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Minutes, 15 January 1836

Source Note

Minutes,
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, 15 Jan. 1836. Featured version copied [between ca. 4 Apr. and ca. 16 May 1836] in Minute Book 1, pp. 203–205; handwriting of
Warren A. 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

The grand council of church leaders that met in the attic of the
printing office

Following destruction of church printing office in Independence, Missouri, July 1833, JS and other church leaders determined to set up new printing office in Kirtland under firm name F. G. Williams & Co. Oliver Cowdery purchased new printing press in New ...

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on 13 January 1836 reconvened two days later in a council room on the third floor of the
House of the Lord

JS revelation, dated Jan. 1831, directed Latter-day Saints to migrate to Ohio, where they would “be endowed with power from on high.” In Dec. 1832, JS revelation directed Saints to “establish . . . an house of God.” JS revelation, dated 1 June 1833, chastened...

More Info
. The council discussed and voted on the rules and regulations that a committee led by JS had drafted the previous day.
1

Minutes, 13 Jan. 1836; Rules and Regulations, 14 Jan. 1836.


The church leaders at the meeting further organized the
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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quorums

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...

View Glossary
preparatory to the
solemn assembly

A special church meeting or conference convened to conduct church business, administer sacred ordinances, and receive spiritual power and instruction. In November 1831, the Saints were directed by revelation to gather as a body in solemn assemblies. A December...

View Glossary
and the promised
endowment

Bestowal of spiritual blessings, power, or knowledge. Beginning in 1831, multiple revelations promised an endowment of “power from on high” in association with the command to gather. Some believed this promise was fulfilled when individuals were first ordained...

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of power.
Presidents

An organized body of leaders over priesthood quorums and other ecclesiastical organizations. A November 1831 revelation first described the office of president over the high priesthood and the church as a whole. By 1832, JS and two counselors constituted ...

View Glossary
were then appointed and
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...

View Glossary
to lead the various quorums of the priesthood. This structure—each quorum overseen by a presiding official—had been described in a November 1831 revelation that was later incorporated into the instruction on priesthood published in the 1835 edition of the Doctrine and Covenants.
2

Revelation, 11 Nov. 1831–B [D&C 107:60–66]; Instruction on Priesthood, between ca. 1 Mar. and ca. 4 May 1835 [D&C 107:60–66].


The council also oversaw the bestowal of blessings on certain individuals and conducted other business concerning the House of the Lord.
There are two extant accounts of the 15 January meeting.
Orson Hyde

8 Jan. 1805–28 Nov. 1878. Laborer, clerk, storekeeper, teacher, editor, businessman, lawyer, judge. Born at Oxford, New Haven Co., Connecticut. Son of Nathan Hyde and Sally Thorpe. Moved to Derby, New Haven Co., 1812. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio, ...

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took the official minutes, probably on loose paper, but that original version has not survived.
Warren A. 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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copied the minutes into Minute Book 1 sometime in the spring of 1836.
Warren Parrish

10 Jan. 1803–3 Jan. 1877. Clergyman, gardener. Born in New York. Son of John Parrish and Ruth Farr. Married first Elizabeth (Betsey) Patten of Westmoreland Co., New Hampshire, ca. 1822. Lived at Alexandria, Jefferson Co., New York, 1830. Purchased land at...

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penned an alternate account in JS’s journal sometime shortly after the meeting took place.
3

JS, Journal, 15 Jan. 1836.


Because Minute Book 1 represents the official record of meetings of church governance in
Kirtland

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
and both extant versions are contemporaneous, the Minute Book 1 version is presented here. Significant differences between the two versions are noted.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Minutes, 13 Jan. 1836; Rules and Regulations, 14 Jan. 1836.

  2. [2]

    Revelation, 11 Nov. 1831–B [D&C 107:60–66]; Instruction on Priesthood, between ca. 1 Mar. and ca. 4 May 1835 [D&C 107:60–66].

  3. [3]

    JS, Journal, 15 Jan. 1836.

