Truth Will Prevail. Amen.

Journal of Heber C. Kimball : an elder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, giving an account of his mission to Great Britain, and the commencement of the work of the Lord in that land; also the success which has attended the labors of the elders to the present time

Extracts from the journal of Elder Heber C. Kimball, circa July 1837

pages 16-18

page 21

You can read Elder Kimballs' full journal here below.

London "this great city"

The word of the Lord to the citizens of London, of every sect and denomination: and to every individual into whose hands it may fall--showing forth the plan of salvation as laid down in the New Testament, presented by two of the Elders of the Church (1840)

The last paragraph from a short book which was produced by Heber C. Kimball and Wilford Woodruff, which was designed for their proselyting in London. 

"of this great city!"

Got to love a bit of Apostolic rebuking.

It also mentions a couple of locations which featured prominently in early LDS history in London.

A Penwortham Saint

William Clayton

• 17 July 1814–4 Dec. 1879. Bookkeeper, clerk. Born at Charock Moss, Penwortham, Lancashire, England. 
• Son of Thomas Clayton and Ann Critchley. 
• Married Ruth Moon, 9 Oct. 1836, at Penwortham. 
• Baptized into LDS church by Heber C. Kimball, 21 Oct. 1837, in River Ribble, Lancashire. 
• Ordained a priest, Dec. 1837, in Lancashire. 
• Ordained a high priest by Heber C. Kimball and Orson Hyde, 1 Apr. 1838, at Preston, Lancashire. 
• Served as second counselor in British mission presidency, 1838–1840. 
• Immigrated to Nauvoo, Hancock Co., Illinois, 1840. Served as clerk of high council in Iowa Territory, 1841. Member of Nauvoo Masonic Lodge. Served as recorder and scribe to JS, 1842–1844, at Nauvoo. 
• Appointed secretary of Masonic lodge, city treasurer, and temple recorder, Sept. 1842, at Nauvoo. 
• Participated in plural marriage during JS's lifetime. Clerk of first company of pioneers to Utah, Apr.–Aug. 1847. Wrote and published Latter-day Saint Emigrants’ Guide, 1847–1848. Died at Salt Lake City.

The Missionaries of the Church: Statistics

Historical information from the Church Almanac.

YEAR	MISSIONARIES CALLED
1830	16
1831	58
1832	72
1833	41
1834	111
1835	84
1836	80
1837	52
1838	16
1839	67
1840	80
1841	100
1842	45
1843	374
1844	586
1845	84
1846	32
1847	40
1848	55
1849	58
1850	50
1851	44
1852	158
1853	33
1854	119
1855	65
1856	130
1857	88
1858	0
1859	18
1860	96
1861	19
1862	27
1863	50
1864	52
1865	71
1866	32
1867	133
1868	32
1869	250
1870	46
1871	167
1872	132
1873	35
1874	98
1875	197
1876	211
1877	154
1878	152
1879	179
1880	219
1881	199
1882	237
1883	248
1884	205
1885	235
1886	209
1887	282
1888	242
1889	249
1890	283
1891	331
1892	324
1893	317
1894	162
1895	526
1896	746
1897	922
1898	943
1899	1,059
1900	796
1901	522
1902	848
1903	658
1904	699
1905	716
1906	1,015
1907	930
1908	919
1909	1,014
1910	933
1911	822
1912	769
1913	858
1914	684
1915	621
1916	722
1917	543
1918	245
1919	1,211
1920	889
1921	880
1922	886
1923	812
1924	867
1925	1,131
1926	1,236
1927	1,017
1928	1,193
1929	1,058
1930	896
1931	678
1932	399
1933	525
1934	843
1935	960
1936	899
1937	1,079
1938	1,146
1939	1,088
1940	1,194
1941	1,257
1942	629
1943	261
1944	427
1945	400
1946	2,297
1947	2,132
1948	2,161
1949	2,363
1950	3,015
1951	1,801
1952	872
1953	1,750
1954	2,022
1955	2,414
1956	2,572
1957	2,518
1958	2,778
1959	2,847
1960	4,706
1961	5,793
1962	5,630
1963	5,781
1964	5,886
1965	7,139
1966	7,021
1967	6,475
1968	7,178
1969	6,967
1970	7,590
1971	8,344
1972	7,874
1973	9,471
1974	9,811
1975	14,446
1976	13,928
1977	14,561
1978	15,860
1979	16,590
1980	16,600
1981	17,800
1982	18,260
1983	19,450
1984	19,720
1985	19,890
1986	20,798
1987	21,001
1988	22,619
1989	25,609
1990	26,255
1991	24,861
1992	28,716
1993	28,774
1994	27,912
1995	29,015
1996	31,227
1997	33,726
1998	33,229
1999	33,915
2000	34,503
2001	34,684
2002	36,196
2003	30,467
2004	29,548
2005	30,587
2006	30,653
2007	30,384
2008	30,312

Linked from: http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/59046/Church-History-Missionary-Statistics.html#

Early Church Photographs - 1957

The following are a selection of English early LDS Church photographs.

