Minutes, Discourse, and Blessings, 1 March 1835

Home >
The Papers >

Minutes, Discourse, and Blessings, 1 March 1835
Source Note

Minutes, Discourse, and Blessings, [
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], 1 Mar. 1835. Featured version copied [not before 25 Feb. 1836] in Minute Book 1, pp. 172–186; 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...
View Full Bio
; CHL. For more complete source information, see the source note for Minute Book 1.

Historical Introduction
On the morning of 1 March 1835, church members convened a meeting 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
, Ohio, apparently as a continuation of a meeting that had adjourned on 28 February. Several men appointed to the office of
Seventy
A priesthood office with the responsibility to travel and preach and assist the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, similar to the seventy in the New Testament. In February and March 1835, the first members of the Seventy were selected and ordained. All of those...
View Glossary
were given
ordination
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
blessings in that 28 February meeting.
1
For more information about these meetings and the Seventy in general, see Historical Introduction to Minutes and Blessings, 28 Feb.–1 Mar. 1835.
The blessings continued in this 1 March 1835 meeting, and at least thirty-three individuals, including some not designated as seventies, were blessed.
2
Although not all blessings explicitly state that an individual was ordained a seventy, it appears that the only men not made seventies at this time were John Murdock, Solomon Denton, Benjamin Winchester, Hyrum Smith, and Frederick G. Williams.
All those receiving ordinations and blessings in this meeting had participated in the
Camp of Israel
A group of approximately 205 men and about 20 women and children led by JS to Missouri, May–July 1834, to redeem Zion by helping the Saints who had been driven from Jackson County, Missouri, regain their lands; later referred to as “Zion’s Camp.” A 24 February...
View Glossary
expedition.
3
Bradley, Zion’s Camp 1834, 269–275; Account with the Church of Christ, ca. 11–29 Aug. 1834.
Comprehensive Works Cited
Bradley, James L. Zion’s Camp 1834: Prelude to the Civil War. Logan, UT: By the author, 1990.
According to later reminiscences, many of these blessings were performed by members of the church presidency, including JS, his
father
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...
View Full Bio
,
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...
View Full Bio
, and
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
.
4
For examples, see Hutchings, Journal, 15 Feb. 1835; Burgess, Autobiography, 4; and “Biographies of the Seventies of the Second Quorum,” 22.
Hutchings, Elias. Journal, Dec. 1834–Sept. 1836. CHL. MS 1445.
Burgess, Harrison. Autobiography, ca. 1883. Photocopy. CHL. MS 893. Also available as “Sketch of a Well-Spent Life,” in Labors in the Vineyard, Faith-Promoting Series 12 (Salt Lake City: Juvenile Instructor Office, 1884), 65–74.
“Biographies of the Seventies of the Second Quorum,” 1845–1855. In Seventies Quorum Records, 1844–1975. CHL. CR 499.
The minutes indicate that several individuals who had recently been
baptized
An ordinance in which an individual is immersed in water for the remission of sins. The Book of Mormon explained that those with necessary authority were to baptize individuals who had repented of their sins. Baptized individuals also received the gift of...
View Glossary
were also confirmed members of the church at the meeting, and the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper was administered. JS also gave instructions on the necessity of worthiness when partaking of the sacrament.

