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
Shortly after this event, Joseph returned to Fayette. Newel Knight
followed him and was baptized during the last week in May, by David
Whitmer. On the 9th of June the first conference of the Church was
held in Fayette. The Church at that time numbered twenty-seven souls.
There were many others present at the meetings, some of whom were
friendly and some who believed. At this conference the sacrament was
administered and those recently baptized were confirmed. Others were
sustained by the members to receive the Priesthood, and were ordained.
The officers at the commencement of the Conference were, Joseph Smith,
Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, Peter Whitmer and Ziba Peterson, each
of whom held the office of elder in the Church. During this conference
Samuel H. Smith was ordained to the office of an elder, Joseph Smith,
Sen., Hyrum Smith and Martin Harris were ordained priests, and Hiram
Page and Christian Whitmer were ordained teachers. At the close of
this conference there were in the Church seven ordained elders, three
priests and two teachers. Oliver Cowdery was appointed to keep the
record of the Church and minutes of meetings until the next conference.
The Holy Spirit was poured out upon them. Many of this little band
composing the Church were given the spirit of prophecy, while others
beheld visions and remarkable manifestations from the heavens. Newel
Knight saw in vision the great work which would yet be accomplished
through the preaching of the Gospel and the organization of the Church.
He beheld the Redeemer and received the assurance that he would be
admitted into his presence to dwell in his kingdom for ever.
"To find ourselves engaged in the very same order of things," said
Joseph Smith, "as observed by the holy apostles of old; to realize the
importance and solemnity of such proceedings; and to witness and feel
with our own natural senses, the like glorious manifestations of the
powers of the Priesthood, the gift and blessing of the Holy Ghost, and
the goodness and condescension of a merciful God unto such as obey the
everlasting Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, combined to create within
us sensations of rapturous gratitude, and inspire us with fresh zeal
and energy in the cause of truth."
Eleven other converts were baptized at the close of this conference, by
David Whitmer, in Seneca Lake, where most of the other baptisms were
performed. Those added to the Church at this time were: John Poorman,
John Jolly, Julia Ann Jolly, Harriet Jolly, Jerusha Smith (the wife
of Hyrum Smith), William, Catherine and Don Carlos Smith; and Peter,
Caroline and Electa Rockwell.
Second Visit to Colesville
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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