President Smith arose and stated the reason why this meeting was called. It was this. God had commanded it and it was made known to him by vision and by the Holy Spirit. he then gave a relation of some of the circumstances attending us while journeying to Zion, our trials, sufferings &c &c. He said God had not designed all this for nothing, but he had it in remembrance yet, and those who went to Zion, with a determination to lay down their lives, if necessary, it was the Will of God, that they should be to the ministry and go forth to prune the vineyard for the last time, or the coming of the Lord, which was nigh, even fifty six years, should wind up the scene. He said many things such as the weak things, even the smallest and weakest among us shall be powerful and mighty and great things, should be accomplished by you, even from this hour. He said, you shall begin to feel the whisperings of the Spirit of God, and the works of God, shall begin to break forth from this time. you shall be with power from on high. [p. 147]