Chapter VII

First Foreign Periodical of the Church, "The Millennial Star"--The Prophet Seeks Release from Secular Responsibilities.

_Sunday, May 17_.--Elders Young, Woodruff, and Richards held conference with the Saints at Gadfield Elm Chapel.

[Sidenote: The Beacon Hill Conference.]

_Monday, 18_.--The above Elders met the brethren at Elder Kington's, where they had a tea party, praying, singing, confirming, ordaining, and about twenty were baptized; thus they continued their labors from place to place, until Wednesday 20th, when they found themselves with one accord on the top of "the Herefordshire Beacon," [1] and within the old fortification, when after prayer they expressed their feelings concerning the business of the Church, which were (as they had obtained money from Brother John Benbow, and other brethren for printing the hymnbook, and in part sufficient for the Book of Mormon) that Elder Young repair immediately to Manchester, and join his brethren previously appointed with him on a committee, for the printing of the hymn-book, and cause 3,000 copies to be issued without delay. Also that the same committee cause 3,000 copies of the Book of Mormon to be printed and completed with as little delay as possible, with an index affixed to the same, the form of the book to be determined by the committee. Their views were written and signed by Elder Willard Richards and Wilford Woodruff, when President Young left direct for Manchester. He saw George A. Smith, at the Potteries, who approved the "Beacon Conference."

{132} _Sunday, 24_.--President Young met with the Church, and on Monday, 25th, visited the printers to inquire their prices, etc.

_A Letter of Heber C. Kimball, et al., Recommending English Saints
to the Bishop of the Church_.

Preston, May 25, 1840.

To the Presidency, High Council and Bishop of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints at Commerce. We commend to your notice
the brethren and sisters that have commendatory letters from us of
this date, that you will do all that you consistently can for them,
for I verily believe they have utmost confidence in you, and will
receive with gratitude your advice and instruction, and cheerfully
submit to the rules and regulations of the Church. They have our
blessings, and we trust their subsequent conduct will entitle them
to your blessings also, and the Church generally. We rejoice that
we can say the work of God here is in a prosperous way. Yea, we
rejoice greatly at the aspect of the times, expecting the time to
be not far distant when the standard of truth will be conspicuously
raised throughout this land. We have witnessed the flowing of the
Saints towards Zion; the stream has begun, and we expect to see
it continue running until it shall have drained the salt, or the
light, from Babylon, when we hope to shout hosanna home.

Dear brethren, accept our love, and present it to the Church.

Your brethren in the new and everlasting covenant,

Heber C. Kimball,

Joseph Fielding,

William Clayton.

_Tuesday, 26_.--Elder John Taylor arrived at Manchester, and on the 27th, Elder Kimball arrived. The committee on the hymn-book commenced and continued selecting hymns until the 30th, when Elders Young, Kimball and Taylor went to Liverpool, and preached on Sunday the 31st.

[Sidenote: Death of Bishop Partridge.]

_Wednesday, 27_.--Bishop Edward Partridge [2] died at Nauvoo, aged forty-six years. He lost his life in consequence of the Missouri persecutions, and he is one of that number whose blood will be required at their hands. His daughter, Harriet Pamela, died on the 16th of May, aged nineteen years.

{133} [Sidenote: First Number of the _Millenial Star_.]

The first number of _The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star_ [3] was issued at Manchester, in pamphlet form of twenty-four pages. Edited by Parley P. Pratt. Price sixpence. Office 149 Oldham Road.

_Monday, June 1, 1840_.--The Saints have already erected about two hundred and fifty-houses at Nauvoo, mostly block houses, a few framed, and many more are in course of construction.

The Gospel is spreading through the States, Canada, England, Scotland, and other places, with great rapidity.

{134} Elders Young and Kimball were engaged in blessing the brethren who were about to sail for America.

_Wednesday, 3._--Elders Young and Taylor visited the printers in Liverpool and Elder Young preached on the Sunday following.

The First Company of Saints from England.

