License for Joseph Smith Sr., 9 June 1830

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License for Joseph Smith Sr., 9 June 1830
Source Note

“A License Liberty Power & Authority,” License,
Fayette Township
Located in northern part of county between Seneca and Cayuga lakes. Area settled, by 1790. Officially organized as Washington Township, 14 Mar. 1800. Name changed to Fayette, 6 Apr. 1808. Population in 1830 about 3,200. Population in 1840 about 3,700. Significant...
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, Seneca Co., NY, for
Joseph Smith Sr.
12 July 1771–14 Sept. 1840. Cooper, farmer, teacher, merchant. Born at Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Asael Smith and Mary Duty. Nominal member of Congregationalist church at Topsfield. Married to Lucy Mack by Seth Austin, 24 Jan. 1796, at Tunbridge...
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, 9 June 1830; handwriting of
Oliver Cowdery
3 Oct. 1806–3 Mar. 1850. Clerk, teacher, justice of the peace, lawyer, newspaper editor. Born at Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller. Raised Congregationalist. Moved to western New York and clerked at a store, ca. 1825–1828...
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; signatures of JS and
Oliver Cowdery
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; one page; JS Collection, CHL.

Single leaf measuring 10¼ × 7¾ inches (26 × 20 cm). The verso has a notation in the handwriting of Joseph F. Smith, who became president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1901: “Rec’d from Cousin | Elias A. Smith | Oct. 8. 1902 | J. F. Smith”. It is unknown when the document was transferred from Joseph F. Smith’s custody to the custody of the Church Historian’s Office.
Historical Introduction
The following document is a
license
A document certifying an individual’s office in the church and authorizing him “to perform the duty of his calling.” The “Articles and Covenants” of the church implied that only elders could issue licenses; individuals ordained by a priest to an office in...
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“signifying & proveing” that
Joseph Smith Sr.
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, one of the six founding members of the church and one of the Eight Witnesses who saw and handled the
gold plates
A record engraved on gold plates, which JS translated and published as the Book of Mormon. The text explained that the plates were an abridgment of other ancient records and were written by an American prophet named Mormon and his son Moroni. The plates were...
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, was a
priest
An ecclesiastical and priesthood office. In the Book of Mormon, priests were described as those who baptized, administered “the flesh and blood of Christ unto the church,” and taught “the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.” A June 1829 revelation directed...
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of the
Church of Christ
The Book of Mormon related that when Christ set up his church in the Americas, “they which were baptized in the name of Jesus, were called the church of Christ.” The first name used to denote the church JS organized on 6 April 1830 was “the Church of Christ...
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.
1
Testimony of Eight Witnesses, Late June 1829; see also Revelation, Apr. 1830–D [D&C 23:5]; for more information on priesthood licenses, see Historical Introduction to License for John Whitmer, 9 June 1830.
He was ordained at the church’s first
conference
A meeting where ecclesiastical officers and other church members could conduct church business. The “Articles and Covenants” of the church directed the elders to hold conferences to perform “Church business.” The first of these conferences was held on 9 June...
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and was among those who received ministerial licenses at this gathering.
2
See Historical Introduction to Minutes, 9 June 1830.
The duties of a priest, which had been outlined previously, were “to preach, teach, expound, and exhort, and
baptize
An ordinance in which an individual is immersed in water for the remission of sins. The Book of Mormon explained that those with necessary authority were to baptize individuals who had repented of their sins. Baptized individuals also received the gift of...
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, and administer the
sacrament
Primarily referred to the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, or Communion, as opposed to other religious sacraments. The “Articles and Covenants” of the church directed “that the church meet together often to partake of bread and wine in remembrance of the Lord...
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, and visit the house of each member, and exhort them to pray vocally and in secret, and also to attend to all family duties, to ordain priests,
teachers
Generally, one who instructs, but also an ecclesiastical and priesthood office. The Book of Mormon explained that teachers were to be ordained “to preach repentance and remission of sins through Jesus Christ, by the endurance of faith on his name to the end...
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, and
deacons
An ecclesiastical and priesthood office. The “Articles and Covenants” directed deacons to assist teachers in their duties. Deacons were also to “warn, expound, exhort, and teach and invite all to come unto Christ.” Although deacons did not have the authority...
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, and to take the lead in meetings; but none of these offices is he to do when there is an
elder
A male leader in the church generally; an ecclesiastical and priesthood office or one holding that office; a proselytizing missionary. The Book of Mormon explained that elders ordained priests and teachers and administered “the flesh and blood of Christ unto...
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present, but in all cases is to assist the elder, &c.”
3
Articles and Covenants, ca. Apr. 1830 [D&C 20:46–52].
The church’s foundational document, “Articles and Covenants,” gave priests more authority than teachers and deacons but less than elders.
Footnotes
[1]
Testimony of Eight Witnesses, Late June 1829; see also Revelation, Apr. 1830–D [D&C 23:5]; for more information on priesthood licenses, see Historical Introduction to License for John Whitmer, 9 June 1830.
[2]
See Historical Introduction to Minutes, 9 June 1830.
[3]
Articles and Covenants, ca. Apr. 1830 [D&C 20:46–52].
Page [1]
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A
License
A document certifying an individual’s office in the church and authorizing him “to perform the duty of his calling.” The “Articles and Covenants” of the church implied that only elders could issue licenses; individuals ordained by a priest to an office in...
View Glossary
Liberty Power & Authority
1
The title of the license, “A License Liberty Power & Authority,” reflects other contemporary legal language, including that found in the New York laws for incorporating religious societies. (An Act to Provide for the Incorporation of Religious Societies [5 Apr. 1813], Laws of the State of New-York [1813], vol. 2, pp. 212–219; see also An Act Supplementary to the Act, Entitled “An Act to Provide for the Incorporation of Religious Societies,” Passed April 5th, 1813 [12 Apr. 1822], Laws of the State of New-York [1822], chap. 187, p. 187.)
Comprehensive Works Cited
Laws of the State of New-York, Revised and Passed at the Thirty-Sixth Session of the Legislature, With Marginal Notes and References. 2 Vols. Albany: H. C. Southwick and Company, 1813.

