Note on Ordinations, [, OH], [ca. 16] June 1831. Featured version copied [between ca. 6 Apr. and 19 June 1838] in Minute Book 2, p. 4; handwriting of ; CHL. For more complete source information, see the source note for Minute Book 2.
Historical Introduction
On the final day of the church held in early June 1831, JS dictated a revelation calling many to travel to , preaching along the way. Some of those named in the revelation who had not yet been were subsequently ordained. Although the document featured here, which recorded the ordinations in the minute book, bears a 6 June date, it appears to be a compilation of information about ordinations performed by JS between 6 and 18 June.
The 6 June revelation directed that and be ordained elders, and they likely were ordained that same day. was listed as being present at the conference, making it probable he was ordained around 6 June as well. , however, was apparently not yet an elder by 8 June, when JS dictated a revelation instructing him to “take upon you mine even that of an Elder to Preach faith & repentance & remission of sins.” likewise could not have been ordained on 6 June, since he arrived in after the conference and was directed by a 14 June revelation to be into the church and then ordained an elder. Phelps wrote that he was baptized on 16 June. He was possibly ordained an elder the same day and was almost certainly ordained before he departed with JS and others for on 18 June 1831.
Revelation, 14 June 1831 [D&C 55:1–2]. According to a letter Phelps wrote later in 1831, he arrived in Buffalo, New York, en route to Kirtland, on 12 June. ([William W. Phelps], “Extract of a Letter from the Late Editor,” Ontario Phoenix [Canandaigua, NY], 7 Sept. 1831, [2].)
The revelation dictated on 6 June declared, “In consequence of transgression let that which was bestowed upon Heman (Bassett) be taken from him & placed upon the head of Simonds (Rider).” Bassett had previously served as an elder in the church, the position to which Rider was ordained. (Revelation, 6 June 1831 [D&C 52:37].)