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Ordination and Blessing of Oliver Cowdery, 5 December 1834

Source Note

JS, Ordination and Blessing of
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...

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,
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, 5 Dec. 1834. Featured version inscribed, [5 Dec. 1834], in JS, History, [Dec. 1834–May 1836], p. 19; handwriting of
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...

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; verso of JS History, 1838–1856, vol. A-1, CHL. Includes redactions. For more complete source information, see the source note for JS, History, [Dec. 1834–May 1836].

Historical Introduction

See Historical Introduction to Account of Meetings, Revelation, and Blessing, 5–6 December 1834.

Page 19

Brother, In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, who was crucified for the sins of the world, that we through the virtue of his blood might come to the Father,
1

See Revelation, 2 Jan. 1831 [D&C 38:4].


I lay my hands upon thy head, and ordain thee a President
2

JS’s journal states “ordain thee an assistant President.” (JS, Journal, 5 Dec. 1834.)


of the high and holy priesthood, to assist in presiding over the Chu[r]ch, and bearing the
keys

Authority or knowledge of God given to humankind. In the earliest records, the term keys primarily referred to JS’s authority to unlock the “mysteries of the kingdom.” Early revelations declared that both JS and Oliver Cowdery held the keys to bring forth...

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of this kingdom
3

See Matthew 16:19; Revelation, 15 Mar. 1832 [D&C 81:2]; and Revelation, 8 Mar. 1833 [D&C 90:1–6]. A revelation published in the Doctrine and Covenants in 1835 states that Peter, James, and John conveyed upon JS and Cowdery “the keys of my [God’s] kingdom.” (Revelation, ca. Aug. 1835 [D&C 27:12–13].)


—which priesthood is after the order of Melchizedek—which is after the order of the Son of God—
4

See Psalm 110:4; Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 260 [Alma 13:18]; and Vision, 16 Feb. 1832 [D&C 76:57].


And now, O Father, wilt thou bless this thy servant with wisdom, knowledge, and understanding— give him, by the Holy Spirit, a correct understanding of thy doctrine, laws, and will— commune with him from on high— let him hear thy voice, and recieve the ministries ministring of the holy angels— deliver him from temptation, and the power of darkness— deliver him from evil,
5

See Matthew 6:13.


and from those who may seek his destruction,— be his shield, his buckler, and his great reward—
6

See Genesis 15:1; and Revelation, 7 Dec. 1830 [D&C 35:14].


endow him with power from on high,
7

See Luke 24:49; Revelation, 2 Jan. 1831 [D&C 38:32]; Revelation, Feb. 1831–A [D&C 43:15–16]; and Revelation, 22 June 1834 [D&C 105:33].


that he may write, preach, and proclaim the gospel to his fellowmen in demonstration of the Spirit and of power—
8

For more on Cowdery’s calling to preach and teach in the church, see Revelation, Sept. 1830–B [D&C 28:1–4].


may his feet never slide— may his heart never feint— may his faith never fail. Bestow upon him the blessings of his fathers Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and of Joseph— Prolong his life to a good old age, and bring him in peace to his end, and to rejoice with thy saints, even the sanctified, in the celestial kingdom;
9

See 1 Corinthians 15:40–41; Vision, 16 Feb. 1832 [D&C 76:50–70]; and Revelation, 27–28 Dec. 1832 [D&C 88:17–22].


for thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
10

See Matthew 6:13. JS’s journal for 5 December 1834 states, “Oliver Cowdery was ordained an assistant President of the High and Holy Priesthood under the hands of brother Joseph Smith jr. Saying, ‘My brother, in the name of Jesus Christ who was crucified for the sins of the world, I lay my hands upon thee, and ordain thee an assistant President of the high and holy p[r]iesthood in the church of the Latter Day Saints.[’]” (JS, Journal, 5 Dec. 1834.)


[p. 19]
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Editorial Title
Ordination and Blessing of Oliver Cowdery, 5 December 1834
ID #
5453
Total Pages
1
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  • Oliver Cowdery

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    See Revelation, 2 Jan. 1831 [D&C 38:4].

  2. [2]

    JS’s journal states “ordain thee an assistant President.” (JS, Journal, 5 Dec. 1834.)

  3. [3]

    See Matthew 16:19; Revelation, 15 Mar. 1832 [D&C 81:2]; and Revelation, 8 Mar. 1833 [D&C 90:1–6]. A revelation published in the Doctrine and Covenants in 1835 states that Peter, James, and John conveyed upon JS and Cowdery “the keys of my [God’s] kingdom.” (Revelation, ca. Aug. 1835 [D&C 27:12–13].)

  4. [4]

    See Psalm 110:4; Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 260 [Alma 13:18]; and Vision, 16 Feb. 1832 [D&C 76:57].

  5. [5]

    See Matthew 6:13.

  6. [6]

    See Genesis 15:1; and Revelation, 7 Dec. 1830 [D&C 35:14].

  7. [7]

    See Luke 24:49; Revelation, 2 Jan. 1831 [D&C 38:32]; Revelation, Feb. 1831–A [D&C 43:15–16]; and Revelation, 22 June 1834 [D&C 105:33].

  8. [8]

    For more on Cowdery’s calling to preach and teach in the church, see Revelation, Sept. 1830–B [D&C 28:1–4].

  9. [9]

    See 1 Corinthians 15:40–41; Vision, 16 Feb. 1832 [D&C 76:50–70]; and Revelation, 27–28 Dec. 1832 [D&C 88:17–22].

  10. [10]

    See Matthew 6:13. JS’s journal for 5 December 1834 states, “Oliver Cowdery was ordained an assistant President of the High and Holy Priesthood under the hands of brother Joseph Smith jr. Saying, ‘My brother, in the name of Jesus Christ who was crucified for the sins of the world, I lay my hands upon thee, and ordain thee an assistant President of the high and holy p[r]iesthood in the church of the Latter Day Saints.[’]” (JS, Journal, 5 Dec. 1834.)

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