Minutes, 16 August 1841

Source Note
Special Conference of the Church, Minutes,
Nauvoo
Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....
More Info
, Hancock Co., IL, 16 Aug. 1841; handwriting of
Elias Smith
6 Sept. 1804–24 June 1888. Teacher, printer, postmaster, bookkeeper, probate judge, newspaper editor. Born in Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont. Son of Asahel Smith and Elizabeth Schellenger. Moved to Stockholm, St. Lawrence Co., New York, 1809. Baptized into...
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; two pages; Historian’s Office, General Church Minutes, CHL. Includes docket.

Single leaf measuring 12¼ × 7⅝ inches (31 × 19 cm). The document is ruled with faint blue lines—thirty-eight lines on the recto and forty on the verso. It has one vertical fold and six horizontal folds and contains a vertically written docket in the bottom right of the verso.

These minutes are part of a larger collection of general church minutes created or collected by the Church Historian’s Office. The document was docketed by
Thomas Bullock
23 Dec. 1816–10 Feb. 1885. Farmer, excise officer, secretary, clerk. Born in Leek, Staffordshire, England. Son of Thomas Bullock and Mary Hall. Married Henrietta Rushton, 25 June 1838. Moved to Ardee, Co. Louth, Ireland, Nov. 1839; to Isle of Anglesey, Aug...
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, who served as JS’s scribe from 1843 to 1844 and as clerk to the church historian and recorder from 1845 to 1865.
1
Jessee, “Writing of Joseph Smith’s History,” 456, 458; Woodruff, Journal, 22 Jan. 1865.
Comprehensive Works Cited
Jessee, Dean C. “The Writing of Joseph Smith’s History.” BYU Studies 11 (Summer 1971): 439–473.
Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.
The minutes have likely been in institutional custody since their creation.

Footnotes
1. 1
  Jessee, “Writing of Joseph Smith’s History,” 456, 458; Woodruff, Journal, 22 Jan. 1865.
  
  Jessee, Dean C. “The Writing of Joseph Smith’s History.” BYU Studies 11 (Summer 1971): 439–473.
  Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.
Historical Introduction
On 16 August 1841 the
church
The Book of Mormon related that when Christ set up his church in the Americas, “they which were baptized in the name of Jesus, were called the church of Christ.” The first name used to denote the church JS organized on 6 April 1830 was “the Church of Christ...
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held a special
conference
A meeting where ecclesiastical officers and other church members could conduct church business. The “Articles and Covenants” of the church directed the elders to hold conferences to perform “Church business.” The first of these conferences was held on 9 June...
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in
Nauvoo
Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....
More Info
, Illinois, to transact “business necessary to be done before the meeting of the general conference” in October. One such item pertained to the role of the
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Members of a governing body in the church, with special administrative and proselytizing responsibilities. A June 1829 revelation commanded Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer to call twelve disciples, similar to the twelve apostles in the New Testament and ...
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in church administration. Members of the Twelve had recently returned from their mission to
England
Island nation consisting of southern portion of Great Britain and surrounding smaller islands. Bounded on north by Scotland and on west by Wales. Became province of Roman Empire, first century. Ruled by Romans, through 447. Ruled by Picts, Scots, and Saxons...
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, and with the experience they gained there, they were poised to help JS “in managing the affairs of th[e] kingdom” in Nauvoo, allowing him to focus more on spiritual matters.
1
“The Twelve,” Times and Seasons, 2 Aug. 1841, 2:487. Since at least 18 June 1840, JS had sought to be relieved from his duties pertaining to the development of Nauvoo, including land sales and related business. (Memorial to Nauvoo High Council, 18 June 1840.)
Comprehensive Works Cited
Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

