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Minutes, 7–11 April 1841

Source Note

General Conference of the Church, Minutes,
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
, Hancock Co., IL, 7–11 Apr. 1841. Featured version published in “Minutes of the General Conference of the Church,” Times and Seasons, 15 Apr. 1841, vol. 2, no. 12, 386–388. For more complete source information, see the source note for Letter to Isaac Galland, 22 Mar. 1839.

Historical Introduction

From Wednesday, 7 April, through Sunday, 11 April 1841, JS presided over a general
conference

A meeting where ecclesiastical officers and other church members could conduct church business. The “Articles and Covenants” of the church directed the elders to hold conferences to perform “Church business.” The first of these conferences was held on 9 June...

View Glossary
of the
church

The Book of Mormon related that when Christ set up his church in the Americas, “they which were baptized in the name of Jesus, were called the church of Christ.” The first name used to denote the church JS organized on 6 April 1830 was “the Church of Christ...

View Glossary
in
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
, Illinois. The conference convened the day after a celebration commemorating the eleventh anniversary of the founding of the church. This 6 April celebration, which featured the laying of the cornerstones of the Nauvoo
temple

Located in portion of Nauvoo known as the bluff. JS revelation dated Jan. 1841 commanded Saints to build temple and hotel (Nauvoo House). Cornerstone laid, 6 Apr. 1841. Saints volunteered labor, money, and other resources for temple construction. Construction...

More Info
and a parade of the
Nauvoo Legion

A contingent of the Illinois state militia provided for in the Nauvoo city charter. The Nauvoo Legion was organized into two cohorts: one infantry and one cavalry. Each cohort could potentially comprise several thousand men and was overseen by a brigadier...

View Glossary
, was attended by thousands of men and women.
1

See Benediction, 6 Apr. 1841. A newspaper from nearby Warsaw, Illinois, reported that the anniversary celebration was attended by “about 7000 or 8000, some say as high as 12,000.” The church’s newspaper reported that there were “probably not less than ten thousand persons present.” (“The Mormons,” Western World [Warsaw, IL], 7 Apr. 1841, [3]; “Celebration of the Aniversary of the Church,” Times and Seasons, 15 Apr. 1841, 2:376.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Western World. Warsaw, IL. 1840–1841.

Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

While some members of the church considered the cornerstone ceremony to be part of the conference itself, the business portion of the conference began at ten o’clock in the morning on Wednesday, 7 April 1841, as the minutes featured here attest.
2

See Historical Introduction to Discourse, between 6 and 9 Apr. 1841.


Due to inclement weather Friday through Sunday, most of the conference took place Wednesday and Thursday. During the conference,
John C. Bennett

3 Aug. 1804–5 Aug. 1867. Physician, minister, poultry breeder. Born at Fairhaven, Bristol Co., Massachusetts. Son of John Bennett and Abigail Cook. Moved to Marietta, Washington Co., Ohio, 1808; to Massachusetts, 1812; and back to Marietta, 1822. Married ...

View Full Bio
was added as an assistant president in the
First Presidency

The highest presiding body of the church. An 11 November 1831 revelation stated that the president of the high priesthood was to preside over the church. JS was ordained as president of the high priesthood on 25 January 1832. In March 1832, JS appointed two...

View Glossary
to relieve the ailing
Sidney Rigdon

19 Feb. 1793–14 July 1876. Tanner, farmer, minister. Born at St. Clair, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania. Son of William Rigdon and Nancy Gallaher. Joined United Baptists, ca. 1818. Preached at Warren, Trumbull Co., Ohio, and vicinity, 1819–1821. Married Phebe...

View Full Bio
, and
Lyman Wight

9 May 1796–31 Mar. 1858. Farmer. Born at Fairfield, Herkimer Co., New York. Son of Levi Wight Jr. and Sarah Corbin. Served in War of 1812. Married Harriet Benton, 5 Jan. 1823, at Henrietta, Monroe Co., New York. Moved to Warrensville, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, ...

View Full Bio
was unanimously selected, or sustained, to replace the deceased
David W. Patten

14 Nov. 1799–25 Oct. 1838. Farmer. Born in Vermont. Son of Benoni Patten and Edith Cole. Moved to Theresa, Oneida Co., New York, as a young child. Moved to Dundee, Monroe Co., Michigan Territory, as a youth. Married Phoebe Ann Babcock, 1828, in Dundee. Affiliated...

