| 230 plan proposed by H. E. Deam, in the January previous. . . . Their platform, so to speak, had but two planks in it,-'rebaptism' and a 'perfect organization' of the First Presidency. The former they made a test, and accomplished the latter by making E. H. Deam president, and Aaron Smith the first of two counselors; and they held a separate conference on the 6th of October.
"This was the darkest time that had arisen since the restoration had commenced, and threatened its progress, if not its ruin. Under these auspices the October conference of 1854 met, was very well attended, at which the position occupied upon those points was reëxamined and reaffirmed, and the schismatics disfellowshiped as a body, and E. H. Deam and J. Cunningham were expelled from the Quorum of the Twelve.
"Numerous manifestations of the Spirit were received, approving the work, and testifying that this last schismatic organization, together with the others that had arisen elsewhere, should 'cease to exist,' should 'utterly dissolve,' etc. At this conference an individual presented himself for baptism, stating that he came to us as Jesus went to John,-the greater to the lesser,-that he was 'the second coming of Christ,'-the Elijah of scripture, and Gabriel. He wore a 'leather girdle,' and carried in his hand an 'iron rod;' with the latter he was going to 'break in pieces the nations."'-The Messenger, vol. 2, pp. 29, 30, 37.
The Annual Conference for 1854 met April 6, at Zarahemla, Wisconsin. At this conference some significant business was done. The following resolution was doubtless prompted by the manifestations mentioned in the foregoing quotation from Elder Briggs:-
"Resolved, that this conference authorize the Twelve holding the highest authority in the priesthood, assembled at Zarahemla, as a council to try and examine all revelations and manifestations, that have been or may be given through any member of this church, male or female, and that such revelations or manifestations, after having been examined by this council and declared to be the
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