the Elders to be mouth for me; and if you don't like
it, you must lump it. I have been giving Elder Adams instruction in
some principles to speak to you, and if he makes a mistake, I will
get up and correct him.

Elder G. J. Adams preached a discourse which occupied three hours,
and which could be heard a great distance.

President Joseph Smith turned over the conference into the hands of
the Twelve.

Choir sang a hymn. Prayer.

President Hyrum Smith called the conference to order at twenty-five
minutes to four p.m., and spoke to the assembly one hour and a half.

He treated upon the subject of Elders preaching abroad. He said
it was a matter of consequence that the Elders of Israel should
know what they were about when they go to preach the Gospel. They
should, like Paul, be ready to give a reason for the hope of their
calling. When they are sent to preach the Gospel, they should
preach the Gospel and nothing else, if they wish to stand approved
themselves. The Elders are sent into the world to preach faith,
repentance, baptism for the remission of sins, and the laying on of
hands for the reception of the Holy Ghost and they should let the
mysteries alone.

God has commanded you to preach repentance to this generation; and
if this generation will not receive the first principles of the
Gospel and the Book of Mormon, they will receive nothing greater.
Just go and do as you are told and God will bless you.

It is the power of God that is going to convert the world, and
nothing but the power of God. Every man who knows me knows that I
have taught these principles from the beginning. It is the honest
and pure in heart that will harken to the everlasting covenant.
They are those who are noble and good; they will feed and clothe
you and receive your testimony; and we want the Elders to gather
out the good seed to Nauvoo. The day will come when you will see
the wicked flee when no man pursueth. I want you to be wise as
serpents and harmless as doves. Preach principles that will stand
the test of ages; teach them good precepts and save souls, go forth
as men of God, and you will find friends wherever you go. Drink
deep of the Spirit of Truth and a great and mighty work shall be
wrought in the world; hundreds {321} and tens of thousands shall
flock to the standard and go up to Zion.

Many other remarks were made by the speaker.

After which Sidney Rigdon made a few remarks, and concurred in what
Brother Hyrum had said.

Twelve minutes to six, adjourned to April 9th, at eight o'clock,
a.m.

_Special Meeting of Elders_.

_Tuesday, 9.--[Conference Report Continued]._ At 8 a.m., the Elders
assembled at the stand, (President Brigham Young presiding,) and
were addressed by Elder Amasa Lyman; after which: President Brigham
Young said--

_Address of Brigham Young_.

What has been given is correct; the speech and conduct of Elders
one towards another is frequently wrong; one Elder will speak evil
of another; and while you trample others you will sink yourself.
A man has sinking principles; but if his feelings are elevated,
he will build up others and build up himself. Just as sure as one
Elder tries to build himself upon the destruction of another, he
will surely sink himself.

I would like to sit and hear the brethren teach for a week; but as
business is pressing, we must hurry through. Preach repentance to
this generation. Faith must go before repentance, and of course all
men must follow the course and obey the laws and ordinances for the
remission of sins, so as to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, and
then your mission is done. Let a man who goes into the vineyard
build up all he can. If a man preaches anything in error, pray to
God that no man may remember it any more. No Elder will correct
another in public before unbelievers unless he has the sinking
principle. I call all the Elders together to witness that I always
use charity, for it covers a multitude of sins.

_North and South America Zion_.

Let us obey the proclamation of Joseph Smith concerning the Elders
going forth into the vineyard to build up the Temple, get their
endowments, and be prepared to go forth and preach the Gospel. You
may build up Zion, and learn to be men, and not children. It was a
perfect sweepstakes when the Prophet called North and South America
Zion. Let us go to and build the Temple with all our might, that we
may build up the kingdom when established and her cords lengthened.
It is a perfect knock-down to the devil's kingdom. There is not
a faithful Elder who cannot, if he is humble and diligent, build
up the Church. There are many men who will give you large sums to
build a {322} Stake of Zion where they live. It proves the words of
the Prophet of the last days.

