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Source: Church History Vol. 4 Chapter 33 Page: 588 (~1888)

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588 On February 25 George P. Dykes, once an elder in the church, died at Zenas, Arizona. It will be remembered that Elder Dykes about twenty years before his death turned against the church and gave the elders laboring in California considerable trouble; but it appears that he relented before his death. John Y. Graumlich gives an account of an interview with him just prior to his death, in which he says: "We sat up nearly all night talking on the great plan of salvation, and nearly his last words to us was advice never to turn away from it, but to stand firm in the cause and defend it to the last."

March 3, 1888, a conference for the Southern California District adopted rules to govern a district Sabbath-school Association.

On March 26 Elder Joseph Dewsnup, of Manchester, England, wrote of the work and its prospects as follows: "Our influence is spreading for good. Conference convenes on Friday next. Our anticipations of success are large. God helping, we are determined that it shall be the best conference ever yet held in the district."

On March 27 the Quorum of Twelve met at Independence, Missouri, for the purpose of transacting business pertaining to the quorum prior to the convening of General Conference. At a session held March 30, Elder Heman C. Smith, called by the revelation of a year before, was ordained to the office of an apostle by President Joseph Smith, Apostles W. H. Kelley, and E. C. Briggs.

The General Conference convened at Independence, Missouri, on April 6. Joseph Smith and W. W. Blair presided; H. A. Stebbins was secretary, assisted by W. C. Cadwell and W. R. Sellon.

Addresses were made by Presidents Smith and Blair, and by E. C. Briggs, acting president of the Twelve. President Smith said:

The circumstances under which we are gathered are pleasant. The ground upon which we meet is historic, and it should be sacred to us. I am pleased to note that there has been a striking improvement among our people, and that improvement should continue. I trust that we shall remain together at this conference with the same impulse for good that has moved us to come together. If we shall patiently wait and quietly

(page 588)

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