When the few who had received the Gospel first met to organize the church, the prophet Joseph laid his hands on O. Cowdery and ordained him an elder in the church, after which O. Cowdery ordained the prophet Joseph to the same office. They then administered the sacrament to the Saints. Afterwards they laid their hands "on each individual member of the church present, that they might receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, and be confirmed members of the Church of Christ;" _His. of J. Smith, April_ 6, 1830. This was the first time in this dispensation that hands were publicly laid on for the bestowal of the Holy Ghost, and for confirmation. FOR HEALING THE SICK. Jesus Christ has left us his example for laying hands on the sick, that they might be healed. He touched the hand of Peter's wife's mother, and the fever left her; _Matt_. 8. 15. "He laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them;" _Mark_ 6. 5. About the close of his earthly mission, Jesus said to his disciples, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature;" and promised them that if they would lay hands on the sick, they should recover; 16. 15, 18. "By the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people;" _Acts_ 5. 12. The Lord, through his prophet, Joseph, has commanded his people to administer to the sick by the laying on of hands. "And whosoever among you are sick, and have not faith to be healed, but believe, shall be nursed with all tenderness, with herbs and mild food, and that not by the hand of an enemy. And the elders of the church, two or more, shall be called, and shall pray for and lay their hands upon them in my name; and if they die they shall die unto me, and if they live they shall live unto me;" _Doc. & Cov_., 42. 43, 44. The ordinance of laying on of hands for the bestowal of authority, power and blessing has characterized all the dispensations of the holy Priesthood. But it does not necessarily follow that the Creator may not bestow these favors in other ways. Before the flood, the Lord said to Enoch, "Anoint thine eyes with clay, and wash them, and thou shalt see;" and the spiritual creations were opened to his vision; _P. of G. P., p_. 15. Naaman, the Syrian, was cleansed of his leprosy by washing seven times in Jordan; 2 _Kings_ 5. 10-14. The blind man, after Jesus had anointed his eyes with clay, received his sight by washing them in the pool of Siloam; _John_ 9. 7. Contrary to the usual custom, Ananias laid hands on Saul, before he was baptized, that he might be filled with the Holy Ghost; _Acts_ 9. 17. Bible. _Num_. 27. 18 take thee Joshua, the son of Nun, and lay thine hand upon him. 2 _Kings_ 5. 11 I thought he would strike his hand over the place. _Mark_ 7. 33 put his finger into his ears, and touched his tongue. 8. 23 he took the blind man and put his hands on him. 25. _Acts_ 4. 30 stretching forth thy hand to heal, that signs and wonders be done.