The Priesthood is fitted to every capacity in the world. There are
blessings and conditions in that Priesthood that suit every man.
This will suit the condition of thousands, because it is as broad
as the heavens, deep as hell, and wide as eternity.

I am asked all sorts of questions about making gods and devils, and
organizing the eternal worlds; but we could not get it precisely
into our understandings so as to make them. The God we serve is
the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. There is no need of breaking
the law of the land if you keep the law of the Lord. I want a wife
that can take care of my children when I am away, who can pray,
lay on hands, anoint with oil, and baffle the enemy; and this is a
spiritual wife.

The sweepstakes is a perfect knock-down to the devil. We will
build up churches and establish Zion and her stakes. This is a
fire which, cannot be put out: it has spread far faster than ever
it did before. If you kick us and cuff us, we will turn the world
upside down, and make the cart draw the horse. We want to build the
Temple and have the roof on this fall, in the name of Israel's God.
There are hundreds of Elders who will sell their property to build
up the Temple. Let us pay up our tithing. If there are any men who
have not paid their tithing, they will not get in there. Let the
branches send teams with provisions to work all the year.

We are acquainted with the views of Gen. Smith, the Democrats and
Whigs and all factions. It is now time to have a President of
the United States. Elders will be sent to preach the Gospel and
electioneer. The government belongs to God. No man can draw the
dividing line between the government of God and the government of
the children of men. You can't touch the Gospel without infringing
upon the common avocations of men. They may have helps and
governments in the Church, but it is all one at last.

_Address of Hyrum Smith the Patriarch_.

Patriarch Hyrum Smith said: I never knew a proclamation to be
understood at once. President Brigham Young wished to draw the
attention of the brethren, first to build the Temple and get your
washings, anointings, and endowments; after that to build up
branches throughout the nations. We must do all we can to build up
the Temple, and after that to build churches. The gathering will
continue here until the Temple is so far finished that the Elders
can get their endowments; and after that the gathering will be from
the nations to North and South America, which is the land of Zion.
North and South America, are the symbols of the wings. The {323}
gathering from the old countries will always be to headquarters,
and I have no doubt this conference will do a great deal of good.

We have every power and principle to teach the people. Say what
God says, and say no more. Never deviate one fraction from what
God tells you. Elder Rigdon's remarks were very correct. Give
out the simple principles. A man never fails who only says what
he knows; and if any man says more, and can't give reasons, he
falls short. Preach the first principles of the Gospel--preach
them over again: you will find that day after day new ideas and
additional light concerning them will be revealed to you. You can
enlarge upon them so as to comprehend them clearly. You will then
be able to make them more plainly understood by those who teach,
so that you will meet with scarcely any honest man but will obey
them, and none who can oppose. Adduce sufficient reason to prove
all things, and you can convert every honest man in the world. The
knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is not prevalent in the
world, although it is written in the Holy Book. You can prove it
by the Holy Book they profess to believe in, and your arguments
will be so strong and convincing, that people will hear and obey
it by thousands. The Savior says that to you it is given to know
the mysteries of God, but to the world it is not given. You have
power; you are authorized to put down every foolish thing you hear.
A wise man will put it out of existence as he goes along; for light
cleaveth unto light, knowledge to knowledge, and intelligence to
intelligence.

We engage in the election the same as in any other principle: you
are to vote for good men, and if you do not do this it is a sin: to
vote for wicked men, it would be sin. Choose the good and refuse
the evil. Men of false principles have preyed upon us like wolves
upon helpless lambs. Damn the rod of tyranny; curse it. Let every
man use his liberties according to the Constitution. Don't fear man
or devil; electioneer with all people, male and female, and exhort
them to do the thing that is right. We want a President of the U.
S., not a party President, but a President of the whole people;
for a party President disfranchises the opposite party. Have a
President who will maintain every man in his rights.

