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

Extract regarding "Work in the Liverpool Conference"

WORK IN THE LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL CONFERENCE


 Elder J W Thornley writing from Preston Oct 2 1884 says:

On the morning of Sept 5th, I left the town of Preston and walked to Lancaster, 21 miles, where I met Brother L. J. Nuttall, Jun., who had preceded me on business. We directly took our stand in them the market place and raised our warning voices to the people for the space of half an hour when we were compelled to desist by a minstrel troupe taking their stand close by and robbing us of our listeners. The following day we started for the northern towns viz Carnforth, Bowness, Dalton-in-Furness, Barrow-in-Furness, and intermediate places, holding meetings when opportunity was afforded. In Dalton, after speaking to a large congregation for an hour and a half, we were very bitterly opposed; but praise be unto the Lord, he gave us wisdom to put naught all objections and logically defeat all railing accusations. Our hearers were finally honest enough to acknowledge we had the better of the argument, and gave up, saying we they had heard a great deal of Brigham Young and the Mormons, etc., but to their knowledge had never seen one before. I asked if they wanted to see the ‘horns’, but I presume they had enough of the tongue, and didn’t wish to have anything to do with the horns, so we bade them good night. The following evening we held forth at Barrow-in-Furness, and addressed a concourse of four or five hundred people, who listened very attentively until I announced the divine mission of Joseph Smith, when they railed and cursed like mad men. I showed them that they were encouraging the same spirit, which the Pharisees and lawyers did in the days of our Lord and Savior – the same spirit that the Romans were actuated by when they persecuted the Saints of old, mobbed, tortured and martyred the Apostles of Christ and destroyed the Priesthood from the earth. Today the same cause was producing the same effect. God had again spoken from the heavens and broken the long silence; Joseph Smith was His chosen instrument in re-organising His Church, receiving the same Priesthood as held by Peter, James and John, etc. The adversary was again aroused, infusing the same spirit of rebellion in the hearts of wicked and evil designing men, to persecute, blaspheme and defame the name of Joseph Smith and his followers, etc. I concluded, and announced that we would hold meeting the following night if the boat did not sail to Blackpool. Several replied they hoped it would, and wished with an oath the boat would sink with us. However, the following day we had a pleasant sail of 22 miles. On Saturday, Sept. 13th, according to appointment, we baptized two (a man and his wife) in the sea, and the next morning took train for Preston, where we held meeting with the Saints. Wednesday, Sept. 17th, according to appointment, we met Brothers Pratt and Steed in the town of Chorley, and quite unexpectedly, President J. A Smith made his appearance among us also. We five ‘Mormon’ Elders took the town by surprise as we stood in the light of a large lamp and in turn addressed the assembly, which had gathered. I presume we paralyzed the Papists who had heretofore figured quite prominently in disturbing our meetings. Atfer our meeting we were invited by a Catholic to go to his house, while he proved to us that his was the only true Church having the Apostolic succession complete. President J. A. Smith took up the argument against whom our Catholic friend had selected, and in the course of an hour Brother Smith gave him such a scoring that I am safe in saying he will never more seek for an interview with a ‘Mormon’ Elder. The next morning we separated, having enjoyed ourselves only as Utonians can when meeting together in a foreign land. Sept. 27th, we re-baptized one member, and the following day being Sunday, brother Nuttall went to the Darwen Branch, and I remained in Blackburn. We held two meetings each, and one more gave in his name for baptism. I received an invitation from the members of a Temperance Association in Blackburn to give them a lecture whenever convenient, which I heartily accepted. During the month we have just made our circuit through the District, holding 18 meetings, 7indoors and 11 in the open-air; have walked 256 miles, travelled by rail 27 and by boat 30. Our district is in a moderate condition, some parts more favourable, while others are very indifferent; but we trust the good seed we have sown this summer will take root in the hearts of the honest seekers after truth.

 The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star Vol. 46 (1884)
available at: The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star Vol. 46 (Letter of Correspondance)


We do know as well that Elder J. W Thornley would soon finish his mission and returned back to Utah, whilst serving as President of an immigrant party from Europe.


Route: Liverpool to New York
Ship: Wisconsin
Arrival: 29 Aug 1885
9 Sep 1885

Church Leader: John W. Thornley
Number of LDS Passengers:330


View here for more information about Elder J. W. Thornley and his migratory party.

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.

The Millenial Star

The Millenial Star Images:

The Millenial Star was initially printed in Manchester, England (1840). However, by 1842, production was moved to Liverpool, arguably as a result in the increased
























































View of the England mission and Millenial Star offices building in Liverpool, England.