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation. *Minutes, 15 January 1836 Minute Book 1 History, 1838–1856, volume B-1 [1 September 1834–2 November 1838] “History of Joseph Smith”

Page 204

Don Carlos Smith

25 Mar. 1816–7 Aug. 1841. Farmer, printer, editor. Born at Norwich, Windsor Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Palmyra, Ontario Co., New York, 1816–Jan. 1817. Moved to Manchester, Ontario Co., 1825. Baptized into Church of Jesus...

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was nominated to be
president

An organized body of leaders over priesthood quorums and other ecclesiastical organizations. A November 1831 revelation first described the office of president over the high priesthood and the church as a whole. By 1832, JS and two counselors constituted ...

View Glossary
of the
high priest hood

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
in
Kirtland

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
, Seconded and carried with out opposition.
6

Don Carlos Smith was first nominated to be ordained a high priest before being nominated and accepted to serve as the president of the high priests quorum. (JS, Journal, 15 Jan. 1836.)


Alvah Beeman [Beman]

22 May 1775–15 Nov. 1837. Farmer. Born at New Marlboro, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of Reuben Beman and Mariam. Married Sarah (Sally) Burt, 18 Aug. 1796. Moved to what became Livonia, Ontario Co., New York, 1799. Moved to Avon, Livingston Co., New York...

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, was nominated for president of the
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...

View Glossary
of
Elders

A male leader in the church generally; an ecclesiastical and priesthood office or one holding that office; a proselytizing missionary. The Book of Mormon explained that elders ordained priests and teachers and administered “the flesh and blood of Christ unto...

View Glossary
in
Kirtland

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
, seconded and voted unanimously that he serve in that capacity.
The
Bishop

An ecclesiastical and priesthood office. JS appointed Edward Partridge as the first bishop in February 1831. Following this appointment, Partridge functioned as the local leader of the church in Missouri. Later revelations described a bishop’s duties as receiving...

View Glossary
of
Kirtland

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
7

Newel K. Whitney.


nominated
William Cowdery [Jr.]

5 Sept. 1765–26 Feb. 1847. Farmer, physician. Born at East Haddam, Middlesex Co., Connecticut. Son of William Cowdery and Hannah Emmons. Raised Congregationalist. Married first Rebecca Fuller. Moved to Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont, ca. 1787. Appointed surveyor...

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to be president of the
priests

An ecclesiastical and priesthood office. In the Book of Mormon, priests were described as those who baptized, administered “the flesh and blood of Christ unto the church,” and taught “the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.” A June 1829 revelation directed...

View Glossary
in
Kirtland

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
. This nomination was seconded and carried unanimously.
Thomas Gates

7 May 1776–22 June 1851. Farmer. Born in Henniker, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire. Son of Isaac Gates and Mary. Moved to Acworth, Cheshire Co., New Hampshire, by 1790. Married Patty Plumley, before 1805 and likely before 1800. Moved to St. Johnsbury, Caledonia...

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was nominated for president of the
teachers

Generally, one who instructs, but also an ecclesiastical and priesthood office. The Book of Mormon explained that teachers were to be ordained “to preach repentance and remission of sins through Jesus Christ, by the endurance of faith on his name to the end...

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, vote not carried
8

Meaning, the vote was not unanimous, as required by previous revelation. (See Revelation, July 1830–B [D&C 26:2]; and Revelation, Sept. 1830–B [D&C 28:13].)


Oliver Olney

11 Aug. 1796–ca. 1845. Wool manufacturer, farmer. Born at Eastford, Windham Co., Connecticut. Son of Ezekiel Olney and Lydia Brown. Married first Alice (Elsa) Johnson, daughter of John Johnson and Alice (Elsa) Jacobs, 14 Sept. 1820, at Hiram, Portage Co.,...

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was nominated for president of the Teachers, seconded and vote carried unanimously
Ira Bond

19 Jan. 1798–30 Nov. 1887. Farmer. Born at Caldwell, Essex Co., New Jersey. Son of Abner Bond and Mary Elizabeth Gould. Moved to Mendon, Monroe Co., New York, before 1830. Married Charlotte Wilcox in Honeoye Falls, Monroe Co. Baptized into Church of Jesus...

