| 1037 to God by the President, and a song of Zion by the whole assembly, the President arose an laid before the conference the present condition of the saints, and the necessity of all removing to the West. He exhorted them to a union of action for the benefit of the poor, that they might not be left behind. That as long as the church remained among the Gentiles, the fulness [fullness] of the gospel could not be taken from them, and the Book of Mormon be fulfilled.
Elder Brannan then arose and presented the following preamble and resolutions, which were unanimously adopted by the whole assembly without a dissenting voice.
WHEREAS, we as a people have sought to obey the great commandment of the dispensation of the fulness [fullness] of times, by gathering ourselves together; and as often as we have done so, we have been sorely persecuted by the Protestant Christian churches, our houses burned, and we disinherited of our possessions, and driven forth upon the charity of a cold hearted world, to seek protection and sustenance for ourselves and families.
And WHEREAS:-Inasmuch as the people and authorities of the United States have sanctioned such proceedings, without manifesting any disposition to sustain us in our constitutional rights, but have rejected our many petitions to judges, governors, and presidents for the last twelve years, having hardened their hearts, like Pharoah [Pharaoh] of old, against the cries of the fatherless and the widow, That we now cease our cries -wipe away our tears, and prepare ourselves to "enter into our chambers and shut our doors about us for a little season until the indignation be overpast." Therefore,
Resolved, That we hail with joy the proclamation of our brethren from the City of Jeseph [Joseph] to make preparations for our immediate departure, and give thanks and praise of our heavenly Father that the day of our deliverance is so near at hand.
Resolved, That we look upon the proclamation sent forth and published in the Warsaw Signal by our former brother, William Smith, as being actuated by purely selfish motives alone, for his own personal emolument and aggrandizement, at the sacrifice of the lives of his best friends, and the defamation of the character of the whole church; unchristianlike, even if true, because it brings persecution and affliction upon the innocent.
Resolved, That we most heartily sanction the proceedings of the council and Church at Nauvoo, in his excommunication; and that suffering innocence in this city by his hands, has demanded it long since. And in it we believe the prayers of the fatherless and widow have been answered. And further.
Resolved, That we caution all the honest in heart among the Saints, where he has not visited in the East and elsewhere, that have not had an opportunity of proving his apostleship as we have, to beware how they receive him into their houses, or bid him God speed, lest they bring condemnation upon themselves ignorantly.
Resolved, That during the mission and ministry of our brethren, the Twelve, among us, since the absence of William Smith, their conduct has been of the most exemplary character, both in practice and precept: which we are sorry we are not able to say of our former brother William Smith. And
Resolved, That we advise him if he wishes to keep himself from trouble, shame and disgrace -that if he has any feeling for the character of his family, and his martyred brethren, that he stay where he is, or go where he is not known. For we, the church in New York, have no desire to see him, unless he repent speedily, and go about making restitution for lifting his hand against the church and kingdom of God to destroy it.
Resolved, That the Church in this city move, one and all, west of the Rocky Mountains, between this and next season, either by land or water; and that we most earnestly pray all our brethren in the eastern country to join with us in this determination, and carry it out effectually, to the delivery of the people of God from the daughters of Babylon, and not one left behind.
Resolved, That there are no apologies required of those who do not go, but old age, sickness, infirmities, and poverty; "For he that will not forsake father and mother, houses and lands, wives and children for me and my name's sake, is not worthy of me."
Elder Brannan laid before the congregation his instruction from the authorities of the church directing him to go by water, and called upon all who wanted to accompany him, to come forward at the close of the meeting and put down their names. The conference was then dismissed by a benediction from the President.
ORSON PRATT, Pres't.
G. T. Newell, Sec.
MINUTES OF A CONFERENCE OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS, HELD IN BURK'S GARDEN TAZWELL COUNTY, VIRGINIA ON THE 31st OF AUGUST, 1845.
Opened by calling the meeting to order by
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