It is unclear who originally recorded the ordination blessings or the minutes of the meeting.
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...
View Full Bio
later copied them into Minute Book 1.
Footnotes
[1]
For more information about these meetings and the Seventy in general, see Historical Introduction to Minutes and Blessings, 28 Feb.–1 Mar. 1835.
[2]
Although not all blessings explicitly state that an individual was ordained a seventy, it appears that the only men not made seventies at this time were John Murdock, Solomon Denton, Benjamin Winchester, Hyrum Smith, and Frederick G. Williams.
[3]
Bradley, Zion’s Camp 1834, 269–275; Account with the Church of Christ, ca. 11–29 Aug. 1834.
Bradley, James L. Zion’s Camp 1834: Prelude to the Civil War. Logan, UT: By the author, 1990.
[4]
For examples, see Hutchings, Journal, 15 Feb. 1835; Burgess, Autobiography, 4; and “Biographies of the Seventies of the Second Quorum,” 22.
Hutchings, Elias. Journal, Dec. 1834–Sept. 1836. CHL. MS 1445.
Burgess, Harrison. Autobiography, ca. 1883. Photocopy. CHL. MS 893. Also available as “Sketch of a Well-Spent Life,” in Labors in the Vineyard, Faith-Promoting Series 12 (Salt Lake City: Juvenile Instructor Office, 1884), 65–74.
“Biographies of the Seventies of the Second Quorum,” 1845–1855. In Seventies Quorum Records, 1844–1975. CHL. CR 499.
Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation. *Minutes, Discourse, and Blessings, 1 March 1835 Minute Book 1 History, 1838–1856, volume B-1 [1 September 1834–2 November 1838] “History of Joseph Smith”
Page 183
Hide editing marks

Nathan B. Baldwin
27 Jan. 1812–1 Nov. 1891. Born in Augusta, Grenville Co., Upper Canada. Farmer. Son of Aaron M. Baldwin and Julia Bishop. Moved to Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties, New York. Moved to Chautauque Co., New York, Oct. 1831. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ...
View Full Bio

We
ordain
View Glossary
you to be an
Elder
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
& one of the
70
A priesthood office with the responsibility to travel and preach and assist the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, similar to the seventy in the New Testament. In February and March 1835, the first members of the Seventy were selected and ordained. All of those...
View Glossary
and because you have been willing to suffer & die for your brethren.
51
A reference to Baldwin’s participation in the Camp of Israel expedition. Baldwin noted in a later account that he was made a seventy “one year and ten months from the day I was baptized.” (Baldwin, Account of Zion’s Camp, 20.)
Baldwin, Nathan Bennett. Account of Zion’s Camp, 1882. Typescript. CHL. MS 499.
You are chosen to go forth and bear good tidings to the nations,
52
On 30 June 1835, Baldwin left Kirtland with Milo Andrus to preach in New York. They returned sometime the following winter. (Baldwin, Account of Zion’s Camp, 21; Andrus, Autobiography, 5.)
Andrus, Milo. Autobiography, 1875. Private possession. Photocopy at CHL. MS 6533.
even those who are afar off, and although your mission will frequently lead you among rude nations, Yet if you are faithful in all things you shall be blessed among them.
53
See Revelation, 22–23 Sept. 1832 [D&C 84:80].
They will not seek your life, for you shall be a saviour to them, and bring them rejoicing to
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 ...
View Glossary
in peace. Amen.

Benjamin Winchester
6 Aug. 1817–25 Jan. 1901. Farmer, author, merchant, brick maker. Born near Elk Creek, Erie Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Stephen Winchester and Mary Case. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, early 1833, in Elk Creek. Moved to Kirtland, ...
View Full Bio
.

You are a child.
54
Benjamin Winchester was the son of Stephen Winchester. He and his father both went on the Camp of Israel expedition. Benjamin was born on 6 August 1817, making him seventeen at this time. (Whittaker, “East of Nauvoo,” 32–35.)
Whittaker, David J. “East of Nauvoo: Benjamin Winchester and the Early Mormon Church.” Journal of Mormon History 21 (Fall 1995): 30–83.
Your mind is yet tender, therefore, you are not of mature age to go forth, but we secure unto you the holy ministry. You shall yet, if faithful be
ordained
View Glossary
. You will live in a day of great howling and mourning among the nations.
55
See Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 433, 472, 572 [Helaman 9:22; 3 Nephi 8:23; Ether 15:17].
You shall [have?] power to be a comforter of many, and teach them the way of life, and tell them of a land of safety,
56
See Revelation, ca. 7 Mar. 1831 [D&C 45:66].
and will hear you and you shall push many people to
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 ...
View Glossary
.
57
See Revelation, 29 Oct. 1831 [D&C 66:11].
And if you desire it with all your heart you shall stand upon the earth when the Saviour comes and reign with him in glory after he comes. but if you desire it you shall be taken as Enoch Elijah,
58
See Genesis 5:24; Old Testament Revision 1, p. 19 [Moses 7:69]; and 2 Kings 2:11.
Even so, Amen.

