Opening of the Work in Bedford.
Elders Goodson and Richards arrived in Bedford on the 2nd and were joyfully received by the Rev. Timothy R. Matthews, to whom they had letters of introduction from his brother-in-law, Joseph Fielding, and were invited to preach in his chapel in the evening to his congregation.
First Confirmation in England.
Friday, 4.—Elder Kimball baptized Jennetta Richards[[3]] at Preston, daughter of the Rev. John Richards, of Walkerfold, Chaidgley, fifteen miles from Preston, and confirmed her at the water side. This was the first confirmation in England. Sister Richards returned home the day following, Saturday, 5th, and persuaded her father to write to Elder Kimball to come and preach in his chapel.
Affairs in Far West—Building the Lord's House.
The same day, August 5th, the Presidency, High Council and all the authorities of the Church in Missouri, assembled in council at Far West, and unanimously resolved to go on moderately and build a house unto the name of the Lord in Far West, as they had means, and appointed Edward Partridge treasurer, to receive all the donations and subscriptions for the erection of the House of the Lord; Isaac Morley to be his secretary. Also voted that the committee, viz., Jacob Whitmer, Elisha H. Groves, and George M. Hinkle stand [as the building committee of the Lord's House at Far West][[4]] until President David Whitmer goes to and returns from Kirtland; also, that the building committee of the House of the Lord have no store connected with building the house, but that every firm or individual that embarks in that business have, own, and claim such property as their own private individual property and stewardship.
Goodson's Violation of Instructions.
The Elders at Bedford continued to lecture in the basement of Mr. Matthews' chapel from evening to evening, with the most flattering prospects until this evening, when Elder Goodson, contrary to the most positive instructions of President Kimball, and without advising with any one, read publicly the vision from the Doctrine and Covenants, which turned the current of feeling generally, and nearly closed the door in all that region. Mr. Matthews wished the meetings to be removed from his house, but continued to attend the meetings occasionally and investigated the subject to considerable extent.
The Elders' Journal.
In the August number of the Messenger and Advocate was published a prospectus for a new paper, to be published at Kirtland, Ohio, called the Elders' Journal of the Church of Latter-day Saints, to commence in October, edited by Joseph Smith, Jun.