Minutes, 4 May 1833

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...
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, Geauga Co., OH, 4 May 1833. Featured version copied [between 4 and ca. 6 June 1833] in Minute Book 1, p. 20; handwriting of
Frederick G. Williams
28 Oct. 1787–10 Oct. 1842. Ship’s pilot, teacher, physician, justice of the peace. Born at Suffield, Hartford Co., Connecticut. Son of William Wheeler Williams and Ruth Granger. Moved to Newburg, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, 1799. Practiced Thomsonian botanical system...
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; CHL. For more complete source information, see the source note for Minute Book 1.
Historical Introduction
In late December 1832 and early January 1833, JS dictated two revelations that led to the establishment of the
School of the Prophets
A term occasionally used to refer to a Protestant seminary; specifically used by JS to refer to a school to prepare elders of the church for their ministry. A December 1832 revelation directed JS and the elders of the church in Kirtland, Ohio, to establish...
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, an organization designed to instruct “in all things, that is expedient for the officers; or in other words, them who are called to the ministry in the Church.”
1
Revelation, 27–28 Dec. 1832 [D&C 88:1–126]; Revelation, 3 Jan. 1833 [D&C 88:127–137]. In January 1833, JS explained to church authorities in Missouri that “the Lord commanded us in Kirtland to build an house of God, & establish a school for the Prophets.” (Letter to William W. Phelps, 11 Jan. 1833.)
Meetings of the school, which began in late January 1833, were generally held in a room on the second floor of
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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’s
store
In Apr. 1826, Whitney purchased quarter-acre lot on northeast corner of Chardon and Chillicothe roads and built two-story, 1500-square-foot, white store. Mercantile store also functioned as Kirtland Mills post office. Whitney met JS at store, 4 Feb. 1831....
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.
2
Brigham Young later explained that the first School of the Prophets was held in “a small room over Joseph Smith’s kitchen” in Newel K. Whitney’s store. (Brigham Young, Discourse, 8 Feb. 1868, in George D. Watt, Discourse Shorthand Notes, 8 Feb. 1868, Pitman Shorthand Transcriptions, CHL; see also Brigham Young, in Journal of Discourses, 8 Feb. 1868, 12:157–158.)
Comprehensive Works Cited
Pitman Shorthand Transcriptions, 1998–2013. CHL.
Journal of Discourses. 26 vols. Liverpool: F. D. Richards, 1855–1886.
An 8 March 1833 revelation reiterated in the voice of the Lord the importance of organizing the School of the Prophets so members “may be perfected in their minstry for the salvation of
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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.”
3
Revelation, 8 Mar. 1833 [D&C 90:7–8].
Shortly thereafter, however, many of the students of the school were sent on missions to raise money to purchase the
Peter French
Ca. 1774–after 1850. Farmer, tavern keeper, hotelier. Born in New York. Moved to Willoughby, Western Reserve (later Lake Co.), Ohio, 1799. Married Sally. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio, 1811, as one of its earliest settlers. Named as one of town proprietors...
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property.
Zebedee Coltrin
7 Sept. 1804–21 July 1887. Born at Ovid, Seneca Co., New York. Son of John Coltrin and Sarah Graham. Member of Methodist church. Married first Julia Ann Jennings, Oct. 1828. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Solomon Hancock, 9 Jan...
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explained that the decision to purchase the
French farm
Consisted of 103 acres formerly owned by Peter French. Purchased for Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for $5,000, 1833. Area used to build houses, including JS’s; community buildings, such as new schoolhouse; and House of the Lord. Kirtland residents...
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as well as other properties “made it necessary to call the
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...
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out of school for the purpose of going again into the world and procuring means for Paying for the farms.”
4
Coltrin, Diary and Notebook, 23 Mar. 1833; Minutes, 23 Mar. 1833–A; Minutes, 23 Mar. 1833–B.
Comprehensive Works Cited
Coltrin, Zebedee. Diary and Notebook, 1832–1833. Zebedee Coltrin, Diaries, 1832–1834. CHL. MS 1443, fd. 2.
The anticipated return of these elders apparently led to the decision to move forward with plans to construct a separate building in which to hold the school’s meetings.
As reflected in the minutes featured here, a conference of
high priests
An ecclesiastical and priesthood office. Christ and many ancient prophets, including Abraham, were described as being high priests. The Book of Mormon used the term high priest to denote one appointed to lead the church. However, the Book of Mormon also discussed...
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held on 4 May 1833 appointed a committee of three men—
Hyrum Smith
9 Feb. 1800–27 June 1844. Farmer, cooper. Born at Tunbridge, Orange Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Randolph, Orange Co., 1802; back to Tunbridge, before May 1803; to Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont, 1804; to Sharon, Windsor Co...
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,
Jared Carter
14 June 1801–6 July 1849. Born at Killingworth, Middlesex Co., Connecticut. Son of Gideon Carter and Johanna Sims. Moved to Benson, Rutland Co., Vermont, by 1810. Married Lydia Ames, 20 Sept. 1823, at Benson. Moved to Chenango, Broome Co., New York, by Jan...
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, and
Reynolds Cahoon
30 Apr. 1790–29 Apr. 1861. Farmer, tanner, builder. Born at Cambridge, Washington Co., New York. Son of William Cahoon Jr. and Mehitable Hodges. Married Thirza Stiles, 11 Dec. 1810. Moved to northeastern Ohio, 1811. Located at Harpersfield, Ashtabula Co.,...
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—to procure funds for the construction of the building by subscription, meaning that funds would be sought from donations made by individual church members. On 1 June 1833, the committee sent a letter to church congregations, seeking donations to “establish an house and prepare all things necessary whereby the Elders may gather into a school called the school of the prophets and receive that instruction that the Lord designs they should receive.”
5
Hyrum Smith et al., Kirtland, OH, to “the Churches of Christ,” 1 June 1833, in JS Letterbook 1, pp. 36–37.