I wish all of you to do all the good you can. We will try and
convert the nations into one solid union. I despise the principle
that divides the nation into party and faction. I want it to grow
up like a green bay tree. Damn the system of splitting up the
nation into opposite belligerent parties. Whatever are the rights
of men guaranteed by the Constitution of these United States, let
them have them. Then, if we were all in union, no one dare attempt
to put a warlike foot on our soil. I don't like to see the rights
of Americans trampled down. I am opposed to the policy of all such
persons as would allow Great Britain {324} or any other power to
take from us Oregon or any portion of our national territory; and
damn all who attempt it. Lift up your voices like thunder: there is
power and influence enough among us to put in a President. I don't
wonder at the old Carthaginian lawyer being afraid of Joseph Smith
being elected.

[A unanimous vote was passed by the immense assembly for Joseph
Smith to be the candidate for the next President.]

_Address of Heber C. Kimball_.

Elder Heber C. Kimball arose and said--What Brother Hyrum has told
you is God's truth, and will eventually come to pass. As he was
making his observations to the Elders, it made me think of the
first time that I went out into the vineyard to preach. I dwelt on
one subject till it branched like unto a tree that was cultivated,
until the branches shot forth in all directions. Suppose you
had only one seed to plant, and that seed was an acorn, and you
spend your time in cultivating it till it comes forth a great and
mighty tree, branching forth with many branches, and bearing fruit
abundantly after its own kind. So it is with the first principles
of the Gospel, they branch out in all directions, unfolding new
light continually. They are eternal principles. I never preached
anything else but the first principles. When first we went to
England, we preached nothing else, and never even touched on the
gathering, as there was no place of gathering, the Church having
been driven from Jackson County and also from Kirtland, and the
Prophets, Patriarchs, Apostles and Saints were wandering in the
wilderness seeking for a home; but as soon as the people were
baptized and received the Holy Ghost, the most of them had the
spirit of prophecy, and prophesied of coming to this land, as being
the land of Zion; and the time would come that they should come
here. Yet we never taught the doctrine of the gathering or Book of
Doctrine and Covenants.

If you tell the people to stay, they will gather here stronger
than ever. If you want to cut anything off, you should know how
to restore. You should never cut off the ears of the people until
you are able to make them others. It is no matter what way you
convert them so you do convert them to believe the doctrines of
the very Bible they have always professed to believe. It is no
use attempting to teach them other things until you can make them
believe the principles contained in the Bible which they have been
taught to reverence and believe from their infancy. It teaches the
gathering and all the principles of the Gospel necessary to be
taught to the unbelieving world. This is the thrashing floor, where
the wheat is gathered to be thrashed. There are a great many green
heads, and they of course have to be pelted a little harder. After
the {325} wheat is thrashed, it has to go through the fanning-mill,
and then the screen, and then the smut-mill; then it has to be
ground and to be bolted: but many bolt away and leave. If you get a
cudgeling, don't be mad, for your heads are green. We are going to
arrange a plan for Conferences, and we design to send Elders to all
the different States to get up meetings and protracted meetings,
and electioneer for Joseph to be the next President.

A great many of the Elders will necessarily have to leave their
families, and the mothers will have to assume the responsibility of
governing and taking care of the children to a much greater extent
than when their husbands were at home. I therefore exhort them to
be humble, faithful, and diligent, seeking to the Lord for wisdom
to rear up their children in righteousness and prepare them to roll
on the work of the Lord when their fathers shall have been worn out
in the ministry. The mothers, therefore, are the persons who will
more or less have to train the children.

Twenty minutes to 11: A call was made for the volunteers to go
preaching to pass out to the green. A great company moved out and
returned to the right of the stand, and were numbered 244.

Twenty minutes to 1: Adjourned for one hour.

Met according to adjournment. The names of the volunteers were
called, and places assigned to each.

_Brigham Young's Instruction to the Elders_.

President Brigham Young said: Take care of yourselves, be wise, be
humble, and you will prosper. I curse all who degrade themselves
with corruption and licentiousness, as many have done. Magnify your
calling, keep yourselves pure and innocent, and your path shall be
clear as the horizon. We have all manner of prejudices to contend
with. We thank God for the Gospel, the Book of Mormon, and the
Temple, and sing glory to God; and yet there are characters among
us who from mere covetousness will squeeze a sixpence two inches
long, and we have all their iniquity to bear.