View Full Bio
in the
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Members of a governing body in the church, with special administrative and proselytizing responsibilities. A June 1829 revelation commanded Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer to call twelve disciples, similar to the twelve apostles in the New Testament and ...

View Glossary
. In addition, sermons on the recently revealed doctrine of
baptism

An ordinance in which an individual is immersed in water for the remission of sins. The Book of Mormon explained that those with necessary authority were to baptize individuals who had repented of their sins. Baptized individuals also received the gift of...

View Glossary
for the dead were delivered at the conference, along with instructions related to building the temple.
Robert B. Thompson

1 Oct. 1811–27 Aug. 1841. Clerk, editor. Born in Great Driffield, Yorkshire, England. Methodist. Immigrated to Upper Canada, 1834. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Parley P. Pratt, May 1836, in Upper Canada. Ordained an elder by...

View Full Bio
, the clerk for the conference, presumably took rough minutes during the meeting and later prepared them for publication. No original minutes are extant, but a polished version of the minutes was published in the 15 April 1841 issue of the Times and Seasons.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    See Benediction, 6 Apr. 1841. A newspaper from nearby Warsaw, Illinois, reported that the anniversary celebration was attended by “about 7000 or 8000, some say as high as 12,000.” The church’s newspaper reported that there were “probably not less than ten thousand persons present.” (“The Mormons,” Western World [Warsaw, IL], 7 Apr. 1841, [3]; “Celebration of the Aniversary of the Church,” Times and Seasons, 15 Apr. 1841, 2:376.)

    Western World. Warsaw, IL. 1840–1841.

    Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

  2. [2]

    See Historical Introduction to Discourse, between 6 and 9 Apr. 1841.

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation.
*Minutes, 7–11 April 1841
History, 1838–1856, volume C-1 [2 November 1838–31 July 1842] “History of Joseph Smith” “History of Joseph Smith”

Page 386

Minutes of the general
conference

A meeting where ecclesiastical officers and other church members could conduct church business. The “Articles and Covenants” of the church directed the elders to hold conferences to perform “Church business.” The first of these conferences was held on 9 June...

View Glossary
of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

The Book of Mormon related that when Christ set up his church in the Americas, “they which were baptized in the name of Jesus, were called the church of Christ.” The first name used to denote the church JS organized on 6 April 1830 was “the Church of Christ...

View Glossary
held at the City of
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
, Hancock Co. Ill. on the seventh day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty-one
.
Conference convened at 10 o’clock A. M. when the names of the
presidents

An organized body of leaders over priesthood quorums and other ecclesiastical organizations. A November 1831 revelation first described the office of president over the high priesthood and the church as a whole. By 1832, JS and two counselors constituted ...

View Glossary
of the several
quorums

An organized group of individuals holding the same office in the Melchizedek priesthood or the Aaronic priesthood. According to the 1835 “Instruction on Priesthood,” the presidency of the church constituted a quorum. The Twelve Apostles also formed a quorum...

View Glossary
were called, who took their seats on the stand, and their councillors immediately in front. The meeting was then called to order, and the choir under the superintendence of
B[enjamin] S. Wilber

19 Apr. 1810–by 10 Aug. 1853. Merchant. Born in Barnard, Windsor Co., Vermont. Son of Aaron Wilber and Abigail Salisbury. Married first Sally Ann. Married second Sophia F. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, by 3 Mar. 1836. Ordained...

View Full Bio
sung a hymn, and the conference was opened by an address to the throne of grace by
Pres’t.

The highest presiding body of the church. An 11 November 1831 revelation stated that the president of the high priesthood was to preside over the church. JS was ordained as president of the high priesthood on 25 January 1832. In March 1832, JS appointed two...

View Glossary
W[illiam] Law

8 Sept. 1809–12/19 Jan. 1892. Merchant, millwright, physician. Born in Co. Tyrone, Ireland. Son of Richard Law and Ann Hunter. Immigrated to U.S. and settled in Springfield Township, Mercer Co., Pennsylvania, by 1820. Moved to Delaware Township, Mercer Co...

View Full Bio
.
1

William Law was designated a counselor in the First Presidency in January 1841. (See Revelation, 19 Jan. 1841 [D&C 124:126].)


