872 Voted that Elder John Knapp be cut off from the church, for purloining money, and running away with an abandoned woman, by the name of Maria Mason, and leaving his family in distressed circumstances.
Several of the Saints then expressed their views and feelings sung a hymn;-benediction by the Clerk;-was then adjourned until 11 o'clock to-morrow morning.
Met according to adjournment. Opened the meeting by singing. The Pres't. then read the 50th chapter of Isaiah. Prayer by L. Heath. A very interesting sermon was then delivered by the President of the meeting, which was listened to with profound attention by the congregation. Benediction by Elder John Young. The conference adjourned for one hour. The ordinance of baptism was administered during intermission.
Met according to adjournment. Sung a hymn of praise unto the Lord. Prayer by Br. Alanson Pettingall. The communion was then administered by Elders Young and Pettingall, unto about one hundred Saints. Union and harmony prevailed in our midst. The blessing of children and the ordinance of confirmation was then performed. A vote was then taken that Betsy Farrington be received into the church by baptism.
Order and unanimity of feeling characterised [characterized] the conference, and the Saints in this place appear to be more united than they have been for some time past; and have, in general, a determination to keep the commandments, and gather unto the body of the church.
It was then voted that the minutes of this conference be forwarded to the editor of the "Times and Seasons" for publication.
Voted that the conference be adjourned until the 6th of Oct. next.
HIRAM WINTERS, Pres't.
LUMAN HEATH, Clerk.
Minutes of a regular quarterly Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints held in Greenwood, Stuben Co. N. Y., on the 5th and 6th of April 1845.
Opened by singing and prayer by Wm. D. Pratt, after which, by motion of J. J. Guinand, Wm. D. Pratt was sanctioned president and Joseph West appointed secretary.
The president then stated the object of the conference, which would come under the late regulations at Nauvoo.
Official members present-high priests two, seventies one, elders ten, teachers one, deacons one.
Representation of the different branches.
Greenwood branch represented by J. Jeremer, twenty-five members, including one elder, one teacher, two removed, one died, one baptized, since the last conference.
Portage branch represented by Wm. D. Pratt, twenty members, including two elders, one deacon.
Ossian East branch represented by J. France, thirty-nine members, including two elders, three priests, two teachers, one deacon, five baptized since the last conference, and five cut off.
Prattsburgh branch represented by A. Norton, forty-two members, including seven elders, one priest, one teacher, one deacon, two baptized since the last conference, and two cut off.
Ossian West branch represented by Wm. D. Pratt, thirty-eight members, including four elders, one priest, one teacher, two deacons, three scattering members in Monroe county.
Hornby branch represented by P. Van Valkinkburgh, forty-one members, including four elders, one priest, one teacher, three deacons, thirteen scattering members, four taken letters, one baptized, and three cut off since the last conference.
Loon Lake branch represented by Wm. D. Pratt, seven members, including one elder.
Hume branch represented by G. W. Fowler, twenty-five members, including three elders, one priest, scattering members represented by the same, four in Little Genesee, Alleghany [Allegheny] county; five in Rochester.
The president then arose and gave much good instruction to the elders; followed by Elder Redfield.
Adjourned half an hour.
Met pursuant to adjournment and opened by singing.
The president then made some very appropriate remarks upon the authorities of the church, also, of some who were once Latter-day Saints, bnt [but] have been cut off from the church by the authorities of the same, and were following a man whom God had not clothed with authority.
Therefore resolved that we uphold by our faith and prayers the Quorum of the Twelve, and all the authorities of the church at Nauvoo-carried unanimously; after which a discourse was delivered by Elder Tappin, upon the resurrection of the dead, followed by Elder Redfield.
Adjourned till early candle -light, to meet on the hill three miles from this place.
Met agreeable to adjournment, prayer by the president.
A discourse was then delivered by Elder Clark on the priesthood.
Followed by the president.
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