Essentials in Church History: A History of the Church from the Birth of Joseph Smith to the Present Time (1922), with Introductory Chapters on the Antiquity of the Gospel and the "Falling Away"Smith, Joseph Fielding
History
Essentials in Church History: A History of the Church from the Birth of Joseph Smith to the Present Time (1922), with Introductory Chapters on the Antiquity of the Gospel and the "Falling Away"
Smith, Joseph Fielding
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -- History
All six of these young men--Hyrum Smith, the oldest, was but 31 years
of age--had been baptized previously to the organization. They were all
again baptized on that memorable day, April 6, 1830.
A Record to be Kept
While they were still in session in this meeting of organization a
revelation (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 21) was given to the Church in which
they were instructed to keep a record. In this record, Joseph Smith
was to be called "a seer, a translator, a prophet, an apostle of Jesus
Christ, and elder of the Church through the will of God the Father, and
the grace of your Lord Jesus Christ." The Church was also commanded to
give heed unto all his words and commandments, "as he receiveth them,
as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith," said the Lord.
By doing this "the gates of hell" should not prevail against them,
for the Lord would dispel the powers of darkness. The Prophet would
no longer have to mourn for Zion, for he should have inspiration to
move the cause of Zion in mighty power, for the days of her rejoicing
were at hand. Oliver Cowdery was appointed "the first preacher of the
Church, unto the Church, and before the world, yea, before the Gentiles
and . . . to the Jews also."
Destiny of the Church
In the manner here described, there came into the world a power,
destined to grow and expand until it shall fill the earth, for it is
the "kingdom which shall never be destroyed . . . and it shall stand
forever." At the time of the organization, however, its influence
and power appeared to be insignificant; yet it caused, even then,
consternation and fear in the hearts of the wicked, and strenuous
efforts were launched to bring it to destruction.
Others Called to the Ministry
Before the meeting closed Joseph and Oliver called out others and
ordained them to different offices in the Priesthood, as the Spirit
manifested unto them, presumably to the offices in the Aaronic
Priesthood. The Spirit of the Lord was poured out upon them in
abundance, and after a happy time spent in testimony and witnessing
to each other the blessings of the Lord, they dismissed the meeting,
feeling that they were now individually members of the Church of Jesus
Christ, and acknowledged as such of God. There were others present
besides the six who formed the organization of the Church. Six persons
were required by law to properly form a society or organization of
the kind. Others who were present also received of the Spirit of the
Lord in the meeting and being convinced of the truth came forward and
desired to be united with the Church. Shortly afterwards they were also
baptized. Among these were the Prophet's parents, Joseph Smith, Sen.,
and Lucy Mack Smith; also Martin Harris and Orrin Porter Rockwell.
Baptism a New and Everlasting Covenant
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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