| 718 pretext to back out; they will say, "well I don't know who is right, I will stand aloof or go with Sidney." The fact is, they want a pretext for apostacy [apostasy]; and to such, "God will send strong delusion that they may believe a lie and be damned, because they received not the love of the truth."
Page 103, B. C., new edition, is the following: "The Twelve are a traveling presiding high council to officiate in the name of the Lord under the direction of the presidency of the church," agreeably to the institution of heaven. Joseph Smith was the presidency of the church, assisted by his Brother Hyrum, and Sidney Rigdon as counsellors [counselors]. Now, let Joseph be taken away and his principal counsellor [counselor], can the junior counsellor [counselor], or a minority of that quorum act? No, he cannot. See B. C. page 103. The grand question now is,-Who shall act? If the junior counsellor [counselor] cannot act, the Twelve cannot act under his directions, because he has no power to direct them, for he is hardly one third of the presidency, admitting him to have the full confidence of the church. We ask again, who shall act? Have the quorum of the Twelve the same power and authority of the full quorum of the three first presidents? Yes, they have. Well, then, do they not become the first presidency, inasmuch as the first quorum of the presidency has ceased to be? Nothing can be more clear and certain than that they do.
On page 125, B. C. new edition, speaking of both or either of the assisting presidents presiding in the absence of the others, refers exclusively to presiding over the high council, and has no reference whatever to presiding over the whole church. But, admitting Elder Rigdon to be the legal successor of Joseph Smith, he could never legally act unless he was confirmed in that station and appointment by the voice of the church; but he never has been, neither will he ever be. The principle of doing all important business by the voice of the church, is plainly taught from one end of the Book of Covenants to the other, and Joseph always acted upon this principle.
CONFERENCE MINUTES
At a Conference, specially appointed in Tazewell county, Va., which convened on the 17th and 18th days of August, 1844, Richard H. Kenniman was chosen president, and Alfred B. Lambson appointed secretary.
Opened by singing and prayer. Elder Hamilton delivered an address on the utility of past revelations, and the duty of the saints in the last days.
The president addressed the saints on the importance of keeping the commandments, and appropriating a part of our substance towards building the houses which the Lord has said, was for the salvation of the saints.
Conference then adjourned till next day at 10 o'clock A. M.
Met pursuant to adjournment, and opened by singing and prayer.
It was motioned that Silas Eagle be ordained an elder; Wm. Carter a priest; and also Robert Young a priest for the Rich Valley branch. James Carter and Uriah G. Hyatt, priests, were ordained elders. S. Henshaw was ordained a teacher, for the Bnrks [Burks] Garden branch.
Elders Hamilton and Park were appointed to labor in Tazewell, Smith, and Washington counties. Elders King and Lambson were appointed to labor in Greenbrier and Monroe counties. Elders Carter and Biles were appointed to labor in Giles and Roanoke counties. Elder J. T. Crow was sent on a mission to the south. Elder Hyatt was appointed to labor in Patrick county. Elder Pitts was also appointed to labor in Giles county. President Kenniman and Stephen Litz were appointed to labor in South Carolina. Elder Litz was also continued as the president of Burks Garden branch.
After a few minutes intermission Elder Hamilton addressed the conference on the first principles of the gospel. The Lord's supper was administered, and one baptised [baptized].
A resolution was passed to publish these proceedings in the Times and Seasons; and the conference adjourned till the 6th of April, 1845.
RICHARD H. KENNIMAN, Pres.
Alfred B. Lambson, Sec'y.
Minutes of the regular quarterly Conference of the St. Louis Branch, held on Sunday, November 10th, 1844.
The Conference was organized by appointing Br. Riley to the chair and Br. Aaron Rogers secretary.
At 10 o'clock A. M. the Conference was opened with singing and prayer by Br. Clements: afterwards Elder Orson Hyde delivered a beautiful discourse from Mat. 25.-It was then adjourned till half past 2 P. M.
Met pursuant to adjournment, and after singing and prayer by Br. Hyde, we received some valuable instructions and afterwards transacted the following business.
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