Choosing of the Twelve and Seventy--Dedication of the Kirtland Temple
1834-1836
Charges Against the Prophet
As already stated, there was some dissension in Zion's Camp on the way
to Missouri. One of the chief offenders on that trip was Sylvester
Smith, and when he returned to Kirtland he repeated many of his
grievances against the Prophet Joseph Smith. This resulted in a trial
before the Bishop, Newel K. Whitney, and the high priests, and after
a full investigation, the Prophet was vindicated and Sylvester Smith
after much persuasion made confession of his wrongdoing, and repented
of his sin.
The Law of Tithing
Up to this time the Saints had donated of their means according to
their disposition for the support of the Church. In Zion and Kirtland
the law of consecration had been given; but it had not been generally
practiced, and since the driving of the Saints from their homes, they
were compelled to seek a living individually after the manner of the
world. In the fall of 1834, Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery set an
example for the Church by covenanting with the Lord that they would
give one-tenth of all he should give them, to be bestowed upon the
poor, as Jacob had covenanted centuries before. This was nearly four
years before this law of tithing was given to the Church (Doc. and Cov.
Sec. 119).
Oliver Cowdery Assistant President
December 5, 1834, Oliver Cowdery was ordained by Joseph Smith by the
command of the Lord, an Assistant President of the High Priesthood, to
hold the keys of presidency with Joseph Smith in this ministry. This
was in harmony with the ordinations he received under the hands of John
the Baptist and other holy messengers in 1829.[1]
Temporary Peace
Notwithstanding the Saints in Missouri were not permitted to return
to their possessions, the spirit of opposition began to subside for a
season, and the elders commenced going forth two by two, preaching the
Gospel throughout the land, and many were added to the Church daily.
The year 1834 came to a close with the Saints laboring diligently to
build the house of the Lord in Kirtland, and in preparing for the
School of the Elders which was to be held during the winter months. In
January, 1835, the School of the Elders commenced. Lectures on theology
were given and the study of the scriptures and other subjects were
considered for the benefit of the members of the Church, in keeping
with the revelations of the Lord.
Twelve Apostles Chosen
On the 14th of February, 1835, Brigham Young and his brother Joseph
came to the house of President Joseph Smith and sang for him. While
they were visiting with the Prophet on this occasion he told them
that he desired to call together all those who were members of Zion's
Camp, for he had a blessing for them. At this meeting he conversed
with these two brethren on the scenes of their memorable journey and
said: "Brethren, I have seen those men who died of the cholera in our
camp; and the Lord knows, if I get a mansion as bright as theirs, I ask
no more." At this he wept and could not speak for some time. He then
said the Lord had called Brigham Young to be one of the twelve special
witnesses, and Joseph Young to be a president of the seventies.
A meeting was called for the 14th of February, and on that day all
the members of Zion's Camp that could be called together assembled to
receive such blessings as the Lord had promised them. President Joseph
Smith then stated that the object of the meeting was to choose men for
important positions in the ministry to go forth and prune the vineyard
for the last time. He had been commanded by the Lord to prepare for
the calling of Twelve Apostles, in fulfilment of the revelation given
before the organization of the Church (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 18). These
twelve men were to be chosen from among those who went up in Zion's
Camp, and the three special witnesses to the Book of Mormon were
to select and ordain them. After the usual opening exercises and
appropriate instructions a recess was taken for one hour. When the
meeting was later called to order the three witnesses were blessed by
the laying on of hands by the presidency; they then united in prayer
and proceeded to make choice of the Twelve Apostles. Their names in the
order in which they were chosen are as follows:[2]
Lyman E. Johnson Brigham Young Heber C. Kimball Orson Hyde David W.
Patten Luke S. Johnson William E. McLellin John F. Boynton Orson Pratt
William Smith Thomas B. Marsh Parley P. Pratt
The witnesses then proceeded to ordain these brethren, and the first
three were ordained at that meeting. The following day all the others
except Parley P. Pratt, who was absent, Thomas B. Marsh and Orson
Pratt, who were on a mission, were ordained. Parley P. Pratt was
ordained February 21; Thomas B. Marsh on April 25 and Orson Pratt the
following day.
