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Appendix 5, Document 6. Blessing to Oliver Cowdery, 2 October 1835

Source Note

JS, Blessing, to
Oliver Cowdery

3 Oct. 1806–3 Mar. 1850. Clerk, teacher, justice of the peace, lawyer, newspaper editor. Born at Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller. Raised Congregationalist. Moved to western New York and clerked at a store, ca. 1825–1828...

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, [
Kirtland Township

Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Latter-day Saint missionaries visited township, early Nov. 1830; many residents joined Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and...

More Info
, Geauga Co., OH], 2 Oct. 1835. Featured version copied 2 Oct. 1835 in Patriarchal Blessing Book 1, p. 12; handwriting of
Oliver Cowdery

3 Oct. 1806–3 Mar. 1850. Clerk, teacher, justice of the peace, lawyer, newspaper editor. Born at Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller. Raised Congregationalist. Moved to western New York and clerked at a store, ca. 1825–1828...

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; CHL. For more complete source information on Patriarchal Blessing Book 1, see the source note for Blessing from Joseph Smith Sr., 9 Dec. 1834.

Historical Introduction

See Appendix 5: Blessings, September and October 1835, Introduction.
Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation. Journal, 1832–1834
Appendix 5, Document 6. Blessing to Oliver Cowdery, 2 October 1835

Page 12

Blessed of the Lord is
Brother [Oliver Cowdery]

3 Oct. 1806–3 Mar. 1850. Clerk, teacher, justice of the peace, lawyer, newspaper editor. Born at Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller. Raised Congregationalist. Moved to western New York and clerked at a store, ca. 1825–1828...

View Full Bio
1

Here the blessing in JS’s journal has the following: “nevertheless there are are two evils in him that he must needs forsake or he cannot altogeth[er] escape the buffettings of the advers[ar]y if he shall forsak these evils he shall be forgiven.” (JS, Journal, 18 Dec. 1833.)


for he shall be made like unto the bow which the Lord hath set in the heavens: he shall be a sign unto the nations
, and shall be an instrument in lifting up an ensign unto them. Behold, he is blessed of the Lord for his constancy and steadfastness and <​in the​> work of the Lord: wherefore, he shall be blessed in his generations,
2

The blessing found in JS’s journal has “generation.” (JS, Journal, 18 Dec. 1833.)


and they shall never be cut off; and he shall be helped out of all his troubles
3

The blessing found in JS’s journal has “many troubles.” (JS, Journal, 18 Dec. 1833.)


because he shall keep the commandments of the Lord and hearken unto all his counsels.
4

The journal puts this last phrase as the conditional: “and if he keep the commandments and harken unto the council of the Lord his rest shall be glorious.” (JS, Journal, 18 Dec. 1833.)


He shall be blessed with the blessings of the lasting hills: with blessings from above and with blessings that couch beneath; even the hidden things of the ancient mountains: even the records that have been hid from <​the first ages, from​> generation to generation shall he be an instrument in the hands of his God, with his brother Joseph, of
translating

To produce a text from one written in another language; in JS’s usage, most often through divine means. JS considered the ability to translate to be a gift of the spirit, like the gift of interpreting tongues. He recounted that he translated “reformed Egyptian...

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and bringing forth to the house of Israel.
5

See Revelation, Apr. 1829–A [D&C 6:27]; and Revelation, Apr. 1829–B [D&C 8:1].


And blessed upon the mountains shall his feet be, for he shall publish peace and salvation among all the
Gentile

Those who were not members of the House of Israel. More specifically, members of the church identified gentiles as those whose lineage was not of the Jews or Lamanites (understood to be the American Indians in JS’s day). Certain prophecies indicated that ...

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nations, and lo, lo, among the Jews,
6

See Revelation, 6 Apr. 1830 [D&C 21:12]. Oliver Cowdery never preached to the Jews as a people, but he was the first missionary called to the American Indians, whom early Latter-day Saints associated with the Lamanites of the Book of Mormon. The Lamanites were sometimes referred to as Jews in JS’s revelations. (See Revelation, ca. Summer 1829 [D&C 19:27]; and Revelation, 20 July 1831 [D&C 57:4].)


also: and his name shall be had in remembrance among all nations, and it shall be said of him, This man is blessed of the Lord, for he went out in search of the promised land, like Abraham of old, not knowing whither he went, and the right hand of his God did protect him that he did not stop till his feet stood thereon: therefore, for this he is blessed and his posterity after him; and when men bless in Israel they shall bless, saying, The Lord bless thee as he did his servant [
Oliver Cowdery

3 Oct. 1806–3 Mar. 1850. Clerk, teacher, justice of the peace, lawyer, newspaper editor. Born at Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller. Raised Congregationalist. Moved to western New York and clerked at a store, ca. 1825–1828...