_Saturday, 6._--Elder John Moon and a company of forty Saints, to wit., Hugh Moon, his mother and seven others of her family, Henry Moon (uncle of John Moon), Henry Moon, Francis Moon, William Sutton, William Sitgraves, Richard Eaves, Thomas Moss, Henry Moore, Nancy Ashworth, Richard Ainscough, and families, sailed in the ship _Britannia_ from Liverpool for New York, being the first Saints that have sailed from England for Zion.

_Monday, 8_.--Elders Young and Taylor visited Cheshire, and on Tuesday, Manchester, and continued to select hymns.

[Sidenote: Brigham Young's Dreams.]

Elder Young dreamed of his family in health and want, also of the Church and people, and of a contention between two small companies in the west, one north, the other south--the north prevailing from time to time.

_Minutes of the Conference Held at Gadfield Elm Chapel, in
Worcestershire, England, June 14th, 1840_.

The preachers and members of the Bran Green and Gadfield Elm Branch
of the Froomes Hill Circuit, of the United Brethren met at the
Gadfield Elm Chapel, Worcestershire, June 14th, 1840, pursuant to
previous notice, when the meeting was called to order by Elder
Thomas Kington. Elder Willard Richards was chosen president, and
Elder Daniel Browett clerk for the meeting. The meeting was opened
by prayer by Elder Wilford Woodruff. Remarks were then made by the
president respecting the business of the day, and the necessary
changes which must take place.

It was then moved by Elder Thomas Kington, seconded by Elder Daniel
Browett that this meeting be hereafter known by the name of the
"Bran Green and Gadfield Elm Conference of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints," organized and established by the will
and commandment of God in the United States of America, on the 6th
day of April, {135} A. D. 1830, this being the eighth day of the
third month of the eleventh year of the rise of the Church. Carried
unanimously.

[This motion was permitted to accommodate the feelings of the
conference, who had all recently been baptized, but there is no
such principle in existence, as to transform a church or conference
of the world into a church or conference of Christ's fold by vote.]
[4]

Moved by Elder Wilford Woodruff, seconded by Elder T. Kington,
that William Jenkins be ordained an Elder; and William Coleman,
Joseph Firkins, William Pitt and Robert Harris be ordained to the
office of Priest; and that George Burton, James Palmer, and William
Loveridge, be ordained Teachers; carried unanimously. Ordained
under the hands of Elders Richards and Woodruff.

Moved by Elder Kington, seconded by Elder Woodruff, that Robert
Clift, Priest, have the care of the church at Dymock; James
Palmer, Priest, have the care of the church at Kilcott; John Hill,
Priest, have the care of the church at Twigworth; William Coleman,
Priest, have the care of the church at Bran Green; Thomas Brooks,
Priest, have the care of the church at Ryton; John Smith, Priest,
have the care of the church at Lime Street; Charles Hayes, Priest
have the care of the church at Deerhurst; Thomas Smith, Priest,
Assistant, have the care of the church at Deerhurst; John Vernon,
Priest, have the care of the church at Apperley; William Bayliss,
Priest, Assistant, have the care of the church at Apperley; John
Arlick, Priest, have the care of the church at Norton; John Spires,
Priest, have the care of the church at Leigh; John Davis, Priest,
assistant, have the care of the church at Leigh; Thomas Oakley,
Priest, have the care of the church at Gadfield Elm.

And that Elder Daniel Browett take charge of the churches on the
south, and Elder William Jenkins on the north side, of the river
Severn. Carried unanimously.

Moved by Elder Woodruff, and seconded by Elder Richards, that Elder
Thomas Kington be the Presiding Elder over the Conference; carried.
Meeting adjourned until two o'clock.

Conference met at two o'clock according to adjournment, and
administered the sacrament to a large congregation of Saints,
accompanied by many observations on many subjects by the President.
Ten members were confirmed under the hands of Elders Woodruff
and Kington. Remarks were made by the President respecting the
"blessing of children." Seven children were then blessed under the
hands of Elders Woodruff and Kington.

