| 408 "The work in foreign lands seems to be moving on slowly but surely, and in our own country we can see its effects almost daily, in the reports of those whose armor is on and who are in the field.
"There seems to be also a lull in the great whirlwind of politics which has been raging so fiercely for the past four years. Peace is to be desired, although the prospect now seems to be doubtful. It may be that the tempest is only gathering new strength and that peace is a delusive hope. Therefore, brethren, let divisions which are among you cease, let the animosities which have been engendered by the too sanguine and hasty spirits be as things of the past, that hope may revive within us all, and a strong purpose of achieving our enfranchisement from evil take full possession of our souls. The saints so far have been permitted to escape, to a comparative degree, taking part in the conflict, now in its fifth year; how long we shall thus be favored is within the mind of the Father, but that the prayers of his people have been heard, who can doubt.
"The hall in which it was contemplated holding the April Conference for the year 1865, at Amboy, Lee County, Illinois, having been destroyed by fire, there is now no place of sufficient size at Amboy wherein to hold that conference; it is therefore deemed wise and expedient that the place of holding the Spring Conference, be changed from Amboy, Lee County, Illinois, to Plano, Kendall County, Illinois. It is easy of access, being on the line of the Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railroad, some fifty-five or sixty miles west of Chicago, and about thirty five east of Mendota, the junction of the Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railroad with the Illinois Central railroad. Notice to the saints is therefore hereby given of such change of place, and conference districts and branches are requested to select their representatives to that conference, according to the law in Doctrine and Covenants respecting reports of the churches.
"In order that a more concentrated effort may be made, and also that a more complete unity of feeling may be attained to, it is hereby recommended and requested, that Thursday, the thirtieth day of March, be observed by the
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