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Letter from Brigham Young to the Saints in the United States of America reporting his work performed in the British Isles including conference proceedings and some personal remarks to the First Presidency and subsequently reprinted in Times and Seasons, Vol.1, p.119-122 Times and Seasons, Vol.1, p.119-122
FROM ENGLAND.
Preston, April 17th, 1840
TO THE SAINTS IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
For the comfort of the church in general in that country, I attempt to address a few lines to you, to let you know where we are, and what we are doing in this country; the work of the Lord is progressing here, and has been ever since Eld’s. O. Hyde and H. C. Kimball left this country: according to the account that the Elders give of their labors, there have been about eight of nine hundred baptized since they left. The gospel is spreading, the devils are roaring; as nigh as I can learn, the priests are howling, the tares they are binding up, the wheat is gathering, and nations are trembling, and kingdoms are tottering: “men‘s hearts are failing them for fear, and for looking for those things that are coming on the earth.“ The poor among men are rejoicing in the Lord, and the meek do increase their joy: the hearts of the wicked wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived, but I rejoice that I am counted worthy to be one of the number to carry salvation to the poor and meek of the earth. Brethren, I want to say many things, but I shall not have room on this paper, as I design giving the minutes of our conferences below. After a long and tedious journey of 28 days on the water we landed in Liverpool: Eld’s. H. C. Kimball, P. P. Pratt, O. Pratt, G. A. Smith, R. Hadlock, and myself were in company; we rejoiced in the Lord, and when we cast our minds upon the saints in that country, we could by faith participate in their joys; realizing they were met in conference, it being the 6th day of April. We soon found a room that we could have to ourselves, which made our solemn assembly glorious: we blest each other and prepared for our labor. The next day we found Elder Taylor in the city; there had been about 30 baptized. On Wednesday went to Preston, met with the church on Sunday, bore testimony of the things the Lord is doing in these last days. President Joseph Fielding gave out an appointment for a conference, for the church on Wednesday the 15th. At council of the Twelve, held in Preston, Lancashire, England, on the 14th of April, 1840, it being the 9th day of the 1st month, of the 11th year, of the rise of the church of Jesus Christ. Elders Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, P. P. Pratt, Orson Pratt, Wilford Woodruff, John Taylor, & George A. Smith being present. Elder Brigham Young was called to preside, and Elder John Taylor chosen secretary: the council was opened by prayer by Elder B. Young. Elder Willard Richards was ordained to the office of an apostle, and received into the quorum of the Twelve by a unanimous voice, according to previous revelation: Elder Brigham Young was unanimously chosen as the standing president of the Twelve. Resolved, that he who acts as the secretary of the quorum, shall prepare the minutes of the conferences of the quorum, and deposit them in the hands of the president for keeping. Moved by Elder Kimball, and seconded by Elder Richards, that twenty of the Seventies be sent for, and that it be left discretionary with the president or the Twelve, to send for more if he think proper: conference adjourned, was closed by prayer by Elder Kimball.
At a general Conference of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, held in the Temperance Hall, Preston, Lancashire, England, on the 15th of April, 1840.
President Joseph Fielding called upon Elder Kimball to preside, and Elder Wm. Clayton chosen clerk, it being the 10th day of the first month, of the 11th year of the rise of the church: the meeting was opened by singing and prayer by Elder Kimball. p.120 Elder Kimball then called upon the to represent the different branches of the church.
