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Account of Meetings, Revelation, and Blessing, 5–6 December 1834

Source Note

Account of Meetings, Revelation, and Blessing, [, Geauga Co., OH], 5–6 Dec. 1834. Featured version inscribed, [5–6 Dec. 1834], in JS, History, [Dec. 1834–May 1836], pp. 17–20; handwriting of ; verso of JS History, 1838–1856, vol. A-1, CHL. Includes redactions. For more complete source information, see the source note for JS, History, [Dec. 1834–May 1836].

Historical Introduction

According to later accounts, before the church was organized on 6 April 1830, JS and received visitations from John the Baptist and Peter, James, and John, who bestowed on them the authority to and to administer the . A JS history explained that John the Baptist had also told JS and Cowdery that JS would be called the first of the church and Cowdery would be the second elder, designations confirmed by later revelations. As the church grew, JS was appointed ; he called and as counselors in March 1832 while Cowdery was on assignment in . By January 1833, had replaced Gause as a counselor, and in March 1833, Rigdon and Williams were made equal with JS “in holding the of the Kingdom and also to the Presidency of the high Priest hood.” According to the minutes featured here, on 5 December 1834, the presidency of the high priesthood held a meeting to Cowdery as an assistant president, second only to JS. The meeting continued the next day with and also being ordained as assistant presidents.
Earlier revelations had affirmed that the president of the high priesthood had “authority to preside with the assistence of his councellers over all the Concerns of the church.” When JS formed the presidency of the high priesthood in , resided in , Missouri, where he was a member of the and assisted with the church’s printing operations. Not until after violence erupted against church members in in July 1833 did Cowdery relocate to Ohio.
Upon his arrival in , Ohio, on 9 August 1833, became intimately involved in many important matters of church business, and his role in church leadership grew. In late summer and fall 1833, Cowdery served as scribe for the specifications of the revised plan of the to be built in , as well as the new editor of the church’s periodical The Evening and the Morning Star. In mid-February 1834, Cowdery was appointed to serve on the church’s first standing . When JS and seven others left Kirtland on a mission to obtain funds and volunteers for the expedition, JS charged Cowdery with overseeing important church business, including reading and responding to letters that arrived in his absence. As JS prepared to leave Kirtland on the Camp of Israel expedition in early May 1834, Cowdery wrote to his wife, , who remained in Missouri, informing her that he would be staying in Kirtland. Cowdery stated, “I am aware, that I am standing in a far more responsible station in this church now, than I have ever heretofore, and of course, as the responsibility increases, my wisdom must increase in proportion, or else I must fall.” Along with , Cowdery managed church affairs until JS’s return in August 1834. In September 1834, Cowdery, JS, Rigdon, and were appointed to a committee to compile and publish a book of “the doctrine of Jesus Christ” and “the government of the church.” A little over two months later, Cowdery was added to the church presidency. Though the minutes of the meeting indicate that Cowdery’s ordination as an assistant president was done “according to the direction of the Holy Spirit,” it was apparently not done in response to a recorded revelation, which had initiated all previous changes to the presidency. The ordination was, however, evidently in keeping with Cowdery’s previous designation as second elder to JS.
The day after JS ordained , JS and also ordained and to the presidency. Hyrum, JS’s brother, was a witness of the Book of Mormon, a counselor to in , an attendee at the first in January 1833, a member of the committee to build the , and a member of the high council. Joseph Smith Sr. was likewise a witness of the Book of Mormon, an attendee at the first School of the Prophets, and a member of the high council. Cowdery later implied that he, JS, Rigdon, and also ordained Joseph Smith Sr. to the office of church patriarch at these 5–6 December 1834 meetings, though the minutes do not mention this.
In addition to the ordinations, the presidency discussed the proper way of referring to church leaders after being rebuked by a revelation—a copy of which is included in the featured text—dictated during the meetings. The revelation reprimanded them for the informal, casual nature of interaction and discourse that had come to characterize the relationships of church leaders with each other and other members of the church. Minutes of meetings held prior to this time referred to JS and other church leaders by their first names, but after receiving the rebuke, the presidency decided that this informality was inappropriate and that the leaders needed to be called by “thier respective titles.” Although it is difficult to ascertain how church members referred to church leaders in everyday conversation after this time, meeting minutes thereafter show more formality, referring to JS and other members of the presidency as “president.”
Two accounts of these meetings exist, both in ’s handwriting. The featured text is found in JS’s 1834–1836 history, which Cowdery apparently began to prepare very soon after he received his new appointment. Twenty-five blank pages follow this account in the history, suggesting a possible intention to add more material to “Chapter 1,” but changes in the format of the history follow thereafter, first in the hand of and later in the hands of other scribes. A shorter account of these meetings is found in JS’s journal, also in Cowdery’s hand and likely penned sometime shortly after Cowdery’s ordination to the presidency—perhaps even the day of that ordination. Cowdery apparently elaborated and expanded on this short journal text when composing the entry in the history.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    JS History, vol. A-1, 17–18; Revelation, ca. Aug. 1835 [D&C 27:12–13].