The
clerk

1 Oct. 1811–27 Aug. 1841. Clerk, editor. Born in Great Driffield, Yorkshire, England. Methodist. Immigrated to Upper Canada, 1834. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Parley P. Pratt, May 1836, in Upper Canada. Ordained an elder by...

View Full Bio
was then called upon to read the report of the First Presidency, which was read.
2

See Report of the First Presidency to the Church, ca. 7 Apr. 1841.


On motion. Resolved that the report be printed in the Times and Seasons.
3

The report was published in “Report of the First Presidency,” Times and Seasons, 15 Apr. 1841, 2:384–386.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

Pres. [Sidney] Rigdon

19 Feb. 1793–14 July 1876. Tanner, farmer, minister. Born at St. Clair, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania. Son of William Rigdon and Nancy Gallaher. Joined United Baptists, ca. 1818. Preached at Warren, Trumbull Co., Ohio, and vicinity, 1819–1821. Married Phebe...

View Full Bio
arose and stated, that in consequence of his weakness from his labors of yesterday, he would call upon Gen.
J[ohn] C. Bennett

3 Aug. 1804–5 Aug. 1867. Physician, minister, poultry breeder. Born at Fairhaven, Bristol Co., Massachusetts. Son of John Bennett and Abigail Cook. Moved to Marietta, Washington Co., Ohio, 1808; to Massachusetts, 1812; and back to Marietta, 1822. Married ...

View Full Bio
to officiate in his place.
4

Rigdon, known for being a skilled orator, was a featured speaker at the cornerstone ceremony the previous day. The Western World reported that Rigdon “officiated at the laying of the chief corner stone, and addressed the assembly in a very energetic manner in a speech of about an hour’s length.” The church’s newspaper reported that Rigdon spoke to the large audience, even though he was in “feeble health.” (“The Mormons,” Western World [Warsaw, IL], 7 Apr. 1841, [3]; “Celebration of the Aniversary of the Church,” Times and Seasons, 15 Apr. 1841, 2:376.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Western World. Warsaw, IL. 1840–1841.

Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

Gen. Bennett

3 Aug. 1804–5 Aug. 1867. Physician, minister, poultry breeder. Born at Fairhaven, Bristol Co., Massachusetts. Son of John Bennett and Abigail Cook. Moved to Marietta, Washington Co., Ohio, 1808; to Massachusetts, 1812; and back to Marietta, 1822. Married ...

View Full Bio
then read the revelations from “The Book of the Law of the Lord,” which had been received since the last general Conference,
5

The previous general conference was held in October 1840. Between then and 7 April 1841, three revelations were dictated and recorded in the Book of the Law of the Lord. (See Minutes, 3–5 Oct. 1840; Revelation, 19 Jan. 1841 [D&C 124]; Revelation, ca. Early Mar. 1841 [D&C 125]; and Revelation, 20 Mar. 1841.)


in relation to writing a proclamation to the kings of the earth,
6

A revelation dictated by JS on 19 January 1841 declared that a “proclamation shall be made to all the Kings of the world, to the four corners thereof; to the Honorable President Elect, and the high minded Governors of the nation in which you live, and to all the nations of the earth, scattered abroad.” JS worked with Robert B. Thompson to produce a draft of a proclamation prior to Thompson’s death in August 1841. (Revelation, 19 Jan. 1841 [D&C 124:3]; Proclamation, between 19 Jan. and 27 Aug. 1841.)


building a
Temple

Located in portion of Nauvoo known as the bluff. JS revelation dated Jan. 1841 commanded Saints to build temple and hotel (Nauvoo House). Cornerstone laid, 6 Apr. 1841. Saints volunteered labor, money, and other resources for temple construction. Construction...

More Info
in
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
, the organization of the church &c.
7

The minutes here point to the 19 January 1841 revelation, which included direction to build the temple and the Nauvoo House. William Clayton wrote in his journal that a March 1841 revelation concerning the settlements in Iowa Territory was also read and explained during this April conference. (Revelation, 19 Jan. 1841 [D&C 124]; Clayton, Diary, 8 Apr. 1841; Revelation, ca. Early Mar. 1841 [D&C 125].)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Clayton, William. Diary, Vol. 1, 1840–1842. BYU.