According to a later history of
Brigham Young
1 June 1801–29 Aug. 1877. Carpenter, painter, glazier, colonizer. Born at Whitingham, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of John Young and Abigail (Nabby) Howe. Brought up in Methodist household; later joined Methodist church. Moved to Sherburne, Chenango Co., New...
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, apostles Young,
Heber C. Kimball
14 June 1801–22 June 1868. Blacksmith, potter. Born at Sheldon, Franklin Co., Vermont. Son of Solomon Farnham Kimball and Anna Spaulding. Married Vilate Murray, 22 Nov. 1822, at Mendon, Monroe Co., New York. Member of Baptist church at Mendon, 1831. Baptized...
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,
Orson Pratt
19 Sept. 1811–3 Oct. 1881. Farmer, writer, teacher, merchant, surveyor, editor, publisher. Born at Hartford, Washington Co., New York. Son of Jared Pratt and Charity Dickinson. Moved to New Lebanon, Columbia Co., New York, 1814; to Canaan, Columbia Co., fall...
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,
John Taylor
1 Nov. 1808–25 July 1887. Preacher, editor, publisher, politician. Born at Milnthorpe, Westmoreland, England. Son of James Taylor and Agnes Taylor, members of Church of England. Around age sixteen, joined Methodist church and was local preacher. Migrated ...
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, and
George A. Smith
26 June 1817–1 Sept. 1875. Born at Potsdam, St. Lawrence Co., New York. Son of John Smith and Clarissa Lyman. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Joseph H. Wakefield, 10 Sept. 1832, at Potsdam. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio,...
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met on 10 August with JS, who directed them to send missionaries to various locations in the eastern
United States
North American constitutional republic. Constitution ratified, 17 Sept. 1787. Population in 1805 about 6,000,000; in 1830 about 13,000,000; and in 1844 about 20,000,000. Louisiana Purchase, 1803, doubled size of U.S. Consisted of seventeen states at time ...
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and “to take the burthen of the business of the Church in
Nauvoo
Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....
More Info
, and especially as pertaining to the Church lands, settling of the Saints on their arrival and selling Church lands.”
2
Historian’s Office, Brigham Young History Drafts, 56.
Comprehensive Works Cited
Historian’s Office. Brigham Young History Drafts, 1856–1858. CHL. CR 100 475, box 1, fd. 5.
This new administrative assignment to the Twelve was formalized in the 16 August special conference. Moreover, their remit now extended throughout the world, including, for the first time, the Nauvoo area—whereas previously they had been assigned to serve as a traveling
high council
A governing body of twelve high priests. The first high council was organized in Kirtland, Ohio, on 17 February 1834 “for the purpose of settling important difficulties which might arise in the church, which could not be settled by the church, or the bishop...
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, presiding over and managing the affairs of the church in all places where no
presidency
An organized body of leaders over priesthood quorums and other ecclesiastical organizations. A November 1831 revelation first described the office of president over the high priesthood and the church as a whole. By 1832, JS and two counselors constituted ...
View Glossary
or high council existed.
3
Minutes and Discourses, 27 Feb. 1835.

The special conference of 16 August was held primarily to inform the
Nauvoo
Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....
More Info
Saints of the Twelve’s new administrative responsibilities and to invite the Saints to sustain the
quorum
An organized group of individuals holding the same office in the Melchizedek priesthood or the Aaronic priesthood. According to the 1835 “Instruction on Priesthood,” the presidency of the church constituted a quorum. The Twelve Apostles also formed a quorum...
View Glossary
in their efforts.
4
“Conference Minutes,” Times and Seasons, 1 Sept. 1841, 2:521–522.
Comprehensive Works Cited
Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
The five aforementioned members of the Twelve attended, and
Brigham Young
1 June 1801–29 Aug. 1877. Carpenter, painter, glazier, colonizer. Born at Whitingham, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of John Young and Abigail (Nabby) Howe. Brought up in Methodist household; later joined Methodist church. Moved to Sherburne, Chenango Co., New...
View Full Bio
presided over the beginning of the conference in JS’s absence because JS and
Emma Smith
10 July 1804–30 Apr. 1879. Scribe, editor, boardinghouse operator, clothier. Born at Willingborough Township (later in Harmony), Susquehanna Co., Pennsylvania. Daughter of Isaac Hale and Elizabeth Lewis. Member of Methodist church at Harmony (later in Oakland...
View Full Bio
were mourning the death of their infant son,
Don Carlos
13 June 1840–15 Aug. 1841. Born in Nauvoo, Hancock Co., Illinois. Son of JS and Emma Hale. Died in Nauvoo.
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. When JS arrived for the afternoon session, he affirmed what Young had said and gave instructions about the new responsibilities of the Quorum of the Twelve.
Willard Richards
24 June 1804–11 Mar. 1854. Teacher, lecturer, doctor, clerk, printer, editor, postmaster. Born at Hopkinton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Joseph Richards and Rhoda Howe. Moved to Richmond, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts, 1813; to Chatham, Columbia Co...
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succinctly summarized the conference when he wrote in his journal, “Conference—Business of the Church given to the 12.”
5
Richards, Journal, 16 Aug. 1841.
Comprehensive Works Cited
Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.

