Question ...

What is the historical precedent for the convening of a conference?

Response ...

In June, 1852, a conference was called to order in Beloit, Wisconsin.  The total number of branches actually involved in the initial movement that becomes the Reorganization is small.  In addition to the Beloit branch, CH 3:203 lists only 4 branches that received direct visits within a couple of weeks of November 18, 1851.  The branches were Nephi, Voree, Waukesha, and, lastly, Yellowstone.  On page 204 of Church History, this statement appears, "The movement spread rapidly, and was received not only by individuals, but by organized branches, ..."  No other reference confirms this statement.  In fact, Priesthood Manual, 1934, pages 117 & 118, seems to flatly contradict it:  "Beginning with a membership of only 179 in 1860, ..." "In 1860 there were only eight branches, while in 1931 there were 745."  "In 1860 there were probably not more than 25 or 30 members of the priesthood, ..."  Clearly, the initial movement in what eventually results in the Reorganization was very small.

Neither Church History nor the conference minutes list the branches that participated in the June, 1852, conference. There is a reference to Gurley, Deam, William Powell and Briggs as being the planners of the conference in Briggs’ Temple Lot Case testimony, Plaintiff’s Abstract, p. 397.  This may be a mistake on Briggs part as David Powell was an elder at Beloit with Briggs at the time.  It appears that 2 branches sent 2 representatives to plan the conference.  In the Plaintiff’s Abstract, p. 396, Briggs lists only 3 branches that participated--Beloit, Waukeshaw, and Yellowstone.  He also makes reference to a branch presided over by "Harvey Green" which may have had members in attendance.  This branch was probably not officially attending.  (This may be T. P. Green referred to in CH 3:204.)  At any rate, only 3 or 4 branches appear to be all that met in June, 1852.

The conference was composed of members of the participating branches and all members of the original church.  E. C. Briggs in his testimony in the Temple Lot Case states, “At that time all the members of the church were entitled to membership in the conferences, and were entitled to all its privileges.”  He specifically references his mother Polly Briggs as participating as well as “the wives of the men that I have named.”  (Plaintiff’s Abstract, pp. 207-210.)

The important business of the conference was the passage of 9 resolutions (CH 3:209, 210).  There was no ordaining of apostles or seventies at this conference or the second conference in October, 1852 (CH 3:213) and there was no organizing of stakes.  Again there is no clear information as to which branches attended the October conference held at Yellowstone.

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