Rare Church Document from the Church’s Early Days in England Discovered

This story was originally published in Church News by Ryan Morgenegg. Below is an excerpt:

Recently, a well-preserved copy of the Church’s 1840 conference report was found in the possession of the descendants of the Wilford Woodruff family and acquired by Anthony Christensen of Anthony’s Antiques and Fine Art. The report indicates the original owner was Wilford Woodruff.

“The report is important because of the meeting and conference associated with it, in which a number of significant historical items were discussed, adopted, and announced,” said photo historian Ron Fox.

One hundred and seventy-five years ago, in Preston, Lancashire, England, the remaining six members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles arrived on April 6, 1840, and met up with other Apostles who were already laboring in Great Britain for a quorum meeting and Church conference.

Missionary activities in England had been ongoing since July of 1837, but the work would soon explode. On July 8, 1838, Joseph Smith received a revelation that the Quorum of the Twelve should go to England: “And next spring let them depart to go over the great waters, and there promulgate my gospel, the fulness thereof, and bear record of my name” (D&C 118:4).

Read the rest of the story at Church News.