Two contemporaneous versions of the minutes for this special conference exist: an original, handwritten document created by
Elias Smith
6 Sept. 1804–24 June 1888. Teacher, printer, postmaster, bookkeeper, probate judge, newspaper editor. Born in Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont. Son of Asahel Smith and Elizabeth Schellenger. Moved to Stockholm, St. Lawrence Co., New York, 1809. Baptized into...
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either during or shortly after the conference and a second version printed in the Times and Seasons.
6
“Conference Minutes,” Times and Seasons, 1 Sept. 1841, 2:521–522.
Comprehensive Works Cited
Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
Though the Times and Seasons version is more complete and polished, it was likely based on Smith’s handwritten original, which is featured here. Significant differences or additions in the Times and Seasons version appear in the annotation.

Footnotes
1. 1
  “The Twelve,” Times and Seasons, 2 Aug. 1841, 2:487. Since at least 18 June 1840, JS had sought to be relieved from his duties pertaining to the development of Nauvoo, including land sales and related business. (Memorial to Nauvoo High Council, 18 June 1840.)
  
  Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
2. 2
  Historian’s Office, Brigham Young History Drafts, 56.
  
  Historian’s Office. Brigham Young History Drafts, 1856–1858. CHL. CR 100 475, box 1, fd. 5.
3. 3
  Minutes and Discourses, 27 Feb. 1835.
4. 4
  “Conference Minutes,” Times and Seasons, 1 Sept. 1841, 2:521–522.
  
  Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
5. 5
  Richards, Journal, 16 Aug. 1841.
  
  Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.
6. 6
  “Conference Minutes,” Times and Seasons, 1 Sept. 1841, 2:521–522.
  
  Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

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At a <special> of the held in the City of August 16th 1841 was unanimously appointed to preside over the conference and and appointed Clerks

Conference Opened by prayer by the after a hym had been sung by the Clerk Choir

The objects of calling the conference was then made known by the chairs who stated that Joseph Smith had called the conference to transact some business necessary to be done before the <meeting of the> general conference <to be held> in Oct next. The items of business of to be to select men to send into the vinenayard qualified to preach the gospel and men of experience &C. To take measures to provide for emigrants <who are> coming to this place and prevent impositions being practised by speculators &c. &c.

A List of names of and cities was read <by the >. Voted that the names of persons selected to go out to preach be presented one by one before the conference. The following were then presented and the places of their Labour designated and were accepted unanimou[s]ly

