The Papers
Browse the PapersDocumentsJournalsAdministrative RecordsRevelations and TranslationsHistoriesLegal RecordsFinancial RecordsOther Contemporary Papers
Reference
PeoplePlacesEventsGlossaryLegal GlossaryFinancial GlossaryCalendar of DocumentsWorks CitedFeatured TopicsLesson PlansRelated Publications
Media
VideosPhotographsIllustrationsChartsMapsPodcasts
News
Current NewsArchiveNewsletterSubscribeJSP Conferences
About
About the ProjectJoseph Smith and His PapersFAQAwardsEndorsementsReviewsEditorial MethodNote on TranscriptionsNote on Images of People and PlacesReferencing the ProjectCiting This WebsiteProject TeamContact Us
Published Volumes
  1. Home > 
  2. The Papers > 

Minutes and Blessings, 21 February 1835

Source Note

Minutes and Blessings, , Geauga Co., OH, 21 Feb. 1835. Featured version copied [not before 25 Feb. 1836] in Minute Book 1, pp. 154–164; handwriting of ; CHL. For more complete source information, see the source note for Minute Book 1.

Historical Introduction

Under the date of 21 February 1835 in Minute Book 1, recorded information pertaining to the ordination of three of the , an apparent continuation of a 14–15 February meeting at which the Twelve Apostles were named and nine of them . However, the entry for 21 February combines events that actually occurred on two or three different dates. The first part of the minutes includes the blessing given to by JS, , and , ordaining him to the Twelve, along with a charge that Oliver Cowdery gave specifically to Pratt. According to Pratt’s autobiography, these events occurred on 21 February. The second part of the minutes documents the blessings ordaining and as apostles, blessings that were given by Cowdery and Whitmer. However, Marsh and Orson Pratt were not in , Ohio, until the end of April, and their ordinations took place on 26 April 1835, when they attended their first meeting of the Twelve.
Following the record of ’s and ’s blessings is an account of a charge that gave to all the apostles. The charge may have been given on 21 February, but it refers to “the other three” apostles who were “not present,” and apparently only two apostles—Orson Pratt and Marsh—were not in attendance on 21 February. In addition, the text of the charge suggests that it was given at a time when more than one apostle was ordained.
Clerical confusion or a copying error may account for the recording of events from different days under the same date. For example, when copying loose minutes, may have inadvertently placed the later blessings and the general charge to the apostles under the 21 February date. It is also possible that Cowdery intended the record to reflect additional blessings and charges given to the Twelve, regardless of when they were given. Whatever the case, neither nor , clerks to the Twelve, included the ordination blessings or the general charge in their record of the Twelve’s transactions, making the Minute Book 1 record the only official record of these events. A later JS history includes a copy of these blessings and charges, apparently copied from Minute Book 1. Likewise, later recorded his blessing, ’s charge specific to him, and Cowdery’s general charge to the apostles in his autobiography, copying them from the minutes which had by then been incorporated into “the Church History.”
The blessings given to , , and are similar to the blessings given to the other nine apostles on 14 and 15 February 1835. Focusing on the proselytizing aspects of their calling as apostles, the blessings make several promises to the individuals. The charges, meanwhile, provide an expanded view of the responsibilities of the apostles, while also emphasizing that privation and hardship would be part of their lifelong ministry. Both the charge specific to Parley P. Pratt and the general charge to all the apostles emphasize that these apostles were to be like the “ancient Apostles,” or those called by Jesus Christ during his ministry. counseled the apostles, therefore, to seek personal knowledge of Christ so that they could testify of his existence with power and surety. Cowdery’s general charge also hinted at the larger administrative role of the apostles, stating that each one of them was equal to the others “in bearing the keys of the kingdom to all nations.” JS provided more information on what that meant in a 27 February 1835 meeting, stating that the apostles were “to unlock the door of the kingdom of heaven unto all nations, and to preach the Gospel to every creature.”

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Minutes, Discourse, and Blessings, 14–15 Feb. 1835.

  2. [2]

    Pratt, Autobiography, 127.

    Pratt, Parley P. The Autobiography of Parley Parker Pratt, One of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Embracing His Life, Ministry and Travels, with Extracts, in Prose and Verse, from His Miscellaneous Writings. Edited by Parley P. Pratt Jr. New York: Russell Brothers, 1874.

  3. [3]

    Pratt, Diary, 26 Apr. 1835.

    Pratt, Orson. Journal, 1833–1837. Orson Pratt, Autobiography and Journals, 1833–1847. CHL. MS 587, fds. 2–4.

  4. [4]

    Marsh, who was preaching with Edward Partridge during the first few months of 1835, did not arrive in Kirtland until 25 April 1835. Orson Pratt, who had been preaching in Cincinnati, reached Kirtland on 26 April. (Partridge, Diary, 24 Apr. 1835; Pratt, Diary, 26 Apr. 1835; Minutes, 26 Apr. 1835.)

    Partridge, Edward. Diaries, 1818 and 1835–1836. Edward Partridge, Papers, 1818–1839. CHL. MS 892, box 1, fds. 1–2.