Burr Riggs
17 Apr. 1811–1860. Botanist, physician. Born in Oxford, New Haven Co., Connecticut. Son of Gideon Riggs and Susan Picher. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and ordained an elder, before 3 June 1831. Ordained a high priest, 25 Oct. ...
View Full Bio
.

We
ordain
View Glossary
you to be an
Elder
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 the
Church
The Book of Mormon related that when Christ set up his church in the Americas, “they which were baptized in the name of Jesus, were called the church of Christ.” The first name used to denote the church JS organized on 6 April 1830 was “the Church of Christ...
View Glossary
of God to go forth and preach the Gospel. May the past history of your life serve as an everlasting lesson to you.
59
In February 1833, a council of high priests accused Riggs “of not magnifying his calling as a high Priest in the Church of Christ,” stating that Riggs “had been guilty of neglect of duty and abusing the Elders and treating their admonition and advice with contempt.” He was formally cut off from the church on 26 February 1833 but was apparently reinstated sometime thereafter. Riggs was one of the participants in the Camp of Israel expedition. (Minute Book 1, 13 and 26 Feb. 1833; Account with the Church of Christ, ca. 11–29 Aug. 1834.)
For you must go to distant nations and from this hour you must begin to prepare your business, for in temporal labors you shall not be prospered.
60
See Revelation, July 1830–A [D&C 24:9].
Therefore, go forth and preach the gospel and you shall live of the gospel.
61
See 1 Corinthians 9:14.
You shall be among the [p. 183]
View entire transcript
|
Cite this page
Source Note
Document Transcript
Page 183
Document Information
Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Minutes, Discourse, and Blessings, 1 March 1835
ID #
6818
Total Pages
15
Print Volume Location
JSP, D4:264–279
Handwriting on This Page
Warren A. Cowdery
Footnotes
[51]
A reference to Baldwin’s participation in the Camp of Israel expedition. Baldwin noted in a later account that he was made a seventy “one year and ten months from the day I was baptized.” (Baldwin, Account of Zion’s Camp, 20.)
[52]
On 30 June 1835, Baldwin left Kirtland with Milo Andrus to preach in New York. They returned sometime the following winter. (Baldwin, Account of Zion’s Camp, 21; Andrus, Autobiography, 5.)
Andrus, Milo. Autobiography, 1875. Private possession. Photocopy at CHL. MS 6533.
[53]
See Revelation, 22–23 Sept. 1832 [D&C 84:80].
[54]
Benjamin Winchester was the son of Stephen Winchester. He and his father both went on the Camp of Israel expedition. Benjamin was born on 6 August 1817, making him seventeen at this time. (Whittaker, “East of Nauvoo,” 32–35.)
Whittaker, David J. “East of Nauvoo: Benjamin Winchester and the Early Mormon Church.” Journal of Mormon History 21 (Fall 1995): 30–83.
[55]
See Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 433, 472, 572 [Helaman 9:22; 3 Nephi 8:23; Ether 15:17].
[56]
See Revelation, ca. 7 Mar. 1831 [D&C 45:66].
[57]
See Revelation, 29 Oct. 1831 [D&C 66:11].
[58]
See Genesis 5:24; Old Testament Revision 1, p. 19 [Moses 7:69]; and 2 Kings 2:11.
[59]
In February 1833, a council of high priests accused Riggs “of not magnifying his calling as a high Priest in the Church of Christ,” stating that Riggs “had been guilty of neglect of duty and abusing the Elders and treating their admonition and advice with contempt.” He was formally cut off from the church on 26 February 1833 but was apparently reinstated sometime thereafter. Riggs was one of the participants in the Camp of Israel expedition. (Minute Book 1, 13 and 26 Feb. 1833; Account with the Church of Christ, ca. 11–29 Aug. 1834.)
[60]
See Revelation, July 1830–A [D&C 24:9].
[61]
See 1 Corinthians 9:14.