Pres. Jos. Smith rose and made some observations in explanation of the same, and likewise of the necessity which existed of building the
Temple

Located in portion of Nauvoo known as the bluff. JS revelation dated Jan. 1841 commanded Saints to build temple and hotel (Nauvoo House). Cornerstone laid, 6 Apr. 1841. Saints volunteered labor, money, and other resources for temple construction. Construction...

More Info
, that the saiints might have a suitable place for worshiping the Almighty, and also the building of the
Nauvoo Boarding House

Located in lower portion of Nauvoo (the flats) along bank of Mississippi River. JS revelation, dated 19 Jan. 1841, instructed Saints to build boardinghouse for travelers and immigrants. Construction of planned three-story building to be funded by fifty-dollar...

More Info
, that suitable accomodations might be afforded for the strangers who might visit this
city

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
.
8

See Revelation, 19 Jan. 1841 [D&C 124:23–40, 56–61].


The choir sung a hymn, and the meeting adjourned for one hour.
Conference met pursuant to adjournment and was called to order by Pres.
W. Law

8 Sept. 1809–12/19 Jan. 1892. Merchant, millwright, physician. Born in Co. Tyrone, Ireland. Son of Richard Law and Ann Hunter. Immigrated to U.S. and settled in Springfield Township, Mercer Co., Pennsylvania, by 1820. Moved to Delaware Township, Mercer Co...

View Full Bio
.
The choir sung a hymn, and Pres’t.
W[illiam] Marks

15 Nov. 1792–22 May 1872. Farmer, printer, publisher, postmaster. Born at Rutland, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of Cornell (Cornwall) Marks and Sarah Goodrich. Married first Rosannah R. Robinson, 2 May 1813. Lived at Portage, Allegany Co., New York, where he...

View Full Bio
addressed the throne of grace.
Gen. Bennett

3 Aug. 1804–5 Aug. 1867. Physician, minister, poultry breeder. Born at Fairhaven, Bristol Co., Massachusetts. Son of John Bennett and Abigail Cook. Moved to Marietta, Washington Co., Ohio, 1808; to Massachusetts, 1812; and back to Marietta, 1822. Married ...

View Full Bio
, read the charters granted by the Legislature of this state for incorporating the “City of
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
,” the “
Nauvoo Legion

A contingent of the Illinois state militia provided for in the Nauvoo city charter. The Nauvoo Legion was organized into two cohorts: one infantry and one cavalry. Each cohort could potentially comprise several thousand men and was overseen by a brigadier...

View Glossary
,” “The University of the City of Nauvoo,”
9

A proclamation sent to all members of the church on 15 January 1841 detailed the purposes of these institutions: “The ‘Nauvoo Legion,’ embraces all our military power, and will enable us to perform our military duty by ourselves, and thus afford us the power, and privilege, of avoiding one of the most fruitful sources of strife, oppression, and collision with the world. It will enable us to show our attachment to the state and nation as a people, whenever the public service requires our aid—thus proving ourselves obedient to the paramount laws of the land, and ready at all times to sustain and execute them. The ‘University of the City of Nauvoo,’ will enable us to teach our children wisdom—to instruct them in all knowledge, and learning, in the Arts, Sciences and Learned Professions. We hope to make this institution one of the great lights of the world, and by and through it, to diffuse that kind of knowledge which will be of practical utility, and for the public good, and also for private and individual happiness.” (Proclamation, 15 Jan. 1841.)


“The Agricultural and Manufactoring Association” & for the “
Nauvoo House Association

A corporation established in February 1841 to oversee the building of the Nauvoo House. A 19 January 1841 JS revelation included a commandment to construct a boardinghouse for visitors to Nauvoo that would also serve as a home for JS and his family. The association...

View Glossary
.”
10

For more on the Nauvoo House Association and its charter, see Agreement with William Law, 26 Apr. 1841.


On Motion; Resolved; That the charters now read be received by the Church.
Carried unanimously.
Pres’t.
D. C. [Don Carlos] Smith

25 Mar. 1816–7 Aug. 1841. Farmer, printer, editor. Born at Norwich, Windsor Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Palmyra, Ontario Co., New York, 1816–Jan. 1817. Moved to Manchester, Ontario Co., 1825. Baptized into Church of Jesus...