View Full Bio
] who sought diligently for the promised land, whereon the city of
Zion

A specific location in Missouri; also a literal or figurative gathering of believers in Jesus Christ, characterized by adherence to ideals of harmony, equality, and purity. In JS’s earliest revelations “the cause of Zion” was used to broadly describe the ...

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should stand:
7

See Covenant of Oliver Cowdery and Others, 17 Oct. 1830.


the Lord bring peace and blessings upon thy house as he has upon the house of this man; for inasmuch as he has done like Abraham, in this thing, the blessings of his father Abraham shall come upon him. Thus shall his name remain a blessing. And he shall yet do the work of an evangelist in his day; and Zion shall rejoice for the multitudes that <​shall​> flow unto her because of him. And he shall be kept under the shadow of the wing of the Almighty, and he made a polished shaft in his quiver, and lead forth by his mighty hand. He shall sit in the
council

A gathering of church leaders assembled “for consultation, deliberation and advice”; also a body responsible for governance or administration. As early as 9 February 1831, a revelation instructed that “the Elders & Bishop shall Council together & they shall...

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of the
patriarchs

An ecclesiastical and priesthood office with the authority to give inspired blessings, similar to the practice of Old Testament patriarchs. JS occasionally referred to patriarchs as “evangelical ministers” or “evangelists.” Joseph Smith Sr. was ordained as...

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, with his brother Joseph, and with him have part in the
keys

Authority or knowledge of God given to humankind. In the earliest records, the term keys primarily referred to JS’s authority to unlock the “mysteries of the kingdom.” Early revelations declared that both JS and Oliver Cowdery held the keys to bring forth...

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of that ministry when the Ancient of Days shall come.
8

See Revelation, ca. Aug. 1835 [D&C 27].


Behold, there is no end to the blessings and glories that shall come upon my brother [
Oliver Cowdery

3 Oct. 1806–3 Mar. 1850. Clerk, teacher, justice of the peace, lawyer, newspaper editor. Born at Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller. Raised Congregationalist. Moved to western New York and clerked at a store, ca. 1825–1828...

View Full Bio
] yet in his days; for he shall have part with me in the keys of the kingdom of the last days, and we shall judge this generation by our testimony: and the keys shall never be taken from us, but shall rest with us for an everlasting
briesthood [priesthood]

Power or authority of God. The priesthood was conferred through the laying on of hands upon adult male members of the church in good standing; no specialized training was required. Priesthood officers held responsibility for administering the sacrament of...

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, forever and ever.
9

See Revelation, 8 Mar. 1833 [D&C 90:3].


Behold, he shall be a choice lawyer in Israel, both pertaining to the law of God and also the law of the land <​man;​> for he shall have understanding in these matters. He shall be equal in the councils of Israel, for he shall sit in the great assemblys of the house of Jacob, and by his understanding shall they be benefited. He shall also stand in the councils of nations and states, and his voice shall be heard among <​in the midst of​> the most renowned among the statesmen of the world, and by his superior intelligence and great wisdom convince them of their errors: thus shall he be reverenced; for he shall be had in repute even by governors and kings, and stand in the legislatures of nations. And because of the liberality of his soul shall the poor be benefitted, and their blessings shall rest upon his head. Though his heart shall desire, above all things, to see the law of God fulfilled, yet because he is ever filled with charity he shall be quick to forgive the transgressor, when he repents. He shall be blessed with an abundance of the good things of this earth, even with houses and with lands, and in the fruit of the vine, the fruit of the olive and the fruit of the field, and in the abundance of cattle, and of horses, and of asses and of she asses, of sheep, and of goats, of camels, dromedaries, and all swift beasts, and of chariots in abundance, <​with gold and with silver, with diamonds and all precious stones, with brass and with iron, and with the choice platina [platinum];​> and of blessings at home and abroad, and of blessings pertaining to right among the nobles of the earth, in palaces of governors and kings, and in foreign nations, and in kingdoms afar off unto the utmost parts of the earth, and they shall acknowledge his right and his authority. So shall the blessings come upon my brother [
Oliver Cowdery

3 Oct. 1806–3 Mar. 1850. Clerk, teacher, justice of the peace, lawyer, newspaper editor. Born at Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller. Raised Congregationalist. Moved to western New York and clerked at a store, ca. 1825–1828...

View Full Bio
] and upon his seed after him, from generation to generation, unto the latest posterity. These blessings shall come upon him according to the blessings of the prophecy of Joseph, in ancient days, which he said should come upon the
Seer

The Book of Mormon identified a seer as a “revelator, and a prophet also,” specifying, however, that a seer was “greater than a prophet.” A seer could “know of things which has past, and also of things which is to come.” The work of a seer included translation...

View Glossary
of the last days and the Scribe that should sit with him, and that should be
ordained

The conferral of power and authority; to appoint, decree, or set apart. Church members, primarily adults, were ordained to ecclesiastical offices and other responsibilities by the laying on of hands by those with the proper authority. Ordinations to priesthood...

