On 27 February 1835, JS told the Twelve that they were a “traveling high council, who are to preside over all the churches of the Saints among the Gentiles, where there is no presidency established.” The Instruction on Priesthood, which was prepared around the same time, states that the Twelve were “to build up the church, and regulate all the affairs of the same, in all nations: first unto the Gentiles, and secondly unto the Jews.” (Minutes and Discourses, 27 Feb. 1835; Instruction on Priesthood, between ca. 1 Mar. and ca. 4 May 1835 [D&C 107:33].)