We have the honor to be the first fruits of this dispensation,
and have to contend with floods of oppression. Go humbly and
prayerfully, trusting and believing in God, and what you desire to
do you will accomplish. Cease not to ask the Father what you shall
do, and He will give you the Spirit. You know not the day of your
visitation. What is asked for in the name of Jesus Christ will be
granted. J. C. Bennett's power fell like the lightning. God was
asked not to let Joe Duncan be governor, and it was so. We asked
the Lord to deliver us from Governor Reynolds, of Missouri; and he
shot himself, and has {326} gone to hell. As for Squire Warren, of
Quincy, it takes two of him to make a shadow.

The Lord is cutting off the bitterest branches. Look at the
explosion of the big gun on board of the _Princeton_ war-steamer
at Washington. God will deliver His faithful Saints. You will
be innocent, and do a good work: you will come back, and bring
your sheaves with you, rejoicing. Every man has the privilege of
practicing godliness and virtue, and of manifesting himself as
a servant of the Most High God. Doctor Foster lost his money by
gambling, and joined blacklegs. Those men who say there is evil in
the Church are evil themselves. This doctrine is the best for any
man to practice, and will do him good. Ask of God that you may have
wisdom to do all things. If you hear anything of an Elder preaching
false doctrine, ask of God in full faith that it may be taken off
the minds of the people.

A contribution was taken up for President Joseph Smith, $100 was
raised, and another $100 loaned.

[Sidenote: Comment of President Smith on the Conference.]

_Tuesday, April 9th, [Continued]:--_The weather has been beautiful for the conference; and they have been the greatest, best, and most glorious five consecutive days ever enjoyed by this generation. Much good was done. Many spectators were present from Quincy, Alton, Warsaw, Fort Madison, and other towns. When we consider the immense number present, and the good order that was preserved, it speaks much in favor of the morality of the city.

In the afternoon I rode out with Emma, Dr. Goforth, and others to the mound. The peach trees look beautiful.

The Mayor and Marshal received a notification to produce docket and other papers in case of O. F. Bostwick, before the circuit court at Carthage; also a similar notification to produce papers in case of Amos Davis, appealed before Circuit Court.

_A General Conference in England Beginning April 6th, and
Continuing Until April 9th, 1844_.

According to previous announcement, the general conference of
the various branches of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints, commenced its sittings in the Music Hall, Liverpool, on the
6th of April, {327} 1844, Elder Reuben Hedlock, president of the
mission, presiding, and Elder J. S. Cantwell, acting as clerk.

_Morning Session_.

After opening meeting by singing and prayer, it was voted
unanimously that Elder Reuben Hedlock preside over the conference
and that Elder J. S. Cantwell, act as clerk.

The number of officers present at the opening are as follows:--High
Priests, 10; Elders, 23; Priests, 5; Teachers, 3; Deacons, 2. The
representation of the various conferences was then called for:--

Manchester Conference represented by Elder Charles Miller,
including the branches of Manchester, Stockport, Ashton,
Duckenfield, Newton Moor, Mottram, Bolton, Edgeworth Moor,
Edgerton, Leith, Chewmoor, Breightmet Fold, Bradshaw, Tottington,
Summerseat, Bury, Haslingden, Royton, Oldham, Rochdale, Eccles,
Pendlebury, Heatons, Ratcliffe, Halfare, Crossmoor, Didsbury,
Middleton, Crompton Fold, Marble Bridge, Ashworth Tops, Vale House.
Comprises 1583 members, 2 High Priests, 41 Elders, 100 Priests, 56
Teachers, 19 Deacons. Baptized since last general conference, 194.

Liverpool Conference represented by Elder Mitchelson, including
Liverpool, the Isle of Man, Chester, part of Wales, Warrington,
St. Helens, and Graseby. Comprises 596 members, 3 High Priests, 29
Elders, 39 Priests, 19 Teachers, 11 Deacons. Baptized since last
general conference, 107.

