| 412 Europe and indorsed [endorsed] by action of the General Conference of the church in America.
"That the necessities of the church require the publication of a series of tracts, for distribution.
"That the necessities of the church require the establishment of a church library."-True Latter Day Saints' Herald, vol. 7, p. 127.
At this conference the Publishing Committee was released, and President Joseph Smith was appointed to take charge of the publishing and editorial department of the Herald, and of all church publications.
A vote of thanks was tendered to Isaac Sheen "for his unceasing efforts in the editorial department of the Herald."
We are particular to quote all important business done at the General Conference because it has more official significance than business done in local conferences; and some things done at these conferences have an important connection with future action, as will appear in its place.
At the time of holding the General Conference a conference was held at Salt Lake City. The minutes show the work in good condition and prospering. Local conferences were of frequent occurrence in those days, as districts were becoming quite numerous, and most of them held their conferences every three months. To speak of them all, and to speak in detail of the business done by them, would render our work too voluminous. So from this time we will mention only such items as seem to be of general interest.
On May 1, 1865, President Joseph Smith took charge of the Herald editorially and otherwise, as provided for by the action of the Annual Conference. The following is his salutatory.
"In taking charge of the editorial department of the Herald, I am acting in accordance with the expressed wish of the saints, and in so doing am entitled to their faith, their prayers, and their upholding in righteousness, in love and in peace.
"I am by no means unaware of my want of ability, of my lack of qualifications, nor yet of the arduousness of the
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