{136} Moved by Elder Kington, seconded by Elder Woodruff, that
Elder Daniel Browett represent this Conference to the general
conference, at Manchester, on the 6th day of July next; carried.
Moved and carried that the Clerk present to the Presiding Elder, T.
Kington, also to the general conference, for safe keeping, a copy
of the minutes of this conference.

The above minutes were then read and adopted, article by article,
when it was moved by the President, and seconded by Elder Woodruff,
that this conference be adjourned to the 13th day of September next
at this place; carried unanimously.

Conference closed by prayer; after which the Elders and officers
present met in council, and voted unanimously to establish a weekly
council of the officers of said conference to be held alternately
on the south and north sides of the river Severn, to commence at
Leigh on the 25th inst.; and organized the same by appointing Elder
Daniel Browett, president and John Hill, Priest, clerk, on the
south side of the river; and also on the north side, by appointing
Elder William Jenkins, president and John Smith, Priest, clerk; to
assemble on the 3rd of July next, at Turkey Hall.

After passing many other votes of minor importance, accompanied by
much instruction from Elders Richards and Woodruff, touching the
duties of the several officers in their relations to each other,
and the Church, the council adjourned. And it is worthy of remark,
that no dissenting vote or voice was seen or heard during the day,
either in conference or council.

Willard Richards, President.

Daniel Browett, Clerk.

_Memorial of Joseph Smith, Jun., to the High Council of the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, June 18th, 1840_.

The Memorial of Joseph Smith, Jun., respectfully represents--That
after the members of the Church of Jesus Christ had been inhumanly
as well as unconstitutionally expelled from their homes which they
had secured to themselves in the state of Missouri, and although
very much scattered and at considerable distance from each other,
they found a resting place in the state of Illinois:--That after
the escape of your Memorialist from his enemies, he (under the
direction of the authorities of the Church) took such steps as
has secured to the Church the present locations, viz., the town
plot of Nauvoo and lands in the Iowa territory:--That in order to
secure said locations, your Memorialist had to become responsible
for the payment of the same, and had to use considerable exertion
in order to commence a settlement, and a place of gathering for
the Saints; and knowing from the genius of the {137} constitution
of the Church, and for the well-being of the Saints, that it was
necessary that the constituted authorities of the Church might
assemble together to act or to legislate for the good of the whole
society and that the Saints might enjoy those privileges which
they could not enjoy by being scattered so widely apart--your
Memorialist was induced to exert himself to the utmost in order to
bring about objects so necessary and so desirable to the Saints at
large:--Under the then existing circumstances, your Memorialist had
necessarily to engage in the temporalities of the Church, which he
has had to attend to until the present time:--That your Memorialist
feels it a duty which he owes to God, as well as to the Church, to
give his attention more particularly to those things connected with
the spiritual welfare of the Saints, (which have now become a great
people,) so that they may be built up in their most holy faith, and
go on to perfection:--That the Church have erected an office where
he can attend to the affairs of the Church without distraction,
he thinks, and verily believes, that the time has now come, when
he should devote himself exclusively to those things which relate
to the spiritualities of the Church, and commence the work of
translating the Egyptian records, the Bible, and wait upon the
Lord for such revelations as may be suited to the conditions and
circumstances of the Church. And in order that he may be enabled to
attend to those things, he prays your honorable body will relieve
him from the anxiety and trouble necessarily attendant on business
transactions, by appointing some one to take charge of the city
plot, and attend to the business transactions which have heretofore
rested upon your Memorialist: That should your Honors deem it
proper to do so, your Memorialist would respectfully suggest that
he would have no means of support whatever, and therefore would
request that some one might be appointed to see that all his
necessary wants may be provided for, as well as sufficient means or
appropriations for a clerk or clerks, which he may require to aid
him in his important work.

Your Memorialist would further represent, that as Elder H. G.
Sherwood is conversant with the affairs of the city plot, he would
be a suitable person to act as clerk in that business, and attend
to the disposing of the remaining lots, &c.