    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.

  2. [2]

    JS History, vol. A-1, 18; Articles and Covenants, ca. Apr. 1830 [D&C 20:2–3]; Revelation, 6 Apr. 1830 [D&C 21:10–12].

    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.

  3. [3]

    Note, 8 Mar. 1832; see also Revelation, 15 Mar. 1832 [D&C 81].

  4. [4]

    Minutes, 22–23 Jan. 1833; Minutes, 18 Mar. 1833.

  5. [5]

    JS, Journal, 5 Dec. 1834.

  6. [6]

    Revelation, between ca. 8 and ca. 24 Mar. 1832.

  7. [7]

    See Revelation, 20 July 1831 [D&C 57:11–13]; and Revelation, 26 Apr. 1832 [D&C 82:11].

  8. [8]

    Letter to Church Leaders in Jackson Co., MO, 10 Aug. 1833.

  9. [9]

    Letter to Church Leaders in Jackson Co., MO, 10 Aug. 1833; Revised Plan of the House of the Lord, ca. 10 Aug.–ca. 4 Sept. 1833; JS, Journal, 18 Dec. 1833.

  10. [10]

    Minutes, 17 Feb. 1834.

  11. [11]

    Revelation, 24 Feb. 1834 [D&C 103:22–23, 37–40]; Oliver Cowdery, Kirtland, OH, to Thankful Halsey, Ghent, NY, 4 Mar. 1834, in Cowdery, Letterbook, 27.

    Cowdery, Oliver. Letterbook, 1833–1838. Huntington Library, San Marino, CA.

  12. [12]

    Kimball, “Journal and Record,” 7–8; Oliver Cowdery, Kirtland, OH, to Elizabeth Ann Whitmer Cowdery, 4 May 1834, in Cowdery, Letterbook, 42.

    Kimball, Heber C. “The Journal and Record of Heber Chase Kimball an Apostle of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints,” ca. 1842–1858. Heber C. Kimball, Papers, 1837–1866. CHL. MS 627, box 1.

    Cowdery, Oliver. Letterbook, 1833–1838. Huntington Library, San Marino, CA.

  13. [13]

    Minutes, 24 Sept. 1834.

  14. [14]

    See Revelation, 8 Mar. 1833 [D&C 90]; Note, 8 Mar. 1832; and Revelation, 15 Mar. 1832 [D&C 81].

  15. [15]

    Patriarchal Blessings, 1:9; see also Historical Introduction to Blessing from Joseph Smith Sr., 9 Dec. 1834.

    Patriarchal Blessings, 1833–. CHL. CR 500 2.

  16. [16]

    The revelation included here was never copied into either of the two revelation manuscript books being kept by church leaders, nor was it ever published.

  17. [17]

    See, for example, Minutes, 4 Apr. 1834; and Minutes and Discourse, 21 Apr. 1834; see also Moses Nickerson, Wendhom, [Upper Canada], 29 Dec. 1833, Letter to the Editor, The Evening and the Morning Star, Feb. 1834, 134; Oliver Cowdery, Kirtland, OH, to Elizabeth Ann Whitmer Cowdery, 4 May 1834, in Cowdery, Letterbook, 44–45; and Minutes, 11 Aug. 1834.

    The Evening and the Morning Star. Independence, MO, June 1832–July 1833; Kirtland, OH, Dec. 1833–Sept. 1834.

    Cowdery, Oliver. Letterbook, 1833–1838. Huntington Library, San Marino, CA.

  18. [18]

    See, for example, Minutes, 28 Dec. 1834; and Minutes, 18 Jan. 1835.

  19. [19]

    For more analysis of what Cowdery wrote in the 1834–1836 history and when he wrote it, see Historical Introduction to JS History, 1834–1836; and Editorial Note.

  20. [20]

    See JS History, 1834–1836, 17–20; and JS, Journal, 5 Dec. 1834.

    JS History, 1834–1836 / Smith, Joseph, et al. History, 1834–1836. In Joseph Smith et al., History, 1838–1856, vol. A-1, back of book (earliest numbering), 9–20, 46–187. Historian's Office, History of the Church, 1839–ca. 1882. CHL. CR 100 102, box 1, vol. 1.

