1840 11 15 Times and Seasons Minutes of Conference

From the Times and Seasons 15 November 1840, pg 215-217

Conference Minutes

Minutes of a Conference of Elders and members, of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints, held in the City of Philadelphia, Saturday, October 17th, 1840.

According to a previous appointment, the Conference convened at the Latter Day Saints Hall, on Third street above Willow, at 10 o'clock in the morning.

Thirteen Elders and five Priests being present, and a large concourse of Saints in Philadelphia, and from branches in the surrounding country being assembled. Elder O. Hyde of the quorum of the twelve being present, was unanimously chosen President, and L. Barnes, appointed Clerk of the Conference.

The Conference was opened with singing by the congregation, and reading a portion of the word of God, and prayer by the president.

Some material skipped that was not relevant to New York City

Elder George J. Adams represented the church in New York--in a flourishing condition. He stated that 3 places for regular preaching were now established in that city, and their prospects were never better before, nor as good, as at the present time; and that according to the best of his knowledge the church in New York, including 10 Elders, now numbers over 200 members.

Elder Adams also represented the church in Brooklyn, L. I. in a flourishing condition, consisting of 19 members, including 1 priest, 1 teacher, and 1 deacon. Also the church in Hempstead, L. I. in the care of Elder Lane, consisting of 50 members.

Elder Adams also represented 3 other small branches of the church in Monmouth co. N. J. under the care of Elder J. G. Divine. One in Shrewsbury, containing 16 members. One at Keysport and Granville, numbering 13; including 1 deacon: and the other at Shirk river of 6 members, including 1 deacon (35 in all.) The last 2 branches named, having been built up since April last by Elder Divine. He stated that 7 had lately been baptized in the city of Newark, N. J; and gave a very glowing and cheering description of the spread of the work of God in the regions round about New York. He estated that he had preached to 5,000 persons at one time in the city of Newark, N. J., who listened with attention and apparent admiration and surprise to the everlasting gospel--and to use his own words, "the work of God was flourishing gloriously--the Macedonian cry was general; not to come over to Macedonia, but to come over to Brooklyn--and over on Long Island--come over to Elizabethtown--and to Newark, and to Jersey city, and lest us hear the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ proclaimed."

Whole number represented by Elder Adams, 311.

Some material skipped that was not relevant to New York City