| 573 Mr. Smith is held accountable only, for the charge as set forth in my warrant under which he was arrested. In conclusion you presume upon my own knowledge of Mr. Smith's innocence, and ask why the prosecution is continued against him. Here I must again appeal to your own good judgment, and you will be compelled to answer that it is impossible I could know him to be innocent; and as before stated, it is not my province to investigate as to his guilt or innocence, but could I know him to be innocent, and were he my own son, I would never-the-less (and the more readily,) surrender him to the legally constituted authority to pronounce him innocent.
With sentiments of high regard,
and esteem,
Your Obednt. Servant
THOMAS CARLIN.
Mrs. Emma Smith.
CONFERENCE MINUTES.
Minutes of the Mississippi and Alabama conferences, held in Cypry, Tuscaloosa county, Ala., on the 12th of April 1844.
Conference was organized by calling Elder Benjamin L. Clapp to the chair, and appointing elder John Brown clerk.
The president then arose and stated the object of the meeting and gave some valuable instruction to the saints.
Conference then adjourned until to-morrow 11 o'clock.
Saturday 13th, conference met pursuant to adjournment, a hymn was sung, and the throne of grace was addressed by the president, after which the following branches were represented.
Cypry branch, represented by George W. Steward, consisting of 50 members, two elders, one priest, one teacher and one deacon, all in good standing.
Boguechetto branch, represented by L. J. Utley, consisting of 22 members, two elders one priest, one teacher and one deacon, all in good standing.
Pleasant Springs branch, represented by Charles M. Johnson, consisting of 23 members, two elders, one priest and one teacher, all in good standing.
Running Tiger branch, represented by James M. Flake, consisting of 15 members, one elder, all in good standing.
Running Water branch, represented by B. L. Clapp, consisting of 29 members, two elders, all in good standing.
Flat Wood branch, represented by B. L. Clapp, consisting of 36 members, two elders and one priest, all in good standing.
Five Mile branch, represented by Juththan Avrett, consisting of 17 members, one elder, one priest and one teacher, all in good standing.
Resolved, That Brother Benjamin Mathews, James Ritchie, Juththan Avrett and Augustus Skinner, be ordained elders, and brother Rodolphus Keeth, be ordained a priest; after which they were ordained under the hands of elders Clapp and Johnson.
The president then arose and gave some valuable instruction to the young elders, urging them to stick close to the first principles of the gospel; also showing the inconsistancy [inconsistency] of young elders trying to explain John's seven headed and ten horned monster, and such like things that occur in the scriptures; he also gave instructions on the use of the gifts of the spirit.
Resolved, that this conference withdraw the hand of fellowship from elder Amos Hodges, for refusing to attend the conference to answer to a charge prefered [preferred] against him.
Official members present, seven elders two priests, three teachers and two deacons.
Conference adjourned for fifteen minutes.
Conference assembled again; prayer by elder Johnson.
The President then addressed the conference on the subject of the gathering, and building the Temple and Nauvoo House, showing the southern brethren the pains and labors of the brethren in Nauvoo to build those houses; although many of them have been robbed two or three times. He urged the necessity of the whole body being equally engaged in keeping the commandments of God, even in building an house unto the Lord, in fulfilment [fulfillment] of the prophets who have spoke of the great work of God in the last days. He also urged the southern brethren to take the Nauvoo papers, that they might be able to successfully meet the slang that is hurled forth against the truth.
Resolved, That a copy of these minutes be transmitted to the editor of the Times and Seasons for publication.
Conference then adjourned till the 12th day of July next, to be held in Noxby county, Mississippi.
BENJAMIN L. CLAPP, Prest.
John Brown, Clerk.
Minutes of a general conference of the elders of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. held in Dresden, Weakly county, Tennessee, May 25th, 1844.
Conference met in the court house, according to previous appointment. Elder A. O. Smoot, was appointed president, and D. P. Rainey secretary. A hymn was sung, after which the president proceeded to open the meeting by singing and prayer; and then in a
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