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| Minutes of March
17, 1839 |
| Brigham Young urges
the Saints to send aid to those still in Missouri. Observe the revelations
and settle in companies rather than scattering. Johnathan Dunham reproved
for holding an unauthorized conference in Springfield. Several who had
left the church are excommunicated in absentia, including Frederick G.
Williams, W. W. Phelps, John Corrill, George M. Hinkle, Reed Peck, Sampson
Avard, and
Thomas B. Marsh. |
| Date |
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March 17, 1839 |
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Times and Seasons 1,
no. 1 (Nov. 1839): 15. |
| Location |
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Quincy, Illinois. |
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| Description |
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A Conference of the church of Jesus
Christ of Latter Day Saints |
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| Presiding |
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Brigham Young |
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| Clerk |
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Robert B. Thompson |
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¶ |
Brigham Young was unanimously called to the chair, and Robert
B. Thompson chosen clerk. |
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"B. Young took the lead of the meeting &
gave much important instruction. There was a Letter read from the committy
in Far West praying the Brethren in Quincy to send teams& money for
the removing of fifty families of poor Saints from far west to Quincy.
There was a contribution taken up for the purpose. About $50 dollars
& a number of teams to go.
"We then communed together & the meeting Closed & a Council
followed. I was called upon to state to the council the procedings of the
conference in Springfield & after laying before them the procedings of
that conference the council of the Church in Quincy voted that Elder Jonathan
Dunham be reproved for Calling a conference in Springfield but more esspecially
for cherishing & fellowshiping that wrong spirit
of Brewsters. They also voted that Elder Dunham make confession & satisfaction
to the Church in Springfield before he procede on his Journey.
"The Council then adjourned untill early candle light at which time they
met & continued untill midnight & then adjourned." WWJ
1:322, Mar. 17, 1839. |
| Brigham: Unite, relief for refugees,
settle in companies |
|
Elder Young then arose and gave a statement of the circumstances
of the church of Far West, and his feelings in regard to the scattering
of the brethren; believing it to be wisdom to unite together as much as
possible, in extending the hand of charity for the relief of the poor,
who were suffering under the hand of persecution in Missouri; and to pursue
that course that would prove for the general good of the whole church who
was suffering for the gospel sake: and would advise the saints to settle
(if possible) in companies, or in a situation so as to be organized into
churches that they might be nourished and fed by the shepherds; for without,
the sheep would be scattered. |
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| Mind the revelations |
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And he also impressed it upon the minds of the saints to
give heed to the revelations of God especially the elders should be careful
to depart from all iniquity, and to remember the council given by those
whom God hath placed as councelors in his church, that they may become
as wise stewards in the vineyard of the Lord, that every man may know and
act in his own place, for their is order in the kingdom of God, and we
must regard that order if we expect to be blessed. |
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| Unauthorized conference
in Springfield |
¶ |
Elder Young also stated that Elder Johnathan Dunham had
received previous instructions not to call any conferences in this state,
or elsewhere; but to go forth and preach repentance which was his calling,
but contrary to those instructions he called a conference in Springfield,
Ill. and presided there and brought forth the business which he had to
transact, and his proceeding in many respects during the conference was
contrary to the feelings of Elder W. Woodruff and other official members
who were present; they considered his proceedings contrary to the will,
and order of God. |
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| Reprove Johnathan
Dunham |
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The conference then voted that Elder J. Dunham be reproved
for his improper course, and that he be advised to adhere to the council
given him. |
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| Disfellowship those
who left |
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And after transacting various other business, elder George
W. Harris made some remarks relative to those who had left us in the times
of our perils, persecutions, and dangers and were acting against the interest
of the church, and that the church could no longer hold them in fellowship
unless they repented of their sins and turned unto God. |
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| Excommunications |
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After the conference fully expressed their
feelings upon the subject, it was unanimously voted that the following
persons be excommunicated from the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day
Saints, viz: George M. Hinkle, Sampson Avard, John
Corrill, Reed Peck, Wm.
W. Phelps, Frederick G. Williams,
Thomas B. Marsh (h), Burr
Riggs, and several others. |
|
Original: Hinckle |
| Adjourn |
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After which the conference closed by prayer.
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Minutes of December 19, 1838
Minutes of April 26, 1839
Ousters
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