Minutes of April 7, 1838

First quarterly conference in Far West. David W. Patten gives negative assessment of five apostles. High counselors Lyman Wight, Calvin Beebe, and Elisha Groves, who moved, are replaced by Jared Carter, John P. Greene and George W. Harris.

Date

April 7, 1838 (Saturday)

FWR , 159–160.

Location

Far West

Description

… the first quarterly Conference of the Church of Latter Day Saints of Zion …

Presidents

Presidents Joseph Smith jr, Sidney Rigdon, T. B. Marsh (h), D. W. Patten (h), and B. Young took the stand after which the several quorums … were organized by their Presidents.

Clerk

Not named

Joseph

Joseph makes some opening remarks and instructions regarding the order of the day.

Open

Conference sings "O God our hope in ages past."
Prayer by President Brigham Young.
Congregation sings "How firm a foundation."

Joseph, Sidney

Joseph speaks "at considerable length, on some important items" followed by Sidney "on the subject for a length of time."

David W. Patten

After an adjournment of twenty minutes, David W. Patten opens with prayer and makes a few remarks about the Twelve.

Recommends six of the Twelve, unsure of one, opposes four.

David W. Patten recommends Elders Mars, Young, Hyde, Kimball, and Parley P. (h) and Orson Pratt "with cheerful confidence," but is "doubtful" about William "from something which he had heard respecting his faith in the work." He cannot recommend William E. McLellin , Luke or Lyman Johnson, or John F. Boynton (h).

Three high counselors replaced

John Murdock reports the high council is in good shape. Elisha Groves, Calvin Beebe, and Lyman Wight have moved too far away to attend meetings, so Thomas B. Marsh nominates Jared Carter, John P. Greene, and George W. Harris to fill the vacancies. All three are "received unanimously. George Harris is ordained a high priest by the 'Presidency.'"

Original: Green

Close

Conference adjourns to April 8.

Minutes of April 8, 1838
Minutes of April 6, 1838
Far West Minutes
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