, Blessing, to JS, [, Geauga Co., OH], 22 Sept. 1835. Featured version copied 3 Oct. 1835 in Patriarchal Blessing Book 1, pp. 15–16; handwriting of ; CHL. For more complete source information on Patriarchal Blessing Book 1, see the source note for Blessing from Joseph Smith Sr., 9 Dec. 1834.
Historical Introduction
On 22 September 1835, an entry in JS’s journal states that he and labored “in obtaining and writing blessings.” Five extant blessings in Patriarchal Blessing Book 1 remain as evidence of their efforts that day. Four of them were dictated by JS for church leaders who were then in , Ohio. The fifth blessing was given by Cowdery to JS and provides an intimate portrait of Cowdery’s esteem for JS. An explanatory note written by Cowdery in Patriarchal Blessing Book 1 states that after he had recorded the four blessings for the Missouri church leaders, he felt a personal desire to know the “mind of the Spirit” concerning JS. Cowdery “besought the Lord in prayer and fasting,” and, according to Cowdery, God “opened the heavens upon me” and provided the blessing for JS in the form of a “heavenly vision.” There is no indication of whether Cowdery verbalized the blessing or laid hands upon JS while pronouncing it. It is not even clear whether JS was present on the occasion or whether Cowdery merely recorded this blessing as he saw the “heavenly vision.”
The original inscription of the blessing has not been located; recorded the copy in Patriarchal Blessing Book 1 on 3 October 1835, stating that the text represented only a portion of the vision. In tone, the blessing is similar to those given contemporaneously to others by JS and , including the use of biblical language to convey promises to JS. The blessing recounts JS’s accomplishments and the numerous blessings he stood to receive for his faithfulness and righteousness. This is the only blessing recorded in Patriarchal Blessing Book 1 that was given by an individual other than JS or Joseph Smith Sr.
of the earth, as well as nigh at home: for in this the times shall change— a prophet shall have honor in his own country. His learning and wisdom shall astonish the great, for they shall acknowledge that by his intelligence he has far surpassed their learng <learning> and their science. In palaces of governors, rulers and kings shall he be honored, even in his person, for God shall give him power to prevail. He shall be a lawgiver to Israel and shall teach the house of Jacob the statutes of the Most High. His testimony shall shine like the sun, and the weight of his influence shall be like the great river that rises on the east of the lasting hills, and flows into the great deep— so shall his righteousness ever abound. He shall partake of the blessings of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob: the chief things of the ancient mountains, the precious things that couch beneath, and of the treasures hid in the sand. The records of past ages and generations, and the histories of ancient days shall he bring forth: even the record of the shall he again obtain, with all those hid up by Mormon, and others who were righteous, and many others, till he is overwhelmed with knowledge. No precious thing shall slumber from his possession, for he shall be covered with the most choice of all ages, till his soul shall be satisfied and his heart shall say, Enough, Enough! In his hands shall the remain and the holy ministry, and the keys of the evangelical priesthood, also, for an everlasting priesthood forever, even the patriarchal; for, behold, he is the first patriarch in the last days. He shall sit in the great assembly and general council of patriarchs, and execute the will and commandment of God under the direction of the Ancient of Days; for he shall have his place and act in his station. Behold, my brother Joseph is blessed: blessed are all who bless him, and blessed are all those whom he blessess. Multitudes, multitudes, shall come to a knowledge of the truth through his ministry, and he shall be welcomed into the presence of kings and the great ones of the earth; for he shall claim his place among the nobles of the earth and shall be reverenced by them. He shall also be filled withe abundance of the fat of the earth: his flocks shall bring forth thousands and tens of thousands: his fats [vats] shall overflow with wine and oil: his cattle shall increase to a multitude: he shall have horses and mules, asses, she asses and dromedaries, camels and elephants, and all swift beasts, and when he goes forth in haste his chariots shall roar like the approach of an army: he shall have gold and silver, precious stones, diamonds, pearls, and the pure platina [platinum], with the antiquities of every kind. Thus shall God bless, and thus shall he be prospered: and he shall have peace after a little; for his enemies shall be consumed, many of them, and many shall turn and be his friends in very deed: he shall remain to a good old age, even till his head is like the pure wool. Behold, there is no end to the vision, of the multiplicity of blessings and glories which shall come upon my brother Joseph. He shall possess a mansion on high and have an in that city which is like pure gold, even like transparent glass. His rest shall be glorious and his name remain forever. Thus closes the vision, and thus it shall be; even so. Amen. Given in the evening of September 22, 1835, and recorded October 3, 1835. . [p. 16]
JS stated that he obtained the record of the Nephites—which was inscribed on gold plates buried in a hill near his home in New York—in 1827. He also said that he returned the plates to the angel Moroni. Though JS left no record indicating when he returned the plates, it may have been soon after completing the translation of them in June or July 1829. (See JS History, vol. A-1, 26; Testimony of Three Witnesses, Late June 1829; and Testimony of Eight Witnesses, Late June 1829.)
JS History / Smith, Joseph, et al. History, 1838–1856. Vols. A-1–F-1 (original), A-2–E-2 (fair copy). Historian’s Office, History of the Church, 1839–ca. 1882. CHL. CR 100 102, boxes 1–7. The history for the period after 5 Aug. 1838 was composed after the death of Joseph Smith.
Various individuals, some of whom personally knew JS, recounted decades later having been shown, either in vision or in literal experience, buried Nephite records. (See Packer, “Cumorah’s Cave,” 50–57.)
Packer, Cameron J. “Cumorah’s Cave.” Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 13, nos. 1–2 (2004): 50–57.