History, 1838–1856, volume F-1 [1 May 1844–8 August 1844]

  • Source Note
  • Historical Introduction
Page 51
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<​May 21​> which was applauded by the assembly; his politial views as presented on that occasion seemed to please most of the people; at the close of the speech the congregation quietly dispersed. continued his journey ten miles, and held a meeting with the La Salle branch of 46 members, mostly emigrants from Norway. On the 18th. we arrived at Newark, and attended the Conference according to appointment. The following is a copy of the minutes, which we forward for publication:
‘Newark, Kendall Co., Ill., May 18th. 1844.
‘Conference convened pursuant to notice. There were present, two of the quorum of the Twelve, one High Priest, two Seventies, nine Elders, one Priest, and one Teacher.
‘Conference called to order by . Elder called to the chair. Conference opened by singing, and prayer by the .
‘Representation of the several branches was called for, when the following branches were represented as follows:
‘Newark branch, 35 members, 1 elder, 1 teacher; La Salle branch, 46 members, 2 elders; Ottawa branch, 16 members, 2 elders; Burcan branch, 15 members, 3 elders; Pleasant Grove, McHenry Co., 10 members, 2 elders; Indian Creek branch, 5 members; Big Vermillion branch, 4 members; French creek grove branch, 2 members. Total, 133 members, 10 elders, and 1 teacher.
‘Canute Peterson, Severt Olson, Zimri H. Barter, Levi Lightfoot, Simpson D. Huffaker, Mades Madison, Vance Jacobs, and Oder Jacobson, were ordained elders; also Henry Saba, ordained a priest; and Ole Johnson, and Peter Maclin, ordained teachers, under the hands of Elder<​s​> , and .
‘Appropriate remarks were then made by Elders and , by way of council and instruction to those who had been ordained; followed by Elder David Savage. Adjourned until Sunday morning, 10 o’clock.
‘Sunday 19th. Met according to adjournment. Opened by singing and prayer by Elder A. M. Wilsey: [HC 6:400] A discourse was then delivered by Elder , in which he instructed the elders to be careful to preach the first principles of the gospel and doctrine of Christ, and not spend their time in warring with the opinions of other men; showed the importance of revelation, and the necessity of a prophet of God, as the head of the church on earth, being as necessary in order to exist and advance in knowledge, as for a natural body to possess a head in order to live. He considered we were enjoying the society of as good a prophet in this day, as any people ever enjoyed in any age of the world, and believed all good men would think so, if they were fully acquainted with him and his principles. He was followed by Elder , who bore testimony to the truth of the fulness of the gospel, counseled the elders to be humble, and not get head and shoulders above their brethren, lest they fall, like the tallest trees of the forest, that are first swept down by the raging storm.
‘Two o’clock, met according to adjournment, when the sacrament was administered, and many testimonies given from the elders and members present, concerning the truth of the work they had received. Conference was dismissed amid the best of feelings, which was manifested, not only by all the saints, but by the whole congregation of citizens that attended. Good order prevailed through the whole conference; attention, kindness, and civility was manifest<​ed​> by all.
, President.’
Asa Manchester, Clerk.’
“At the close of the Conference, Elders , , [p. 51]
May 21 which was applauded by the assembly; his politial views as presented on that occasion seemed to please most of the people; at the close of the speech the congregation quietly dispersed. continued his journey ten miles, and held a meeting with the La Salle branch of 46 members, mostly emigrants from Norway. On the 18th. we arrived at Newark, and attended the Conference according to appointment. The following is a copy of the minutes, which we forward for publication:
‘Newark, Kendall Co., Ill., May 18th. 1844.
‘Conference convened pursuant to notice. There were present, two of the quorum of the Twelve, one High Priest, two Seventies, nine Elders, one Priest, and one Teacher.
‘Conference called to order by . Elder called to the chair. Conference opened by singing, and prayer by the .
‘Representation of the several branches was called for, when the following branches were represented as follows:
‘Newark branch, 35 members, 1 elder, 1 teacher; La Salle branch, 46 members, 2 elders; Ottawa branch, 16 members, 2 elders; Burcan branch, 15 members, 3 elders; Pleasant Grove, McHenry Co., 10 members, 2 elders; Indian Creek branch, 5 members; Big Vermillion branch, 4 members; French creek grove branch, 2 members. Total, 133 members, 10 elders, and 1 teacher.
‘Canute Peterson, Severt Olson, Zimri H. Barter, Levi Lightfoot, Simpson D. Huffaker, Mades Madison, Vance Jacobs, and Oder Jacobson, were ordained elders; also Henry Saba, ordained a priest; and Ole Johnson, and Peter Maclin, ordained teachers, under the hands of Elders , and .
‘Appropriate remarks were then made by Elders and , by way of council and instruction to those who had been ordained; followed by Elder David Savage. Adjourned until Sunday morning, 10 o’clock.
‘Sunday 19th. Met according to adjournment. Opened by singing and prayer by Elder A. M. Wilsey: [HC 6:400] A discourse was then delivered by Elder , in which he instructed the elders to be careful to preach the first principles of the gospel and doctrine of Christ, and not spend their time in warring with the opinions of other men; showed the importance of revelation, and the necessity of a prophet of God, as the head of the church on earth, being as necessary in order to exist and advance in knowledge, as for a natural body to possess a head in order to live. He considered we were enjoying the society of as good a prophet in this day, as any people ever enjoyed in any age of the world, and believed all good men would think so, if they were fully acquainted with him and his principles. He was followed by Elder , who bore testimony to the truth of the fulness of the gospel, counseled the elders to be humble, and not get head and shoulders above their brethren, lest they fall, like the tallest trees of the forest, that are first swept down by the raging storm.
‘Two o’clock, met according to adjournment, when the sacrament was administered, and many testimonies given from the elders and members present, concerning the truth of the work they had received. Conference was dismissed amid the best of feelings, which was manifested, not only by all the saints, but by the whole congregation of citizens that attended. Good order prevailed through the whole conference; attention, kindness, and civility was manifested by all.
, President.’
Asa Manchester, Clerk.’
“At the close of the Conference, Elders , , [p. 51]
Page 51