Editors:

• Parley P. Pratt: May 1840 – October 1842
• Thomas Ward: November 1842 - 1 October 1846
• Orson Hyde: 15 October 1846 – 15 January 1847
• Orson Spencer: 1 February 1847 – 1 August 1848
• Orson Pratt: 15 August 1848 – 15 December 1850
• Franklin D. Richards: 1 January 1851 – 1 May 1852
• Samuel W. Richards: 8 May 1852 – 24 June 1854
• Franklin D. Richards (2nd term): 1 July 1854 –

Courtesy of Wikipedia.

The History of the Church in Lancaster

Opening statement regarding General Conference as contained within the April 1844, Millenial Star, (No. 12, Vol. IV) [available at: Millenial Star, Volumes 2-4]



During this same General Conference (1844), an Elder 'Thomas Harris' was assigned to labour in the Lancaster area.








 

Original 19th Century Sources taken from the Lancaster Gazette

Local Mormons

The following news article is a fantastic source for those coming or seeking to understand the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Whilst the article is based upon the Church in Ohio, you will find the attitudes, lifestyle and practices here in Lancaster and around the world.

Local Mormons committed to their faith

By Colette M. Jenkins 
Beacon Journal religion writer

Published: May 5, 2012 - 12:39 AM

Elder Craig C. Christensen (below left) and Akron, Ohio Stake President Douglas L. Talley listen as the choir performs at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on Sunday in Tallmadge. (Phil Masturzo/Akron Beacon Journal)

Trevar Dahl spends an hour before school each morning studying the Bible with seven other teens.

“It’s the best way to start the day, and it helps us with a pretty good knowledge of scripture,” said Trevar, a 16-year-old junior at Cloverleaf High School near Lodi. “We attend classes for four years. We call it seminary.”

Seminary, or the study of religious history and scripture among high school students in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly known as the Mormon church), includes courses on the Old and New Testaments, the Book of Mormon and church doctrine, covenants and history. The seminary program has been part of the Mormon tradition for 100 years and has grown from 70 students to nearly 370,000 in more than 140 countries.

Trevar’s group, taught by his mother, Cynthia, begins at 6 a.m. — like most seminary classes — at the Dahl’s home in Lodi. Cynthia Dahl said the predawn religious classes are designed to give Mormon teens a chance to learn the gospel and to apply the teachings to their lives.

Dahl said she volunteered to teach the class because she loves youth and loves teaching the scriptures. She said she spends about an hour a day preparing for the classes and several hours on weekends.

“I do whatever I need to do to help them learn more about Christ and the scriptures,” Cynthia Dahl said. “It’s not required that they come to the classes. They come because they want to be there, and I want to help them work toward being more like Christ.”

The seminary group that meets at the Dahls’ home is one of several in the Akron region, or what the Latter-day Saints call a “stake.” The Akron stake has more than 3,800 members and 10 wards, or congregations (which are organized geographically), in Akron, Tallmadge, Canton, Massillon, Medina, Wadsworth, Wooster, Ashland and New Philadelphia. The 10th congregation is a group of single young adults who also meet in Tallmadge.

The Dahls, who attend services in Ashland, consider themselves a typical Mormon family — committed to their faith and dedicated to prayer and regular church attendance. In addition to Trevar, the family includes three other children: Blake, 22, who recently returned to his studies at Brigham Young University from missionary work in Phoenix; Lauren, 19, who just completed her second year at BYU; and Erica, 12, a sixth-grader at Cloverleaf Middle School.

“The church has given me and my wife a solid foundation, and we want that for our children,” said Andrew Dahl, Trevar’s father. “We believe it is important to have a testimony of Jesus Christ and to be educated about the gospel. The church teaches principles that have always given me great direction.”

Mormonism has been in the national spotlight, in large part, because of Mitt Romney, a Republican poised to become the first Mormon presidential candidate from a major political party. Other flashpoints of Mormon interest in recent years include the hit Broadway musical, The Book of Mormon, and the popular Twilight series of vampire stories by Stephenie Meyer, a Mormon housewife-turned-novelist who says her faith influences her writing.

History of the faith

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, headquartered in Salt Lake City, was organized in 1830 by Joseph Smith in upstate New York. He said he had a revelation that God wanted him to restore the true Christian church with additional scriptures written by ancient prophets in America.

According to Mormon church history, an angel gave Smith a set of gold plates. Through the power of God, Smith translated those gold plates, which contained the history of an ancient American civilization.

