Keys
Summary
Authority or knowledge of God given to humankind.1 In the earliest records, the term keys primarily referred to JS’s authority to unlock the “mysteries of the kingdom.”2 Early revelations declared that both JS and Oliver Cowdery held the keys to bring forth “those parts of my scriptures which have been hidden because of iniquity,” apparently a reference to JS’s ability to translate the Book of Mormon.3 JS also held the “keys of the mysteries of the revelations” and “those things which have been sealed,” apparent references to JS’s authorization to receive revelations from God.4 By October 1831, the term was used in reference to the authority to establish the kingdom of God on earth, paralleling its use in the New Testament where Jesus Christ gave Peter the “keys of the kingdom of heaven.”5 Another JS revelation indicated that these keys were given to JS and Oliver Cowdery by Peter, James, and John.6 In 1832, revelations specifically connected these keys to the presidency of the high priesthood, declaring that the keys of the kingdom would always remain with the presidency.7 A September 1832 revelation further explained that “the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God,” was held by the greater priesthood.8 The lesser priesthood held keys, or authorization, as well, even “the key of the ministering of angels and the preparatory gospel.”9 JS later declared that he and Oliver Cowdery received additional keys in 1836.10 JS stated that Moses gave them the “keys of the gathering of Israel” and that Elijah bestowed “the Keys of the authority to administer in all the ordinances of the Priesthood,” including the authority to perform ceremonies sealing spouses and families for eternity.11 JS explained there were numerous keys with different applications, including a key of knowledge for the twelve apostles “to detect the devil.”12 JS later bestowed keys on the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo “that they may be able to detect every thing false” and that “knowledge and intelligence shall flow down from this time.”13
Links
- History, 1838–1856, volume A-1 [23 December 1805–30 August 1834]
- Account of Meetings, Revelation, and Blessing, 5–6 December 1834
- Blessing from Joseph Smith Sr., 9 December 1834
- Blessing from Oliver Cowdery, 22 September 1835
- Blessing to Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith, between circa 15 and 28 September 1835
- Blessing to Oliver Cowdery, 2 October 1835
- Discourse, 2 July 1839, as Reported by Unknown Scribe
- Discourse, 2 July 1839, as Reported by Wilford Woodruff
- Discourse, 27 June 1839, as Reported by Wilford Woodruff
- Discourse, 28 April 1842, as Reported by Eliza R. Snow
- Discourse, 30 July 1840, as Reported by John Smith
- Discourse, 6 April 1837
- History, circa Summer 1832
- Instruction on Priesthood, 5 October 1840
- Instruction on Priesthood, between circa 1 March and circa 4 May 1835 [D&C 107]
- Journal, 1835–1836
- Journal, December 1842–June 1844; Book 1, 21 December 1842–10 March 1843
- Journal, March–September 1838
- Letter from Wilford Woodruff and Others, 9 March 1838
- Letter from William W. Phelps, with appended letter from Orson Hyde and John E. Page, 29 June 1840
- Letter to Church Leaders in Jackson County, Missouri, 10 August 1833
- Letter to Isaac Galland, 22 March 1839
- Letter to John S. Carter, 13 April 1833
- Letter to Moses Nickerson, 19 November 1833
- Letter to Oliver Granger, between circa 22 and circa 28 July 1840
- Letter to Saints in Kirtland, 19 October 1840
- Letter to the Church and Edward Partridge, 20 March 1839–A
- Letter to the Church in Caldwell County, Missouri, 16 December 1838
- Letterbook 1
- Letterbook 2
- License for Frederick G. Williams, 20 March 1833
- Minutes and Blessings, 21 February 1835
- Minutes and Discourses, 27 February 1835–A
- Minutes and Discourses, 27 February 1835–B
- Minutes, Discourse, and Blessings, 14–15 February 1835
- Minutes, 12 November 1831
- Minutes, 17 February 1834
- Minutes, 18 March 1833
- Minutes, 19 February 1834
- Minutes, 30 March 1836
- Nauvoo Relief Society Minute Book
- Record of the Twelve, 14 February–28 August 1835
- Report of Instructions, between 26 June and 4 August 1839–B, as Reported by Willard Richards
- Report of Instructions, between 26 June and 4 August 1839–A, as Reported by Willard Richards
- Revelation Book 1
- Revelation Book 2
- Revelation, 2 August 1833–A [D&C 97]
- Revelation, September 1830–B [D&C 28]
- Revelation, 11 September 1831 [D&C 64]
- Revelation, 15 March 1832 [D&C 81]
- Revelation, 15 March 1833 [D&C 92]
- Revelation, 22–23 September 1832 [D&C 84]
- Revelation, 23 July 1837 [D&C 112]
- Revelation, 30 October 1831 [D&C 65]
- Revelation, 5 January 1833
- Revelation, 7 December 1830 [D&C 35]
- Revelation, 8 March 1833 [D&C 90]
- Revelation, April 1829–A [D&C 6]
- Revelation, between circa 8 and circa 24 March 1832
- Revelation, circa August 1835 [D&C 27]
- Revelations printed in Evening and Morning Star, January 1835–June 1836
- Visions, 3 April 1836 [D&C 110]