Elder Joseph Fielding represented the church in Preston, consisting of about 300 members, 7 elders, 8 priests, 6 Teachers, and 2 deacons. Elder Peter Melling represented the church in Penworthian, consisting of 73 members, 3 elders, 1 priest, 2 teachers, 1 deacon. Elder Wm. Garner represented the church at Longton, consisting of 51 members, 2 elders, 4 priests 2 teachers. Joseph Jackson represented the church at Southport, consisting of 20 members, 1 priest, 1 teacher. Elder John Moon rep‘d. the church at Dunbury Lane and neighborhood, members generally in good standing, consisting of 54 members, 1 elder, 2 priests, 3 teachers. Richard Benson represented the church at Hunters Hill and neighborhood, consisting of 17 member;, 1 elder, 1 priest, I teacher. Elder Amos Fielding represented the church at Heskin, consisting of 3 members, 1 elder. Elder Amos Fielding represented the church at Bolton, consisting of 60 members, 1 elder, 2 priests, 2 teachers. Elder Amos Fielding represented the church at Ratliff, consisting of 10 members. -- Elder Withnal represented the church at Whittle, consisting of 18 members, 1 elder, 4 priests. Elder Francis Clark represented the church at Ribchester, consisting of 25 members, 2 elders, 1 priest. Elder Thomas Richardson represented the church at Burnley, consisting of 24 members, generally in good standing, 1 priest, 1 teacher. Elder Francis Moon rep’d. the church at Blackburn, consisting of 15 members, 1 priest. Elder James Smithies rep‘d. the church at Chaighly and Thornley, consisting of 29 members, 2 elders, 1 priest, 1 teacher, 1 deacon. Pr’t. John Ellison rep‘d. the church at Waddington, consisting of 50 members, 2 priests, 2 teachers, 1 deacon. Elder Thomas Smith rep’d. the church at Clithero, consisting of 27 members, 1 elder, 3 priests. Elder Thomas Smith rep‘d. the church at Chatburn, consisting of 84 members, 1 elder, 2 priests, 2 teachers, 1 deacon. Elder Thomas Smith rep’d. the church at Downham, consisting of 20 members, 1 teacher, 1 deacon. Elder Thomas Smith rep‘d. the church at Grindleton, consisting of 5 members. Elder Wm. Clayton represented the church at Manchester, consisting of 240 members, 3 elders, 5 priests, 4 teachers, 1 deacon. Elder Wm. Clayton rep’d. the church at Stockport, consisting of 40 members, 1 priest, 2 teachers, 1 deacon. Elder Wm. Clayton rep‘d. the church at Peover and Macclesfield, consisting of 30 members, 3 priests. Elder Wm. Clayton rep’d. the church at Duckinesfield, consisting of 30 members, 1 priest. Elder Wm. Clayton represented the church at Altrinecham, consisting of 8 members, 1 priest, 1 teacher. Elder Wm. Clayton rep‘d. the church at Middlewich, consisting of 6 members. Elder David Wilding represented the church at Bury and Elton, consisting of 12 members. Elder Wilford Woodruff rep’d. the church at the Potteries, consisting of 110 members, 1 elder, 2 priests, 4 teachers, 1 deacon. Elder Wilford Woodruff rep‘d. the church at Herefordshier, consisting of 160 members, 1 elder, 2 priests; about 40 of them were methodist preachers of the of the United Brethren. Elder John Taylor rep’d. the church at Liverpool, consisting of 25 members. Elder Joseph Fielding rep‘d. the church at Alston, Cumberland, consisting of 40 members, 2 elders, 2 priests, 2 teachers. Elder W. Richards rep’d. the church at Brampton, consisting of 30 members, 1 elder, 1 priest. Elder W. Richards rep‘d. the church at Bedford, consisting of 40 members, 1 elder, 1 priest. -- Elder W. Richards rep’d. the church at Scotland, consisting of 21 members, 3 elders. The meeting was then adjourned for one hour.
The conference again assembled at half past 10 o‘clock, meeting opened by prayer and business commenced. p.121
Elder John Moon rep’d the church at Layland, Moss, consisting of 6 members, 1 priest. Elder Willard Richards having previously been ordained into the quorum of the Twelve, according to previous revelation; it was moved by elder Young. and seconded by elder Taylor, that elder Hyram Clark be appointed as a counselor to elder Fielding, in the place of elder Richards: carried unanimous. Moved by elder Fielding, seconded by elder Young, that a Hymn book should be published, carried. Moved and sec‘d. that the publishing of the Hymn book, shall be by the direction of the Twelve, carried. Moved and sec’d. that a monthly periodical shall be published under the direction & superintendance of the Twelve; for the benefit and information of the church, as soon as a sufficient number of subscribers shall be obtained, carried. Moved and sec‘d. that brother John Blazard of Sambsbury, be ordained to the office of a priest, carried. Moved and sec’d. that bro. James Corbridge of Thornly, be ordained to the office of a Priest, carried Elder Kimball then laid before the conference, the importance and propriety of ordaining a Patriarch, to be. stow Patriarchal blessings on the fatherless, &c. referred to the Twelve, whose business it is to select one and ordain him according to the directions of the Spirit.