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was nominated to be president of the
Deacons

An ecclesiastical and priesthood office. The “Articles and Covenants” directed deacons to assist teachers in their duties. Deacons were also to “warn, expound, exhort, and teach and invite all to come unto Christ.” Although deacons did not have the authority...

View Glossary
in this place, motion seconded and carried by a unanimous vote.
President
Joseph Smith Senr.

12 July 1771–14 Sept. 1840. Cooper, farmer, teacher, merchant. Born at Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Asael Smith and Mary Duty. Nominal member of Congregationalist church at Topsfield. Married to Lucy Mack by Seth Austin, 24 Jan. 1796, at Tunbridge...

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Sidney Rigdon

19 Feb. 1793–14 July 1876. Tanner, farmer, minister. Born at St. Clair, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania. Son of William Rigdon and Nancy Gallaher. Joined United Baptists, ca. 1818. Preached at Warren, Trumbull Co., Ohio, and vicinity, 1819–1821. Married Phebe...

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proceeded to
ordain

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...

View Glossary
Don Carlos Smith

25 Mar. 1816–7 Aug. 1841. Farmer, printer, editor. Born at Norwich, Windsor Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Palmyra, Ontario Co., New York, 1816–Jan. 1817. Moved to Manchester, Ontario Co., 1825. Baptized into Church of Jesus...

View Full Bio
and
Alvah Beeman

22 May 1775–15 Nov. 1837. Farmer. Born at New Marlboro, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of Reuben Beman and Mariam. Married Sarah (Sally) Burt, 18 Aug. 1796. Moved to what became Livonia, Ontario Co., New York, 1799. Moved to Avon, Livingston Co., New York...

View Full Bio
to the respective offices to which they had been chosen, and pronounced great blessings upon them.
9

JS’s journal notes that Hyrum Smith also participated in the ordinations of and blessings given to Don Carlos Smith and Beman. (JS, Journal, 15 Jan. 1836.)


Bishop [Newel K.] Whitney

3/5 Feb. 1795–23 Sept. 1850. Trader, merchant. Born at Marlborough, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of Samuel Whitney and Susanna Kimball. Moved to Fairfield, Herkimer Co., New York, 1803. Merchant at Plattsburg, Clinton Co., New York, 1814. Mercantile clerk for...

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of
Kirtland

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
then proceeded to ordain
William Cowdery

5 Sept. 1765–26 Feb. 1847. Farmer, physician. Born at East Haddam, Middlesex Co., Connecticut. Son of William Cowdery and Hannah Emmons. Raised Congregationalist. Married first Rebecca Fuller. Moved to Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont, ca. 1787. Appointed surveyor...

View Full Bio
,
Oliver Olney

11 Aug. 1796–ca. 1845. Wool manufacturer, farmer. Born at Eastford, Windham Co., Connecticut. Son of Ezekiel Olney and Lydia Brown. Married first Alice (Elsa) Johnson, daughter of John Johnson and Alice (Elsa) Jacobs, 14 Sept. 1820, at Hiram, Portage Co.,...

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&
Ira Bond

19 Jan. 1798–30 Nov. 1887. Farmer. Born at Caldwell, Essex Co., New Jersey. Son of Abner Bond and Mary Elizabeth Gould. Moved to Mendon, Monroe Co., New York, before 1830. Married Charlotte Wilcox in Honeoye Falls, Monroe Co. Baptized into Church of Jesus...

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and pronounced many blessings upon them, according to their offices & standing.
10

JS’s journal notes that Whitney’s counselors in the bishopric, Reynolds Cahoon and Vinson Knight, also participated in the ordination and blessing of Cowdery, Olney, and Bond. (JS, Journal, 15 Jan. 1836.)


Moved seconded & voted that all the quorums take their turn in performing the office of door keeper in the
house of the Lord

JS revelation, dated Jan. 1831, directed Latter-day Saints to migrate to Ohio, where they would “be endowed with power from on high.” In Dec. 1832, JS revelation directed Saints to “establish . . . an house of God.” JS revelation, dated 1 June 1833, chastened...

