Minutes, Discourse, and Blessings, [, Geauga Co., OH], 1 Mar. 1835. Featured version copied [not before 25 Feb. 1836] in Minute Book 1, pp. 172–186; handwriting of ; CHL. For more complete source information, see the source note for Minute Book 1.
Historical Introduction
On the morning of 1 March 1835, church members convened a meeting in , Ohio, apparently as a continuation of a meeting that had adjourned on 28 February. Several men appointed to the office of were given blessings in that 28 February meeting. The blessings continued in this 1 March 1835 meeting, and at least thirty-three individuals, including some not designated as seventies, were blessed. All those receiving ordinations and blessings in this meeting had participated in the expedition. According to later reminiscences, many of these blessings were performed by members of the church presidency, including JS, his , , and . The minutes indicate that several individuals who had recently been were also confirmed members of the church at the meeting, and the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper was administered. JS also gave instructions on the necessity of worthiness when partaking of the sacrament.
It is unclear who originally recorded the ordination blessings or the minutes of the meeting. later copied them into Minute Book 1.
For examples, see Hutchings, Journal, 15 Feb. 1835; Burgess, Autobiography, 4; and “Biographies of the Seventies of the Second Quorum,” 22.
Hutchings, Elias. Journal, Dec. 1834–Sept. 1836. CHL. MS 1445.
Burgess, Harrison. Autobiography, ca. 1883. Photocopy. CHL. MS 893. Also available as “Sketch of a Well-Spent Life,” in Labors in the Vineyard, Faith-Promoting Series 12 (Salt Lake City: Juvenile Instructor Office, 1884), 65–74.
“Biographies of the Seventies of the Second Quorum,” 1845–1855. In Seventies Quorum Records, 1844–1975. CHL. CR 499.
You shall be enabled to proclaim it effectually. You shall speak in all the languages whithersoever the Lord shall send thee. You shall have power over diseases, if faithful. The right hand of the Lord shall be underneath thee. The Angels shall have charge concerning thee. Thou shalt return to when thy work is done Thou shalt have many visions, and power to call many into the covenant Amen
We you an and one of the . The Lord has looked upon you and seen your desires to become an instrument to do good. You shall be sent to the nations afar off, and you shall preach to them of whom now you have no knowledge. You shall go and shall have no rest without you are engaged in your Ministry. You shall go to the remote corners of the earth and teach and preach, and bring multitudes to the truth. You And you shall be an instrument to fulfil an ancient Prophecy to bring in the remnants of Moab, & Elam. Jeremiah saw you in his vision and you shall bring many multitudes to . After you have finished your ministry you shall return and embrace your companion and you both shall rejoice together: And we upon you this day, that you shall [have?] part of in the reign of a 1000 years on the earth. Amen.
We seal your ministry anew unto you. and you shall go as far as the Lord shall send you. And if there are Islands not yet found by the world, you are one who shall go and hunt them up and preach to all nations, and you shall have power to fulfil this your ministry. You shall be an instrument changed throughout and prepared to do good. [p. 177]