| 458 Poetry.
Eternity of Matter.
Six thousand years ago, we're told, Man now enjoyed a paradise,
Deep Darkness brooded o'er the world; And oft, with God, talked face to face;
All matter in confusion ran- With all he was not satisfied;
Unorganized, without a plan; But, tempted, ate the fruit-and died.
In all the vast expanse around Thus, death was brought upon us all,
Naught of created good was found. And all things curs'd thro' Adam's fall.
But lo! Jehovah's word goes forth; But now, what mercy doth appear?
Behold, the elements are earth! Jesus, the Christ, to earth draws near;
Yes from invisibles appear He takes upon him sinful flesh,
A sight most beautiful fair; Endures the curse of sin and death;
This glorious earth in order stood, "Just for the unjust"-lo! he dies!
And God, the Father, call'd it good. And, thus, the law he satisfies.
When every thing is formed complete, This is the glorious gospel plan,
When beast and bird in praise unite, Which brought salvation down to man;
With plants and flowers, spread far and near, And from the curse of sin restor'd,
And lofty trees their branches rear; The earth and all things to the Lord-
To rule, direct, and dress the same, Who will, in His own time, restore
From earth, is framed God's image-man. Creation, as it was before.
He strew'd a calm, delightful place And, as the Savior burst the tomb,
With flowers, and fruits of richest taste; To flourish in immortal bloom,
Of all these fruits, did He declare, So will the resurrection's power,
Thou mayest freely eat, and share; To an unchanging state, restore
All, save one tree, the which, the day The elements of which the earth,
Thou eat'st thereof thou'lt surely die. From chaos, first was called forth. M. T.
Conference Minutes.
Minutes of a conference, held in Kirtland, Ohio, May 22nd 1841.
At A general conference of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, held in Kirtland, Ohio, commencing on Saturday May 22, 1841, Elder Almon Babbit, being unanimously chosen Chairman and W. W. Phelps, appointed Clerk.-The solemnities began with singing and prayer. The chairman explained the business of the conference relative to a re-organization, and resigned his office of president of this stake, that the conference might exercise its full right, and choose its own officers from head to foot.
Adjourned one hour.
Met pursuant to adjournment, and opened with singing and prayer.
Appointed a committee of three viz: Thomas Burdick, Zebidee Coltrin and Hiram Winters, to examine candidates for ordination.
The chairman read the several acts incorporating the Church of Christ of Latter Day Saints in Kirtland, together with a code of bye-laws [by-laws], which were accepted and adopted unanimously.
Elder Babbitt was then nominated for the president or presiding elder of the stake in Kirtland; but he declined, yet, after some discussion, was unanimously elected. Elder Babbit nominated for his counsellors [counselors] Elders Lester Brooks and Zebidee Coltrin, who were unanimously elected.
Thomas Burdick was nominated and unanimously elected Bishop of Kirtland. He nominated Elders Hiram Winters and Reuben McBride for counsellors [counselors], who were unanimously elected. The president's counsellors [counselors], bishop and his counsellors [counselors] were then ordained to their several offices.
The High Priest quorum, Hiram Kellogg, president, and John Knapp and Joseph Pine, as counsellors [counselors], were unanimously accepted by the conference.-The members of the quorum, consisting of six, were also unanimously accepted, save Martin Harris who had one vote against him.
The Elders' quorum., Amos Babcock, president, and Otis Hobart, and Thomas Green as counsellors [counselors], were unanimously accepted: The members, forty three in number, were unanimously accepted also; save the following exceptions, viz: Lehasa Hollister was rejected but finally accepted,
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