The Organization of the Church

By 1830, Joseph Smith had dictated several revelations indicating that Jesus Christ would reestablish his church. A March 1829 revelation declared, “I will establish my Church yea even the church which was taught by my Desiples [disciples].” Similarly, another spring 1829 revelation stated, “If this generation harden not their hearts, I will establish my church among them.” Then, in June 1829, Joseph Smith dictated a revelation addressed to Oliver Cowdery. This revelation indicated that Cowdery should “rely upon the things which are written” to build up Christ’s church, “for in them are all things written, concerning my church, my gospel, and my rock.” Following this, Oliver Cowdery wrote the “Articles of the Church of Christ.” This document relied on passages from the Book of Mormon and the June 1829 revelation to guide church practices, including how to administer baptism and the Lord’s supper.

As Joseph Smith later recalled, the Lord appointed 6 April 1830 as the day “to organize his Church once again, here upon the earth.” A meeting was accordingly held on that date. The traditional location of this meeting, as given in Joseph Smith’s multivolume manuscript history and other sources, is Fayette, New York. Some sources, however, locate the organizational meeting in Manchester, New York. Regardless of the location, it was during this meeting that Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery were accepted by the church as “teachers in the things of the Kingdom of God.” They also ordained each other as elders, administered the sacrament, and bestowed the gift of the Holy Ghost on each church member present. Later in the meeting, Joseph Smith received a revelation that designated him as “a seer & Translater & Prop[h]et an Apostle of Jesus Christ an Elder of the Church.” This revelation admonished the members of the church to “give heed unto all his words & commandments.”

The church subsequently held its first conference in Fayette, New York, on 9 June 1830. At this conference, church members approved the church’s “Articles and Covenants.” This important document set forth the church’s ecclesiastical offices, sacramental ordinances, and organizational procedures.

The finding aid below provides links to these documents and others in the Joseph Smith Papers that relate to the organization of the church.

“Articles of the Church of Christ,” June 1829, written by Oliver Cowdery, contains some similar content to the Articles and Covenants adopted by the church in June 1830. While Articles of the Church of Christ was never ratified by the church’s membership, it may have influenced the later Articles and Covenants.

Joseph Smith History, vol. A-1, 29, indicates the date for the church’s organization was received by revelation.

Joseph Smith History, vol. A-1, 37–38, provides an account of the 6 April 1830 meeting when the church was organized.

“Church History,” Times and Seasons, 1 March 1842, 708 (also found in the 1844 essay JS, “Latter Day Saints,” in Israel Daniel Rupp [ed.], He Pasa Ekklesia [The whole church], 407)

Minutes, 9 June 1830, a copy of the original minutes taken at this conference.

Joseph Smith History, vol. A-1, 41–42, contains additional details not included in the conference minutes.

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