More Info
.
Moved seconded and voted that by each quorum that Amos Orton,
Samuel Rolfe

26 Aug. 1794–July 1867. Carpenter. Born at Concord, Merrimack Co., New Hampshire. Son of Benjamin Rolfe and Mary (Molly) Swett. Moved to Maine, 1810. Married Elizabeth Hathaway, 4 Mar. 1818. Lived at Rumford, Oxford Co., Maine, when baptized into Church of...

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Thomas Carico [Carrico Jr.]

20 Sept. 1801–22 Feb. 1882. Shoemaker. Born at Beverly, Essex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Thomas Carrico and Deborah Wallis. Baptized into Unitarian church, 27 Sept. 1801, at Beverly. Married first Mary E. Raymond, 30 Aug. 1827, at Beverly. Wife died, 1833...

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&
Nathaniel Milliken

25 Dec. 1793–Aug. 1874. Farmer, post office clerk. Born at Buxton, York Co., Maine. Son of Nathaniel Milliken and Mary Lord. Married first Mary Fairfield Hayes, 22 Apr. 1819. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1 Oct. 1833, at Buxton...

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11

On 13 January 1836, the grand council appointed Milliken and Carrico as doorkeepers. Milliken declined the appointment for health reasons, and he was released from the position. Milliken may have reconsidered declining the office and accepted the appointment given this day. (JS, Journal, 13 Jan. 1836.)


be appointed assistant door keepers
Motioned, seconded & voted that the Presidencey of the
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...

View Glossary
12

JS, Sidney Rigdon, and Frederick G. Williams presided over the Kirtland high council. (Minutes, 17 Feb. 1834; see also “Church Officers in the Kirtland Stake.”)


hold the keys of the
house of the Lord

JS revelation, dated Jan. 1831, directed Latter-day Saints to migrate to Ohio, where they would “be endowed with power from on high.” In Dec. 1832, JS revelation directed Saints to “establish . . . an house of God.” JS revelation, dated 1 June 1833, chastened...

More Info
except the keys of one vestry which shall be held by the
Bishop of Kirtland

3/5 Feb. 1795–23 Sept. 1850. Trader, merchant. Born at Marlborough, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of Samuel Whitney and Susanna Kimball. Moved to Fairfield, Herkimer Co., New York, 1803. Merchant at Plattsburg, Clinton Co., New York, 1814. Mercantile clerk for...

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[p. 204]
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Source Note

Document Transcript

Page 204

Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Minutes, 15 January 1836
ID #
8382
Total Pages
3
Print Volume Location
JSP, D5:146–148
Handwriting on This Page
  • Warren A. Cowdery

Footnotes

  1. [6]

    Don Carlos Smith was first nominated to be ordained a high priest before being nominated and accepted to serve as the president of the high priests quorum. (JS, Journal, 15 Jan. 1836.)

  2. [7]

    Newel K. Whitney.

  3. [8]

    Meaning, the vote was not unanimous, as required by previous revelation. (See Revelation, July 1830–B [D&C 26:2]; and Revelation, Sept. 1830–B [D&C 28:13].)

  4. [9]

    JS’s journal notes that Hyrum Smith also participated in the ordinations of and blessings given to Don Carlos Smith and Beman. (JS, Journal, 15 Jan. 1836.)

  5. [10]

    JS’s journal notes that Whitney’s counselors in the bishopric, Reynolds Cahoon and Vinson Knight, also participated in the ordination and blessing of Cowdery, Olney, and Bond. (JS, Journal, 15 Jan. 1836.)

  6. [11]

    On 13 January 1836, the grand council appointed Milliken and Carrico as doorkeepers. Milliken declined the appointment for health reasons, and he was released from the position. Milliken may have reconsidered declining the office and accepted the appointment given this day. (JS, Journal, 13 Jan. 1836.)

  7. [12]

    JS, Sidney Rigdon, and Frederick G. Williams presided over the Kirtland high council. (Minutes, 17 Feb. 1834; see also “Church Officers in the Kirtland Stake.”)

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