ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH.
By this time many people came to Joseph, some out of curiosity, some to be
taught of the wonderful truths which he had received, and some, I am sorry
to say, came to do him harm. As Joseph and Oliver now had power to baptize,
a number of those who believed were baptized by them.
The time had now come to organize the Church and the Lord revealed to
Joseph that it should be done on the 6th day of April, 1830. Accordingly on
that day six men who had been baptized met at the house of Peter Whitmer,
Sen., at Fayette, Seneca county, state of New York. Their names were Joseph
Smith, Oliver Cowdery, Hyrum Smith, Peter Whitmer, Jr., Samuel H. Smith,
and David Whitmer.
Joseph tells us what was done at this meeting as follows:
"Having opened the meeting by solemn prayer to our Heavenly Father, we
proceeded to call on our brethren to know whether they accepted us as their
teachers in the things of the kingdom of God and whether they were
satisfied that we should proceed and be organized as a Church according to
the commandments we had received. To this they all consented. I then laid
my hands upon Oliver Cowdery and ordained him an elder of the Church of
Jesus Christ; after which he ordained me also to the office of an elder of
said Church. We then took bread, blessed it, and broke it with them; also
wine, blessed it, and drank it with them. We then laid our hands on each
member of the Church present, that they might receive the gift of the Holy
Ghost and be confirmed members of the Church of Christ. The Holy Ghost was
poured out upon us to a very great degree--some prophesied, whilst we all
praised the Lord and rejoiced exceedingly."
Thus was the true Church of Christ again on the earth. During the hundreds
of years when the world had lain in darkness, not a man could have been
found who had the authority to confirm a member of the church; but now
there was a beginning, a very small beginning it is true, but the promise
is that it will grow and increase until it shall fill the whole earth.
The first public meeting after the Church was organized was held five days
later at the same place. At this meeting Oliver Cowdery preached the first
public discourse. He explained the principles of the gospel, and quite a
number believed and were baptized.
Shortly after this time Joseph went to a town called Colesville, in Broome
county, N.Y., not far from Pennsylvania to visit his friend Joseph Knight
who had aided him when he was at work on the Book of Mormon. Joseph held a
number of meetings in this place and made some friends. Among those who
attended these meetings was Newel Knight, son of Joseph Knight. This young
man had many talks with Joseph about the gospel, but still he kept putting
off doing his duty in being baptized. Because of this the evil one got
power over him and treated him so badly that the prophet was sent for. When
Joseph arrived he found his friend Newel acting strangely. His face and
body twisted in an awful manner and at last he was actually caught up from
the floor and tossed about. Many of the neighbors now came in, but they
could do nothing to help the suffering man.
[Illustration: Map of Fayette and Kirtland]
When Joseph managed to get hold of Newel's hand, he became still and spoke
to Joseph, asking him to cast the devil from him.
"If you know that I can, it shall be done," replied Joseph, whereupon he
commanded the evil one in the name of Jesus Christ to depart. Newel became
all right again at once, and was greatly blessed by the Spirit of God. The
people present wondered greatly at what they had seen, and many of them
afterwards joined the Church.
This was the first miracle performed in the Church. Jesus had said to his
apostles in his day: "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved. * *
* And these signs shall follow them that believe: in my name shall they
cast out devils," etc. Thus we see the same signs following the believer in
our day the same as in the days of the first apostles.
On the first of June, 1830, the first conference, of the Church was held in
Fayette. There were about thirty members present besides many others who
came to hear. The Spirit of God was greatly enjoyed at this meeting. Many
prophesied, while others had beautiful visions of the heavens opened to
their eyes.
Topics.--1. Organization of the Church. 2. First meeting, sermon and
conference. 3. First miracle.
Questions and Review.--1. When and where was the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints organized? 2. Name the first six members. 3. What was
done at that meeting? 4. How many members are there in the Church today? 5.
How did you become a member of the Church? 6. Describe the first miracle.
7. How was the evil one cast out in former days? (See Acts 16: 16, 18.) 8.
What proof was given that Joseph and his brethren were true believers. (See
Mark 16: 16, 17.) 9. When was the first conference of the Church held?