The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1845-05-28


senting before the heavens the widow and
the iatherless, and the sufierings and deep
affections that were overwhelming our city;
praying God TO stay the violence OF fire, that
our whole city might not be laid in ruins-in
which prayer the Conference joined with all
the feelings of their soul. During this prayer
an escort of heavenly messengers that had
lowered around us during the time of this
Conference, were seen leaving the room,
and To- the wind was Instantly changed, the
violence ofthe flames were stayed and our
city saved from an entire overthrow"
So, these fanatics quietly pursued their
mummeries, while the city was consuming.
The claims ofhumanity, the terrible sublimi
ty of the spectacle, could not Withdraw them
from The practice of their impious ceremonies.
Our citizens would have thanked them 10
have sent their 'escort of heavenly messen-
gers" little sooner and not have waited
until the fairest part of our city was laid in
ashes, and many lives had fallen sacrifice
10 the devouriDg element
Our readers are probably disguised with
what we have already given them of this
specimen of the sad weakness and knavery
of human nature. On the last day Of the
session Of this body, each day of which was
made up OF blasphemous mummery, it was
ordained that the Patriarch should have fifty
cents for each blessing he delivered. He
did not forget the means ol'raising The wind
The following is also gravely told:
'Wm. E. McLellin then arose, and rela-
ted 10 the Conference the substance of a
revelation given 10 himself and Joseph NJ.
Cole, on last evening, while in their room at
the house OF president S. Rigdon after hav-
ing offered up a solemn prayer to God, which
was relative 10 the bones OF the said Joseph
M.Cole it having been shove in pervious
vision, that brother Cole should be slain be-
fore the coming of the Saviour. The reve-
lafion had required on the part ofbrother
McLelln, thai he should enter into cove
nant with brother Cole to carry his bones
with him, as the bones of Joseph were car
ried out of Egypt, until the kingdom of God
should meet Jesus upon mount Olivet; that
there his bones might with the bones OF his
brother and namesake, who was carried
tI.ither out of Egypt, come forth together in
the morning Of the resurrection, 10 partake
in the triumph and glorics Of the kingdom Of
God"
Our readers will bear with US, while we
copy the closing proceedings Of this famous
convocation.-Af1er various proceedings are
related among which are the confirming of
''two ssiers'' who had been baptized the
evening privious, the account proceeds:
The Book OF Mormon was then received
as the word Of God, by the unanimous vote
Of the Conference.
The Book Of Doctrine and Covenants WIS
also received as drereidtiOn from God, con-
tanning the pattern for the organization OF
his Church by The unanimous vote OF the
Conference.
The Conference then stood upon their
feet with their hands lifted up TO heaven,
and received the holy Oonyocation, presen-
ting the covenants which they had entered
| into, before God. and all the work they had
/ done, and asking God 10 register it in heaven,
and place his seal of appreciation upon the
| great work they haddone before him which
the Lord did, and bore testimony by his
Spirit, that he had accepted their work, ard
placed his seal upon it.
Elder J. M. Cole then related TO the Con-
ference n vision oiheaven, shown to him last
| fall, giving a history of all the important
events which shall transpire in the world I'M
! I'll the Saviour comes.
The Gazette OF a later date contains some
additional facts, that may prove OF some in
terest:
The Conference which was held in THU
city last month, was convened by cal
from Sydney Rigdon. IL was numerously
attended, and resulted in the establishment
of a branch of Mormons entirely distinc
from that at Nauvoo, and under a difleren
name. That is called the "Church of the
Latter Day Saints"-this is denomnateC
sthe Church of Christ" They both, how
ever, acknowledge the 'Book of Mormon
and the Book OF Covenants" as the word o
God, and as OF equal authority with the Bi
bic. The principal difference between then
is. that the Pittsburgh Mormons, TO thei
credit be itspoken, repudiate and adjure thu
spiritual wife system" the dogma that 81
is sometimes lawful 10 lie," and assert thu
duty of obedience 10 the laws of the land.
The government of the two sects is very
similar The principal legislative body i
called the quorum OF Seventy-three." Thu
quorum is composed of those who have beer
ordained prophets, priests and kings unit
God" This quorum is now full, in the Pitts
burgh branch, and sixty-two were presen
at the late Conference.
The highest executive officer is called tn,
"First President" Sidney Sigdon enjoy
this office, and the manner in which he at
tnined it. is so curious that we cannot Blu
copy the account of il from the Messenger,
of the 18th OF April. After the new Churcl
had been organized. and the "Quorum o
Scyertv-three" was full and had received tn,
charge of the institution, President Rigdon
who had been ordained by the prophet Jo'
Smith himself
The account proceeds:
,, "The President then said-the quorum il
now fuIl--was organized agreeably 10 tn,
pattern OF heaven, and he had now so fa
done what God had commanded him, HI
therefore surrendered the control and man
agement ofthe kingdom of God into thei
hands. Inow throw myself into your arms
Now. what relation shall sustain IN thi!
. kingdom? What office shall hold?
Whereupon Elder Joseph NJ. Colo arose
and nominated him as first President of thi
kingdom and Church, and to stand as proph
ct, seer, rerelator and translator, TO thi
church and kingdom of Christ off las
days, which was seconded. The vote wai
put by w. E. McLellin, one ofthe Secreta
, ries, and was carried by an unanimous vote
every member Of the quorum standing on hi
feet. twas then put to the whole church
and was carried in the affirmative, without {
dissenting voice"
Tho pouy esEirst Presidenfr was flIen con