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| Minutes of December
5, 1834 |
| Oliver ordained an
Assistant President of the High Priesthood. Stop calling each other by
first names—disrespects
callings. |
| Date |
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December 5, 1834 |
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1834–1836 history,
17–19.
Oliver Cowdery handwriting. |
| Location |
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Kirtland, Ohio. |
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| Description |
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According to the direction of the
Holy Spirit, … |
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| [Presiding] |
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[Joseph Smith] |
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| Present |
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President Smith, assistant Presidents, Rigdon and Williams,
assembled |
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| Purpose: ordain Oliver
assistant president |
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for the purpose of ordaining <first> High Counsellor Cowdery
to the office of assistant President of the High and Holy Priesthood in
the Church of the Latter-Day Saints. |
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¶ |
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 Priesthood. |
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| Office of president:
all gifts, like Moses |
¶ |
First. The office of the President is to preside over the
whole church; to be considered as at the head; to receive revelations for
the Church; to be a Seer,— {and} Revelator <and Prophet—> having
all the gifts of God:—taking <Moses> for an ensample. Which
is |
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¶ |
{Second} the office and Station of the above President Smith, according
to the calling of God, and the ordination which he has received. |
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Assistant president: assist in
presiding, officiating
Oliver, then Sidney, Frederick
Like Aaron
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¶ |
Second. The office of Assistant President is to assist in presiding over
the whole church, and to officiate in the absence of the President, according
to {their} <his> rank and appointment, viz: President Cowdery, first;
President Rigdon Second, and President Williams Third, as they {are}<were> severally
called. The office of this Priesthood is also to act as Spokesman—taking
Aaron for an ensample. |
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| Priesthood holds keys of kingdom
(Church militant) |
¶ |
The virtue of the <above> Priesthood is to hold the keys of the
kingdom of heaven, or the Church militant. |
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term: Church militant |
| Sidney and Frederick were ordained
first because Oliver was in Missouri |
¶ |
The reader may further understand, that {Presidents} <pte> [sic]
reason why {President} <High Counsellor> Cowdery was not previously
ordained <to
the Presidency,> was, in consequence of his necessary attendance in
Zion, to assist Wm W. Phelps in conducting the printing business; but
that this promise was made by the angel while in company with President
Smith, at the time they received the office of the lesser priesthood. And
further: The circumstances and situation of the Church requiring, Presidents
Rigdon and Williams were previously ordained, to assist President Smith. |
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¶ |
After this Short explination, we now proceed to give an account of the
acts, promises, and blessings of this memorable Evening: |
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Rebuke for uncouth salutations
Respect for office |
¶ |
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 Church,
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 Church, 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. |
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Sharp rebuke
All knew it for a long time
but didn't take action |
¶ |
[18] It is only necessary to say, relative to the foregoing reproof and
instruction, that, though it was given in Sharpness, it occasioned gladness
and joy, and we were willing to repent and reform, in every particular,
according to the instruction given. It is also proper to remark, that after
the reproof was given, we all confessed, voluntarily, that such had been
the manifestations of the Spirit a long time since, in consequence of
which the rebuke came with greater Sharpness. |
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| Many unwilling to let go of traditions |
¶ |
Not thinking to evade the truth, or excuse, in order to escape censure,
but to give proper information, a few remarks relative to the situation
of the church previous to this date, it is necessary. Many, on hearing
the fullness of the Gospel, embraced it with eagerness; <yet,> at
the same time were unwilling to forego their former opinions and notions
relative to Church government, and the rules and habits proper for the
good order, harmony, peace, and beauty of a people destined, with the
protecting Care of the Lord, to be an ensample and light of the world.
They did not dispise goverment; but there was a disposition to organize
that government according to their own notions, or feelings. |
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Example of clothing fashions
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For example: Every man must be Subjected to wear a particular fashioned
Coat, hat, or other garment, or else an accusation was brought that we
were fashioning after the world. |
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Calling men by given name
Disrespects office
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Every one must be called by their given name, without respecting the
office or ordinance to which they had been called: Thus, President Smith
was called Joseph, or brother Joseph; President Rigdon, brother Sidney,
or Sidney, &c. This manner of address gave occasion to the enemies
of the truth, and was a means of bringing reproach upon the Cause of God.
