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Source: Church History Vol. 3 Chapter 12 Page: 247 (~1860)

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247 the church, Come, come, meet us at conference, that you may take your places in your respective quorums. Farewell.

"Z. H. GURLEY.

"REUBEN NEWKIRK.

ZARAHEMLA, FEBRUARY 8, 1860."

-True Latter Day Saints' Herald, vol. 1, pp. 60-62.

On April 6, 1860, an anxious and expectant people gathered at Amboy, Illinois. For several years they had relied upon a promise that the Lord would send a prophet to the church, and many now felt assured that the time had come. So the convening of this conference was looked forward to with more than usual anxiety and anticipation.

Conference organized by selecting Elders Z. E. Gurley, Sen., and William Marks to preside, and A. G. Jackson and Isaac Sheen to act as clerks.

The forenoon was devoted to preaching by Elders Z. H. Gurley, Sen., Samuel Powers, and E. C. Briggs.

In the afternoon, after remarks by President Gurley, Horace Bartlett, Frederick Squires, and Joseph Robinson were by vote admitted to fellowship.

Joseph Smith, son of Joseph Smith, the Seer, was then introduced to the conference, and delivered an address, explaining in brief his position and the causes which brought him there. He said:-

"I would say to you, brethren, as I hope you may be, and in faith I trust you are, as a people that God has promised his blessings upon, I came not here of myself, but by the influence of the Spirit. For some time past I have received manifestations pointing to the position which I am about to assume.

"I wish to say that I have come here not to be dictated by any men or set of men. I have come in obedience to a power not my own, and shall be dictated by the power that sent me.

"God works by means best known to himself, and I feel that for some time past he has been pointing out a work for me to do.

"For two or three years past deputations have been waiting

(page 247)

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