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.
<Thou> Shalt go forth to the nations which ar[e] afar off even to those who are at the remotest corners of the Earth. and we ask our Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus, that thy mand [mind] may expand, thy heart be enlarged and be instructed in the mysteries of Godliness. We also ask that no sin be laid to thy charge when thou art called to give an account of thy ministry. We ask the Lord to make thee a swift Messenger to the Nations, and if thou wilt set thy heart to seek and serve the Lord from this time, thou shalt go forth & be greatly blessed in calling the children of men to repentance and the Elect of the Lord to . Thou shalt endure fatigues and Hardships and not be overcome: and thou shalt be a good soldier searching out the honest in heart in the remotest corner of the earth. Thou shalt have this blessing if thou art faithful. Amen
You are not set apart as one of the but to continue as you have been, To be ready to go at the command of the Lord, where he may see proper to send thee. Tho[u] art blessed. The Lord shall bless thee in thy basket and in thy store Thou shalt have an additional degree of wisdom Thine eyes shall yet be opened to see those <things> which thou hast not seen. Thou art feeble, therefore, pray that thou mayst be made strong. thou mayst be prepared to go forth as may be required of thee. We pray that thou mayst be with power with thy brethren. [p. 174]
Aldrich left Missouri for Kirtland with Willard Snow in October 1834. He arrived in Kirtland on 20 February 1835. (Hazen Aldrich, Report, Feb. 1835, Missionary Reports, 1831–1900, CHL.)
In June 1835, Aldrich left Kirtland with Darwin Richardson and traveled to New Hampshire and Maine. Upon returning in December 1835, Aldrich stated that he had “traveled almost 2.000 miles, held 43 meetings & Baptized six.” (Hazen Aldrich, Report, Feb. 1835, Missionary Reports, 1831–1900, CHL.)
Murdock, who was ordained a high priest in June 1831, had served several missions since his baptism in November 1830. After accompanying the Camp of Israel to Missouri, he remained there for a couple of months before departing in September 1834 with Zebedee Coltrin to “prech to the Eastren country.” Murdock arrived in Kirtland from this mission on 19 February 1835. (Minutes, ca. 3–4 June 1831; Murdock, Journal, 24 Sept. 1834 and 19 Feb. 1835.)
Murdock, John. Journal, ca. 1830–1859. John Murdock, Journal and Autobiography, ca. 1830–1867. CHL. MS 1194, fd. 2.
Murdock suffered ill health throughout his journey back from Missouri, but on 20 February 1835, he was blessed by church patriarch Joseph Smith Sr. that he would “be healed of the infirmities of [his] body.” (Murdock, Journal, 20 Feb. 1835.)
Murdock, John. Journal, ca. 1830–1859. John Murdock, Journal and Autobiography, ca. 1830–1867. CHL. MS 1194, fd. 2.