Appendix 5, Document 3. Blessing to Samuel Smith, 28 September 1835
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Source Note
JS, Blessing, to , [, Geauga Co., OH], 28 Sept. 1835. Featured version copied 28 Sept. 1835 in Patriarchal Blessing Book 1, p. 10; handwriting of ; CHL. For more complete source information on Patriarchal Blessing Book 1, see the source note for Blessing from Joseph Smith Sr., 9 Dec. 1834.
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Historical Introduction
On 18 December 1833, JS dictated a blessing for his brother , which recorded in JS’s journal. On 28 September 1835, entered the blessing, with significant expansions, into the patriarchal blessing book. Seventy-seven percent of the text of the blessing in that book is not present in the earlier version in JS’s journal. Most of the expansions deal with great promises to Smith of riches, spiritual influence, and effectiveness in preaching to different nations.
Footnotes
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1
JS, Journal, 18 Dec. 1833.
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1
Document Transcript
Footnotes
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1
See 1 Samuel 3:10. When Joseph Smith Sr. gave Samuel Smith a blessing in December 1834, he used similar language: “Thou art blessed of the Lord, for thou shalt hear his voice, saying, Samuel, Samuel.” (Blessing to Samuel Smith, 9 Dec. 1834, in Patriarchal Blessings, 1:5.)
Patriarchal Blessings, 1833–. CHL. CR 500 2.
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2
A new session of the School of the Elders, which was sometimes called the School of the Prophets, was to begin in Kirtland, Ohio, in November 1835. It is not known whether Samuel Smith taught in that school. (JS, Journal, 18 Dec. 1833; “The Elders Abroad,” LDS Messenger and Advocate, Sept. 1835, 1:191.)
Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate. Kirtland, OH. Oct. 1834–Sept. 1837.
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3
The version in JS’s journal has “the Lord shall mature his mind in Judgment” instead of “the Lord shall mature his mind and correct his judgment.” (JS, Journal, 18 Dec. 1833.)
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4
The “Articles and Covenants” of the church state that the Book of Mormon contains “the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles and also to the Jews.” At some point, the meaning of the term “fulness of the gospel” may have expanded to include JS’s revelations and visions. (Articles and Covenants, ca. Apr. 1830 [D&C 20:9]; Vision, 16 Feb. 1832 [D&C 76:14]; see also Revelation, 9 Feb. 1831 [D&C 42:12].)
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5
None of the material from this point to the end of the blessing is present in the version in JS’s journal. (JS, Journal, 18 Dec. 1833.)
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6
See Old Testament Revision 1, p. 14 [Moses 6:57]; Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 63, 531 [2 Nephi 2:8; Mormon 7:7]; and Vision, 16 Feb. 1832 [D&C 76:62].