“On my passage from Beyroote to this place (Jaffa) night before last, at one o’clock, as I was meditating on the deck of the vessel as she was beating down against a sultry wind, a very bright glittering sword appeared in the heavens, about six feet in length, with a beautiful hilt, as plain and complete as any art you ever saw. And what is still more remarkable, an arm with a perfect hand stretched itself out, and took hold of the hilt of the sword— The appearance really made my hair rise, and the flesh, as it were, crawl on my bones. The Arabs made a wonderful outcry at the sight. Allah! Allah! Allah! -[O Lord, <​O​> Lord, <​O​> Lord]- was their exclamation all over the vessel, I mention this because you know there is a commandment of God for me, which says, “Unto you it shall be given to know the signs of the Times, and the sign of the coming of the Son of Man”— Yours in Christ— .”

Conference convened pursuant to previous appointment Elders , , and [HC 4:439] , of the — — — Twelve <​Apostles​>, were in attendance. Elder was unanimously chosen President, and J<​as.​> C. Snow Clerk of the conference. then made some preliminary remarks, setting forth and explaining the object of the meeting, followed by President . Elder J. C. Snow then represented the Branch of the Church at , consisting of 424 members including 9 High Priests, 32 Elders, 4 Priests, 5 Teachers, and 4 Deacons, mostly in good standing. , Elders and , then made some very appropriate remarks, showing and proving the absolute necessity of finishing and completing the , now building in ; in preference to any thing else that can be done, either by mental, or physical exertion, in spreading light, knowledge, and intelligence, among the nations of the Earth. Conference adjourned till tomorrow, 10 oclock. In the evening met with his counsel, together with , Elders and , and brethren of the branch, for the purpose of— entering into certain resolutions, necessary in order to become more active in forwarding the work of the . After much deliberation, it was [p. 1240]