That translation, called the Book of Mormon, is a sacred text of the denomination and is considered a companion to the Bible.

Ohio has a significant place in Mormon church history because Kirtland is where the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was headquartered from 1831 to 1838. It is the place where Smith, revered by Mormons as a prophet, is believed to have received revelations from the Lord and much of the doctrine of the church that is still in place today. The city also is home of the first temple Smith’s followers built.

“We believe in Jesus Christ, and we believe in the Bible as the word of God,” said Elder Craig Christensen, a church authority from Utah who recently presided at a semiannual Akron stake conference in Tallmadge. “We also believe that prophetic words come in our time. We invite people to get to know us — we welcome visitors — and they will find that we are traditional, conservative Christians, faith-filled people trying to live out our faith.”

According to the Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life, Mormonism is one of the fastest-growing religions in the world, claiming 14.4 million members. Mormons make up nearly 2 percent of the population (about 6 million people) in the United States.

The church claims 12,500 members in 34 congregations in Northeast Ohio’s Akron, Cleveland and Youngstown stakes.

A Pew survey released in January looked at the views, attitudes and religious practices of Mormons. It shows that while many Mormons feel they are misunderstood, discriminated against and not accepted as part of mainstream society, they think the acceptance of Mormonism is on the rise.

The research also indicates that although Mormons are uncertain of their place in society, they are certain in their beliefs: 98 percent believe that Jesus rose from the dead; 94 percent believe the president of the denomination is a prophet; 91 percent believe the Book of Mormon was written by ancient prophets and translated by Joseph Smith; and 94 percent believe God the Father and Jesus Christ are separate physical beings.

In addition, the majority of Mormons surveyed showed strong religious commitment: 82 percent say religion is very important to them, compared to 55 percent of the general public; 83 percent pray at least once a day; and 77 percent attend religious services at least once a week.

Mormons were also strong in adhering to church teachings. The survey showed 79 percent report they tithe, or donate, 10 percent of their earnings to the church; 51 percent regularly spend time with family; 49 percent don’t drink coffee or tea; 82 percent keep a three-month supply of food stored for emergencies; and 73 percent work to help the poor.

Reaching out

The denomination’s Relief Society is charged with seeking out and helping the poor. The auxiliary, which includes all adult women in the church, operates under the motto “Charity Never Faileth” and boasts being one of the largest women’s organizations in the world.

Lynn Watkins, president of the Akron Stake Relief Society, said the ministry includes a “visiting teaching” component in which auxiliary members visit each woman in a congregation on a monthly basis to see how she is doing and if she needs anything. The local stake Relief Society has nearly 1,500 members.

“It’s a really nice way to strengthen the ward because each of us is looking out for each other. We usually take a spiritual message with us when we visit a sister’s home,” said Watkins, of Hartville. “We attend to the spiritual and temporal needs of each sister and her family. We also do service projects in the larger community and help with disaster relief.”

Watkins said one church resource that helps the auxiliary fulfill its mission to assist the needy is the Bishop’s Storehouse, which can be likened to a supermarket without the cash registers. The central storehouse is located in Utah; a local storehouse is in Brecksville.

In addition to the Relief Society, missionary service is one of the more distinctive practices in the Mormon church. The church teaches that the full-time missionary work, known as a “proselyting” mission, is the responsibility of all followers of Jesus Christ.

Couples tend to serve in missionary work after their children have left home.

Women typically serve for 18 months, beginning at age 21. Young men generally serve two-year missions from ages 19 to 21.

The Pew survey shows that 92 percent of Mormons who have served a mission said the experience was very helpful in helping them grow in their faith.

Douglas Talley, who has served as Akron stake president for 10 years, did mission work in Rome, after converting to Mormonism. He said the primary reason for his conversion was his belief that the religion was true.

“I found the Book of Mormon to be one of the most hopeful doctrines, in saying that, by and large, there is a place for everyone in heaven,” said Talley, of Copley Township. “As I read it, for the first time in my life, I was hearing the voice of God. I came to believe he was real.”

Services at local Mormon churches typically begin at 9 a.m. and run about three hours. The first hour is devoted to the sacrament and includes announcements, hymns, prayers, a series of sermons and communion (water and bread). Sunday School is scheduled in the second hour, and the third hour is for specialized instruction.

“Our doors are always open to visitors. We believe the best way to learn about us is to come and see for yourself,” Talley said. “All of our programs are designed to help children, youth and adults learn the word of God and how to apply it to their lives. We believe in building strong families, having strong work ethics and being good neighbors. All those fruits have their core in our belief in Jesus Christ.