| 254 The annual General Conference for 1879 convened at Plano, Illinois, April 6; Presidents Joseph Smith and W. W. Blair presided; Elder H. A. Stebbins, secretary; John Scott, assistant.
On the second day of the conference the First Presidency presented the following:
To the Reorganized Church, in Conference Assembled, at Plano, Illinois, April 6,1879, Greeting:
The Presidency, in pursuance of duty, respectfully submit the following:
1. THE AUSTRALIAN MISSION. We are advised that Bro. Glaud Rodger has already left Sydney for his home. It is, therefore, of the utmost importance that he be succeeded by one or more efficient elders.
2. THE SOCIETY ISLANDS. Bro. William Nelson, who was last year authorized to go to these Islands, did go. He also placed in the Bishop's hands, two hundred dollars, to be used for this mission. In the course of the few months past, Bro. Nelson returned to California, he having remained on the Island of Tahiti as long as he could safely without an official permit, which he could not obtain as an officer of the church. After his return to Oakland, California, he requested a return of the two hundred dollars, he then being out of work and without means. This was done, and not long since we were informed that he had again started to the Islands, all of which has been at his own expense, unless the withdrawal of the two hundred dollars may be otherwise accounted.
During his stay of three months upon Tahiti, he was at Tiona for the greater part of the time, and when he left there he had added some thirty to the church, which now numbers eighty-one, and had succeeded in imparting valuable instruction upon church government to the branch there. From a letter directed to Bro. T. W. Smith, we learn that the one
Christ, invite our brethren in the East and elsewhere, to emigrate to this land and secure their inheritances in Zion, by purchase; and, further,
Resolved, That we, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, are a separate and distinct class of worshipers from that body of Mormons located in Utah, known as the polygamic Mormons; and, further,
Resolved, That we, as the true Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, deem it proper that we embody in these resolutions, for the benefit of our neighbors, and the world of mankind generally, the fact, that we, as a church, have no fellowship whatever for that class of people, as we regard them as apostates from the faith; and therefore not worthy the confidence of any people. And, further,
Resolved, That these resolutions and the minutes of this meeting be sent to the "Herald" Office, at Plano, Illinois, with the request that they be published in the "Herald" for the benefit of the Saints abroad; as there is now a good time for those who wish to locate near the temple ground, on easy and cheap terms for obtaining farms. There are also splendid locations near the city of Far West that are now for sale, that have not been moved by the plow for many years. And for timber there is plenty of it; and water. Come, then, ye Saints of latter days, and possess the goodly land by purchase, and none to molest or make you afraid.
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