After various remarks and addresses being given by the elders, President Fielding and his counselors proceeded to ordain bro‘s. Bleazard and Corbridge to their offices as stated above.
Elder Kimball then called upon the clerk to read over the minutes of the conference, which being done they were received by the unanimous voice of the conference.
Moved by elder Young, and sec’d. by elder P. P. Pratt, that this conference be adjourned until the 6th of July next to be held in Preston, at 10 o‘clock A. M. carried: meeting then adjourned.
H. C. KIMBALL Pres’t.
Wm. Clayton Clerk.
The council met pursuant to adjournment, April 16th, 1840. The number of the Quorum the same as on the 14th. Moved by elder Young, sec‘d. by elder Taylor, that elder P. P. Pratt be chosen as the Editor of the monthly periodical for the Church. Moved by elder Kimball, sec’d. by P. P. Pratt, that a committee of three be appointed to make a selection of Hymns. Moved by elder Orson Pratt and sec‘d. by elder Wilford Woodruff, that elders Brigham Young, P. P. Pratt, and John Taylor form the committee for that purpose. Moved by elder Willard Richards sec’d. by elder G. A. Smith, that the name of the paper, or periodical be the “Latter Day Saints Millenial Star.“ Moved by elder Brigham Young, sec‘d. by elder O. Pratt, that the size of the paper, its plan and price be left at the disposal of the Editor. Moved by elder B. Young, sec’d. by elder H. C. Kimball, that the Saints receive a recommend to the church in America, to move in small or large bodies inasmuch as they desire to emigrate to that new country. Moved by elder B. Young, sec‘d. by P. P. Pratt, that we recommend no one to go to America that has money, without assisting the poor according to our counsel from time to time.
Moved by elder J. Taylor, sec’d. by elder P. P. Pratt, that the copy right of the book of doctrine and Covenants, and the book of Mormon be secured as quick as possible. Moved by elder Woodruff, sec‘d. by elder Richards, that elder B. Young, H. C. Kimball and P. P. Pratt, be the committee to secure the copy right.
Moved by H. C. Kimball, and sec’d. by elder W. Richards, that elder Peter Melling be ordained as an evangelical minister in Preston.
Moved by elder H. C. Kimball that the twelve meet here on the 6th of July next, sec‘d. by elder W. Woodruff and carried.
Moved by elder W. Richards, and sec’d, by elder W. Woodruff, the Editor of the periodical, keep an account of all the receipt and expenditures connected with the printing, general expenses, &c. and the books at all times be open for the inspection of the council: the above resolutions was unanimously adopted. The conference closed by prayer.
JOHN TAYLOR Clerk. p.122 To Pres‘t. Joseph Smith and counselors: dear brethren, you no doubt will have the perusal of this letter, and minutes of our conferences; this will give you an idea of what we are doing in this country. If you see any thing in, or about the whole affair, that is not right: I ask, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that you would make known unto us the mind of the Lord, and his will concerning us. I believe that I am as willing to do the will of the Lord, and take counsel of my brethren, and be a servant of the church, as ever I was in my life; but I can tell you, I would like to be with my old I like new friends, but I cannot part with my old one’s for them.
Concerning the Hymn book, when we arrived here, we found the brethren had laid by their old Hymn books, and they wanted new ones; for the bible religion, and all is new to them. When I come to learn more about carrying books into the States, or bringing them here, I found the duties were so high that we never should want to bring books to the States. * * I request one favor of you, that is, a letter form you, that I may hear from my old friends. I trust that I will remain your friend through life, and in eternity.
As ever,
BRIGHAM YOUNG. |
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