View Full Bio
arose and gave an exhortation to the assembly.
Gen.
J. C. Bennett

3 Aug. 1804–5 Aug. 1867. Physician, minister, poultry breeder. Born at Fairhaven, Bristol Co., Massachusetts. Son of John Bennett and Abigail Cook. Moved to Marietta, Washington Co., Ohio, 1808; to Massachusetts, 1812; and back to Marietta, 1822. Married ...

View Full Bio
, then spoke at some length on the present situation, prospects, and condition of the church, and remarked that the hand of God must indeed be visible, in accomplishing the great blessings and prosperity of the [p. 386]
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Page 386

Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Minutes, 7–11 April 1841
ID #
8320
Total Pages
3
Print Volume Location
JSP, D8:109–116
Handwriting on This Page
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Footnotes

  1. [1]

    William Law was designated a counselor in the First Presidency in January 1841. (See Revelation, 19 Jan. 1841 [D&C 124:126].)

  2. [2]

    See Report of the First Presidency to the Church, ca. 7 Apr. 1841.

  3. [3]

    The report was published in “Report of the First Presidency,” Times and Seasons, 15 Apr. 1841, 2:384–386.

    Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

  4. [4]

    Rigdon, known for being a skilled orator, was a featured speaker at the cornerstone ceremony the previous day. The Western World reported that Rigdon “officiated at the laying of the chief corner stone, and addressed the assembly in a very energetic manner in a speech of about an hour’s length.” The church’s newspaper reported that Rigdon spoke to the large audience, even though he was in “feeble health.” (“The Mormons,” Western World [Warsaw, IL], 7 Apr. 1841, [3]; “Celebration of the Aniversary of the Church,” Times and Seasons, 15 Apr. 1841, 2:376.)

    Western World. Warsaw, IL. 1840–1841.

    Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

  5. [5]

    The previous general conference was held in October 1840. Between then and 7 April 1841, three revelations were dictated and recorded in the Book of the Law of the Lord. (See Minutes, 3–5 Oct. 1840; Revelation, 19 Jan. 1841 [D&C 124]; Revelation, ca. Early Mar. 1841 [D&C 125]; and Revelation, 20 Mar. 1841.)

  6. [6]

    A revelation dictated by JS on 19 January 1841 declared that a “proclamation shall be made to all the Kings of the world, to the four corners thereof; to the Honorable President Elect, and the high minded Governors of the nation in which you live, and to all the nations of the earth, scattered abroad.” JS worked with Robert B. Thompson to produce a draft of a proclamation prior to Thompson’s death in August 1841. (Revelation, 19 Jan. 1841 [D&C 124:3]; Proclamation, between 19 Jan. and 27 Aug. 1841.)

  7. [7]

    The minutes here point to the 19 January 1841 revelation, which included direction to build the temple and the Nauvoo House. William Clayton wrote in his journal that a March 1841 revelation concerning the settlements in Iowa Territory was also read and explained during this April conference. (Revelation, 19 Jan. 1841 [D&C 124]; Clayton, Diary, 8 Apr. 1841; Revelation, ca. Early Mar. 1841 [D&C 125].)

    Clayton, William. Diary, Vol. 1, 1840–1842. BYU.

  8. [8]

    See Revelation, 19 Jan. 1841 [D&C 124:23–40, 56–61].

  9. [9]

    A proclamation sent to all members of the church on 15 January 1841 detailed the purposes of these institutions: “The ‘Nauvoo Legion,’ embraces all our military power, and will enable us to perform our military duty by ourselves, and thus afford us the power, and privilege, of avoiding one of the most fruitful sources of strife, oppression, and collision with the world. It will enable us to show our attachment to the state and nation as a people, whenever the public service requires our aid—thus proving ourselves obedient to the paramount laws of the land, and ready at all times to sustain and execute them. The ‘University of the City of Nauvoo,’ will enable us to teach our children wisdom—to instruct them in all knowledge, and learning, in the Arts, Sciences and Learned Professions. We hope to make this institution one of the great lights of the world, and by and through it, to diffuse that kind of knowledge which will be of practical utility, and for the public good, and also for private and individual happiness.” (Proclamation, 15 Jan. 1841.)

  10. [10]

    For more on the Nauvoo House Association and its charter, see Agreement with William Law, 26 Apr. 1841.

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