A charge was given to these brethren by President Oliver Cowdery, and
items of valuable instruction were imparted by President Joseph Smith.
In this way another important step in the development of the Priesthood
and the organization of the Church was accomplished.
The Seventy
On the 28th of February, 1835, another meeting was called and selection
was made from those who went to Missouri in Zion's Camp to create the
first quorum of seventy. Hazen Aldrich, Joseph Young, Levi W. Hancock,
Leonard Rich, Zebedee Coltrin, Lyman Sherman and Sylvester Smith were
called to the office of presidents of this quorum of seventy. These
brethren and those appointed to form the quorum[3] were ordained under
the hands of the First Presidency. This was another step toward the
completion of the ministry and perfect development of the latter day
work. Each step came in its turn, and in like manner the doctrines of
the kingdom were unfolded, here a little and there a little, until the
perfect organization was established on the earth.
Blessings of Those Who Built the Temple
Another conference was called March 7, for the purpose of blessing
those who had assisted, by labor or other means, in the building of
the Kirtland Temple, which was nearing completion. This conference
continued during the 8th, and all those who were available were
blessed with special blessings who had assisted in this necessary work
preparatory to the receiving of the promised endowment.
The Great Revelation on Priesthood
The Twelve Apostles met in council, March 12, 1835, and were appointed
by the presidency to a mission through the Eastern States, visiting
the branches and regulating the affairs of the Church therein. March
28, as they were about ready to depart, they sought the Prophet for
a blessing by revelation from the Lord. "We have unitedly asked God
our heavenly Father to grant unto us," they said, "through his seer a
revelation of his mind and will concerning our duty the coming season,
even a great revelation, that will enlarge our hearts, comfort us in
adversity, and brighten our hopes amidst the powers of darkness." They
were not disappointed, for the Lord gave unto them a great revelation
on Priesthood (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 107) in which the various offices,
and the powers pertaining thereto, were fully defined. It was explained
that there are two Priesthoods in the Church, "namely, the Melchizedek
and the Aaronic, including the Levitical Priesthood. Why the first is
called the Melchizedek Priesthood, is because Melchizedek was such a
great High Priest. Before his day it was called _The Holy Priesthood
after the Order of the Son of God;_ but out of respect or reverence to
the name of the Supreme Being, to avoid the too frequent repetition
of his name, they, the Church in ancient days, called that Priesthood
after Melchizedek, or the Melchizedek Priesthood. All other authorities
or offices in the Church are appendages to this Priesthood."[4]
Immediately following the giving of this revelation which sets
forth the duties of the twelve, the apostles started on their first
missionary journey as they had been appointed.
The Book of Abraham
On the 3rd of July, 1835, Michael H. Chandler, came to Kirtland
exhibiting four mummies and some rolls of papyrus covered with
hieroglyphic figures. Mr. Chandler had been directed to the Prophet
Joseph Smith as one who could translate the characters for him. At
his request Joseph Smith gave a translation of a few of them which
Mr. Chandler stated agreed with the decipherings of learned men who
had examined them. He gave the Prophet a certificate to this effect.
Shortly after this interview some of the Saints in Kirtland purchased
the mummies and the manuscripts, and, with Oliver Cowdery and Wm. W.
Phelps as scribes, the Prophet commenced to translate these records.
To their great joy they discovered that one of these rolls contained
writings of Abraham, or instructions given to him in Egypt from the
Lord. The other contained writings of Joseph, son of Jacob. During the
summer the Prophet prepared for the complete translation of the Book
of Abraham, as it is called, which now appears in the Pearl of Great
Price,[5] one of the accepted standard works of the Church.
