5 A motion to accept the revelation prevailed, and further action was then deferred until the next day. Elder William Aldrich tendered his resignation as Bishop's counselor, and it was accepted.
In the afternoon of the 9th, after a lengthy and animated discussion, the following resolution was adopted:
Whereas, The String Prairie and Nauvoo District conference has at its last session, as published in the Herald, adopted a resolution expressive of their opinion, to the effect that none had a legal right to vote on the business before the body except the elders, or Melchisedec priesthood; and whereas, The General Conference of 1868, resolved, and decided affirmatively, "That all private members, male and female, have a right to vote upon all questions that may be brought before the General Conference;" it is hereby
Resolved, That this conference considers the action of the String Prairie and Nauvoo District conference, on the suffrage question, premature, and disrespectful to the entire body, and that said conference is hereby respectfully requested to reconsider and rescind said resolution at their next quarterly conference session.-The Saints' Herald, vol. 20, p. 288.
The next day the revelation was acted upon by sections and the several ordinations provided for. Bishop Rogers chose as his counselors Elders Elijah Banta and David Dancer. The following is the record on the ordination service:
servants Joseph Lakeman, Glaud Rodger, John T. Davies, and John S. Patterson be also appointed as witnesses of the seventy before me.
9. Until such time as the quorum of the twelve shall be filled, the decision of that quorum, a unanimous decision, shall be accounted final, as if such quorum were filled, according to my law as given in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants. And until such time as the quorum of the seventy shall be filled, their decision, if unanimous and agreeing with that of the quorum of the twelve, shall be considered the same as if the quorum were filled.
10. It is expedient that the bishop of my church shall choose two counselors, and that they be ordained to their office as my law directs, that there may be henceforth no caviling among my people. The bishop of my church may also choose and appoint bishop's agents, until it shall be wisdom in me to ordain other bishops, in the districts and large branches of my church.
11. It is not expedient in me that there shall be any stakes appointed until I command my people. When it shall be necessary I will command that they be established. Let my commandments to gather into the regions round about, and the counsel of the elders of my church guide in this matter until it shall be otherwise given of me.
12. Behold, if my servants and my handmaidens, of the different organizations for good among my people, shall continue in righteousness, they shall be blessed, even as they bless others of the household of faith.
13. Let contentions and quarrelings among you cease. Sustain each other in peace, and ye shall be blessed with my Spirit, in comforting and strengthening you for my work.
14. It is not expedient that I command you further at this time; but be ye diligent, wise, and faithful doing all things with an eye single for the glory of your God, and the good of his people. Thus saith the Lord. Amen.
(page 5) |