| 77 to call on our brethren to know whether they accepted us as their teachers in the things of the kingdom of God, and whether they were satisfied that we should proceed and be organized as a church according to said commandment which we had received. To these they consented by a unanimous vote. I then laid my hands upon Oliver Cowdery and ordained him an elder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints,' after which he ordained me also to the office of an elder of said church. We then took bread, blessed it, and brake it with them, also wine, blessed it, and drank it with them. We then laid our 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. The Holy Ghost was poured out upon us to a very great degree. Some prophesied, whilst we all praised the Lord and rejoiced exceedingly."-Times and Seasons, vol. 3, pp. 944, 945.
Thus in a few plain, simple words is chronicled the history of the organization of the Church of Jesus Christ, at Fayette, Seneca County, New York, on Tuesday, April 6, 1830, with only six members; a partial organization to be sure, but provision had already been made for a complete organization. Revelation had been given providing for a quorum of apostles, for elders, priests, teachers, and deacons, and the duties of each defined. Provision had been made for a president of the high priesthood, bishop, high counselor, high priest, and general church recorder. Provision had been made for local churches; the transferring of membership from one church to another; for the holding of conferences. Instruction was given regarding ordination, the granting of licenses, the instruction of those baptized, the blessing of children, manner of baptism, administering the sacrament, and other essential features of church government. This appears from the fact that the revelation (section 17) was given some time before the organization effected April 6, 1830; for by it, according to the foregoing history, they learned the exact day on which the organization was to take place. Was Joseph Smith making
(page 77) |