The Doctrine and Covenants
A general assembly of the Church was held in Kirtland, August 17, 1835,
to consider the labors, of a committee appointed by a general assembly
of the Church, September 24, 1834, for the purpose of arranging the
items of doctrine and the revelations for publication. This committee
was composed of the following: Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, Sidney
Rigdon and Frederick G. Williams. The committee having finished their
work they called a general assembly on the above date to consider their
labors. It should be understood that the printing of the revelations
according to the action of the conference of the Church, on a previous
date in 1831, had miscarried, due to the destruction of the printing
press in Independence in July, 1833, and the destruction of most of the
forms which had been issued up to that time. At this general assembly
Oliver Cowdery and Sidney Rigdon, of the presidency, were in charge;
the Prophet and Frederick G. Williams were at the time on a visit in
Michigan. All the quorums of the Priesthood were arranged in order;
Thomas Burdick, Warren Parrish and Sylvester Smith were appointed
clerks. The usual procedure at conferences of the Church was followed,
and the morning session was devoted to ordinations and the transaction
of other important business. In the afternoon Oliver Cowdery introduced
the "Book of Doctrine and Covenants of the Church" in behalf of the
committee. Sidney Rigdon followed with instructions pertaining to the
manner of voting, by which they intended to obtain the voice of the
assembly for or against the book. Each of the councils and quorums of
the Priesthood then by separate vote acknowledged the revelations which
had been selected for a place in the book, as from the Lord, and the
doctrine and covenants of their faith. A written acknowledgment from
the Twelve Apostles, which had evidently been prepared before their
departure for their mission, was read. It is as follows:
Testimony of the Twelve Apostles to the Truth of the Book of Doctrine
and Covenants
_"The testimony of the Witnesses to the Book of the Lord's
Commandments, which commandments he gave to his Church through
Joseph Smith, Jr., who was appointed, by the voice of the Church,
for this purpose._
"We therefore feel willing to bear testimony to all the world of
mankind, to every creature upon the face of all the earth, that
the Lord has borne record to our souls through the Holy Ghost shed
forth upon us, that these commandments were given by inspiration of
God, and are profitable for all men, and are verily true. We give
this testimony unto the world, the Lord being our helper; and it is
through the grace of God the Father, and His Son Jesus Christ, that
we are permitted to have this privilege of bearing this testimony
unto the world, in the which we rejoice exceedingly, praying the
Lord always that the children of men may be profited thereby.
Thomas B. Marsh, David W. Patten, Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball,
Orson Hyde, William E. McLellin, Parley P. Pratt, Luke S. Johnson,
William Smith, Orson Pratt, John F. Boynton, Lyman E. Johnson."
To the revelations were added by vote of this assembly, the Lectures
on Faith, which had been given in the School of the Elders (Prophets)
earlier in the year, and an article on Government and Laws in General;
also one on Marriage. These lectures and the two articles mentioned
were not received, however, as doctrine and binding on the Church,
as were the revelations. The minutes of this gathering were signed
by Oliver Cowdery and Sidney Rigdon as Presidents, and by the three
clerks. They were published in the book when printed, with a preface
signed by the presidency, with date of February 17, 1835.
Close of the Year 1835
The close of the year 1835 found the Prophet busy working on the Book
of Abraham, which, among other great truths, revealed principles
pertaining to astronomy as taught to Abraham. Many council meetings
were held, and the twelve were instructed that they were to take their
families and move to Missouri the following summer with the presidency,
after the endowment in the temple was received. The School of the
Elders was continued, and the study of grammar and Hebrew, under a
competent instructor, became an important part of their work. The
elders were preparing for the solemn assembly which was soon to convene
in the Kirtland Temple, now nearly completed. Peace and tranquility
prevailed, which permitted the Prophet and the Saints to accomplish
many things essential to the welfare of the Church. The one thing that
marred the peace which was granted for a season was the rebellious
spirit manifested by William Smith against the Prophet, which nearly
cost William his standing in the Church. Charges were made against him
before the high council, but on his show of repentance he was forgiven.
Christian Whitmer, one of the eight witnesses to the Book of Mormon,
died in Clay County, Missouri, November 27, 1835, firm in the faith. He
was one of the members of the high council in Missouri.
