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Minutes and Blessings, 21 February 1835

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.

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

  1. [1]

    Minutes, Discourse, and Blessings, 14–15 Feb. 1835.

  2. [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.

  3. [3]

    Pratt, Diary, 26 Apr. 1835.

    Pratt, Orson. Journal, 1833–1837. Orson Pratt, Autobiography and Journals, 1833–1847. CHL. MS 587, fds. 2–4.

  4. [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.

  5. [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.

  6. [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.

  7. [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.

  8. [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.)

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation. *Minutes and Blessings, 21 February 1835 Minute Book 1 History, 1838–1856, volume B-1 [1 September 1834–2 November 1838] “History of Joseph Smith”

Page 160

yourselves, so that you can bear testimony to the truth of the Book of Mormon. And that you have seen the face of God: that is more than the testimony of an Angel. When the proper time arrives, you shall be able to bear this testimony to the world. When you bear testimony that you have seen God. This testimony God will never suffer to fall, but will bear you out. although many will not give heed, yet others will. You will, therefore, see the necessity of getting this testimony from Heaven. Never cease striving until you have seen God, face to face. Strengthen your faith, cast off your doubts, your sins and all your unbelief and nothing can prevent you from coming to God. your is not full and complete till God has laid his hand upon you. We require as much to qualify us as did those who have gone before us. God is the same. If the Saviour in former days laid his hands on his deciples. Why not in the latter Days. With regard to superiority I must make a few remarks. The ancient Apostles sought to be great. but, brethren, lest the seeds of discord be sown in this matter, understand particularly the voice of the spirit on this occasion. God does not love you better or more than others. You are to contend for the faith once deliverd to the saints. Jacob, you know wrestled till he obtained. It was by fervent prayer and diligent search that you have obtained the testimony you are now able to bear. You are as one, you are equal in bearing the of the kingdom to all nations. You are called to preach the gospel of the son of God to the nations of the earth. [p. 160]
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Page 160

Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Minutes and Blessings, 21 February 1835
ID #
6816
Total Pages
11
Print Volume Location
JSP, D4:237–247
Handwriting on This Page
  • Warren A. Cowdery

Footnotes

  1. [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].

  2. [41]

    See Mark 9:33–34.

  3. [42]

    See Jude 1:3.

  4. [43]

    See Genesis 32:24–30.

  5. [44]

    See Revelation, 2 Jan. 1831 [D&C 38:27].

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