| 159 I wish to give a word of advice to the sisters, and I will give it to my wife. I have known elders who had, by some means, got in debt, but had provided well for their families during their contemplated mission, and after they had taken their departure their creditors would teaze [tease] their wives for the pay due from their husbands till they would give them the last provision they had left them, and they were obliged to subsist on charity or starve till their husbands returned. Such a course of conduct on the part of the creditor is anti-christian, and criminal, and I forbid my wife from paying one cent of my debts while I am absent attending to the things of the kingdom; and I want all the sisters to act on the same principle.
Elder Hyde said, if there is an elder who does not provide for his family in the unrighteous mammon, shall we commit to him the true riches, the priesthood, missions, &c.? No!
Elder Woodruff requested the elders to remember in their travels, that there was a printing press in Nauvoo, and that it is in the hands of the church; and wished the elders would procure subscribers for the papers, collect pay for the same, and forward it to the editor, in cash.
Elder Kimball instructed the elders that when they found a place where the people wanted preaching, they must stay themselves and preach, and not run away somewhere else, and write to Nauvoo to have elders sent to the place they had left.
Elders Woodruff and Taylor requested that when the elders had built up a church, they would write a brief statement of facts, unincumbered [unencumbered] with useless matter, and forward their communication to the editor of the "Time and Seasons," post paid.
The elders were reminded that they need not expect any attention would be given to unpaid letter, directed to the Presidency.
The elders were also reminded that although they were not sent out to be taught, but to teach, yet if they would prosper in their missions, they must be careful to teach those things alone which would be profitable to their hearers; that they must bear their testimony of the truth of the fulness [fullness] of the gospel, and preach nothing but faith and repentance to this generation; and that if they presumed to teach to babes those things which belong to men, they might expect to return to Nauvoo as destitute as they went out; but if they adhered closely to the first principles and taught the "word of wisdom, " more by example than by precept, walking before God and the world, in all meekness and lowliness of heart, living by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord, they might expect an abundant harvest; and as doves return to their windows in flocks, when they see the storm approaching, so will multitudes, by listening to their voices, learn of the things which await the earth, and arise and flee, and return unto Mount Zion,. and her stakes with them, who shall be seals of their ministry in the day of celestial light and glory. Brigham Young, Prest.
W. Richards, Cl'k.
Minutes of a conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, held at Augusta, Iowa Territory, April 1st and 2d, A. D .1843.
Conference convened pursuant to previous appointment. Elder John Smith and others were in attendance from Zarahemla. Elder John Smith was unanimously chosen president, and John M. Neely, clerk of the conference. The president then made some remarks setting forth the object of the meeting.
The first business was to organize the Augusta branch.
Resolved, That elder James Brown, act as presiding elder of said branch, and elders Asher Grisman and John Grosbeck as his associates, and John M. Neely as clerk. Some individual difficulties were then introduced, but not acted upon in consequence of the regular steps of labor not being taken. A representation of the branch was then called for. The teachers presented the branch as consisting of eighty-four members, in good standing; including two high priests, eleven elders, four priests, two teachers, and one deacon.
Resolved, That this meeting adjourn till 2 o'clock, P. M.
Conference convened pursuant to adjournment; prayer and discourse delivered by elder Rufus Fisher, showing forth in an able manner, that in all ages of the world, when God had a church on the earth, that satan would stir up the enemies of God against it; consequently, the saints always had to edure [endure] persecution. He was followed by elder John Kellien, setting forth the late persecution of the saints in Missouri, showing clearly that many of the disasters which befel [befell] the saint in Missouri was in consequence of their not following the council of the Lord's prophet and seer.
Conference then adjourned till Sabbath morning, 10 o'clock.
(To be continued.)
+ It will be seen that the date of the paper and that of the minutes of the conference, disagree; owing to the papers being printed later than the publication day.
As we had not room for all the minutes, we have published the elders appointments first, thinking that many might be desirous to now the place of their destination.
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