Anointing and Blessings in the Temple
Much time was spent in January and February, 1836, in council meetings
and the filling of vacancies in the various organizations of the
Priesthood. Professor Seixas, a thorough Hebrew scholar, was employed
to teach the Hebrew language, in the stead of Dr. Piexotto, who had
failed to live up to his contract. Thursday, January 21, the first of a
number of meetings in the temple was held. These gatherings continued
through several days, in which the faithful elders of the Church
received blessings by the laying on of hands and anointing with oil.
At this first meeting the presidency met, and Father Joseph Smith,
the patriarch, was anointed and blessed. He then anointed and blessed
each of the brethren of the presidency, beginning with the oldest,
pronouncing such blessings upon them as the Spirit of the Lord
revealed, and many prophecies were uttered by each of them.
A Vision
While thus engaged the heavens were opened and the Prophet received the
following vision:
"I beheld the celestial kingdom of God, and the glory thereof,
whether in the body or out I cannot tell. I saw the transcendent
beauty of the gate through which the heirs of that kingdom will
enter, which was like unto circling flames of fire; also the
blazing throne of God, whereon was seated the Father and the Son. I
saw the beautiful streets of that kingdom, which had the appearance
of being paved with gold. I saw Fathers Adam and Abraham, and my
father and mother, my brother, Alvin, that has long since slept,
and marveled how it was that he had obtained an inheritance in the
kingdom, seeing that he had departed this life before the Lord had
set his hand to gather Israel the second time and had not been
baptized for the remission of sins.
"Thus came the voice of the Lord to me, saying--
"'All who have died without a knowledge of this Gospel, who would
have received it if they had been permitted to tarry, shall be
heirs of the celestial kingdom of God; also all that shall die
henceforth without a knowledge of it, who would have received it
with all their hearts, shall be heirs of that kingdom; for I, the
Lord, will judge all men according to their works; according to the
desire of their hearts.'
"And I also beheld that all children who die before they arrive at
the years of accountability are saved in the celestial kingdom of
heaven."
Many other wonderful manifestations they beheld, and angels ministered
to them; the power of the Lord rested upon them and the house was
filled with the glory of God. The Prophet's scribe, Warren Parrish, saw
the armies of heaven, and visions of the redemption of Zion.
At this and succeeding meetings the various councils and presiding
officers in the several quorums, each in turn, received blessings by
the anointing of oil and laying on of hands, such as the patriarch and
presidency had received, and the visions of heaven were opened to their
view with wonderful manifestations of the glory and power of God, and
they shouted, "Hosanna to God and the Lamb."
The Solemn Assembly
In the city of Kirtland on Sunday, March 27, 1836, the members of the
Church realized their hopes, long anticipated, when they gathered in
the temple in solemn assembly. As early as 1832, the Lord had given
commandment for the building of a house to his name, for such a
place was not to be found on the earth; nor had there been for many
centuries. The ground was broken for this building, June 5, 1833; the
corner stones were laid on the 23rd of the following month--the same
day the Saints in Jackson County were forced by mob violence from their
homes. Now the house was finished; a monument to the faith and industry
of the little band of Latterly Saints who had constructed it in their
poverty, amidst the threatened violence of enemies. It is a building
of no mean proportions; built of stone; eighty feet in length, sixty
in width, fifty feet to the square, with a tower one hundred ten feet
from the ground. The 27th of March, 1836, was a solemn and momentous
occasion. Long before the appointed hour the building was thronged
with eager and interested people, many were turned away for lack of
room. At nine o'clock the session was called to order by President
Sidney Rigdon, who, in the midst of breathless silence, read the 96th
and the 24th psalms. The choir then sang: "Ere long the veil will
rend in twain"--which declaration was to be fulfilled earlier than
the congregation realized. After prayer and another song appropriate
remarks were made, and then the various officers of the Church were
sustained by separate vote, which procedure was interspersed with
singing.
The Prayer of Dedication
The prayer of dedication which had been given by revelation (Doc. and
Cov. Sec. 109) was offered and the house was presented to the Lord.[6]
Following the prayer, the congregation sang the hymn Hosanna[7] which
had been written for this occasion, and then shouted "Hosanna, hosanna,
hosanna, to God and the Lamb," sealing it with "Amen, Amen, and Amen."