Your Memorialist would take this opportunity of congratulating your
honorable body on the peace and harmony which exist in the Church,
and for the good feelings which seem to be manifested by all the
Saints, and hopes that inasmuch as we devote ourselves for the good
of the Church, and the spread of the kingdom, that the choicest
blessings of heaven will be poured upon us, and that the glory of
the Lord will overshadow the inheritances of the Saints.

Joseph Smith, Jun.

{138} _Proceedings of the High Council on the Foregoing Memorial,
June 20th, 1840_.

The Council relieved President Joseph Smith, Jun., according to
his request in the memorial, and appointed H. G. Sherwood to take
charge of the city plot and to act as clerk in that business, and
also to attend to the disposing of the remaining lots, and the
business transactions which have rested upon him [Joseph Smith].
Alanson Ripley was appointed steward to see that all the necessary
wants of the First Presidency be supplied, as well as to provide
sufficient means or appropriations for a clerk or clerks to aid
President Joseph Smith, Jun., in his important work.

Hosea Stout, Clerk.

_Minutes of the Conference held at Stanley Hill, Castle Froome,
Herefordshire, England, June 21st, 1840_.

The preachers and members of the Froome's Hill Circuit of the
United Brethren met at the house of Elder John Cheese, on Stanley
Hill, Herefordshire, England, June 21, A. D. 1840, at ten a. m.,
according to previous notice; the meeting was called to order by
Elder Thomas Kington; Elder Wilford Woodruff was chosen president,
and Elder John Benbow, clerk of the meeting.

After prayer by Elder Richards, and remarks by the president
concerning the business of the day, it was moved by Elder Thomas
Kington, and seconded by Elder John Benbow, that [the several
districts represented at] this meeting be hereafter known by the
name of the "Froome's Hill Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints," organized and established by the will and
commandment of God, in the United States of America, on the 6th day
of April, 1830, this being the 15th day of the third month of the
eleventh year of the rise of the Church. Carried unanimously.

Moved by Elder Richards, seconded by Elder Kington, that Thomas
Clark, Charles Price, James Hill, and Samuel Jones be ordained
Elders; also that John James, Joseph Skinn, Henry Jones, James
Baldwin, John Morgan, Samuel Badham, and John Dyer, be ordained
Priests; also that Robert Hill, George Brooks, James Skinn, and
James Watkins be ordained Teachers; carried unanimously; and they
were ordained under the hands of Elders Woodruff and Richards.

Moved by Elder Kington, and seconded by Elders Woodruff and
Richards, that John James, Priest, have the care of the church at
Froome's Hill; John Parry, Priest, have the care of the church at
Stanley Hill; James Burns, Priest, have the care of the church
at Ridgway Cross; William Possons, Priest, have the care of the
church at Moor-end Cross; Jonathan Lucy, Priest, have the care of
the church at Caldwell; Thomas Jones, Priest, have the care of the
church at Pale House; John Preece, {139} Priest, have the care of
the church at Ledbury; Samuel Warren, Priest, have the care of the
church at Keysend Street; James Baldwin, Priest, have the care of
the church at Wind Point; George Allen, Priest, have the care of
the church at Woferwood Common.

Rough Leasow, Birchwood, Tunbridge, and Dunsclose will all be
united in one branch, called Dunsclose.

Samuel Badham, Priest, to have the care of the church at Dunsclose;
Edward Phillips, Priest, to have care of the church at Ashfield
and Crowcut; John Meeks, Priest, to have care of the church at
Old Starridge; John Galley, Priest, to have care of the church at
Hope Rough; Benj. Williams, Priest, to have care of the church at
Shucknell Hill; John Powell, Priest, to have care of the church
at Lugwardine; John Dyer, Priest, to have care of the church at
Marden; William Evans, Priest, to have care of the church at Stokes
Lane; John Fidoe, Priest, to have care of the church at Bishop
Froome. Carried unanimously.

