Temple in Nauvoo was laid in its place, when "Hosannah to God. and the Lamb" rent the skies by the worshiping assembly. President Brigham Young, in a letter written by him to the President of the British Mission, in the summer of 1845, said: "It is a part of our religion to support any government wherever we may be that will protect us in common with other citizens; for to this end governments are instituted; and as England has ever been true and faithful to us as a people, in common with others, the Elders cannot be too particular to enjoin on all the Saints to yield obedience to the laws, and respect every man in his office, letting politics wholly, entirely and absolutely alone, and preach the principles of the gospel of salvation; for to this end they were ordained and sent forth. We have thought it may be very agreeable to the feelings of the English Saints to furnish a bell for the temple, if it is their pleasure. You can forward it the first conveyance, and we will have it hung as the building is going up. We have thought 2000 lbs. weight would do, but we leave this to your judgment." * * * Elder J. M. Grant, addressing the President of the British Mission, dated at Philadelphia, July 12th, 1845, said: "I have received both of your interesting letters, and also the minutes of your general conference. While reading the same my soul was filled with joy; for a moment I seemed to be with you. With the velocity of light my thoughts crossed the briny deep, and traced you in your various meanderings throughout England and Scotland, the land of my father's nativity. * * * vineyard, to * * * The work of the Lord has prospered in Philadelphia since you were here; some twenty or thirty new members have been baptized; our congregations have greatly increased in numbers; the Spirit of the Lord is in our midst, therefore our union is strong. * * * In the city of New York the cause is onward, new members are joining the Church, all are alive on the subject of building up Nauvoo and finishing the Temple. Elder Pratt has thrown a flood of light throughout all this part of the vineyard, to the joy of many Saints. Boston is blessed with more Saints than any other city in the Eastern States. Elder Willard Snow has charge there, under the direction of Elder Pratt. That branch, I think, numbers between three and four hundred members. The northern sections of the States, the almost innumerable branches of the Church are on the increase, notwithstanding the Elders in general are called to Nauvoo. The interior of the different States are now beholding hundreds of their best citizens leaving their homes to locate with the Saints and help to build the Temple of our God. From the south the news is cheering to me and all Saints. You are aware of my labors in South Western Vir * * * I left there I organized a conference, of two hundred members, consisting of seven churches in seven different counties; the last account shows an increase of over 150 since I left the field. The accounts received from Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Tennessee, go to show that the South keeps not back. The news from Canada proves that the North is giving up also as the prophet said. The leaven is working in all North America. The earth her brings forth strength; the Saints in Hancock. county, and the adjacent ones, will this season raise grain enough to support half the whole State." A conference was held at Jackson, Michigan, July 5th and 6th, 1845, and one in the town of Florence, St. Joseph County, Michigan, June 7th and 8th, 1845. Nine branches were represented. In the month of August, 1845, Elder Orson Pratt arrived in the city of New York, having been appointed to succeed Elder Parley P. Pratt in the presidency over the Churches in the East. In his message to the Saints in the eastern and middle States he said: "It is with feelings of no ordinary kind that I now enter upon the highly responsible duties. * * Elder, * Let every High Priest, officer and member be careful not to teach, either publicly or privately, any doctrine or precept contrary to the word of God or the principles of sound morality and virtue. * * * The same eternal relation of perfect government on the part of the father, and of perfect obedience on the part of the children, should be maintained that exists between the eternal Father and His Son Jesus Christ. The press, if rightly used, can be made a mighty engine of truth, more terrible to this guilty generation than the hand writing on the wall was to Belshazzar. * * * With anxious desires for your welfare, and with the warmest feelings of affection and love, I subscribe myself, your faithful shepherd in the new and everlasting covenant." * * * The following conferences were held in the fall of 1845: At Sheffield, England, 24th of August. Elder James Ure presided. There were seven branches represented, containing 394 members, 11 Elders, 26 Priests, 10 Teachers and 7 Deacons; 56 having been baptized since last conference. At Preston, England, August 31st. Elder Leonard Hardy presided. Eleven branches were represented, containing 542 members, 18 Elders, 23 Priests, 16 Teachers and 4 Deacons; 45 having been baptized since last conference. At Burke's Garden, Tazwell County, Virginia, on the 31st of August. Elder James Parke presided. At Glasgow, Scotland, on 31st of August, Elder McCue presided. The branches represented 1148 members, 1 High Priest, 39 Elders, 49 Priests, 37 Teachers, 25 Deacons; 58 being added by baptism since last conference. At Manchester, England, August 15th, Elder Milton Holmes presided. Twenty-five branches were represented, containing 1769 members, 44 Elders, 97 Priests, 57 Teachers, 27 Deacons, and 115 baptized since last conference. At Leominster, Herefordshire, England, on the 14th of September. Elder E. F. Sheets presided. Ten branches were represented, containing 181 members, including 9 Elders, 12 Priests, 3 Teachers and 1 Deacon. Mars Hill conference met on the 21st of September, in the parish of Suckley, Worcestershire, England. There were represented eleven branches, containing 466 members, including 15 Elders, 25 Priests, 11 Teachers, 7 Deacons. The Staffordshire conference met at Burslem, on the 28th September. There were represented 13 branches, containing 329 members, including 35 Elders, 37 Priests, 20 Teachers, and 10 Deacons. Elder Hiram ence Clark presided in this conference. The Leamington Conference met on the 5th of October. President Wilford Woodruff presided. There were represented 4 branches, containing 92 membes, including 4 Elders, 5 Priests, 1 Teacher and 3 Deacons. The Carlisle Confermet on the 5th October, when there were represented 5 branches, containing 167 members. Elder Thomas Barton presided. The Garway Conference met on the 19th October. Elder William Allen presided. There were represented 5 branches, containing 107 members, 3 Elders, Eight Priests, 3 Teachers, and 1 Deacon. On Sunday, the 5th of October, 1845, the first meeting in the Nauvoo Temple was held. In Vol. 6 Times and Seasons, page 1017, we find the following: "Through the indefatigable exertions, unceasing industry, heaven-blessed labors, in the midst of trials, tribulations, poverty and worldly obstacles, solemnized in some instances by death, about five thousand Saints had the inexpressible joy and great gratification to meet for the first time in the House of the Lord in the city of of Joseph. From mites and tithing millions had risen up to the glory of God, as a temple where the children of the last kingdom could come together and praise the Lord. It certainly afforded a holy satisfaction to think that since the 6th of April, 1844, when the first stone was laid amid the most straightened circumstances, the Church and |