H[enry] G. Sherwood 20 Apr. 1785–24 Nov. 1867. Surveyor. Born at Kingsbury, Washington Co., New York. Son of Newcomb Sherwood and a woman whose maiden name was Tolman (first name unidentified). Married first Jane J. McManagal (McMangle) of Glasgow, Lanark, Scotland, ca. 1824... View Full Bio	New Orleans Settled by French, 1717. Acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803. City, port of entry, and parish seat of justice. Population in 1840 about 100,000. Important trade center on Mississippi River. Branch of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints established... More Info La.
A[braham] O. Smoot	Charleston S. C.
Benjn Winchester 6 Aug. 1817–25 Jan. 1901. Farmer, author, merchant, brick maker. Born near Elk Creek, Erie Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Stephen Winchester and Mary Case. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, early 1833, in Elk Creek. Moved to Kirtland, ... View Full Bio	Salem Port city located northeast of Boston. Population in 1830 about 14,000. Population in 1840 about 15,000. JS visited city as a young boy while recovering from leg surgery to remove diseased bone. JS, Hyrum Smith, Oliver Cowdery, and Sidney Rigdon visited city... More Info Mass
Erastus Snow 9 Nov. 1818–27 May 1888. Farmer, teacher, merchant, publisher, manufacturer. Born at St. Johnsbury, Caledonia Co., Vermont. Son of Levi Snow and Lucina Streeter. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by William Snow, 3 Feb. 1833, at Charleston... View Full Bio	" Port city located northeast of Boston. Population in 1830 about 14,000. Population in 1840 about 15,000. JS visited city as a young boy while recovering from leg surgery to remove diseased bone. JS, Hyrum Smith, Oliver Cowdery, and Sidney Rigdon visited city... More Info "
John Murdock 15 July 1792–23 Dec. 1871. Farmer. Born at Kortright, Delaware Co., New York. Son of John Murdock Sr. and Eleanor Riggs. Joined Lutheran Dutch Church, ca. 1817, then Presbyterian Seceder Church shortly after. Moved to Orange, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, ca. 1819.... View Full Bio	Baltimore Md.
Samuel James 18 Jan. 1806–after 1880. Farmer, salesman, storekeeper. Born in Pennsylvania. Son of William James and Elizabeth Gallaher. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Ordained a high priest and appointed to high council in Kirtland, Geauga ... View Full Bio .	Washington D. C. Created as district for seat of U.S. federal government by act of Congress, 1790, and named Washington DC, 1791. Named in honor of George Washington. Headquarters of executive, legislative, and judicial branches of U.S. government relocated to Washington ... More Info

On motion of seconded by Resolved that the select the individuals to go <out and preach> & to the several places design[ated] to be supplied; to expedite the business of <and present them to> the conference <with a view of expediting the business of the conference> The situation of the poor in the City of was then presented to the conference by and .

and a collection taken up for their benefit <After> Singing by the choir.— Adjourned for 1 hour and to meet at 2 oclock P.M. [p. [1]]

At a special of the held in the City of August 16th 1841 was unanimously appointed to preside over the conference and and appointed Clerks

Conference Opened by prayer by the after a hym had been sung by the Choir

The object of calling the conference was then made known by the who stated that Joseph Smith had called the conference to transact some business necessary to be done before the meeting of the general conference in Oct next. The items of business to be to select men to send into the vinenayard qualified to preach the gospel and men of experience &C. To take measures to provide for emigrants who are coming to this place and prevent impositions being practised by speculators &c. &c.

A List of names of and cities was read by the . Voted that the names of persons selected to go out to preach be presented one by one before the conference. The following were then presented and the places of their Labour designated and were accepted unanimously

Henry G. Sherwood 20 Apr. 1785–24 Nov. 1867. Surveyor. Born at Kingsbury, Washington Co., New York. Son of Newcomb Sherwood and a woman whose maiden name was Tolman (first name unidentified). Married first Jane J. McManagal (McMangle) of Glasgow, Lanark, Scotland, ca. 1824... View Full Bio	New Orleans Settled by French, 1717. Acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803. City, port of entry, and parish seat of justice. Population in 1840 about 100,000. Important trade center on Mississippi River. Branch of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints established... More Info La.
Abraham O. Smoot	Charleston S. C.
Benjn Winchester 6 Aug. 1817–25 Jan. 1901. Farmer, author, merchant, brick maker. Born near Elk Creek, Erie Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Stephen Winchester and Mary Case. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, early 1833, in Elk Creek. Moved to Kirtland, ... View Full Bio	Salem Port city located northeast of Boston. Population in 1830 about 14,000. Population in 1840 about 15,000. JS visited city as a young boy while recovering from leg surgery to remove diseased bone. JS, Hyrum Smith, Oliver Cowdery, and Sidney Rigdon visited city... More Info Mass
Erastus Snow 9 Nov. 1818–27 May 1888. Farmer, teacher, merchant, publisher, manufacturer. Born at St. Johnsbury, Caledonia Co., Vermont. Son of Levi Snow and Lucina Streeter. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by William Snow, 3 Feb. 1833, at Charleston... View Full Bio	" Port city located northeast of Boston. Population in 1830 about 14,000. Population in 1840 about 15,000. JS visited city as a young boy while recovering from leg surgery to remove diseased bone. JS, Hyrum Smith, Oliver Cowdery, and Sidney Rigdon visited city... More Info "
John Murdock 15 July 1792–23 Dec. 1871. Farmer. Born at Kortright, Delaware Co., New York. Son of John Murdock Sr. and Eleanor Riggs. Joined Lutheran Dutch Church, ca. 1817, then Presbyterian Seceder Church shortly after. Moved to Orange, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, ca. 1819.... View Full Bio	Baltimore Md.
Samuel James 18 Jan. 1806–after 1880. Farmer, salesman, storekeeper. Born in Pennsylvania. Son of William James and Elizabeth Gallaher. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Ordained a high priest and appointed to high council in Kirtland, Geauga ... View Full Bio .	Washington D. C. Created as district for seat of U.S. federal government by act of Congress, 1790, and named Washington DC, 1791. Named in honor of George Washington. Headquarters of executive, legislative, and judicial branches of U.S. government relocated to Washington ... More Info

