| 844 and George W. Stewart was appointed secretary.
The president then arose and in a brief manner laid before the meeting the object of the conference, and the business that would come before it, it being the first annual conference of this state.
He then called upon the delegates from the different branches to represent their number and standing.
The Sypsey branch in Tuscaloosa county, was represented by George W. Stewart, consisting of forty three members, four elders, one priest, one teacher, and one deacon-generally in good standing.
The Bogue Chitta branch of Perry county, represented by President A. O. Smoot, consisting of forty-four members, four elders, one priest, and one teacher; all in good standing.
The Five mile branch of Perry county, was then represented by Elder A. O. Smoot, also, consisting of twenty two members, three elders and one priest; all in good standing.
The Bear creek branch of Franklin county, was then represented by Joseph L. Griffin, consisting of twenty-two members, two elders, and one teacher; all in good standing.
The Cypress branch of Lauderdale county, was represented by President A. O. Smoot, consisting of from ten to fifteen members, three elders and one teacher; all in good standing.
The president suggested to the conference the propriety of ordaining an high priest in the Sypsey branch of the church, for the better regulation of business affairs therein, and the general welfare of the branches in this state: and on motion of the chairman it was resolved that Brother William Stewart be ordained an high priest by the unanimous voice of the conference. He was then ordained under the hands of the chairman to that office.
The president then laid before the conference the propriety of each officer and member discharging their respective duties and upholding the heads of the church by the prayer of faith.
He then proceeded to delineate and lay before the conference the just claims of the Twelve to lead and preside over the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day-Saints; and then the unlawful claims of Sidney Rigdon, as are advocated by some aspirants and bigots of the age, that have gone out from us, because they were not of us; and then proceeded to contrast their claims, using the Bible for the square, and the Doctrine and Covenants for the compass to circumscribe his merits, which run him out to so small a point, and made the subject so plain, that on motion of the speaker, the voice of the house was taken, which was unanimous in favor of the Twelve, and their right of presidency.
The chairman then laid before the conference the nature of his mission to the state of Alabama, as a presiding high priest in the district of Alabama, authorised [authorized] by the Twelve to take the general oversight of all church affairs therein.
On motion of William Stewart it was resolved that Elder A. O. Smoot be received by this conference as the presiding high priest in this state.
Resolved, that this conference be adjourned until to-morrow morning at 10 o'clock.
February 16th. Met pursuant to adjournment. Elder H. W. Church was called on to address the congregation upon the authenticity of the Book of Mormon, and was followed by Elder A. O. Smoot with some general remarks on the same subject; after which he delivered an interesting discourse on the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment.
On motion of the chairman, it was resolved, that this annual conference be adjourned to the first Friday, Saturday and Sunday of January, 1846.
A. O. SMOOT, Chairman.
William Stewart, Clerk.
Minutes of a Conference of the Quincy Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints held at the house of Joseph Pine, in the city of Quincy, Ill., on the 9th of March, 1845.
Resolved, That the presidency of this branch stand as it did for the last three months past, that is, that Enos Curtiss, be president of the branch, and that Moses Jones be first counselor [counselor], and John Riley be second counsellor [counselor] [ for the next three months.
Resolved, That Joseph Pine be appointed clerk of the branch.
Resolved, That the fellowship of this branch be withdrawn from Wieley B. Corbett, and that he be reported to the president of the Elder's Quorum, at Nauvoo and that charges or specifications and a statement of his case, as to testimony, &c., be communicated.
Resolved, That the fellowship of the branch be withdrawn from John Thorp, and that charges, &c., be forwarded, likewise, to the president of the same quorum.
Resolved, That the number of the members, including the official members, be reported-The branch numbers about one hundred-of the above there are, including the bishop, nine high priests, one elder of seventies, twelve elders, two priests, one deacon, and one teacher.
Resolved, That the clerk prepare a copy of the
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