Footnotes
1. 1
  Revelation, 27–28 Dec. 1832 [D&C 88:1–126]; Revelation, 3 Jan. 1833 [D&C 88:127–137]. In January 1833, JS explained to church authorities in Missouri that “the Lord commanded us in Kirtland to build an house of God, & establish a school for the Prophets.” (Letter to William W. Phelps, 11 Jan. 1833.)
2. 2
  Brigham Young later explained that the first School of the Prophets was held in “a small room over Joseph Smith’s kitchen” in Newel K. Whitney’s store. (Brigham Young, Discourse, 8 Feb. 1868, in George D. Watt, Discourse Shorthand Notes, 8 Feb. 1868, Pitman Shorthand Transcriptions, CHL; see also Brigham Young, in Journal of Discourses, 8 Feb. 1868, 12:157–158.)
  
  Pitman Shorthand Transcriptions, 1998–2013. CHL.
  Journal of Discourses. 26 vols. Liverpool: F. D. Richards, 1855–1886.
3. 3
  Revelation, 8 Mar. 1833 [D&C 90:7–8].
4. 4
  Coltrin, Diary and Notebook, 23 Mar. 1833; Minutes, 23 Mar. 1833–A; Minutes, 23 Mar. 1833–B.
  
  Coltrin, Zebedee. Diary and Notebook, 1832–1833. Zebedee Coltrin, Diaries, 1832–1834. CHL. MS 1443, fd. 2.
5. 5
  Hyrum Smith et al., Kirtland, OH, to “the Churches of Christ,” 1 June 1833, in JS Letterbook 1, pp. 36–37.

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A of assembled in May the 4th 1833 and appointed moderator who opened the conference with prayer after which arose and stated the necessity of building a school house for the purpose of accomodating the who should come in to receive their education for the ministry according to a revelation given on that subject March 8— 1833 voted unanimously that a committe[e] be appointed to superintend getting subscription for the purpose the following persons were appointed a committe[e] by the voice of the conference Viz there being no further business the conference closed

< Clk PT. [pro tempore]> [p. 20]

A of assembled in May the 4th 1833 and appointed moderator who opened the conference with prayer after which arose and stated the necessity of building a school house for the purpose of accomodating the who should come in to receive their education for the ministry according to a revelation given on that subject March 8— 1833 voted unanimously that a committee be appointed to superintend getting subscription for the purpose the following persons were appointed a committee by the voice of the conference Viz there being no further business the conference closed

Clk PT. [pro tempore] [p. 20]

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Document Information
Editorial Title
Minutes, 4 May 1833
ID #
7871
Total Pages
1
Print Volume Location
JSP, D3:81–82
Handwriting on This Page
- Frederick G. Williams
Footnotes
1. 1
  As one of the definitions of subscription, Webster’s 1828 dictionary lists “the act of contributing to any undertaking.” (“Subscription,” in American Dictionary.)
  
  An American Dictionary of the English Language: Intended to Exhibit, I. the Origin, Affinities and Primary Signification of English Words, as far as They Have Been Ascertained. . . . Edited by Noah Webster. New York: S. Converse, 1828.
2. 2
  On 1 June the committee sent a letter to the churches that contained an account of this meeting and explained, “We have meet in conference and there agreed to form a subscription and circulate the same through the Churches and also appointed Hyram Smith Reynolds Cahoon and Jared Carter a committe to superintend this business viz of circulating subscriptions to establish a fund to build a house and to aid the Elders to attend this school and subscription are now in circulation among us.” (Hyrum Smith et al., Kirtland, OH, to “the Churches of Christ,” 1 June 1833, in JS Letterbook 1, p. 37.)

Minutes, 4 May 1833

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