1841 02 01 Times and Seasons Conference Minutes

From the Times and Seasons 1 February 1841, pg 306-307

Conference Minutes

Minutes of a Conference held in the city of New York, on the 4th of December, 1840.

At a Conference meeting, of the branch of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the city of New York, held at the house of Elder G. J. Adams agreeable to previous appointment, on the evening of December 4th, 1840. Elder Orson Hyde was unanimously chosen Chairman of the meeting, and Elder L. R. Foster, Clerk.

The meeting was opened by singing, �Guide us O, thou great Jehovah,� &c. and by the President addressing the throne of grace.

The President then read from Rev. 2nd chap. 12th verse, and onward: after a few preliminary remarks the President proceded to give his reasons for believing that the spirit which had been manifested among us, since the coming of Elder Sidney Roberts, was not from the Lord.

The items objected to are having a revelation that a certain brother must give him a suit of clothes, and a gold watch, the best that could be had; also, saluting the sisters with what he calls a holy kiss, taking them on his lap, and putting his arms around them, &c.

After concluding, the President invited Elder G. W. Harris to speak on the subject, he declined, but afterwards did speak.

The accused, Sidney Roberts, answered for himself, he spoke at some length, and attempted to justify himself concerning these things; after remarks by several brethren, the President proposed that if he would confess his transgressions, he might retain his membership, but that his license must be demanded. He arose and stated that he knew the revelations which he had spoken were from God, and that he had no confession to make, whereupon the Conference cut him off from the church, and demanded his license, which he refused to give up.

Resolved, That a copy of these minutes be forwarded to Nauvoo, and one to Mr. Burr Tomlinson, Oxford, Zoar Bridge, Conn.

Elder Robert C. Arnold, of Oxford, the companion of Mr. Roberts, renounced the spirit manifested by said Roberts, and acknowledged that he was righteously cut off.

ORSON HYDE. Chairman.

L. R. Foster, Clerk.