The Preston Branch Sunday School
Taken when on a outing to the Zoo and Circus

The York Branch Primary Outing

Outing to Scarborough

Colchester Branch
Excursion to the London Temple site

Latter-day Saints gathered for the Cornerstone Laying ceremony

West Drayton Branch
Outing to Stratford-on-Avon

Grimsby Branch Supper

Nottingham District

Outing to Newstead Abbey

I do not, in any way own these photographs.

Gratefully rendered by: Keepatitchinin, you will find more information and images by visiting them.

Presented and produced by: Ardis E. Parshall 

The State of the LDS Church in England - 1847

These Google Map projects are based upon the 1842 Conference Report contained in the Millennial Star. The General Conference was held in the New Corn Exchange, Manchester. President Parley P. Pratt was presiding.



Total connected with the church at the present time (18) in England, Ireland and Scotland members 7,514, Elders 220, Priests 421, Teachers 110.


The use of the term 'Conference' is a term that was used by early members and leaders of the Church to describe what we today refer to as Stakes and Districts.




View Ireland Conference of LDS Church in 1847 in a larger map


Ireland conference represented by David Wilkie consists of 71 members, 1 Elder, 1 Priest, 2 Teachers, 1 Deacon. Includes the branches of;

• Hillsborough 
• Crawfoots barn

View Brampton Conference of LDS Church in 1847 in a larger map


Brampton Conference represented by Richard Benson consists of 171 members, 6 Elders, 11 Priests, 7 Teachers, 2 Deacon. Includes the branches of;

• Carlisle 
• Brampton
• Alston  
• Newcastle-upon-Tyne

View Glasgow Conference of LDS Church in 1847 in a larger map


Glasgow Conference represented by John Mcauley consists of 564 members, 23 Elders, 30 Priests, 26 Teachers, 15 Deacons. Includes the Branches of;

• Glasgow 
• Thorny bank 
• Shaw
• Tollcross
• Airdrie 
• Renfrew
• Paisley
• Johnson
• Bridge of Weir 
• Kilbirnie
• Bonshill
• Greenock
• Brechenney
• Nelson
• Campsie
• Ayr

View Edinburgh Conference of LDS Church in 1847 in a larger map


Edinburgh Conference represented by G. D. Watt consists of 271 members, 13 Elders, 19 Priests, 7 Teachers, 3 Deacons. Includes the branches of;

• Edinburgh 
• Wemyss
• Sterling

View Frooms Hill Conference of LDS Church in 1847 in a larger map

Frooms Hill Conference represented by William Kay consists of 1101 members, 24 Elders, 56 Priests, 24 Teachers, 12 Deacons. Includes the branches of;

• Moor End's Cross
• Ridgway Cross
• Dun's Close
• Old Storridge
• Broomyard's Downs
• Clifton
• Widbourn
• Brinsteed
• Woofren Common
• Ashfield
• Malvern hill
• Palle House
• Callwell
• Ledbury
• Shaken Hill
• Lugwardine
• Marden
• Bushbank
• Leominster
• Ball Gate
• Coom's Move
• Stoke's Lane
• Froom's Hill
• Stanley Hill
• Easthampton
• Worcester Broad Heath

View Cheltenham Conference of LDS Church in 1847 in a larger map


Cheltenham Conference represented by Theodore Curtis consists of 540 members, 8 Elders, 22 Priests, 12 Teachers, 4 Deacons. Includes the branches of;

• Newbury Hill
• Rock Hill
• Earl's Common
• Pinvin
• Dounton
• Beaucamp
• Edge Hills
• Little Dean
• Woodside
• Ponsett
• Killcott
• Frogsmarch
• Red Marley
• Bran Green
• Apperley
• Deerhurst
• Cheltenham
• Norton
• Bristol

View Garway Conference of LDS Church in 1847 in a larger map


Garway Conference represented by John Needham consists of 197 members, 2 Elders, 12 Priests, 7 Teachers, 2 Deacons. Includes the branches of;

• Garway
• Abergavenny
• Monmouth
• Keven
• Oreop
• Euyasharrold 

View Staffordshire Conference of LDS Church in 1847 in a larger map


Staffordshire Conference represented by Alfred Cordon consists of 507 members, 25
Elders, 54 Priests, 23 Teachers, 14 Deacons. Includes the branches of;

• Hanley
• Burslem
• Stoke
• Newcastle
• Baddaley Edge
• Bradley Green
• Knutton Heath
• Lane End
• Audlem
• Prees
• Tunstall
• Leek
• Longport
• Tittensor Heath
• Doncaster
• Sheffield
• Brampton

