Latter Day Saints' Messenger and Advocate/Volume 1/Number 10/Conferences

It affords us no small consolation to witness the slow but steady increase of the church of Christ of Latter Day Saints. The fulfilment of the prophecies, and the natural evidence of the fruit of righteousness—are sufficient signs for those that believe—and we rejoice that it is yet to-day—praying that many may hearken to the everlasting gospel. We hope, knowing that great things await us in this generation; we have faith because the promises of God are sure, and we pray for the faithful laborers in the Lord's vineyard: they send us good tidings and we glory with them at the prospect before us.

"The twelve" have been blest: at their conference in Freedom, N. Y. May 22, they "Resolved that the limits of that conference should extend from Lodi, so far east as to include the branch of the church in Avon; south to the Pennsylvania line, and north to lake Ontario—to be called Freedom Conference." The representations of the numbers of the churches, were, Freedom 65 members; Rushford 28: Portage 26; Burns 30; Niagara 4; Holland and Aurora 18, who had suffered some, from the false insinuations of the enemy of righteousness. They established a conference at Lyons, N. Y. In one month they had baptized 36.

At Pillow-point, N. Y. eleven branches of the church were represented, containing in all 109 members, who, with the others above, are said to be in good standing. The conference or council at this place, tried a brother "John Elmer (who had lately joined the church) for holding doctrines and views opposed to the principles of the church of the Latter Day Saints.—When called upon, he stated that he had had many visions and revelations, and he said that the Lord had revealed to him of a certainty that he would make his second appearance within fifteen years; also that the Spirit of God often came upon him and threw him down and caused him (as he expressed it) to disfigure himself, or die the death of the righteous, and also of the wicked, and then come to life again, in the presence of others in order to convince them that he was a man of God, and had great power. He also stated that in one of his visions the Lord Jesus appeared to him personally and laid his hand upon him, and sanctified him both soul and body; and that he was now immortal, or changed, so that he would never die. He stated many other curious notions and vagaries ascribing them all to the power of God, and that he never would deny them altho' the council and the whole church should decide against them. The council endeavored to show him that he was deceived by the adversary, but to no effect. He said he had rather be excluded from the church than to give up any of his views or say they were not of God: consequently the church lifted their hands against him."

During the ministering at this place, eleven were added to the church. They held a conference at Loborough, Upper Canada, the 29th of June; the branch of the church there consists of 25 members in good standing, but much in want of the pure knowledge and doctrine of the kingdom: they think, with us, that the Messenger and Advocate is of great consequence, in giving the saints strength to maintain the cause of the Lord. Elders Henry and Jacob Wood, who had been suspended for some time, were excluded, and the church lifted their hands against them. After the conference closed they baptized three. We shall continue to pray for the twelve, that they may be with God and God with them. P.

By request, a conference will be held at New Portage, on Friday, the 4th of Sept. next. On Saturday public preaching may be expected, commencing at 9 o'clock, A. M. C.