Moved by Elder Richards, and seconded by Elder Kington, that
Elder Thomas Clark have charge of the churches at Dunsclose, Old
Starridge, Ashfield, and Crowcut; that Elder Samuel Jones have
charge of the churches at Keys-end Street, Wind Point, Colwell,
Pale House, and Malvern Hill; that Elder Philip Green have charge
of the churches at Shucknall Hill, Lugwardine, and Marden; that
Elder John Cheese have charge of the churches at Stokes Lane,
Woferwood Common, and Bishop Froome; that Elder Charles Price have
charge of the churches at Ledbury, Moor-end Cross, and Ridgway
Cross; that Elder James Hill have charge of the churches at Hope
Rough and Stanley Hill; that Elder John Benbow have charge of the
church at Froome's Hill. Carried unanimously.

Moved by the president, seconded by Elder Richards, that Elder
Thomas Kington be the Presiding Elder over this conference.

After remarks by the president, the meeting adjourned till 2
o'clock p. m. During the recess ten persons were baptized.

Assembled at 2 o'clock according to adjournment, and administered
the sacrament to several hundred Saints; after which twenty were
confirmed, and twenty children blessed under the hands of Elders
Woodruff and Richards, accompanied with instructions by the
president, explanatory of the ordinance.

Moved by Elder Richards, seconded by the president, that Elder
Thomas Kington represent this Conference to the general conference
at Manchester on the 6th of July; carried. Moved and carried that
the clerk of the conference present to the Presiding Elder, T.
Lington, a copy of the minutes of this conference for safe keeping;
also a copy to present to the general conference at Manchester.
The minutes were then read and accepted. The president, followed
by Elder Richards, then {140} proceeded to give such instruction
to the Saints concerning the order of the Church, and the several
duties of the members, as the Spirit directed; and bore testimony
to the multitude of the truth of the work; followed by Elder
Kington; when it was moved by Elder Richards, seconded by the
president, that this conference adjourn to the 21st September next,
10 o'clock a. m., at this place; carried.

After prayer and singing, the assembly dispersed, the Elders and
officers went into council, when it was moved by Elder Richards,
and seconded by Elder Kington, that we proceed to establish
and organize monthly councils of the officers of the Froome's
Hill Conference, to commence on Friday, the 3rd of July next,
at half-past seven o'clock p. m., in the several divisions,
respectively assigned to the different Elders, viz.--

Elder Thomas Clark, president, and James Meeks, clerk, Dunsclose;
Elder Charles Price, president, Thomas Jenkins, clerk, Moor-end
Cross; Samuel Jones, president, William Williams, clerk, Wind
Point; James Hill, president, Joseph Pullen, clerk, Stanley Hill;
Philip Green, president, Francis Burnett, clerk, Lugwardine; John
Benbow, president, John Morgan, clerk, Froome's Hill; John Cheese,
president, George Allen, clerk, Stoke's Lane. Carried.

Moved by Elder Richards, and seconded by Elder Kington, that a
monthly general council of the officers of this conference be held
at Stanley Hill, to commence on Friday, the 17th of July next, at
half-past seven o'clock, p. m. Elder Thomas Kington, president, and
Elder John Benbow, clerk. Carried unanimously.

The president then proceeded to explain the nature of the
Priesthood, and the duties and privileges of the several officers,
and gave such instruction as their situation required, followed by
Elder Richards, who explained many important principles connected
with the building up of the Kingdom.

The minutes of the council were then read and accepted when the
council adjourned; and after singing "The Spirit of God," &c., the
brethren separated, with feelings of gratitude and thanksgiving,
that God had been with His people, and that the spirit of union and
love had prevailed in all the deliberations of the day.

Wilford Woodruff, President.

John Benbow, Clerk.

Remarks--The different branches in this region are so scattered,
that it has not been possible to ascertain the number of members
connected with each individual church; but connected with the Bran
Green and Gadfield Elm, and the Froome's Hill conferences, together
with a small branch of Little Garway of twelve members, one Priest,
and one Teacher, are thirty-three churches, five hundred and {141}
thirty-four members, seventy-five officers, viz., ten Elders,
fifty-two priests, and thirteen teachers. And for the comforting of
the Saints, and with heart-felt gratitude to our heavenly Father,
we would say that it is less than four months since the fulness of
the Gospel was first preached in this region; which is a proof that
God is beginning to make a short work in these last days.

