Minutes and Blessings, 21 February 1835
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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.
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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
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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.
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3
Pratt, Diary, 26 Apr. 1835.
Pratt, Orson. Journal, 1833–1837. Orson Pratt, Autobiography and Journals, 1833–1847. CHL. MS 587, fds. 2–4.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.)
Document Transcript
Footnotes
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1
The copy of the 14–15 February 1835 minutes in Minute Book 1 does not state that that meeting was adjourned. However, the copy of those minutes in a later JS history has “Adjourned” after William Smith’s blessing. (Minutes, Discourse, and Blessings, 14–15 Feb. 1835; JS History, vol. B-1, 568.)
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.
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2
According to Parley P. Pratt, the meeting was “very numerously attended.” (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.
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3
Pratt later recalled, “On the 21st day of February, 1835, I took the oath and covenant of apostleship, and was solemnly set apart and ordained to that office; and as a member of that quorum under the hands of Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer.” (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.
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4
See 2 Corinthians 11:15.
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5
See Romans 11:13.
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6
See 2 Kings 2:9.
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7
See Acts 2:1–4.
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8
See Revelation, Oct. 1830–A [D&C 32:3].
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9
See Isaiah 40:31.
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10
See Matthew 24:31; Mark 13:27; Old Testament Revision 1, p. 19 [Moses 7:62]; Revelation, Sept. 1830–A [D&C 29:7]; and Revelation, Oct. 1830–B [D&C 33:6].
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11
See Revelation 21:27.
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12
See Isaiah 49:2; and Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 54 [1 Nephi 21:2].
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13
See James 5:7.
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14
See Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 349 [Alma 45:19].
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15
See Luke 9:62; and Revelation, 3 Nov. 1831 [D&C 133:15].
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16
See John 20:19–20, 26–28; 21:1–2; and Acts 2:32.
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17
TEXT: The clerk labeled two pages as 156 and none as 157.
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18
See 1 Timothy 2:5.
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19
See Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 479 [3 Nephi 12:2].
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20
See Revelation, Apr. 1830–A [D&C 23:1].
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21
See 1 Thessalonians 5:22.
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22
The version of this charge in Parley P. Pratt’s autobiography replaces “hear to these things” with “give heed to these things.” (Pratt, Autobiography, 130.)
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.
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23
See Isaiah 66:8.
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24
See 1 Chronicles 28:9.
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25
See Galatians 5:26.
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26
See Luke 16:1–8.
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27
See Revelation, 22–23 Sept. 1832 [D&C 84:88].
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28
TEXT: This is the second of two manuscript pages numbered “156”. The pagination continues correctly on the following page, with “158”.
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29
See Isaiah 51:11; and Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 77 [2 Nephi 8:11].
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30
William Smith’s blessing was the only one given during the 14–15 February 1835 meeting for which the minutes indicate that someone sealed or confirmed the ordination blessing. (Minutes, Discourse, and Blessings, 14–15 Feb. 1835.)
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31
See Revelation, Apr. 1829–A [D&C 6:15].
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32
JS dictated more than twenty revelations before the church’s organization on 6 April 1830, including some as early as 1828. (See, for example, Revelation, July 1828 [D&C 3].)
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33
See Revelation, June 1829–B [D&C 18:26].
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34
At a 26 October 1831 conference, Cowdery stated that he and Whitmer had received instructions that day “respecting the choice of the twelve.” They were told that the Twelve “would be ordained & sent forth from the Land of Zion.” No other extant contemporary records mention Cowdery and Whitmer’s duty to select the Twelve until the 14–15 February 1835 minutes of the meeting at which the Twelve were chosen. (Minutes, 25–26 Oct. 1831; Minutes, Discourse, and Blessings, 14–15 Feb. 1835.)
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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].)
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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].)
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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].)
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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.
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39
See Revelation, 26 Apr. 1832 [D&C 82:3].
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40
See Genesis 32:30; Old Testament Revision 1, p. 1 [Moses 1:2]; Revelation, 22–23 Sept. 1832 [D&C 84:19–22]; and Revelation, 27–28 Dec. 1832 [D&C 88:68].
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41
See Mark 9:33–34.
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42
See Jude 1:3.
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43
See Genesis 32:24–30.
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44
See Revelation, 2 Jan. 1831 [D&C 38:27].
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45
See Revelation, 3 Nov. 1831 [D&C 133:8].
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46
See Acts 1:20.
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47
See Revelation, 25 Jan. 1832–B [D&C 75:28].
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48
Enoch was a biblical prophet mentioned in the book of Genesis. As part of the Bible revision that JS undertook in late 1830, he presented “the Prophecy of Enoch,” which provided much more detail about Enoch and his ministry. (Genesis 5:18–24; “Extract from the Prophecy of Enoch,” The Evening and the Morning Star, Aug. 1832, [2]–[3]; Old Testament Revision 1, pp. 15–19 [Moses 7].)
The Evening and the Morning Star. Independence, MO, June 1832–July 1833; Kirtland, OH, Dec. 1833–Sept. 1834.
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49
See Revelation, 30 Oct. 1831 [D&C 65:2].
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50
See Revelation, 22–23 Sept. 1832 [D&C 84:88].
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51
See Genesis 4:1–8.
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52
See Mark 13:9–10.
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53
The oldest of the apostles, David W. Patten, was thirty-five. Lyman Johnson, the youngest, was twenty-three. (Whiting, David W. Patten, 1; Backman, Profile, 40; “Johnson, Lyman Eugene,” in Jenson, LDS Biographical Encyclopedia, 1:91.)
Whiting, Linda Shelley. David W. Patten: Apostle and Martyr. Springville, UT: Cedar Fort, 2003.
Backman, Milton V., Jr., comp. A Profile of Latter-day Saints of Kirtland, Ohio, and Members of Zion’s Camp, 1830–1839: Vital Statistics and Sources. 2nd ed. Provo, UT: Department of Church History and Doctrine and Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1983.
Jenson, Andrew. Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia: A Compilation of Biographical Sketches of Prominent Men and Women in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 4 vols. Salt Lake City: Andrew Jenson History Co., 1901–1936.
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54
See Hebrews 4:16.
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55
See Revelation, 22 June 1834 [D&C 105:11]. The apostles began a mission to the East in May 1835, but they were present at the dedication of the Kirtland House of the Lord and the solemn assembly in 1836, where the endowment of power was given. (Record of the Twelve, 4–9 May 1835; JS, Journal, 27 and 30 Mar. 1836.)
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56
Transcripts in both a later JS history and in Parley P. Pratt’s autobiography have “day” here. (JS History, vol. B-1, 574; Pratt, Autobiography, 135.)
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.
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.
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57
See Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 84, 464, 499 [2 Nephi 10:8; 3 Nephi 5:24; 21:1].
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58
Elijah was a biblical prophet, while the brother of Jared was a Book of Mormon prophet who exhibited great faith and saw the Lord. (See 1 Kings chap. 17; and Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 543–545 [Ether chap. 3].)
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59
See 2 Corinthians 5:7.
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60
See Matthew 21:28.
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61
See Revelation, June 1829–B [D&C 18:27–29, 32].
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62
See Revelation, June 1829–B [D&C 18:37–38].
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63
See Acts 20:32.