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Source: Church History Vol. 3 Chapter 34 Page: 664 (~1872)

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664 and deprecate, and wish to call attention to for the purpose of asking whether it ought not to be exorcised and eradicated.

"We believe the measure to have been a correct one in its conception, and within certain limits to have been correctly carried out. Wherein we think some of its legitimate provisions have been denied and rendered inoperative, we shall notice under another head.

"The holding of local and general conferences we believe to have been, and still to be, one of the surest, safest, and best means that could have been or that can be used to the accomplishment of a proper assimilation of thought and spirit among brethren, and the right understanding of doctrine among the teachers and those taught. These local and general conferences we believe to be authorized by the general laws of the church under which the promulgation of the gospel was to be carried on; and they are not therefore the creatures of local organizations called churches or branches. They are natural and necessary assemblings of the church officers for the transaction of necessary business connected with the carrying out the great program of salvation, and for the free interchange of thought, expression of opinion, and the preaching of the word. We trust that such assemblings will be more largely attended than heretofore.

"The range of business which may be done at these conferences is very wide, and comprises all 'things necessary to be done;' the necessity for the doing of any particular business being the law governing the case, 'according to the Bible, Book of Mormon, and the Doctrine and Covenants.'

"The organization of numbers of believers into churches, or branches, is a politic necessity; and hence a measure which was introduced at a very early date of the church existence. It was essential then; it is so now. There is ample provision for requisite organization in the Book of Covenants, and the usages of the church, as found in the instructions given from time to time.

"The ordination of men to the various offices to be found in the church began at the inception of the church,. and can

(page 664)

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