History, 1834–1836

  • Source Note
  • Historical Introduction
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Editorial Note
As explained previously, apparently wrote the entry for 5 December 1834 sometime between the meeting held that evening and the related meeting held the following day. This promptness suggests that Cowdery’s entry for the 6 December 1834 meeting was likewise written the day of that meeting or shortly thereafter. The blank pages between the 6 December entry and the next section of the history were likely reserved for further historical entries, but no similar contemporaneous entries were made here or anywhere else in the history.

Chapter 1.
5 December 1834 • Friday
Friday Evening, December 5, 1834. According to the direction of the Holy Spirit, President Smith, assistant Presidents, and , assembled for the purpose of ordaining <​first​> High Counsellor to the office of assistant President of the High and Holy Priesthood in the Church of the Latter-Day Saints.
It is necessary, for the special benefit of the reader, that he be instructed <​into, or​> concerning the power and authority of the above named Priesthood.
First. The office of the President is to preside over the whole Chu[r]ch; to be considered as at the head; to receive revelations for the Church; to be a Seer, and Revelator <​and Prophet—​> having all the gifts of God:— having taking <​Moses​> for an ensample. Which is Second. the office and station of the above President Smith, according to the calling of God, and the ordination which he has received.
Second. The office of Assistant President is to assist in presiding over the whole chu[r]ch, and to officiate in the abscence of the President, according to their <​his​> rank and appointment, viz: , first; Second, and Third, as they <​were​> are severally called. The office of this Priesthood is also to act as Spokesman—taking Aaron for an ensample.
The virtue of this the <​above​> Priesthood is to hold the keys of the kingdom of heaven, or the Church militant.
The reader may further understand, that Presidents <​the​> reason why President <​High Counsellor​> was not previously ordained <​to the Presidency,​> was, in consequence of his necessary attendance in Zion, to assist in conducting the printing business; but that this promise was made by the angel while in company with President Smith, at the time they recievd the office of the lesser priesthood. And further: The circumstances and situation of the Church requiring, Presidents and were previously ordained, to assist President Smith.
After this short explination, we now proceed to give an account of the acts, promises, and blessings of this memorable Evening:
First. After assembling, we received a rebuke for our former low, uncultivated, and disrespectful manner of communication, and salutation, with, and unto each other, by the voice of the Spirit, saying unto us: Verily, condemnation resteth upon you, who are appointed to lead my Chu[r]ch, and to be saviors of men: and also upon the church: And there must needs be a repentance and a refor[m]ation among you, in all things, in your ensamples before the Chuch, and before the world, in all your manners, habits and customs, and salutations one toward another—rendering unto every man the respect due the office, and calling, and priesthood, whereunto I the Lord have appointed and ordained you. Amen. [p. 17]

Editorial Note
As explained previously, apparently wrote the entry for 5 December 1834 sometime between the meeting held that evening and the related meeting held the following day. This promptness suggests that Cowdery’s entry for the 6 December 1834 meeting was likewise written the day of that meeting or shortly thereafter. The blank pages between the 6 December entry and the next section of the history were likely reserved for further historical entries, but no similar contemporaneous entries were made here or anywhere else in the history.

Chapter 1.
5 December 1834 • Friday
Friday Evening, December 5, 1834. According to the direction of the Holy Spirit, President Smith, assistant Presidents, and , assembled for the purpose of ordaining first High Counsellor to the office of assistant President of the High and Holy Priesthood in the Church of the Latter-Day Saints.
It is necessary, for the special benefit of the reader, that he be instructed into, or concerning the power and authority of the above named Priesthood.
First. The office of the President is to preside over the whole Church; to be considered as at the head; to receive revelations for the Church; to be a Seer, Revelator and Prophet— having all the gifts of God:— taking Moses for an ensample. Which is the office and station of the above President Smith, according to the calling of God, and the ordination which he has received.
Second. The office of Assistant President is to assist in presiding over the whole church, and to officiate in the abscence of the President, according to his rank and appointment, viz: , first; Second, and Third, as they were severally called. The office of this Priesthood is also to act as Spokesman—taking Aaron for an ensample.
The virtue of the above Priesthood is to hold the keys of the kingdom of heaven, or the Church militant.
The reader may further understand, that the reason why High Counsellor was not previously ordained to the Presidency, was, in consequence of his necessary attendance in Zion, to assist in conducting the printing business; but that this promise was made by the angel while in company with President Smith, at the time they recievd the office of the lesser priesthood. And further: The circumstances and situation of the Church requiring, Presidents and were previously ordained, to assist President Smith.
After this short explination, we now proceed to give an account of the acts, promises, and blessings of this memorable Evening:
First. After assembling, we received a rebuke for our former low, uncultivated, and disrespectful manner of communication, and salutation, with, and unto each other, by the voice of the Spirit, saying unto us: Verily, condemnation resteth upon you, who are appointed to lead my Church, and to be saviors of men: and also upon the church: And there must needs be a repentance and a reformation among you, in all things, in your ensamples before the Chuch, and before the world, in all your manners, habits and customs, and salutations one toward another—rendering unto every man the respect due the office, calling, and priesthood, whereunto I the Lord have appointed and ordained you. Amen. [p. 17]
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