Wilford Woodruff.

[Sidenote: Carpenter's Hall.]

_June 21_.--The Saints hired the Carpenters' Hall in Manchester, which is large enough to accommodate ten or fifteen hundred hearers, for five hundred dollars a year, payable by contribution, and Elders Young and Pratt preached therein this day for the first time.

_Monday, 22_.--Elder Young went to Liverpool to see about printing the Book of Mormon, and returned to Manchester on the 26th; and on Sunday, 28th, preached in Carpenters' Hall.

_June 27_.--High Council met at my office.

_Minutes of the High Council_.

Alanson Ripley states to the council that he was authorized to
inform them that President Joseph Smith, Jun., had vetoed [5] the
proceedings of the Council of the 20th June, in relation to his
Memorial. Laid over for hearing until Friday next.

Hosea Stout, Clerk.

_Letter of William W. Phelps--Confessing Errors committed in
Missouri_.

Dayton, Ohio, June 29, 1840.

Brother Joseph--I am alive, and with the help of God I mean to live
still. I am as the prodigal son, though I never doubt or disbelieve
the fulness of the Gospel. I have been greatly abused and humbled,
and I blessed the God of Israel when I lately read your prophetic
blessing on my head, as follows:

"The Lord will chasten him because he taketh honor to himself, and
when his soul is greatly humbled he will forsake the evil. Then
shall {142} the light of the Lord break upon him as at noonday and
in him shall be no darkness," &c.

I have seen the folly of my way, and I tremble at the gulf I have
passed. So it is, and why I know not. I prayed and God answered,
but what could I do? Says I, "I will repent and live, and ask my
old brethren to forgive me, and though they chasten me to death,
yet I will die with them, for their God is my God. The least place
with them is enough for me, yea, it is bigger and better than all
Babylon." Then I dreamed that I was in a large house with many
mansions, with you and Hyrum and Sidney, and when it was said,
"Supper must be made ready," by one of the cooks, I saw no meat,
but you said there was pleanty, and you showed me much, and as good
as I ever saw; and while cutting to cook, your heart and mine beat
within us, and we took each other's hand and cried for joy, and I
awoke and took courage.

I know my situation, you know it, and God knows it, and I want to
be saved if my friends will help me. Like the captain that was cast
away on a desert island; when he got off he went to sea again, and
made his fortune the next time, so let my lot be. I have done wrong
and I am sorry. The beam is in my own eye. I have not walked along
with my friends according to my holy anointing. I ask forgiveness
in the name of Jesus Christ of all the Saints, for I will do
right, God helping me. I want your fellowship; if you cannot grant
that, grant me your peace and friendship, for we are brethren, and
our communion used to be sweet, and whenever the Lord brings us
together again, I will make ail the satisfaction on every point
that Saints or God can require. Amen. [6]

W. W. Phelps.

_Letter of Elders Orson Hyde and John E. Page to Presidents Joseph
Smith, Hyrum Smith, Sidney Rigdon, Pleading for William W. Phelps_.

Dear Brother:--We have been in this place a few days, and have
preached faithfully, a very great prospect of some able and
influential men embracing the faith in this place. We have moved
along slowly, but have left a sealing testimony. Baptized a
considerable number. We shall write again more particularly as soon
as we learn the result of our labors here. We are well and in good
spirits through the favor of the Lord.

Brother Phelps requests us to write a few lines in his letter, and
we cheerfully embrace the opportunity. Brother Phelps says he wants
to {143} live, but we do not feel ourselves authorized to act upon
his case, but have recommended him to you; but he says his poverty
will not allow him to visit you in person, at this time, and we
think he tells the truth. We therefore advise him to write, which
he has done.