Given to
Joseph Smith sen.
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signifying & proveing that he is a
Priest
An ecclesiastical and priesthood office. In the Book of Mormon, priests were described as those who baptized, administered “the flesh and blood of Christ unto the church,” and taught “the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.” A June 1829 revelation directed...
View Glossary
of this
Church of Christ
The Book of Mormon related that when Christ set up his church in the Americas, “they which were baptized in the name of Jesus, were called the church of Christ.” The first name used to denote the church JS organized on 6 April 1830 was “the Church of Christ...
View Glossary
2
When incarcerated in Canandaigua, New York, for debt several months later, Joseph Smith Sr. discussed JS’s revelations with another inmate and proclaimed his own authority to officiate as a minister. The inmate, Eli Bruce, recorded in his journal for 5 November 1830, “The old man avers that he is commissioned by God to baptize and preach this new doctrine.” (Morris, Masonic Martyr, 267; see also Lucy Mack Smith, History, 1845, 179–186.)
Comprehensive Works Cited
Morris, Rob. The Masonic Martyr. The Biography of Eli Bruce, Sheriff of Niagara County, New York, Who, for His Attachment to the Principles of Masonry, and His Fidelity to His Trust, Was Imprisoned Twenty-Eight Months in the Canandaigua Jail. Louisville, KY: Morris and Monsarrat, 1861.
established & regularly Organized in these last days AD 1830 on the 6th. day of April All of which has been done by the will of God the Father according to his holy calling & the gift & power of the Holy Ghost agreeable to the revelations of Jesus Christ given to Joseph Smith Jun. the
first Elder
Presiding officers of the church; also, leading elders of the church. A December 1832 revelation directed the first elders, or “first labourers,” to preach the gospel and instructed them to create a school to prepare for their ministry. A June 1834 revelation...
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of the Church signifying that he has been
baptized
An ordinance in which an individual is immersed in water for the remission of sins. The Book of Mormon explained that those with necessary authority were to baptize individuals who had repented of their sins. Baptized individuals also received the gift of...
View Glossary
& received into the Church according to the Articles & Covenants of the Church &
ordained
The conferral of power and authority; to appoint, decree, or set apart. Church members, primarily adults, were ordained to ecclesiastical offices and other responsibilities by the laying on of hands by those with the proper authority. Ordinations to priesthood...
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under the hand of
Oliver Cowdery
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who is an Apostle of our Lord an
Elder
A male leader in the church generally; an ecclesiastical and priesthood office or one holding that office; a proselytizing missionary. The Book of Mormon explained that elders ordained priests and teachers and administered “the flesh and blood of Christ unto...
View Glossary
of the Church
Signed by (Joseph Smith Jr first Elder
(
Oliver Cowdery
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3
TEXT: A thick black ink smudge is found below Oliver Cowdery’s signature, running about the length of his name. Cowdery presumably made the smudge to ensure that no other signatures were added below his.
Second Elder