Angels were present and the Holy Spirit, like the sound of a mighty
rushing wind, filled the house and rested upon the assembly. The people
of the neighborhood came running together hearing a strange sound
and seeing a bright light resting on the temple. The house had been
accepted by the Lord.
Endowments Given
As soon as the Temple was dedicated, ordinance work for the elders was
commenced. The ordinance of washing of feet--which the Prophet said
was never intended but for the official members of the Church[8]--was
attended to in behalf of the leading quorums, and other ordinances
were performed. The Savior appeared to several of the brethren and
angels ministered to others in these meetings. It was indeed a time of
Pentecost to the Saints.
The Coming of Moses, Elias and Elijah
After the administering of the Sacrament in the temple at the meeting
held Sunday, April 3, 1836, Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery retired
to the pulpit, the veils[9] being dropped, and there bowed in silent
prayer. After rising from their knees the Savior appeared to them
standing on the breast-work of the pulpit and blessed them, accepting
the building in his name. After this vision closed, the heavens were
again opened, and Moses appeared committing to them the keys of the
gathering of Israel; Elias, who lived in the days of Abraham, then
appeared, and committed to them the keys of the dispensation of the
Gospel of Abraham. Then another glorious vision burst upon them and
Elijah appeared and committed to them the keys, in fulfilment of the
prediction of Malachi, of the turning of the hearts of the fathers to
the children, and the hearts of the children to the fathers, which
was to be done before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the
Lord.[10]
The Elders Prepared to Teach
In the revelation given on Fishing River (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 105) the
Lord had said the elders must be endowed with power from on high before
they would be fully prepared to go forth to build up the Church and
"prune" his vineyard. This endowment having now been received, and the
various keys of different dispensations having now been restored, the
elders were prepared for their ministry among the nations of the earth.
Following these blessings they began to go forth spreading abroad in
all parts of the land, preaching the word in power as they had never
experienced it before, and many received their testimony and were
numbered among the people of the Lord.
Notes
1. The record which gives an account of this ordination has this to
say: "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 his rank and appointment, viz.; President Cowdery, first;
President Rigdon, second, and President Williams, third, as they
were severally called. The office of this Priesthood is also to act
as spokesman, taking Aaron for an example. The virtue of the above
Priesthood is to hold, the keys of the kingdom of heaven or the Church
militant" (_MS. History of the Church_ Book A, Chapter 1).
The account of Oliver's ordination is given in the same record as
follows: "After addressing the throne of mercy, President Smith laid
hands upon High Counselor Cowdery, and ordained him to the Presidency
of the High Priesthood in the Church, saying: '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.'"
2. Later they were arranged in order of precedence according to age as
follows:
Thomas B. Marsh David W. Patten Brigham Young Heber C. Kimball Orson
Hyde William E. McLellin Parley P. Pratt Luke S. Johnson William Smith
Orson Pratt John F. Boynton Lyman E. Johnson
3. For the names of those who formed this quorum of seventy see the
_Documentary History of the Church_, vol. 2:203; and for the names of
the members of Zion's Camp see the same volume, pages 183-5.
4. This important revelation should receive careful study for few
revelations have been given containing greater instruction for the
Church.
5. This Book of Abraham, like the Book of Moses, which also appears
in the Pearl of Great Price, is another addition to our collection of
lost scripture which the Lord, through his wisdom, has restored. These
records contain many important revelations, and should be carefully
read. The history of the discovery of these rolls of papyrus, and the
guiding hand of the Lord which placed them in the hands of Joseph Smith
is set forth in the _Documentary History of the Church_, vol. 2:348-51.
See also _Messenger and Advocate_, Dec. 1835.
6. These ceremonies were repeated for the benefit of those who could
not gain admittance at the first session.
7. "The Spirit of God like a fire is burning."
8. _Documentary History of the Church_, vol. 2:309.
9. There were four veils in the temple arranged crosswise, so that they
could be lowered and divide the assembly room into four parts.
10. See Doc. and Cov. Sec. 110, for an account of these visions.