presided over the conference in the absence of the First Presidency, who were being sought by federal marshals for the practice of plural marriage. Franklin D. Richards, Francis Marion Lyman, John Henry Smith, and Heber J. Grant along with a number of stake presidents and bishops from throughout the territory were in attendance. During the conference Willard G. Smith was called on to speak. He reported on the spiritual and temporal condition of the Saints in Morgan, discussed some of the earlier events of Church history of which he had been part, and then "concluded with an exhortation for the Saints to be true to their integrity."62 Persecution Over Plural Marriage Increased persecution over polygamy was being felt throughout the Church. President Taylor and many of the General Authorities were forced to go "underground" to avoid imprisonment. During the years 1886 and 1887, general conferences were held in Logan, Provo, and Coalville, instead of Salt Lake City.63 The Saints in Morgan County were not immune from these persecutions. Few records can be found which show the number of men from the Valley who were imprisoned, nor is the amount paid in fines known, but individual histories and minutes from the priesthood meetings give us some information. When the priesthood brethren met in August, they organized a defense fund to help defray the court costs of some of the brethren.64 Samuel Carter of Porterville was imprisoned in 1886 and served a four-month prison sentence. He paid a $300 fine rather than desert one of his families. While in prison, he made use of his forced idleness by diligent study of good books.65 After his release from the penitentiary, Brother Carter "reported his mission to the state Pen" at the monthly priesthood meeting.66 Daniel Heiner, who later became president of the Morgan Stake, left this moving account in his autobiography of his involvement in the government's crusade: In the eighties, when the crusade was on, I was arrested for having two wives. I was taken to Ogden for trial. I gave bonds to appear in court at the next term which was six months ahead. At that time, I appeared in court for trial. The judge called the case when the government witnesses were to be present, but the clerk had failed to notify them, so the judge said this case will be postponed for six months. At the end of that time the witnesses had been summoned and it looked as though I must sure go to prison. The folks put some underclothes and other things in a suit case and I partly bid farewell to my family for six months (and yet I felt as though something might intervene so I would not go to jail). I took the early train for Ogden and when the court was called the witnesses were all there. The judge ordered the clerk to call my case from the docket. The judge seemed to be vexed and the attorney told the court that all was