Discourse, 2 May 1835, as Reported by William E. McLellin–A

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Discourse, 2 May 1835, as Reported by William E. McLellin–A
Source Note

JS, Discourse,
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...
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, Geauga Co., OH, 2 May 1835. Featured version copied [not before 25 Feb. 1836] in Minute Book 1, pp. 187–188; handwriting of
Warren Cowdery
17 Oct. 1788–23 Feb. 1851. Physician, druggist, farmer, editor. Born at Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller. Married Patience Simonds, 22 Sept. 1814, in Pawlet, Rutland Co. Moved to Freedom, Cattaraugus Co., New York, 1816...
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; CHL. For more complete source information, see the source note for Minute Book 1.

Historical Introduction
See Historical Introduction to Minutes and Discourse, 2 May 1835, as Reported by William E. McLellin–A.
Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation. *Discourse, 2 May 1835, as Reported by William E. McLellin–B Record of the Twelve, 14 February–28 August 1835
*Discourse, 2 May 1835, as Reported by William E. McLellin–A
Minute Book 1 History, 1838–1856, volume B-1 [1 September 1834–2 November 1838] “History of Joseph Smith”
Page 187
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The president then stated that the Twelve will have no right to go into
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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or any of its
stakes
Ecclesiastical organization of church members in a particular locale. Stakes were typically large local organizations of church members; stake leaders could include a presidency, a high council, and a bishopric. Some revelations referred to stakes “to” or...
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and there undertake to regulate the affairs thereof where there is a standing
High Council
A governing body of twelve high priests. The first high council was organized in Kirtland, Ohio, on 17 February 1834 “for the purpose of settling important difficulties which might arise in the church, which could not be settled by the church, or the bishop...
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. But it is their duty to go abroad and regulate all matters relative to the different
branches
An ecclesiastical organization of church members in a particular locale. A branch was generally smaller than a stake or a conference. Branches were also referred to as churches, as in “the Church of Shalersville.” In general, a branch was led by a presiding...
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of the Church.
1
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].)
When the Twelve are together, or a
quorum
An organized group of individuals holding the same office in the Melchizedek priesthood or the Aaronic priesthood. According to the 1835 “Instruction on Priesthood,” the presidency of the church constituted a quorum. The Twelve Apostles also formed a quorum...
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of them in any Church, they will have authority to act independently and make decisions, and those decisions, and those decissions are valid. But where there is not a quorum they will have to do business by the voice of the Church. No standing high council has authority his to go into the churches abroad and regulate the matters thereof, for this belongs to the Twelve. No High Council will ever be established only in Zion or one of its Stakes. When the twelve pass a decision it is in the name of the church, Therefore, it is valid. No individual has a right to go into any church [p. 187]
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Editorial Title
Discourse, 2 May 1835, as Reported by William E. McLellin–A
ID #
12750
Total Pages
2
Print Volume Location
Handwriting on This Page
Warren A. Cowdery
Footnotes
[1]
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].)