Footnotes

1. [1]

   With the disaffection of Thomas B. Marsh, Young became acting president of the quorum. (See Letter to the Church in Caldwell Co., MO, 16 Dec. 1838.)

2. [2]

   Revelation, 8 July 1838–A [D&C 118:4–5].

3. [3]

   The 1830 “Articles and Covenants” of the church state that each man ordained to a priesthood office was to carry a certificate with him as he traveled, proving that he was authorized to “perform the duty of his calling.” In March 1836, church authorities adopted resolutions regarding the granting and recording of licenses. (Articles and Covenants, ca. Apr. 1830 [D&C 20:63–64]; Minutes, LDS Messenger and Advocate, Feb. 1836, 2:266–268; Minutes, 3 Mar. 1836.)

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

4. [4]

   It is unclear who inscribed the draft of the recommendation. Although the draft bears the name of Brigham Young, it likely was not prepared specifically for him but was used as a template, with Young’s name as a placeholder. (See Recommendation for Brigham Young, 3 June 1839, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL.)

   Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1.

5. [5]

   JS, Journal, 27 May–8 June 1839; Recommendation for Brigham Young, 3 June 1839, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL.

   Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1.

6. [6]

   Besides the two copies of Young’s recommendation, only three recommendations are extant—ones for Heber C. Kimball, Wilford Woodruff, and George A. Smith. However, similar documents were likely produced for each apostle leaving for the European mission. The recommendations for Kimball, Woodruff, and George A. Smith are in Mulholland’s handwriting, suggesting they were not made until after the First Presidency returned to Commerce. These recommendations include the revisions Mulholland made to Young’s recommendation, suggesting Mulholland inscribed the copy of Young’s recommendation before inscribing the other apostles’ recommendations. (Recommendation for Heber C. Kimball, 3 June 1839, Helen Vilate Bourne Fleming, Collection, CHL; Recommendation for Wilford Woodruff, 3 June 1839; Recommendation for George A. Smith, 3 June 1839, JS Collection, CHL.)

7. [7]

   Wilford Woodruff received his recommendation on 8 June. (Woodruff, Journal, 8 June 1839.)

   Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.