| 547 P. M. Conference opened by the choir singing hymn 105, and prayer by Bro. Lyman Wight.
Bro. B. Young addressed the elders at some length, on the importance of teaching abroad the first principles of the gospel, leaving the mysteries of the kingdom to be taught among the saints. Also on the propriety of the elders, many of them, remaining at home, and working on the Lord's house; and that their labors will be as acceptable to the Lord as their going abroad, and more profitable for the church, that those who go abroad must take a recommend from the proper authorities without which they will not be fellowshipped, and that those who go and those who remain make consecrations more abundantly than heretofore.
Bro. Lyman Wight followed with remarks of a similar purport, resigning his mission of gathering means for the buildings.
Bro. B. Young called upon the conference to appoint a committee to petition Congress for redress of wrongs and injuries received in Missouri.
On motion Elias Higbee, John Taylor, and Elias Smith were appointed said committee.
On motion Elder John Taylor was appointed to present said petition at the city of Washington.
Closed by choir singing hymn 125, and prayer by Elder John Smith.
Monday, 4th, a. m. Conference opened by the choir singing hymn 183 and prayer by Bro. George Smith.
President Joseph Smith made a lengthy exposition of the condition of the temporal affairs of the church, the agency of which had been committed to him at a General Conference in Quincy, explaining the manner that he had discharged the duties involved in that agency, and the condition of the lands and other property of the church.
On motion, Resolved that Elder Reuben McBride be vested with power of attorney to go, settle, and if possible close a business concern left in an uncertain condition by Elder Oliver Granger deceased.
Prayer by Bro. L. Wight; adjourned for one hour.
P. M. Conference opened by the choir singing hymn 88 and prayer by Elder John Smith.
Bro. Lyman Wight spoke at some length on the subject introduced in the former part of the day, and on the old debts and obligations that are frequently brought up from Kirtland and Missouri; one of which, in the form of a fifty dollar note, he held in his hand and proclaimed as his text.
On motion, voted viva voce unanime, that the trustee in trust of church property here be instructed not to appropriate church property to liquidate old claims that may be brought forward either from Kirtland or Missouri
Pres. H. Smith presented to the notice of conference some embarrassment growing out of his signing as security a certain obligation in Kirtland in favor of Mr. Eaton.
On motion, voted that church property here shall not be appropriated to liquidate said claim.
Bro. B. Young made some appropriate and weighty remarks on the importance of more liberal consecrations and more energetic efforts to forward the work of building, etc. After purchasing Bro. L. Wight's text, by paying him fifty cents, he tore it in pieces and gave it to the winds, saying, "Go ye and do likewise." Choir sung hymn 104 and President Hyrum Smith closed by prayer. Conference adjourned to meet to-morrow morning nine o'clock.
Tuesday 5th, a. m. Conference opened by the choir singing hymn 274 and prayer by Bro. O. Pratt.
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