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation. Journal, 1832–1834
*Account of Meetings, Revelation, and Blessing, 5–6 December 1834
History, 1834–1836

Page 17

Chapter 1.
Friday Evening, December 5, 1834. According to the direction of the Holy Spirit, Pr[e]sident Smith, , and , assembled for the purpose of <​first​> High Counsellor to the office of assistant President of the in the .
It is necessary, for the special benefit of the reader, that he be instructed <​into, or​> concerning the power and authority of the above named .
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 , and Revelator <​and Prophet—​> having all the gifts of God:— having taking <​Moses​> for an ensample. Which is
Second. the office and station of the above President Smith, according 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, according to their <​his​> rank and appointment, viz: , first; Second, and Third, as they <​were​> are severally 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 of the kingdom of heaven, or the Church militant.
The reader may further understand, that Presidents <​the​> reason why President <​High Counsellor​> was not previously ordained <​to the Presidency,​> was, in consequence of his necessary attendance in , to assist 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 . And further: The circumstances and situation of the Church requiring, Presidents and were previously ordained, to assist the 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 salutation, 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 appointed and ordained you. Amen. [p. 17]
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Page 17

Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Account of Meetings, Revelation, and Blessing, 5–6 December 1834
ID #
6745
Total Pages
4
Print Volume Location
JSP, D4:191–200
Handwriting on This Page
  • Oliver Cowdery

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    This opening paragraph is similar to Cowdery’s entry in JS’s journal: “Friday Evening, December 5, 1834. According to the directions of the Holy Spirit breth[r]en Joseph Smith jr. Sidney [Rigdon], Frederick G. Williams, and Oliver Cowdery, assembled to converse upon the welfare of the church, when brother Oliver Cowdery was ordained an assistant President of the High and Holy Priesthood under the hands of brother Joseph Smith jr.” (JS, Journal, 5 Dec. 1834.)

  2. [2]

    For information on the power and authority of the office of president in the “High and Holy Priesthood,” see Historical Introduction to Revelation, 8 Mar. 1833 [D&C 90].

  3. [3]

    When the church was organized, a revelation designated JS as “a seer & Translater & Prop[h]et an Apostle of Jesus Christ an Elder of the Church.” On 25 January 1832, JS was ordained as the “President of the high Priesthood.” (Revelation, 6 Apr. 1830 [D&C 21:1]; Historical Introduction to Revelation, 25 Jan. 1832–A [D&C 75:1–22]; see also Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 66–68 [2 Nephi 3:6–24]; Revelation, Sept. 1830–B [D&C 28:2–7]; Revelation, 11 Nov. 1831–B [D&C 107:65–67, 91–92]; and Revelation, 24 Feb. 1834 [D&C 103:16].)

    The Book of Mormon: An Account Written by the Hand of Mormon, upon Plates Taken from the Plates of Nephi. Palmyra, NY: E. B. Grandin, 1830.

  4. [4]

    This designation was comparable to Cowdery’s position as second elder to JS’s first elder. The alignment with Cowdery next to JS was soon reflected in various sources, including the preface of the first edition of the Doctrine and Covenants. It is also reflected in a statement Oliver Cowdery wrote in September 1835 while recording a blessing given in 1833: “Joseph Smith, sen. was ordained a president and patriarch, under the hands of his son Joseph, myself, Sidney Rigdon, and Frederick G. Williams, presidents of the church.” (Preface to Doctrine and Covenants, 17 Feb. 1835; Patriarchal Blessings, 1:9.)

    Patriarchal Blessings, 1833–. CHL. CR 500 2.

  5. [5]

    See Exodus 4:14–16; Revelation, Sept. 1830–B [D&C 28:3]; and Revelation, 12 Oct. 1833 [D&C 100:9].

  6. [6]

    On 18 March 1833, Sidney Rigdon and Frederick G. Williams were made equal to JS in holding the keys of the kingdom. “Church militant” is a term commonly used in Christianity to describe the church on earth at war against evil. (Minutes, 18 Mar. 1833; “Church militant,” in Oxford English Dictionary, 2:404.)

    Oxford English Dictionary. Compact ed. 2 vols. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1971.

  7. [7]

    According to a later JS history, on 15 May 1829 John the Baptist conferred upon JS and Oliver Cowdery “the priesthood of Aaron.” In his account of John the Baptist’s visit, Cowdery wrote, “On a sudden, as from the midst of eternity, the voice of the Redeemer spake peace to us, while the vail was parted and the angel of God came down clothed with glory, and delivered the anxiously looked for message, and the keys of the gospel of repentance! . . . Then his voice, though mild, pierced to the center, and his words, ‘I am thy fellow-servant,’ dispelled every fear. We listened—we gazed—we admired! ’Twas the voice of the angel.” This narrative was written and published by Cowdery, editor of the Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate, as the first of eight letters to William W. Phelps to help provide “a full history of the rise of the church of the Latter Day Saints.” For the complete texts of the eight letters, see JS History, 1834–1836, 46–102. (JS History, vol. A-1, 17–18; Editorial, LDS Messenger and Advocate, Oct. 1834, 1:13; see also Articles and Covenants, ca. Apr. 1830 [D&C 20:2–3].)

    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.

    Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate. Kirtland, OH. Oct. 1834–Sept. 1837.

  8. [8]

    See Revelation, 24 Feb. 1834 [D&C 103:9].

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