On motion of seconded by Resolved that the select the individuals to go out and preach to the several places designated to be supplied; and present them to the conference with a view of expediting the business of the conference The situation of the poor in the City of was then presented to the conference by and .

and a collection taken up for their benefit After Singing by the choir.— Adjourned to meet at 2 oclock P.M. [p. [1]]

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Document Information
Editorial Title
Minutes, 16 August 1841
ID #
8323
Total Pages
2
Handwriting on This Page
- Elias Smith
Footnotes
1. 1
  Both Smith and Barnes had served as clerks in prior church meetings and committees. (See, for example, Minutes, 28 June 1838; and Far West Committee, Minutes, Jan.–Apr. 1839.)
  
  Far West Committee. Minutes, Jan.–Apr. 1839. CHL. MS 2564.
2. 2
  The version of the minutes published in the Times and Seasons adds the following here: “(who was then absent on account of the death of his child,).” (“Conference Minutes,” Times and Seasons, 1 Sept. 1841, 2:521.)
  
  Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
3. 3
  See Minutes and Discourse, 1–5 Oct. 1841.
4. 4
  The version of the minutes published in the Times and Seasons renders the latter half of this sentence as follows: “take measures to assist emigrants who may arrive at the places of gathering, and prevent impositions being practiced upon them by unprincipled speculators.” (“Conference Minutes,” Times and Seasons, 1 Sept. 1841, 2:521.)
  
  Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
5. 5
  At this point, the version of the minutes published in the Times and Seasons presents a substantial addition: “and he hoped that no one could view him and his brethren, as aspiring because they had come forward to take part in the proceedings before them; for he could assure the brethren that nothing could be fa[r]ther from his wishes and that of his Quorum, than to interpose with church affairs at Zion and her stakes, for he had been in the vineyard so long he had become attached to foreign missions, and nothing could induce him to retire therefrom, and attend the affairs of the church at home but a sense of duty, the requirements of heaven, or the revelations of God, to which he would always submit, be the consequence what it might; and the brethren of his Quorum responded Amen.” (“Conference Minutes,” Times and Seasons, 1 Sept. 1841, 2:521, italics in original.)
  
  Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
6. 6
  The state of impoverished individuals residing in and coming to Nauvoo (including the great numbers of poor from England) was discussed frequently by church leaders. For example, in a 1 March 1841 proclamation, Vinson Knight encouraged the Saints to bring their tithes and offerings to the April general conference so that “the poor can eat, and the needy have their wants supplied.” George Miller later wrote of his experiences as a bishop called to aid the poor in Nauvoo during this time: “The poor, the blind, the lame, the widow, and the fatherless all looked to me for their daily wants. . . . I was here thrown into straits unlooked for. No tithing in store, the rich amongst us pretended to be too poor to barely feed themselves and nurse their speculations, which they were all more or less engaged in, and those that were really poor could not help themselves.” (Vinson Knight, “Proclamation,” Times and Seasons, 1 Mar. 1841, 2:341; George Miller, St. James, MI, to “Dear Brother,” 26 June 1855, in Northern Islander [St. James, MI], 16 Aug. 1855, [3]–[4]; see also Letter to Quorum of the Twelve, 15 Dec. 1840; and Minutes, 7–11 Apr. 1841.)
  
  Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
  Northern Islander. St. James, MI. 1850–1856.

Minutes, 16 August 1841

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