| 238 The following elders reported: James Blakeslee, Andrew Cairnes, Samuel Powers, Z. E. Gurley, Sen., J. W. Briggs, and E. C. Briggs.
Samuel Powers and H. W. Pomeroy, the committee appointed to visit Zarahemla, reported that all or nearly all desired to retain their membership in the church.
A call was made for means, which was responded to by the donation of $62.75. It was ordered that this amount be applied to pay the expense of Elders Blair and Briggs on their western mission, and to the payment of certain debts already contracted.
The Semiannual Conference of 1859 was held October 6-10, in the grain barn of Israel L. Rogers, in Kendall County, Illinois. Elder Z. E. Gurley, Sen., presided, and Elders James Blakeslee and William W. Blair were appointed clerks.
Elder W. W. Blair reported the mission of himself and Elder E. C. Briggs west. They represented the following branches: Franklin branch, in Decatur County, Iowa, composed of eighteen members; David Hall presiding elder, Van Buren Hale priest, Benjamin Harding teacher, and Elijah Hall deacon. Little River branch, in Decatur County, Iowa, composed of twenty members; George Morey presiding elder. Union Grove branch, in Pottawattamie County, Iowa; David Jones presiding elder, composed of twenty two members. The most of these members and many others were baptized by Elders Blair and Briggs. Elder Blair reported leaving Elder Briggs at Manti, Iowa, where Elder Calvin Beebe expected to join him and labor with him. Elder Blair stated that their "mission was highly successful."
Reports were also made by Elders Z. H. Gurley, Sen., A. M. Wilsey, Edwin Cadwell, William Marks, Dwight Webster, W. D. Morton, and James Blakeslee.
It was "resolved that this church publish a monthly church paper and continue it for six months." This was the resolution under which The True Latter Day Saints' Herald was launched upon the literary sea in the following January. Its publication was begun at
(page 238) |
