Minutes, Discourse, and Blessings, [, Geauga Co., OH], 1 Mar. 1835. Featured version copied [not before 25 Feb. 1836] in Minute Book 1, pp. 172–186; handwriting of ; CHL. For more complete source information, see the source note for Minute Book 1.
Historical Introduction
On the morning of 1 March 1835, church members convened a meeting in , Ohio, apparently as a continuation of a meeting that had adjourned on 28 February. Several men appointed to the office of were given blessings in that 28 February meeting. The blessings continued in this 1 March 1835 meeting, and at least thirty-three individuals, including some not designated as seventies, were blessed. All those receiving ordinations and blessings in this meeting had participated in the expedition. According to later reminiscences, many of these blessings were performed by members of the church presidency, including JS, his , , and . The minutes indicate that several individuals who had recently been were also confirmed members of the church at the meeting, and the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper was administered. JS also gave instructions on the necessity of worthiness when partaking of the sacrament.
It is unclear who originally recorded the ordination blessings or the minutes of the meeting. later copied them into Minute Book 1.
For examples, see Hutchings, Journal, 15 Feb. 1835; Burgess, Autobiography, 4; and “Biographies of the Seventies of the Second Quorum,” 22.
Hutchings, Elias. Journal, Dec. 1834–Sept. 1836. CHL. MS 1445.
Burgess, Harrison. Autobiography, ca. 1883. Photocopy. CHL. MS 893. Also available as “Sketch of a Well-Spent Life,” in Labors in the Vineyard, Faith-Promoting Series 12 (Salt Lake City: Juvenile Instructor Office, 1884), 65–74.
“Biographies of the Seventies of the Second Quorum,” 1845–1855. In Seventies Quorum Records, 1844–1975. CHL. CR 499.
ister to you and you receive great good wisdom from the Lord, and do great good in his name. When you are old you shall return to your native land. And you and your posterity are blessed and shall be to the latest generation, because you will run when the Lord calls & go when he sends. even so Amen.
We set you apart to be one of the . You are young and we pray the Lord to guard you against the follies of youth. That you may be humble and conquer all your evil propensities incident to youth. But if you do not forsake all evil when you go forth among the nations, you shall never return, It is with you death or victory. You shall go to many nations and kingdoms, but you must begin from this very hour to reform. If you do you shall do great good and bring [to] pass much righteousness, because you have desired it. You shall become a polished shaft, and rejoice amidst many converts & return with much joy to your native land. We seal blessings upon you upon condition of your faithfulness— Amen.
We renew upon you your commission, and also set you apart to be one of the . You shall be a witness not only to other nations but also to this. You shall yet declare that you have seen the Heavens opened <& and that the Lord Jesus lives> because you have seen him: And you shall be ministred unto by holy Angels. You shall speak to them in their own language, and you shall have great wisdom to teach and to set in order the things of Jesus. And you shall see good days and many of them. A multitudes of blessings are in the Heavens for you. Finally you shall return to your native land with much rejoicing Amen. [p. 182]
In a charge given to those called as apostles, Oliver Cowdery counseled them to “never cease striving until you have seen God, face to face. . . . We require as much to qualify us as did those who have gone before us.” (Minutes and Blessings, 21 Feb. 1835.)