Discourse, 2 May 1835, as Reported by William E. McLellin–A
Source Note
JS, Discourse, , Geauga Co., OH, 2 May 1835. Featured version copied [not before 25 Feb. 1836] in Minute Book 1, pp. 187–188; handwriting of ; CHL. For more complete source information, see the source note for Minute Book 1.
The president then stated that the Twelve will have no right to go into or any of its and there undertake to regulate the affairs thereof where there is a standing . But it is their duty to go abroad and regulate all matters relative to the different of the Church. When the Twelve are together, or a of them in any Church, they will have authority to act independently and make decisions, and those decisions, and those decissions are valid. But where there is not a quorum they will have to do business by the voice of the Church. No standing high council has authority his to go into the churches abroad and regulate the matters thereof, for this belongs to the Twelve. No High Council will ever be established only in Zion or one of its Stakes. When the twelve pass a decision it is in the name of the church, Therefore, it is valid. No individual has a right to go into any church [p. 187]
On 27 February 1835, JS told the Twelve that they were a “traveling high council, who are to preside over all the churches of the Saints among the Gentiles, where there is no presidency established.” The Instruction on Priesthood, which was prepared around the same time, states that the Twelve were “to build up the church, and regulate all the affairs of the same, in all nations: first unto the Gentiles, and secondly unto the Jews.” (Minutes and Discourses, 27 Feb. 1835; Instruction on Priesthood, between ca. 1 Mar. and ca. 4 May 1835 [D&C 107:33].)