| 539 Joseph as he was instructing us, and we praised the Lord."-Times and Seasons, vol. 6, pp. 868, 869.
The March number of the Messenger and Advocate contains the minutes of "a council;" and though it is not stated to be a council of the Twelve, it is signed by Orson Hyde and William E. McLellin, who, according to the account, were chosen clerks by the council. 1
There is also a communication in the May number, from Westfield, signed by Elders Hyde and McLellin, and dated May 12, in which occurs the statement: "Elder Marsh, our presiding elder." And this also: "The conference continued until about two o'clock p. m. and then adjourned until three o'clock, when public preaching commenced by Elder B. Young, and followed by the farewell exhortation of the Twelve." (Messenger and Advocate, vol. 1, pp. 115, 116.)
From the above corroborative statements we feel safe in presenting the following from the Star as the history of the events of the times:-
"During the month of January, I was engaged in the school of the elders, and in preparing the Lectures on theology for publication in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, which the committee appointed last September were now compiling.
"Certain brethren from Bolton, New York, came for counsel,
1 Kirtland, March 8, 1835.
Bro. O Cowdery.-A council being called this evening to take into consideration the many pressing requests from the eastern churches for conferences to be held among them during the present year, it was unanimously resolved that conferences should be held in the following places to be attended by the traveling elders from Kirtland; viz.: In Westfield, Chautauqua County, New York, May 9, 1835; in Freedom, Cattaraugus County, New York, May 22; in Lyonstown, Wayne County New York, June 5; at Pillow Point, Jefferson County, New York, June 19, in West Loborough, near Kingston, Upper Canada, June 29; in Johnsbury, Vermont, July 17; in Bradford, Massachusetts, August 7; in Dover New Hampshire September 4; in Saco, Maine, September 18; and in Farmington, Maine, October 2, 1835, etc., etc.
The brethren in various churches and places mentioned above may expect public preaching on the two days following each conference, and they are requested to see that the appointments are made at the most convenient houses. This we leave for them to do for their own convenience. All the elders within reasonable bounds of these conferences are requested to attend them, and it will be their duty so to do
ORSON HYDE }
W. E. MCLELLIN } Clerks
-Messenger and Advocate, vol. 1, p. 90.
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