He tells us verbally that he is willing to make any sacrifice to
procure your fellowship, life not excepted, yet reposing that
confidence in your magnanimity that you will take no advantage of
this open and frank confession. If he can obtain your fellowship he
wants to come to Commerce as soon as he can. But if he cannot be
received into the fellowship of the Church, he must do the best he
can in banishment and exile.

Brethren, with you are the keys of the Kingdom; to you is power
given to "exert your clemency, or display your vengeance." By
the former you will save a soul from death, and hide a multitude
of sins; by the latter, you will forever discourage a returning
prodigal cause sorrow without benefit, pain without pleasure, [and
the] ending [of Brother Phelps] in wretchedness and despair. But
former experience teaches [us] that you are workmen in the art of
saving souls; therefore with greater confidence do we recommend
to your clemency and favorable consideration, the author [of the
foregoing] and subject of this communication. "Whosoever will, let
him take of the waters of life freely." Brother Phelps says he
will, and so far as we are concerned we say he may.

In the bonds of the covenant,

Orson Hyde,

John E. Page.

The Committee of the Twelve in England finished the collection of hymns and prepared the index for the press; and on the 30th Elders Kimball and Richards arrived at Manchester.

_Wednesday, July 1, 1840_.--Elders Wilford Woodruff and George A. Smith arrived at Manchester from the Potteries.

_July 2_.

_Minutes of a meeting of the Crooked Creek Branch of the Church_.

At a meeting of the Saints of Crooked Creek Branch, on the 2nd of
July, 1840, to take into consideration the propriety of having a
Stake of Zion appointed or located somewhere in the bounds of this
branch, Brother John Hicks was called to the chair. Meeting was
opened by prayer, after which several remarks were made, and the
following resolutions were passed:

{144} _Resolved_: That it be our wishes that a Stake of Zion be
appointed or located within the bounds of this Branch, provided it
should meet the minds of the First Presidency of this Church.

_Resolved_: That a committee of three be appointed to ascertain the
mind of the First Presidency and report to the Branch.

_Resolved_: That Joseph Holebrook, Nathaniel Frampton, and John
Hicks compose said committee.

It was ascertained that there were about 2,525 acres of land owned
by the brethren, and wherever the Stake should be appointed the
lands should be donated or purchased for a very small compensation,
and that there are one hundred and twelve members belonging to this
Branch.

_Resolved_: That we meet on Thursday next, at one o'clock, p. m.,
to receive the report of the committee,

_Resolved_: That the proceedings of this meeting be signed by the
president and clerk.

John A. Hicks, President.

William Whiteman, Clerk.

_Friday, 3_.--High Council met at my office.

_Minutes of High Council at Nauvoo_.

The subject of the Memorial of President Joseph Smith, Jun., was
brought up for a rehearing, according to the decision of the last
Council (June 27) when the following resolutions were entered into:

1st. _Resolved_: That we feel perfectly satisfied with the course
taken by Joseph Smith, Jun., and feel a disposition, as far as
it is in our power, to assist him, so as to relieve him from
the temporalities of the Church, in order that he may devote
his time more particularly to the spiritualities of the same,
believing by so doing we shall promote the good of the whole
Church. But as he (Joseph Smith, Jun.) is held responsible for
the payment of the city plot, and knowing no way to relieve him
from the responsibility at present, we would request of him to
act as treasurer for the city plot and to whom [i. e., President
Smith] those persons whom we may appoint to make sales of lots
and attend to the business affairs of the Church may at all times
be responsible, and make true and correct returns of all their
proceedings, as well as to account for all monies, properties,
etc., which may come into their hands. Therefore

_Resolved_: That Elder Henry G. Sherwood act as Clerk for the same.
That Bishop Alanson Ripley be appointed to provide for the wants of
the Presidency, and make such appropriations to them, and to their
clerk or clerks, which they may require.

