Conference Minutes.[1]

Conference met pursuant to appointment, on Saturday the 6th of April, 1844.

Present, President Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith, Sidney Rigdon and William Marks.

Of the Twelve, Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Willard Richards, Wilford Woodruff, John Taylor, and George A. Smith.

The members of the High Council, an immense number of elders, and an innumerable concourse of people

Saturday, April 6, 1844.

Presidents Joseph and Hyrum Smith came to the stand at 1/4 past 10 o'clock when the meeting was called to order by elder Brigham Young. The choir sung a hymn, after which President Joseph Smith rose to state to the congregation the nature of the business which would have to come before them. He stated that it had been expected by some that the little petty difficulties which have existed, would be brought up and investigated before this conference, but it will not be the case; these things are of too trivial a nature to occupy the attention of so large a body. I intend to give you some instruction on the principles of eternal truth, but will defer it until others have spoken, in consequence of the weakness of my lungs. The elders will give you instruction, and then, (if necessary) will offer such corrections as may be proper to fill up the interstices. Those who feel desirous of sowing the seeds of discord will be disappointed, on this occasion. It is our purpose to build up, and establish the principles of righteousness, and not to break down and destroy. The great Jehovah has ever been with me, and the wisdom of God will direct me in the seventh hour; I feel in closer communion, and better standing with God than ever I felt before in my life, and I am glad of this opportunity to appear in your midst. I thank God for the glorious day that he has given us. In as large a congregation, it is necessary that the greatest order and decorum be observed; I request this at your hands, and believe that you will all keep good order.

William Clayton Report

10 1/2 A. M.

Pres. Joseph & Hyrum came to the stand Meeting called to order by Er B. Young

The choir sung an Hymn after which Pres. Joseph Smith arose to state to the congregation the business which would have to come before them. It had been expected that the little petty difficulties which had existed would be brought up, but it would not be the case. He intended to give them some instruction on the principles of eternal truth but would defer it untill the last in consequences of the weakness of his lungs. The Elders would give instruction and then if necessary he would offer such corrections as might be necessary to fill the interstices. Those who wanted to sow the seeds of discord will be disapointed for the wisdom of God will direct him in the seventh hour He feels in closer communion and better standing with God than ever before in his life. He was glad of the opportunity 10 appear in their midst. He thanked God for the glorious day that God had given us. He believe they will keep good order.

Joseph Smith Diary, by Willard Richards

I made a few introductory remarks to an immense number of the saints assembled on the 14th Anniversary of Church in the grove 1/4 miles east of the temple on young St—10 A M. weather warm. brisk air from the south.—

Wilford Woodruff Diary

Conference assembled at 10, oclock AM April 6 President (B. Young, Called the Conference to order. (President Joseph Smith Said He Should not occupy time in Speaking of any difficulties that might have occured in our midst, Said He was not a fallen prophet, & never in any nearer relationship to God than at the present time, & would show before the Conferen[ce] closed that God was with him.) [2]

Willard Richards Diary

Special [meeting] at the stand 1/4 m E [of] Temple.

—6 April 1844

Notes

[1] See History of the Church, 6:287-88. Not in Teachings. The original source for the History of the Church account is Times and Seasons (1 May 1844), and it appears that the Times and Seasons report is based on William Clayton's minutes of the Prophet's remarks. The accounts of the Prophet's brief remarks on this occasion in the Joseph Smith Diary, the Wilford Woodruff Diary, and the Willard Richards Diary are here published for the first time.

[2] The Prophet is here alluding to a vocal group of apostates, headed by William Law, that accused Joseph Smith of being a fallen prophet. They specifically opposed his teachings on the plurality of Gods, priesthood sealings, and plural marriage.