| 700 testimony with their blood, than to see one man turn traitor, shed innocent blood, and damn his own soul-for the object in living and laboring in the cause of God is to secure a part in the first resurrection, eternal life, and immortal glory. A religion that is not worth maintaining at the expense of life, is not worth having, "for he that will lose his life for my sake, the same shall find it." And again, "I will prove you, whether you will abide in my covenant, even unto death, saith the Lord." Many of the patriarchs, prophets, Jesus, the apostles, David, Joseph, and Hyrum, and many others, have sealed their testimony with their blood.
Shall we then, as elders of Israel, or Latter-day Saints, back out, fear and tremble, or give up the work, because Elder Rigdon threatens to turn traitor or bring mobs upon us, because he cannot make the church bow to his notion of things? No, God forbid. It shows very clearly that he has not the spirit of Christ, for the Lord nor one of his followers ever did such a thing; and it is sufficient to open the mind of every saint to see where he stands. As far as my faith, prayers, influence and labor, will effect any thing, they will go to sustain President Young, and in connection with him, the quorum of the Twelve, in holding the keys of the kingdom of God, as they have been delivered unto them by the revelation of Jesus Christ, and in the endowments they have received under the hands of the Prophet Joseph, and also all the quorums of the church and kingdom of God in these last days, through the voice of the Prophet, Seer, and Revelator, who has been raised up and laid the foundation, and sealed his testimony with his blood.
And I wish to say to all the elders of Israel, and saints of God, that the time has come, when we need a doubled portion of the spirit of Joseph's God to rest upon us, we should gird up the loins of our minds. Watch and be sober, maintain the priesthood with dignity, have the cause of God fully at heart, labor faithfully for its promotion while the day lasts, for night will soon come when no man can work. We should practice virtue and holiness before the Lord, and shun the very appearance of evil. We should enter into our closets, and call upon God for wisdom to direct us in every duty in life. Our object should be to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to this generation, and present those principles that will save the souls of men.
If there is any man in this church that does wrong, that breaks the law of God, it mattereth not what his standing may be, whether among the Twelve, the high priests, seventies, or elders, or in any other standing, there is a tribunal that will reach their case in process of time, there is authority before whom they can be tried. Therefore, let no one turn against the cause of God, and stop in the road to destruction, on the plea that somebody has done wrong: it is no excuse for you or I to do wrong because another does; the soul that sins alone must bear it. Should I step aside from the path of duty it would not destroy the gospel of Jesus Christ, or even one principle of eternal truth, they would remain the same. Neither would it be any excuse for you to commit sin; but I should have to bear my own sins, and not the sins of others-so with all men.
Therefore, let me exhort all ye elders of Israel and saints of God to rise up in the majesty and dignity of your calling, make full proof of your ministry and covenant. Sustain by your works the authorities, keys, and priesthood of God in all its bearings and appendages, through this last dispensation, for the eyes of God, angels, and men are over you, and when the work is finished, you will receive your just recompense of reward.
W. WOODRUFF.
From the N. Y. Prophet.
MINUTES OF A CONFERENCE IN PHILADELPHIA.
Pursuant to public notice a conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was held in the city of Philadelphia on Saturday and Sunday, August 31st and September 1st, 1844. There were present official members,
Quorum of the Twelve, one; high priests, two; elders, 20; priests, five, teachers, three.
Elder William Smith of the quorum of the Twelve, with uplifted hands was chosen president of said conference, and Elder W. I. Appleby chosen clerk.
Conference opened at half past 10, A. M. by singing a hymn, after which followed a spirited address (dictated by the spirit of holy zeal) by the president, on the subject of dissensions and divisions in the church, the spirit of persecution and of casting reflections upon the authorities God has chosen to be his special witnesses of the gospel of his Son to the nations of the earth, as has been revealed in its fulness [fullness] in these last days by the administration of holy angels, bearing to earth truth's unfading laurels.
Prayer was then offered up to the throne of grace, by the president.
Elder Grant then stated what business would
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