| 191 was chosen secretary, Elders E. T. Dobson and M. T. Short assistants.
The Board of Publication in their report presented a preamble and resolution on church History, which was adopted by the conference. 1 Subsequently a committee consisting of Joseph Smith, W. W. Blair, and H. A. Stebbins were appointed to prepare a history for publication.
The music committee reported progress in their work, and asked for an appropriation to enable them to employ a qualified person for two or three months. The appropriation was denied, but the committee continued.
The board of removal reported that they had selected Decatur County, Iowa, as a location, but asked for more time to consummate their work. 2 Their report was adopted and time granted.
1 Whereas, We believe that the History of Joseph Smith, as contained in the "Times and Seasons," and in other publications of the church, should be revised and published by the Reorganized Church in book form, therefore be it, Resolved, That we present this matter to the next General Conference for its consideration; also advising the appointment of a committee to prepare it for publication.
2 GALLAND'S GROVE, IOWA, September 21,1877.
We, the board of removal, to whom the duty of removing the business center of the church, as by law, and by your honorable body assigned, do report as follows: The committee have, as donations and loans, about four thousand dollars at their command, with which they have decided to purchase a tract of land now open for sale, of some two hundred acres, lying in the vicinity of a tract lately purchased by Bro. Moses A. Meder, and by him deeded to the church, situated in the southwest portion of Decatur County, Iowa; and to hold said land subject to certain contingencies likely to occur, for subsequent and definite action of the committee in settlement.
Your committee have decided, for reasons and upon considerations, which will be fully given in their final report on removal of the business center, and made public to the church, that Decatur County, Iowa, is at present the most eligible portion of the country accessible to settlement, within the limit to which they, of necessity, feel restricted; but that for lack of means to make the removal complete, and for other reasons not now necessary or politic to state, no removal is advisable, though the committee are quite united upon the opinion that such removal should be made at as early a date as possible, as the condition of, and the feeling in the church demand it.
We, therefore, ask that further time be granted us, and that those who may have been hitherto opposed to the contemplated action of the committee, will take the pains to more fully inform themselves in relation to the country referred to, and the powers of the committee, together with the inadequate means at their command, with which to carry into effect the resolution adopted by you requiring action on the part of the committee.
JOSEPH SMITH }
W. W. BLAIR, } Of the Committee.
I. L. ROGERS, }
We, also, as members of the board, and parties to the above action, add our names as concurring in the report of those of the board who were present, indorsing [endorsing] and approving the same.
H. A. STEBBINS, }
JOHN SCOTT, } Of the Committee.
PLANO, Illinois, October 8,1877.
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