Preston Conference represented by Elder John Banks, including
Preston, Lancaster, Kendal, Brigsteer Holme, Heskin, Hunter's Hill,
Euxton, Leyland, Southport, and Longton. Comprises 594 members,
1 High Priest, 16 Elders, 23 Priests, 17 Teachers, 4 Deacons.
Baptized since last general conference, 21.

London Conference represented by Elder John Cairns, including
London, Newbury, Woolwich, Dover, and Luton. Comprises 324 members,
1 High Priest, 11 Elders, 21 Priests, 5 Teachers, 5 Deacons.
Baptized since last general conference, 47.

Macclesfield Conference represented by Elder Galley, including
Macclesfield, Bollington, Middlewich, Northwich, Plumbley, and
Crewe. Comprises 219 members, 1 High Priest, 10 Elders, 22 Priests,
14 Teachers, 7 Deacons. Baptized since last general conference, 15.

Birmingham Conference represented by Elder Crook, including
Birmingham, Gritsgreen, Oldbury, Wolverhampton, Dudley,
Brittlelane, Bilston, Kidderminster, Leamington, Bloxwich,
Stratford-upon-Avon, Catthorpe, Westbromwich, Penydarren,
Abersychan, Beaufort, Rumny, Tredegar, Merthyr Tydvil, Aberdare.
Comprises 707 members, {328} 38 Elders, 49 Priests, 27 Teachers, 12
Deacons. Baptized since last general conference, 200.

Wooden Box represented by Elder Robert Crook, including Wooden Box,
Dunstall, Branstone, Barton, and Colebille. Comprises 96 members,
9 Elders, 10 Priests, 6 Teachers, 5 Deacons. Baptized since last
general conference, 60.

Staffordshire Conference represented by Elder George Simpson,
including Burslem, Hanley, Stoke-upon-Trent, Newcastle, Baddely
Edge, Bradley Green, Knutton Heath, Longton, Coxbank, Prees,
Tunstall, Leek, Longport, Hassell Green, Allsager's Bank. Comprises
370 members, 1 High Priest, 29 Elders, 48 Priests, 20 Teachers, 11
Deacons.

Edinburgh Conference represented by Elder George P. Waugh,
including Edinburgh, Wemyss, Sterling, and Pathead. Comprises 330
members, 11 Elders, 16 Priests, 7 Teachers, 3 Deacons. Baptized
since November, 1843, 37.

Garaway Conference represented by Elder Blakey, including Garaway,
Llanfoist, Buckle, Ewaisharold, Llanthony, and Llanvano. Comprises
172 members, 4 Elders, 9 Priests, 8 Teachers, 1 Deacon.

Glasgow Conference represented by Elder James Houston, including
Glasgow, Paisley, Kilbirnie, Bridge of Weir, Thorny Bank and Shaws,
Campsie, Renfrew, Greenock, Ayr, Bonhill, Balfrone, Johnstone,
Airdrie, Irvine, and Calry. Comprises 833 members, 1 High Priest,
26 Elders, 39 Priests, 30 Teachers, 19 Deacons.

Sheffield Conference represented by letter, including Sheffield,
Woodhouse, Dennington, and Brampton. Comprises 201 members, 5
Elders, 9 Priests, 5 Teachers, 3 Deacons.

Bradford Conference represented by Elder William Speakman,
including Bradford, Idle, Leeds, Doncaster. Comprises 206 members,
9 Elders, 15 Priests, 8 Teachers, 6 Deacons. Baptized since last
general conference, 44.

Ireland represented by Elder Sloan, including Hillsborough,
Crawfordsburn, and Melusk. Comprises 52 members, 5 Elders, 1
Priest, 1 Teacher.

Lincolnshire Conference represented by letter. Comprises 27
members, 2 Elders, 2 Priests, 1 Teacher, 1 Deacon. Baptized since
last general conference, 17.

Worcestershire Conference represented by Elder Thomas Smith,
including Earls Common, Pinvin, Flyford Flavel, Worcester,
Bromsgrove, Randan Woods, Barford, St. John's, and Milton.
Comprises 140 members, 6 Elders, 10 Priests, 3 Teachers, 3 Deacons.
Baptized since last general conference, 28.