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with him, by the hand of the angel in the bush, unto the
lesser priesthood

The lower, or lesser, of two divisions of the priesthood. Sometimes called the Levitical priesthood. It was named for Aaron, the brother of Moses, “because it was conferred upon Aaron and his seed” in antiquity. JS and other church leaders taught that the...

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, and after receive the
holy priesthood

The authority and power held by certain officers in the church. The Book of Mormon referred to the high priesthood as God’s “holy order, which was after the order of his Son,” and indicated that Melchizedek, a biblical figure, was a high priest “after this...

View Glossary
under the hands of they who had been held in reserve for a long season, even those who received it under the hand of the Messiah, while he should dwell in the flesh, upon the earth, and should receive the blessings with him, even the Seer of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, saith he, even Joseph of old,
10

In Oliver Cowdery’s introductory comments to the blessings he copied into the Patriarchal Blessing Book in 1835, he provided an important narrative of the restoration of authority. There he wrote: “Therefore, we repaired to the woods, even as our father Joseph said we should, that is to the bush, and called upon the name of the Lord, and he answered us out of the heavens, and while we were in the heavenly vision the angel came down and bestowed upon us this priesthood; and then, as I have said, we repaired to the water and were baptized.” Both Cowdery’s narrative and JS’s blessing as recorded by Cowdery refer to a prophecy by the biblical Joseph of Egypt, resembling the prophecy retold by Lehi in 2 Nephi chapter 3 but given with more detail here. (Patriarchal Blessings, 1:8–9.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Patriarchal Blessings, 1833–. CHL. CR 500 2.

by his hand, even God. And he shall inherit a crown of eternal life, at the end; and while in the flesh shall stand up in Zion and assist to crown the tribes of Jacob; even so. Amen.
Oliver Cowdery

3 Oct. 1806–3 Mar. 1850. Clerk, teacher, justice of the peace, lawyer, newspaper editor. Born at Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller. Raised Congregationalist. Moved to western New York and clerked at a store, ca. 1825–1828...

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, Clerk and Recorder.
Given December 18th, 1833, and recorded in this book October 2, 1835. [p. 12]
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Source Note

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Page 12

Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Appendix 5, Document 6. Blessing to Oliver Cowdery, 2 October 1835
ID #
1569
Total Pages
1
Print Volume Location
JSP, D5:511–514
Handwriting on This Page
  • Oliver Cowdery

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Here the blessing in JS’s journal has the following: “nevertheless there are are two evils in him that he must needs forsake or he cannot altogeth[er] escape the buffettings of the advers[ar]y if he shall forsak these evils he shall be forgiven.” (JS, Journal, 18 Dec. 1833.)

  2. [2]

    The blessing found in JS’s journal has “generation.” (JS, Journal, 18 Dec. 1833.)

  3. [3]

    The blessing found in JS’s journal has “many troubles.” (JS, Journal, 18 Dec. 1833.)

  4. [4]

    The journal puts this last phrase as the conditional: “and if he keep the commandments and harken unto the council of the Lord his rest shall be glorious.” (JS, Journal, 18 Dec. 1833.)

  5. [5]

    See Revelation, Apr. 1829–A [D&C 6:27]; and Revelation, Apr. 1829–B [D&C 8:1].

  6. [6]

    See Revelation, 6 Apr. 1830 [D&C 21:12]. Oliver Cowdery never preached to the Jews as a people, but he was the first missionary called to the American Indians, whom early Latter-day Saints associated with the Lamanites of the Book of Mormon. The Lamanites were sometimes referred to as Jews in JS’s revelations. (See Revelation, ca. Summer 1829 [D&C 19:27]; and Revelation, 20 July 1831 [D&C 57:4].)

  7. [7]

    See Covenant of Oliver Cowdery and Others, 17 Oct. 1830.

  8. [8]

    See Revelation, ca. Aug. 1835 [D&C 27].

  9. [9]

    See Revelation, 8 Mar. 1833 [D&C 90:3].

  10. [10]

    In Oliver Cowdery’s introductory comments to the blessings he copied into the Patriarchal Blessing Book in 1835, he provided an important narrative of the restoration of authority. There he wrote: “Therefore, we repaired to the woods, even as our father Joseph said we should, that is to the bush, and called upon the name of the Lord, and he answered us out of the heavens, and while we were in the heavenly vision the angel came down and bestowed upon us this priesthood; and then, as I have said, we repaired to the water and were baptized.” Both Cowdery’s narrative and JS’s blessing as recorded by Cowdery refer to a prophecy by the biblical Joseph of Egypt, resembling the prophecy retold by Lehi in 2 Nephi chapter 3 but given with more detail here. (Patriarchal Blessings, 1:8–9.)

    Patriarchal Blessings, 1833–. CHL. CR 500 2.

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