Minutes of the General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints,
for the State of California, held in the Bowery in San Bernardino, Monday September 6, 1852, President Amasa Lyman Presiding.
Present of the Twelve Apostles, Parley P. Pratt, Amasa Lyman, Charles C. Rich.
High Priests, 25; Seventies, 24; Elders, 16; Deacons, 1.
With a large concourse of brethren and sisters.
At 10 a.m., the meeting was called to order by President David Seely. Prayer by Parley P. Pratt; choir then sung “Come, come away.”
Elder Parley P. Pratt then addressed the Conference and said, this being a Conference of Latter Day Saints, the brethren and sisters will be called upon to vote as a covenant before God. So in voting, you ought to remember that you are under a strong covenant to comply with your vote; uphold by your conduct, prayers, &c., those that you vote to sustain. To vote that you will sustain in righteousness those that are presented to you, it is to covenant to pray for, sustain with your means, and in your power, to give full confidence, full prayers, &c.
You are at liberty to raise your hands upon either side, but remember, when you have voted, to stick to your covenant. I sincerely hope every Saint present will vote….
President Pratt was called upon, and gave from memory, the report of the two branches in the upper part of the State. The San Jose branch, John M. Horner presiding, 30 members or more generally in good standing.
The San Francisco branch, Thomas Morris presiding, 30 or 40 members all in good standing.
President Pratt said in regard to myself and my movements, so far from regretting that I have had to tarry so long here, I rejoice, I consider that I have been highly honored and have had all the attention that I could have asked. I have rejoiced in your union, your prayers, your meetings, your feasts, your amusements, and in all things I have been called upon to rejoice. I like your country, and everything but the climate; and I like that for Southerners, as for myself I like the climate upon the rim of the Basin, where the cool winds of Summer keep the milk and butter cool, and 2 feet of snow in Winter. This climate is necessary for the inhabitants of South America, Asia, the Tropical portions of Europe, and the Islands of the Pacific.
To say that we should not have land in this climate, would be to doubt the Prophets, for it is written that the honest in heart shall be gathered from every nation, kindred, tongue and people, upon the face of the Earth. I should like to see ten thousand here. They could live better than a less number, as the resources will be more fully developed. This makes men rich, without any one being worse off, but all better off, if conducted upon a just principle. I want to see the people and resources of other countries drawn to this place, and every foot of the land occupied; and so long as bro. Lyman and Rich control it, it will do good.
I want you to think that you are to continue to work for something, that without which the land is worth nothing.
Bro. Pratt here followed with advice in relation to the blessing of children, and recording the same and urged the Saints to be particular in this matter….
President Pratt followed, confirming the testimony of Presidents Lyman and Rich. President Rich moved, that we adjourn this Conference until the 6th of April 1853, at 10 o’clock a.m., at this place.
Choir sung, “When shall we meet again.” Benediction by President Lyman.
Richard R. Hopkins, Clerk.
[Deseret News, Nov. 6, 1852]
[Journal History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Sep. 6, 1852, 1]
[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, July 2006]