Clitheroe Conference represented by Elder William Snalam, including
{329} Clitheroe, Chatburn, Downham, Waddington, Ribchester,
Chaigley, and Settle. Comprises 299 members, 16 Elders, 22 Priests,
18 Teachers, 4 Deacons. Baptized since last general conference, 14.

Leicester Conference represented by Elder Thomas Margetts,
including Leicester and Nottingham. Comprises 127 members, 5
Elders, 10 Priests, 1 Teacher, 2 Deacons.

Cheltenham Conference represented by letter, consisting of 18
branches. Comprises 532 members, 17 Elders, 30 Priests, 13
Teachers, 5 Deacons. Baptized since last General Conference, 90.

Bath represented by letter, comprising 31 members, 1 Elder, 2
Priests.

Wolverton represented by letter. Comprises 8 members, 1 Elder, 2
Priests.

Carlisle represented by letter. Comprises 160 members, 8 Elders, 19
Priests, 8 Teachers, 3 Deacons; and contains four branches.

Littlemoor represented by letter. Comprises 6 members, 1 Priest.

Bedfordshire Conference represented by letter, including 12
branches Comprises 184 members, 14 Elders, 20 Priests, 9 Teachers,
2 Deacons.

The number of members and authorities of each conference being
ascertained as nearly as possible, it was determined that the
delegates should represent the condition of each conference, and
what alterations or measures were necessary to be adopted for the
well being of each other.

Elder Charles Miller having remarked that he had been challenged to
discussion, and had accepted it, it led to some remarks from Elder
Ward as to the very little good effected in general by discussions;
and that it was beneath the servants of God to turn aside from the
path of duty to wrangle and dispute like the people of the world;
and that while the professors of modern religion were in a manner
devouring each other, the path of the Saints ought to be onward in
the proclamation of the principles of truth.

Elder Hedlock agreed with the remarks of Elder Ward, and stated
that they were in perfect accordance with the advice of the First
Presidency, and that the evil ought to be guarded against as much
as possible.

[The remaining sessions of the conference were devoted to hearing
reports from the several conferences comprising the mission,
giving instruction relative to ordaining men to the ministry,
and the manner of conducting the ministry of the Church to make
it effective. Among other items of interest was a communication
from the Twelve in Nauvoo making the nomination of Elders Reuben
Hedlock and Thomas Ward to preside over the British Mission, which
nomination was accepted by the conference, and these brethren were
unanimously {330} sustained as the presidency of the mission. The
publication of the _Millennial Star_ had been ordered suspended
by the Twelve, but the conference voted by unanimous acclamation
that this conference request the quorum of the Twelve to permit
the continued publication of that periodical. The minutes of the
conference state that--]

"Elder Hedlock addressed the assembly on the subject of the
publications, and was desirous of taking the sense of that meeting
on the same. It was true that the quorum of the Twelve had advised
that the publication of the _Millennial Star_ be stopped, and
had given him authority to publish a circular as occasion might
require; but he believed most sincerely that the stoppage of the
_Star_ would have a most injurious tendency.

"Several having spoken to the same effect, Elder Ward remarked
that, if a publication was to be issued at all, it appeared
trifling with the interest of the cause to change the name,
inasmuch as the office had received the name of the _Millennial
Star_ Office, and many letters came to them with that address."

[Then followed the action of the conference upon the subject noted
above. Permission must have been given soon afterwards to renew the
publication of the _Star,_ since it missed but one issue, that of
May, 1844.--it was then published monthly. See vols. v and vi.]

Footnotes:

1. The scripture alluded to in the text is as follows:--Moses pleaded to be excused from the appointment to deliver Israel on the plea that he was not eloquent; whereupon the Lord said: "Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee; and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart. And thou shalt speak unto him, and put in his mouth; * * * And he shall be the spokesman unto the people: * * * * he shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of God" (Exodus iv:14-16.)

Somewhat later this passage occurs: "And the Lord said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh; and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet" (Exodus vii:1.)

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