But in consequence of former prejudices, the church, many of them, would
not Submit to proper and wholesome order. This proceeded from a Spirit
of enthusiasm, and vain ambition—a desire to compel others to come
to certain rules, not dictated by the will of the Lord; or a jealous fear,
that, were men called by thier respective titles, and the ordinance of
heaven honored in a proper manner, some were in a way to be exalted above
others, and their form of government disregarded. |
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term: called to an ordinance |
| Higher office, more humble |
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In fact, the true principle of honor in the Church of the Saints, that
the more a man is exalted, the more humble he will be, if actuated by the
Spirit of the Lord, seemed to have been overlooked; and the fact, that
the greatest is least and servant of all, as said our Savior, never to
have been thought of, by numbers. These facts, for such they were, when
viewed in their proper light, were sufficient, of themselves to cause men
to humble themselves before the Lord; but when communicated by the Spirit,
made an impression upon our hearts not to be forgotten. |
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Church can now appreciate this
Rebuke for uncultivated salutations
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¶ |
[19] Perhaps, an arrangement of this kind in a former day would have
occasioned some unpleasant reflections, in the mind of many, and at an
{early} <earlier> period,
in this church, others to have forsaken the cause, in consequence of
weakness, and unfaithfulness; but that the leaders of the church should
wait so long before stepping forward according <to> the manifestation
of the Spirit, deserved a reproof. And that the Church Should be chastened
for their uncultivated manner of salutation, is also just. But to proceed
with the account of the interview. |
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| Joseph ordains Oliver |
¶ |
After addressing the throne of mercy, President Smith laid hands upon
High Counsellor Cowdery, and ordained him to the Presidency of the High
priesthood in the Church, saying: |
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Ordained a president of High
Priesthood
Assist in presiding and bearing keys
Melchizedek Priesthood
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¶ |
Brother, in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, who was crucified for
the sins of the world, that we through the
virtue of his blood might come to the Father, I lay my hands upon thy
head, and ordain thee a President of the high and holy priesthood, to assist
in presiding over the Church, and bearing the keys of this kingdom—which
priesthood is after the order of Melchizedek—which is after the order
of the Son of God—And now, O Father, wilt thousand bless this thy
servant with wisdom, knowledge, and understanding—give him, by the
Holy Spirit, a correct understanding of thy doctrine, laws, and will—Commune
with him from on high—let him hear thy voice, and receive the ministering
of the holy angels—deliver him from temptation, and from the power
of darkness—deliver him from evil, and from those who may seek his
destruction,—be
his Shield, his buckler, and his great reward—endow
him with power from on high, that he may write, preach, and proclaim the
gospel to his fellowmen in demonstration of the Spirit and Of power—may
his feet never slide—may his heart never feint—may his faith
never fail. Bestow upon him the blessings of his fathers Abraham, Isaac,
Jacob, and of Joseph—Prolong his life to a good old age, and bring
him in peace to his end, and to rejoice with thy saints, even the sanctified,
in the celestial kingdom; for thine is the kingdom, the power, and the
glory forever. Amen. |
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| Sidney and Frederick confirm
ordinance |
¶ |
Presidents Rigdon and Williams, confirmed the ordinance and blessings
by the laying on of hands and prayer, after which each were blessed with
the same blessings and prayer.
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Enlightened about church conduct
Respecting callings
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¶ |
Much light was communicated to our minds, and we were instructed into
the order of the Church of the saints, and how they ought to conduct in
respecting and reverencing each other. The praise of men, or the honor
of this world, is of no benefit; but if a man is respected in his calling,
and considered to be a man of righteousness, the truth may have an influence,
many times, by which means they may teach the gospel with success, and
lead men unto the kingdom of heaven. |
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Minutes of December 6, 1834
Minutes of November 28, 1834
Ohio Minutes
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