Times and Seasons 2 (15 October 1841): 576-77 [1]

P.M. Pres. Joseph Smith opened by calling on the choir to sing a Hymn—sung 18th Hymn. [2] The President then read a letter from Br. O. Hyde giving an account of his journeys and success in his mission, [3] which was listened to with intense interest; and the conference, by vote, expressed their approbation of the style and spirit of said letter. The President then made remarks on the inclemency of the weather and the uncomfortable situation of the saints with regard to a place of worship, and a place of public entertainment [4]….

Br. L Wight then addressed the conference on the importance of order and uniformity of instruction, and, of unanimity of effort to spread the work of the kingdom. Pres. Joseph Smith then made some corrections of doctrine in quoting a passage from 1 Cor. 12, 28 [5] showing it to be a principle of order or gradation in rising from one office to another in the Priesthood.

—2 October 1841

Notes

[1] See History of the Church, 4:424. Not in Teachings. The History of the Church entry is based on the Times and Seasons account. The following remarks were made at the October 1841 General Conference of the Church.

[2] The hymn sung was "Jesus from Whom All Blessings Flow."

[3] Orson Hyde had been sent by the Prophet to Jerusalem to dedicate the land of Palestine for the return of the Jews.

[4] A reference to the Prophet's desire to build the Nauvoo Temple and Nauvoo House.

[5] At a previous conference (see 16 July 1841) the Prophet Joseph announced a significant increase of authority that the Twelve Apostles were to exercise. In citing this passage of scripture, he seemed to reinforce this new development: "And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers."