Footnotes
JS, Journal, 22 Sept. 1835.
Patriarchal Blessings, 1:15.
Patriarchal Blessings, 1833–. CHL. CR 500 2.
See Matthew 13:57; Mark 6:4; and John 4:44.
See Deuteronomy 33:13–16, 19.
JS stated that he obtained the record of the Nephites—which was inscribed on gold plates buried in a hill near his home in New York—in 1827. He also said that he returned the plates to the angel Moroni. Though JS left no record indicating when he returned the plates, it may have been soon after completing the translation of them in June or July 1829. (See JS History, vol. A-1, 26; Testimony of Three Witnesses, Late June 1829; and Testimony of Eight Witnesses, Late June 1829.)
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.
Various individuals, some of whom personally knew JS, recounted decades later having been shown, either in vision or in literal experience, buried Nephite records. (See Packer, “Cumorah’s Cave,” 50–57.)
Packer, Cameron J. “Cumorah’s Cave.” Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 13, nos. 1–2 (2004): 50–57.
JS similarly referenced the “evangelical priesthood” and the “patriarchal priesthood” in his blessing to his brother Hyrum Smith; he also referenced the “patriarchal priesthood” in his blessing to Joseph Smith Sr. JS later taught, “An Evangelist Is a patriarch even the oldest man of the Blood of Joseph or of the seed of Abraham.” (Blessing to Hyrum Smith, between ca. 15 and 28 Sept. 1835; Blessing to Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith, between ca. 15 and 28 Sept. 1835; see also Instruction on Priesthood, between ca. 1 Mar. and ca. 4 May 1835 [D&C 107:53–54]; and Richards, “Pocket Companion,” 22.)
Richards, Willard. “Willard Richards Pocket Companion Written in England,” ca. 1838–1840. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, box 2, fd. 6.
Oliver Cowdery noted in Patriarchal Blessing Book 1 that JS was the “first patriarch” of the church. (Patriarchal Blessings, 1:8.)
Patriarchal Blessings, 1833–. CHL. CR 500 2.
An expansion of an August 1830 revelation identified Adam as the “ancient of days.” (Revelation, ca. Aug. 1835 [D&C 27:11]; see also Blessing to Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith, between ca. 15 and 28 Sept. 1835.)
Similar Old Testament language promising temporal blessings and riches was used in the blessing JS gave to Hyrum Smith. (Daniel 11:38; Blessing to Hyrum Smith, between ca. 15 and 28 Sept. 1835.)
See Daniel 7:9.
See Revelation 21:18, 21.
See Isaiah 11:10; Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 98 [2 Nephi 21:10]; and Revelation, 16–17 Dec. 1833 [D&C 101:31].
See Isaiah 66:22.