| 282 living in Pennsylvania, and I wanted to see them, and preach to them the everlasting gospel that there might be something done there. So we travelled [traveled] on through Ohio, preaching by the way, and bearing our testimony to all that would hear. We finally arrived at the place where I spent my youthful days, and we have been preaching in the surrounding country since, till of late. Brother Stratton has accompanied Brother Jarvis into Bucks county, above Philadelphia; and I am left alone at present. Through the assistance of the Lord we have been enabled to convince some and bring a few into the kingdom. We have baptized thirty-two, and I hope that we have convinced many more. The brethren generally are trying to get ready to go to Zion and the work seems to prosper and flourish in almost every place. I do not expect to remain here long, but purpose going to some place where there has not been any preaching. I have been over in Montgomery county where there has never been any of our elders, and I expect to go back there before I return. * * * *
I remain yours, as ever,
ELIJAH STREETS.
CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS.
Minutes of a conference held at Kirtland, on the Sixth day of April, A. D. 1843; in the Lord's House.
Lyman Wight of the quorum of the Twelve, received the appointment to preside in this conference; whereupon, he arose and informed the brethren that Alexander Badlam would remain a standing clerk for him in all the conferences attended by us; keeping a full account of all matters of importance transacted during our mission and until our return to the city of Nauvoo; yet it would be necessary to appoint another to sit with him at this time. Thomas Kerr accepted this appointment, all of which appointments were unanimous.
Prayer was offered by President Brooks, and the attention of the congregation solicited by the president of the conference, who proceeded to make known the object of the same, and also read from the book of Doctrine and Covenants concerning the calling of the Twelve; saying they were called to be special witnesses in all the world, of the name of Christ, and although many have been the operations of aspiring men to destroy their influence and character, as also that of Joseph Smith, yet they have never been able to effect their purpose, although some may triumph in a supposed victory over the head of their benefactors; even those from whom they have received the little intelligence they possess concerning the things of God, they treat with contempt and ingratitude, by taking the same knowledge to combat the one who brought it forth; yet God will do as he always has done, sustain the man of his own choosing, while those who on the other hand exalt themselves, must surely be abased. Some have talked of fallen prophets. Show me a man of this description and you show me a character of whom the Bible gives no account. I challenge the world to produce the history of a fallen prophet of God. Some may inquire, will God speak through sinful man? If not I doubt very much whether he has spoken through man in ages past, or that he ever will to any that now dwell on the earth. But some may say, who can believe that Joseph Smith is a prophet of the Most High? I will ask, who would have believed a few months since, while he in a company with others, were surrounded by an infuriated mob, placed under the sentence of death, surrounded by a strong guard, with rifles cocked, and guns with bayonets; waiting only the command of his most bitter enemies to shed his blood, that he at this moment should be found standing in the midst of a more numerous host of real friends than any other man on earth; who would have supposed a few years since that one whom all the world proclaimed to be a fool, should rise from obscurity and become the wonder of the nations of the earth: who would have even dared to believe it possible for him to triumph over more than thirty different law suits, planted by the most ingenious of his enemies, and raise his triumphant brow above the pelting waves of slang and persecution, and hurl their anathamas [anathemas] back with ten fold vigor; sweeping their flimsy charges to the winds; leaving the instigators to feel the smart of their own imprudence: who would have believed for a moment, that a youth in the midst of veteran heads, whom age had silvered o'er, whose days and years had been devoted to the most profound studies of the age, would stand as an instructor to them, while thousands upon thousands arise with one consent, declaring the things of which he testifies to be the eternal truths of heaven. I ask again who would have believed that all the learning of the age in which we live, the influence of every religious denomination, the power of every press, the calumny of every apostate, with all their power combined, has never been sufficient to impede the progress of the modern prophet. I ask where is the man who could have believed all this; and answer, none but those who are taught of God. I therefore ask who shall speak against him? who shall speak against the man of God? But some will ask, how may we
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