Chapter 1.

Friday Evening, December 5, 1834.  According to the direction of the Holy Spirit, Pres ident Smith, assistant Presidents, [Sidney] Rigdon and [Frederick G.] Williams, assembled for the  purpose of ordaining <first> High Counsellor [Oliver] Cowdery to the office of assistant  President of the High and Holy Priesthood in the Church of the Latter-Day Saints.

It is necessary, for the special benefit of the reader, that he be instructed <into, or> con cerning the power and authority of the above named Priesthood.

First. The office of the President is to preside over the whole Chu[r]ch; to be  considered as at the head; to receive revelations for the Church; to be a Seer, and  Revelator <and Prophet—> having all the gifts of God:— taking <Moses> for an ensample. Which is  Second. the office and station of the above President Smith, ac cording to the calling of God, and the ordination which he has received.

Second. The office of Assistant President is to assist in presiding  over the whole chu[r]ch, and to officiate in the abscence of the President, accor ding to their <his> rank and appointment, viz: President Cowdery, first; Pres ident Rigdon Second, and President Williams Third, as they <were> are sev erally called. The office of this Priesthood is also to act as Spokesman—taking  Aaron for an ensample.

The virtue of this the <above> Priesthood is to hold the keys of the kingdom of heaven,  or the Church militant.

The reader may further understand, that Presidents <the> reason why President <High Counsellor> Cowdery  was not previously ordained <to the Presidency,> was, in consequence of his necessary attendance in Zion, to  assist Wm W. Phelps in conducting the printing business; but that this promise was  made by the angel while in company with President Smith, at the time they recievd  the office of the lesser priesthood. And further: The circumstances and situation  of the Church requiring, Presidents Rigdon and Williams were previously or dained, to assist President Smith.

After this short explination, we now proceed to give an account of the  acts, promises, and blessings of this memorable Evening:

First. After assembling, we received a rebuke for our former low,  uncultivated, and disrespectful manner of communication, and saluta tion, with, and unto each other, by the voice of the Spirit, saying unto us: Verily,  condemnation resteth upon you, who are appointed to lead my Chu[r]ch,  and to be saviors of men: and also upon the church: And there must needs be a  repentance and a refor[m]ation among you, in all things, in your ensamples  before the Chuch, and before the world, in all your manners, habits and customs,  and salutations one toward another—rendering unto every man the respect  due the office, and calling, and priesthood, whereunto I the Lord have appoin ted and ordained you. Amen. [p. 17]