Minutes, Discourse, and Blessings, [, Geauga Co., OH], 1 Mar. 1835. Featured version copied [not before 25 Feb. 1836] in Minute Book 1, pp. 172–186; handwriting of ; CHL. For more complete source information, see the source note for Minute Book 1.
Historical Introduction
On the morning of 1 March 1835, church members convened a meeting in , Ohio, apparently as a continuation of a meeting that had adjourned on 28 February. Several men appointed to the office of were given blessings in that 28 February meeting. The blessings continued in this 1 March 1835 meeting, and at least thirty-three individuals, including some not designated as seventies, were blessed. All those receiving ordinations and blessings in this meeting had participated in the expedition. According to later reminiscences, many of these blessings were performed by members of the church presidency, including JS, his , , and . The minutes indicate that several individuals who had recently been were also confirmed members of the church at the meeting, and the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper was administered. JS also gave instructions on the necessity of worthiness when partaking of the sacrament.
It is unclear who originally recorded the ordination blessings or the minutes of the meeting. later copied them into Minute Book 1.
For examples, see Hutchings, Journal, 15 Feb. 1835; Burgess, Autobiography, 4; and “Biographies of the Seventies of the Second Quorum,” 22.
Hutchings, Elias. Journal, Dec. 1834–Sept. 1836. CHL. MS 1445.
Burgess, Harrison. Autobiography, ca. 1883. Photocopy. CHL. MS 893. Also available as “Sketch of a Well-Spent Life,” in Labors in the Vineyard, Faith-Promoting Series 12 (Salt Lake City: Juvenile Instructor Office, 1884), 65–74.
“Biographies of the Seventies of the Second Quorum,” 1845–1855. In Seventies Quorum Records, 1844–1975. CHL. CR 499.
We you to be an & one of the and because you have been willing to suffer & die for your brethren. You are chosen to go forth and bear good tidings to the nations, even those who are afar off, and although your mission will frequently lead you among rude nations, Yet if you are faithful in all things you shall be blessed among them. They will not seek your life, for you shall be a saviour to them, and bring them rejoicing to in peace. Amen.
.
You are a child. Your mind is yet tender, therefore, you are not of mature age to go forth, but we secure unto you the holy ministry. You shall yet, if faithful be . You will live in a day of great howling and mourning among the nations. You shall [have?] power to be a comforter of many, and teach them the way of life, and tell them of a land of safety, and will hear you and you shall push many people to . And if you desire it with all your heart you shall stand upon the earth when the Saviour comes and reign with him in glory after he comes. but if you desire it you shall be taken as Enoch Elijah, Even so, Amen.
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We you to be an in the of God to go forth and preach the Gospel. May the past history of your life serve as an everlasting lesson to you. For you must go to distant nations and from this hour you must begin to prepare your business, for in temporal labors you shall not be prospered. Therefore, go forth and preach the gospel and you shall live of the gospel. You shall be among the [p. 183]
A reference to Baldwin’s participation in the Camp of Israel expedition. Baldwin noted in a later account that he was made a seventy “one year and ten months from the day I was baptized.” (Baldwin, Account of Zion’s Camp, 20.)
Baldwin, Nathan Bennett. Account of Zion’s Camp, 1882. Typescript. CHL. MS 499.
On 30 June 1835, Baldwin left Kirtland with Milo Andrus to preach in New York. They returned sometime the following winter. (Baldwin, Account of Zion’s Camp, 21; Andrus, Autobiography, 5.)
Baldwin, Nathan Bennett. Account of Zion’s Camp, 1882. Typescript. CHL. MS 499.
Andrus, Milo. Autobiography, 1875. Private possession. Photocopy at CHL. MS 6533.
Benjamin Winchester was the son of Stephen Winchester. He and his father both went on the Camp of Israel expedition. Benjamin was born on 6 August 1817, making him seventeen at this time. (Whittaker, “East of Nauvoo,” 32–35.)
Whittaker, David J. “East of Nauvoo: Benjamin Winchester and the Early Mormon Church.” Journal of Mormon History 21 (Fall 1995): 30–83.
In February 1833, a council of high priests accused Riggs “of not magnifying his calling as a high Priest in the Church of Christ,” stating that Riggs “had been guilty of neglect of duty and abusing the Elders and treating their admonition and advice with contempt.” He was formally cut off from the church on 26 February 1833 but was apparently reinstated sometime thereafter. Riggs was one of the participants in the Camp of Israel expedition. (Minute Book 1, 13 and 26 Feb. 1833; Account with the Church of Christ, ca. 11–29 Aug. 1834.)