    Pratt, Orson. Journal, 1833–1837. Orson Pratt, Autobiography and Journals, 1833–1847. CHL. MS 587, fds. 2–4.

  5. [5]

    All of the February 1835 minutes pertaining to the calling and ordination of the Twelve are in the back of Minute Book 1 (pages 147–168), well out of their chronological order.

  6. [6]

    JS History, vol. B-1, 568–575.

    JS History / Smith, Joseph, et al. History, 1838–1856. Vols. A-1–F-1 (original), A-2–E-2 (fair copy). Historian’s Office, History of the Church, 1839–ca. 1882. CHL. CR 100 102, boxes 1–7. The history for the period after 5 Aug. 1838 was composed after the death of Joseph Smith.

  7. [7]

    Pratt, Autobiography, 127–136.

    Pratt, Parley P. The Autobiography of Parley Parker Pratt, One of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Embracing His Life, Ministry and Travels, with Extracts, in Prose and Verse, from His Miscellaneous Writings. Edited by Parley P. Pratt Jr. New York: Russell Brothers, 1874.

  8. [8]

    JS also explained in that meeting that the apostles were a “traveling high council” that would “preside over all the churches of the Saints among the Gentiles.” (Minutes and Discourses, 27 Feb. 1835.)

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation. *Minutes and Blessings, 21 February 1835 Minute Book 1 History, 1838–1856, volume B-1 [1 September 1834–2 November 1838] “History of Joseph Smith”

Page 159

When the time should come, we could not tell, but we sought the Lord by fasting and prayer, to have our lives prolonged to see this day, to see you, and to take a retrospect of the difficulties through which we have passed. but, having seen the day, it becomes my duty to deliver to you a charge. and first, a few remarks respecting your ministry. You have many Revelations put into your hands. Revelations to make you acquainted with the nature of your Mission. You will have difficulties by reason of your visiting all the nations of the world. You will need wisdom in a tenfold proportion to what you have ever had. You will have to combat all the prejudices of all nations. He then read Revelation, and proceeded to say, Have you desired this ministry with all your hearts, If you have desired it, you are called of God not of man, to go into all the world. He read again, from the Revelation, what the Lord said to the 12 Brethren, you have your duty presented in this revelation. You have been to the , You have received it from those who had their power and authority from an angel.— You are to preach the gospel to every nation. should you in the least degree, come short of your duty, great will be your condemnation. for the greater the calling, the greater the transgression. I, therefore, warn you to cultivate great humility, for I know the pride of the human heart. Beware, lest the flatterers of the world lift you up. Beware lest your affections are captivated by worldly objects. Let your ministry be first. Remember the souls of men are committed to your charge, and if you mind your calling you shall always prosper. You have been indebted to other men in the first instance for evidence, on that you have acted. But <​it​> is necessary that you receive a testimony from Heaven for [p. 159]
View entire transcript

|

Cite this page

Source Note

Document Transcript

Page 159

Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Minutes and Blessings, 21 February 1835
ID #
6816
Total Pages
11
Print Volume Location
JSP, D4:237–247
Handwriting on This Page
  • Warren A. Cowdery

Footnotes

  1. [35]

    Several revelations refer to preaching the gospel to the world, including a September 1832 revelation instructing God’s “High priests,” or “Apostles,” to “remain steadfast in your minds in solemnity and the spirit of p[r]ayer in bearing testamony to all the world of those things which are communicated unto you.” This testimony was to be sent “into all the world unto every creature.” (Revelation, 22–23 Sept. 1832 [D&C 84:61–63]; see also Revelation, 1 Nov. 1831–A [D&C 68:1–12].)

  2. [36]

    The revelation instructing Cowdery and Whitmer to call the Twelve states that the Twelve were those who “shall desire to take upon them my name, with full purpose of heart.” If they had that desire, they were “called to go into all the world to preach my gospel unto every creature.” (Revelation, June 1829–B [D&C 18:27–28].)

  3. [37]

    Part of the June 1829 revelation was addressed specifically to the Twelve who would be called. (Revelation, June 1829–B [D&C 18:31–47].)

  4. [38]

    A later JS history relates that on 15 May 1829, John the Baptist conferred “the priesthood of Aaron” on JS and Oliver Cowdery. A revelation published in the 1835 edition of the Doctrine and Covenants states that Peter, James, and John had ordained JS and Cowdery “to be apostles and especial witnesses of my name.” (JS History, vol. A-1, 17–18; Revelation, ca. Aug. 1835 [D&C 27:12].)

    JS History / Smith, Joseph, et al. History, 1838–1856. Vols. A-1–F-1 (original), A-2–E-2 (fair copy). Historian’s Office, History of the Church, 1839–ca. 1882. CHL. CR 100 102, boxes 1–7. The history for the period after 5 Aug. 1838 was composed after the death of Joseph Smith.

  5. [39]

    See Revelation, 26 Apr. 1832 [D&C 82:3].

© 2024 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Terms of UseUpdated 2021-04-13Privacy NoticeUpdated 2021-04-06