View Birmingham Conference of LDS Church in 1847 in a larger map


Birmingham Conference represented by J. Riley consists of 309 members, 11 Elders, 18 Priests, 12 Teachers, 65 deacons. Includes the branches of;
Birmingham
Great's Green
West Bromwich
Oldbury
Allchurch
Dudley
Wolverhampton
Ashby Wolds




View Macclesfield Conference of LDS Church in 1847 in a larger map


Macclesfield Conference represented by James Galley consists of 238 members, 8 Elders, 23 Priests, 14 Teachers, 9 deacons. Includes the branches of;

• Macclesfield
• Congleton 
• Bollington
• Middlewich
• Northwich
• Plumbley

View London Conference of LDS Church in 1847 in a larger map


London Conference represented by Lorenzo Snow consists of 400 members, 14 Elders, 32 Priests, 7 Teachers, 98 deacons. Includes the branches of;

• London 
• Woolwich 
• Bedford 
• Wybosson 
• Thorncut 
• Honeydon
• Irchester
• Waddon

View Clitheroe Conference of LDS Church in 1847 in a larger map


Clitheroe Conference represented by Thomas Ward consists of 325 members, 15 Elders, 53 Priests, 17 Teachers, 6 Deacons. Includes the branches of;

• Clitheroe
• Chatburn 
• Waddington 
• Downham 
• Blackburn 
• Burnley 
• Accrington 
• Ribchester
• Chaidgley 
• Grindleton

View Preston Conference of LDS Church in 1847 in a larger map


Preston Conference represented by Elder Struthars consists of 665 members, 16 Elders, 22 Priests, 15 Teachers, 3 Deacons. Includes the branches of;

• Preston 
• Penworthampen 
• Longton s
• Southport 
• Farrington
• Hunter s Hill 
• Kendal 
• Brigsteer 
• Holme
• Lancaster 
• Euxton Birth

View Liverpool Conference of the LDS Church in 1847 in a larger map


Liverpool Conference represented by John Greenhow consists of 570 members, 223 Elders, 26 Priests, 21 Teachers 10 Deacons. Includes the branches of;

• Liverpool
• Warrington
• Newton
• St. Helens
• Isle of Man
• Wales
• York

View Manchester Conference of LDS Church in 1847 in a larger map

Manchester Conference represented by Charles Miller consists of 1631 members,
36 elders, 79 priests, 50 teachers, 19 deacons and includes the branches of;

• Manchester
• Duekinfield
• Bolton
• Stockport
• Pendlebury
• Whitefield
• Heatons
• Eccles
• Oldham
• Rochdale
• Leeds
• Radcliffe
• Bridge
• Blakely

Early Branches of the Church

This is a Google Maps project which I began as a result of studying the 1840 General Conference Minutes, contained in the Millenial Star. This period of time is described as an exciting and spirit filled time of expansion, as missionaries and members sought to proclaim the gospel and build the Kingdom of God.

Here is one extract:

"Moved by Elder Richards seconded by Elder Kimball that Elder P Melling be appointed to preside over the following branches of the church Preston, Longton, Penwortham, North Meols and Southport. Carried.

Moved by elder Kimball seconded by Elder Young that Elder Richard Withnall be appointed to preside over the branches of the church at Whittle, Dauber's lane, Chorley, Hunter's Hill and Euxtonburgh. Carried."

The organisation of numerous branches around this area is remarkable and indicative of the well-functioning Church organisation and the zeal with which the Gospel was preached. Even from its infancy, the Church was directed, maintained and governed rigorously by its members.

I do not currently have copies of the Branch addresses or details, however this map is designed to give a rough guide as to where the LDS Church had branches in 1840. The location of some of these branches may strike present-day Latter-day Saints with surprise, whilst there are branches in many of these locations today, there are some which are not. For instance, Hunters Hill branch and Eccleston are hardly represented at all today by LDS populations. Additionally, Northwich and Middlewich are two locations which are now covered by Runcorn and Crewe wards (respectively). The biggest surprise is the strength of the Church in the Clitheroe area, the 1840 General Conference Minutes put church membership at around 200-300 members. Certainly a 'Mormon stronghold' for its time.


View Early LDS Branches in Lancashire in a larger map


Here is a copy of the 1840 Minutes of the General Conference. This conference was held in the Carpenters Hall, Manchester, 6th July, 1840. Those present included; Brigham Young, Parley P. Pratt, Wilford Woodruff, John Taylor, Willard Richards, Heber C. Kimball and George Albert Smith.  




Within these minutes, missionaries were also assigned to certain areas to labour;

"Moved by Elder Kimball seconded by Elder Richards that brother Robert McBride go to Lancaster. Carried." 

This appears to be one of the earliest records of a missionary being sent to work in Lancaster, arguably the beginning of a foundation for the Church here in Lancaster.