Given to the Bearer in
Confrence
A meeting where ecclesiastical officers and other church members could conduct church business. The “Articles and Covenants” of the church directed the elders to hold conferences to perform “Church business.” The first of these conferences was held on 9 June...
View Glossary
held in
Fayette
Located in northern part of county between Seneca and Cayuga lakes. Area settled, by 1790. Officially organized as Washington Township, 14 Mar. 1800. Name changed to Fayette, 6 Apr. 1808. Population in 1830 about 3,200. Population in 1840 about 3,700. Significant...
More Info
Seneca County NY June 9th 1830 [p. [1]]
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Source Note
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Document Information
Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
License for Joseph Smith Sr., 9 June 1830
ID #
35
Total Pages
2
Print Volume Location
JSP, D1:146–148
Handwriting on This Page
Oliver Cowdery
Joseph Smith Jr.
Footnotes
[1]
The title of the license, “A License Liberty Power & Authority,” reflects other contemporary legal language, including that found in the New York laws for incorporating religious societies. (An Act to Provide for the Incorporation of Religious Societies [5 Apr. 1813], Laws of the State of New-York [1813], vol. 2, pp. 212–219; see also An Act Supplementary to the Act, Entitled “An Act to Provide for the Incorporation of Religious Societies,” Passed April 5th, 1813 [12 Apr. 1822], Laws of the State of New-York [1822], chap. 187, p. 187.)
Laws of the State of New-York, Revised and Passed at the Thirty-Sixth Session of the Legislature, With Marginal Notes and References. 2 Vols. Albany: H. C. Southwick and Company, 1813.
[2]
When incarcerated in Canandaigua, New York, for debt several months later, Joseph Smith Sr. discussed JS’s revelations with another inmate and proclaimed his own authority to officiate as a minister. The inmate, Eli Bruce, recorded in his journal for 5 November 1830, “The old man avers that he is commissioned by God to baptize and preach this new doctrine.” (Morris, Masonic Martyr, 267; see also Lucy Mack Smith, History, 1845, 179–186.)
Morris, Rob. The Masonic Martyr. The Biography of Eli Bruce, Sheriff of Niagara County, New York, Who, for His Attachment to the Principles of Masonry, and His Fidelity to His Trust, Was Imprisoned Twenty-Eight Months in the Canandaigua Jail. Louisville, KY: Morris and Monsarrat, 1861.
[3]
TEXT: A thick black ink smudge is found below Oliver Cowdery’s signature, running about the length of his name. Cowdery presumably made the smudge to ensure that no other signatures were added below his.