| 84 "Minutes of a conference, held in the house of the Lord on the 22d of December, 1836.
"The authorities of the church being present, viz.: The First Presidency, the High Council of Kirtland, the Quorum of the Twelve, the Presidents of the Seventies, the President of the Elders and his counselors, and many other official members, such as priests, teachers, deacons, etc., the house was called to order, and the following motions were made, seconded, and carried by the unanimous voice of the assembly.
"'l. That it has been the case that a very improper and unchristianlike course of conduct has been pursued by the elders of this church, and the churches abroad, in sending their poor from among them, and moving to this place, without the necessary means of subsistence; whereas the church in this place being poor from the beginning, having had to pay an extortionate price for their lands, provisions, etc.; and having a serious burthen [burden] imposed upon them by comers and goers, from most parts of the world, and in assisting the traveling elders and their families, while they themselves have been laboring in the vineyard of the Lord, to preach the gospel; and also having suffered great loss in endeavoring to benefit Zion, it has become a serious matter which ought to be considered by us.
"'Therefore, after deliberate discussion upon the subject, It was motioned, seconded, and unanimously carried, that we have borne our part of this burden, and that it becomes the duty, henceforth, of all the churches abroad, to provide for those who are objects of charity that are not able to provide for themselves; and not send them from their midst to burthen [burden] the church in this place, unless they come and prepare a place for them, and means for their support.
"'2. That there be a stop put to churches or families gathering or moving to this place, without their first coming or sending their wise men to prepare a place for them, as our houses are all full, and our lands mostly occupied, except those houses that do not belong to the church, which cannot be obtained without great sacrifice, especially when brethren with their families are crowding in upon us, and
(page 84) |
