Minutes
Of a Conference, held in St. George, Washington County, March 22d and 23d; Elders Orson Pratt, Senior, and Erastus Snow, presiding.

…According to previous notice the corner stones of the St. George’s Hall were laid after the following order: the south east corner stone by Elders Orson Pratt and Erastus Snow, of the Twelve Apostles; the south west stone, by the Bishops, with Robert Gardner as President; the north east corner, by Elders Henry Herriman and Jacob Gates, of the Presidency of the Seventies; and the north west corner stone by the Building committee, Easton Kelsey and Joseph Birch, officiating.  The dedicatory prayer was offered by Elder Orson Pratt.

Sunday, 23d, 10 a.m.

Meeting opened with prayer by Elder Henry Herriman.

Elder Orson Pratt, sen., spoke of the increasing greatness of the Latter Day Kingdom; quoted the saying of Isaiah, “break forth on thy right hand and on thy left.”

Elder Pratt also spoke on the right of Congress to admit a state on application, according to the Constitution of the United States, but here the power of Congress ended.  He quoted the sentiment uttered by Lewis Cass, of Michigan, in the United States Senate in 1856, that a State, if refused admission into the Union, had the right to declare themselves independent.

Elder Pratt prophesied that whatever might be the action of the United States in relation to the admission of Deseret the result would be for the prosperity and advancement of the kingdom of God.  He exhorted the Saints to be faithful in doing their duty as missionaries.

Elder Pratt prayed God to bless Erastus Snow for his faithfulness and diligence while on this southern mission.  The people responded with a heartfelt Amen.

[Deseret News, Apr. 9, 1862]

[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, Sept. 2006]

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