Minutes, 7–8 April 1838

Agreeable to a resolution of the high council, assembled at , on Saturday the 3rd of March 1838, the general authorities of the church met, to hold the first quarterly conference of the Church of Latter Day Saints Zion, at on the 7th of April 1838. Presidents J. Smith jr, , , , and took the stand; after which the several quorums, the high council, the high priests, the seventies the elders, the , the priests, the teachers, and deacons, were organized by their Presidents.

President J. Smith jr. made some remarks, also gave some instruction respecting the order of the day. The conference was then opened by singing, “O God our hope in ages past” and prayer by President .— Also a hymn was sung “how firm a foundation”. After which, President J. Smith, Jr. arose and addressed the congregation at considerable length, on some important items.— continued the subject for a length of time, after which, on motion, the meeting adjourned for the space of twenty minutes.

Pursuant to adjournment the conference convened, and opened by prayer by who also made a few remarks respecting the twelve apostles. He spake of , , , , , and , as being men of God, whom he could reccommend with cheerful confidence. He spake somewhat doubtful of from something which he had heard respecting his faith in the work. He also spake of , , , and as being men whom he could not reccommend to the conference.

President , then represented the high council. The report was favorable. He stated that the seats of , , and was vacant in consequence of their having moved away so far that they could not attend the council.

then nominated to fill the seat of who was received unanimously.

He then nominafed , to fill the seat of , who was received unanimously.

Also , to fill that of , who was received unanimously— The presidency then ordained him to the office of high priest.

On motion the Conference adjourned to the 8th at 9 o’clock A M.

Sunday April the 8th;—— Pursuant to adjournment the Conference convened, and opened by singing and prayer by President .

President Joseph Smith Jr. made a few remarks respecting the Bank— Who was followed by , who gave a short history of his travels to and .

President , who is the president of the high priests in Zion; represented his quorum; he read the names of those who belonged to his quorum, the principal part of which were in good standing.

The seventies were represented, by presidents , and .

The quorum of Elders were represented by president Harvey Green— Their number was 124, in good standing.

President Joseph Smith Jr, next made a few remarks on the word of wisdom, giving the reason of its coming forth, saying it should be observed. On motion, the Conference adjourned for one hour.

The Conference convened, agreeable to adjournment, and opened by singing and prayer, after which , represented the lesser priesthood, and his council,— He gave an account of the incomes and outgoes of Church property which had passed through his hands.

It was then motioned and seconded, and carrried that the first presidency be appointed to sign the licences of the official members of the church— After which on motion, the Conference adjourned until the first Friday in July next.

, Clerk. [p. 47]