_Resolved_: That the funds of the city plot shall not be taken
to provide for the Presidency or clerks, but that the Bishops be
instructed to {145} raise funds from other sources to meet calls
made on them; and monies received for lots shall be deposited in
the hands of the Treasurer to liquidate the debts of the city plot.

The resolutions of the Crooked Creek Branch of the 2nd inst., were
taken into consideration by President Joseph Smith, Jun., and it
was thought proper to establish a Stake on Crooked Creek, agreeably
to the request of said Branch, and a letter was written to the
brethren to that effect.

Robert B. Thompson, Scribe.

[Sidenote: Reflections of the Prophet on the Action of Congress.]

Since Congress has decided against us, the Lord has begun to vex this nation, and He will continue to do so except they repent; for they now stand guilty of murder, robbery and plunder, as a nation, because they have refused to protect their citizens, and to execute justice according to their own Constitution. A hailstorm has visited South Carolina; some of the stones are said to have measured nine inches in circumference, which swept the crops, killing some cattle. Insects are devouring crops on the high lands, where the floods of the country have not reached, and great commercial distress prevails everywhere.

Footnotes:

1. One of the noted heights of the Black Mountains, running through the west part of Herefordshire.

2. See Biographical Note, Vol. I, pp. 128-9.

3. The _Millennial Star_ was the first foreign publication of the Church. It was issued as a monthly, but afterwards more frequently, semi-monthly, and finally, and now for many years, a weekly. Its publication has been continuous from the time it was started until the present--1907. Also the _Star_ has retained the general character imparted to it by its first publishers. "The _Millennial Star_," said its Prospectus, "will stand aloof from the common political and commercial news of the day. Its columns will be devoted to the spread of the fulness of the Gospel--the restoration of the ancient principles of Christianity--the gathering of Israel--the rolling forth of the kingdom of God among the nations--the signs of the times--the fulfillment of prophecy--recording the judgments of God as they befall the nations whether signs in the heavens or in the earth, blood fire or vapor of smoke--in short, whatever is shown forth indicative of the coming of the 'Son of Man' and ushering in of his universal reign upon the earth. It will also contain letters from our numerous Elders who are abroad, preaching the word both in America and Europe containing news of their success in ministering the blessings of the glorious Gospel."

As an explanation of its title and mission, the editor in its first number also said:

"The word _Millennium_ signifies a thousand years, and in this sense of the word, may be applied to any [period of a] thousand years, whether under the reign of wickedness or righteousness. But the term _the Millennium_, is generally understood to apply to the particular thousand years which is mentioned in the Scriptures as the reign of peace--the great sabbath of creation, of which all the other sabbaths or jubilees seem to be but types. It is written that a 'thousand years is as one day, and one day as a thousand years with the Lord.' This being the case, then seven thousand years are seven days with the Lord, and the seventh, or last thousand years would, of course, be a sabbath or jubilee; a rest, a grand release from servitude and woe. * * * The curse will be taken from off the earth, and it will cease to bring forth thorns and thistles, and become fertile as it were a paradise, while sickness, premature death, and all their attendant train of pains and sorrows will scarce be known upon its face; thus peace, and joy, and truth, and love, and knowledge, and plenty, and glory, will cover the face of the earth as the waters do the sea. The tabernacle of God and his sanctuary will be with man, in the midst of the holy cities; and joy and gladness will all the measure of their cup. Such then, is the _Great Millennium_ of which our little '_Star_' would fain announce the dawn."

4. The matter in brackets occurs in the Ms. History as also in the History as published in the _Millennial Star_, but it is evidently the comment of the Church Historians.

5. By reference to the minutes of the High Council which took into consideration the Prophet's "Memorial" it is evident that they failed to grasp the importance of the subjects presented to them, and made such disposition of them as was neither in keeping with the dignity of the Prophet or the weight of the matters on which they acted--hence the "veto," or dissatisfaction with the council's action--See p. 144 for the conclusion of the matter.

6. For William W. Phelps' troubles in the church, which brought him to this great sorrow and repentance, see Vol. III, pp. 3, 7, 56, 358, 359, 360 and notes.

{146}