Minutes, , OH, 11 Oct. 1831. Featured version, titled “Minutes of a conference held in Hiram Portage County Ohio Oct 11, 1831,” copied [between ca. 6 Apr. and 19 June 1838] in Minute Book 2, pp. 8–9; handwriting of ; CHL. For more complete source information, see the source note for Minute Book 2.
Historical Introduction
A of convened on 11 October 1831 in the and Alice (Elsa) Jacobs Johnson home in , Ohio, where JS and his family had recently moved. JS and other elders who traveled to in the summer of 1831 had been back in for roughly a month. Upon their return, they discovered, according to , that many members of the church had apostatized from the faith. JS held conferences of elders in September to discipline members, and this 11 October conference continued efforts to bring order to the congregations in Ohio; these efforts included appointing elders to visit the . The conference dealt with other practical matters as well, including , the scheduling of a general conference to be held later in the month, and the need for funds to support JS and and their families so that they could resume the work of Bible revision. JS’s later history explains that this 11 October meeting occurred when JS was “recommenc[ing] the translation of the Scriptures” in Hiram, with Rigdon as his scribe. Although both were staying on the Johnson farm and therefore had room and board provided, they apparently needed means so that they could devote themselves full time to this effort.
Despite these pressing practical concerns, the conference opened with general instruction, including direction on the subject of conducting meetings, a topic on which JS believed the elders needed additional instruction. Most were “ignorant” of “the ancient manner of conducting meetings,” a later JS history explains, even though members had been counseled to direct meetings “as they are led by the Holy Ghost.” Although some instruction occurred in this one-day conference, the minutes mention a meeting for the following day to continue the discussion and apply the principles.
served as clerk of the meeting. In 1838, inscribed a copy of Whitmer’s minutes into Minute Book 2.
JS History, vol. A-1, 156; Ryder, “Short History,” 3. Although JS renewed his translation work in September with John Whitmer serving as scribe, Rigdon did not begin scribing for the translation until November. (Faulring et al., Joseph Smith’s New Translation of the Bible, 67.)
Ryder, Hartwell. “A Short History of the Foundation of the Mormon Church.” Typescript. Hiram College Collection, 1909–1973. CHL. MS 10377.
Faulring, Scott H., Kent P. Jackson, and Robert J. Matthews, eds. Joseph Smith’s New Translation of the Bible: Original Manuscripts. Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 2004.
JS History, vol. A-1, 156; Articles and Covenants, ca. Apr. 1830 [D&C 20:45]; see also Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 576 [Moroni 6:9]. A March 1831 revelation further clarified that conducting meetings by the Holy Ghost was the pattern “given to the Elders of my Church from the begining” and the pattern that “ever shall be.” (Revelation, ca. 8 Mar. 1831–A [D&C 46:2].)
situation of brs Joseph Smith Jr and And accordingly brs and were chosen appointed, the other four remain to be chosen hereafter
It was decided by vote that the general meet on the 25 Inst at the dwelling house of br in Cuyahoga County brs & were then to their office or appointment and br an under the hands of conference closed in prayer by br Joseph Smith Jr
In his diary, Cahoon described the purpose of this appointment not as the “setting in order” of the churches but “to obtain money or Property for Brs Joseph & O[t]hers to finish the translation.” (Cahoon, Diary, 9 Nov. 1831.)
Cahoon, Reynolds. Diaries, 1831–1832. CHL. MS 1115.
Why the conference chose Orange, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, is unclear. It may have been because the area had a significant membership; around seventy members were living in Orange and nearby Warrensville by the spring of 1831. Orange was also a good halfway point between Hiram and Kirtland, Ohio. Serenus Burnett’s home may have been volunteered for the forthcoming conference by his son Stephen Burnett, who was present at this conference. (Murdock, Journal, 2 Nov. 1830–19 Feb. 1832; see also Minutes, 12 Sept. 1831.)
Murdock, John. Journal, ca. 1830–1859. John Murdock, Journal and Autobiography, ca. 1830–1867. CHL. MS 1194, fd. 2.