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 and carry the gospel to the nations who sit in darkness. We upon thee the power of this ministry; if thou art faithful from this hour Thou shalt receive a fullness of Joy. Thou shalt ask and the Lord will give. Tho[u] shalt ask and he will give again. Thou shalt see the glory of the Lord. Thou shalt see great things and contemplate mighty things. Thy heart shall desire to see the work of God roll on and thou shalt see it. We seal another another blessing upon thee. Thou shalt return with thy brethren hereafter After thou hast labored much and suffered much, & thy coming in shall be greater than thy going out. These blessings we confirm upon the[e] in the name of the Lord Jesus. Amen.
We you to be an in the and one of the to go into all the world to preach the gospel to every creature. You shall have the powers blessings and privileges of this ministry, equal to any of your brethren. You shall go forth, but shall return to the embraces of your family, and they shall have much peace with you. Amen.
We you to be an to go forth and preach the Gospel, & . Tho[u] art a vessel chosen of God to bear the news of salvation to the . Thou hast long sought this mission Thou shalt go forth according to the desire of thy heart. Thou shalt see the work of the Lord prosper in thy hands. Thou shalt open the plan of salvation to those who know it not. [p. 176]
George A. Smith later remembered that his ordination occurred “under the hands of Joseph Smith Senr, Joseph Smith Junr. and Sidney Rigdon, who was spokesman.” A later copy of the blessing stated that it was “given under the hands of Joseph Smith Sen” but also indicated that JS and Rigdon participated in the blessing. (George A. Smith, Autobiography, 59; Ordination, 1 Mar. 1835, George Albert Smith, Papers, CHL.)
Smith, George A. Autobiography, ca. 1860–1882. George Albert Smith, Papers, 1834–1877. CHL. MS 1322, box 1, fd. 2.
Smith, George Albert. Papers, 1834–1877. CHL. MS 1322.