The Law of Tithing

Up to this time the Saints had donated of their means according to their disposition for the support of the Church. In Zion and Kirtland the law of consecration had been given; but it had not been generally practiced, and since the driving of the Saints from their homes, they were compelled to seek a living individually after the manner of the world. In the fall of 1834, Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery set an example for the Church by covenanting with the Lord that they would give one-tenth of all he should give them, to be bestowed upon the poor, as Jacob had covenanted centuries before. This was nearly four years before this law of tithing was given to the Church (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 119).

Oliver Cowdery Assistant President

December 5, 1834, Oliver Cowdery was ordained by Joseph Smith by the command of the Lord, an Assistant President of the High Priesthood, to hold the keys of presidency with Joseph Smith in this ministry. This was in harmony with the ordinations he received under the hands of John the Baptist and other holy messengers in 1829.[1]

Temporary Peace

Notwithstanding the Saints in Missouri were not permitted to return to their possessions, the spirit of opposition began to subside for a season, and the elders commenced going forth two by two, preaching the Gospel throughout the land, and many were added to the Church daily. The year 1834 came to a close with the Saints laboring diligently to build the house of the Lord in Kirtland, and in preparing for the School of the Elders which was to be held during the winter months. In January, 1835, the School of the Elders commenced. Lectures on theology were given and the study of the scriptures and other subjects were considered for the benefit of the members of the Church, in keeping with the revelations of the Lord.

Twelve Apostles Chosen

On the 14th of February, 1835, Brigham Young and his brother Joseph came to the house of President Joseph Smith and sang for him. While they were visiting with the Prophet on this occasion he told them that he desired to call together all those who were members of Zion’s Camp, for he had a blessing for them. At this meeting he conversed with these two brethren on the scenes of their memorable journey and said: “Brethren, I have seen those men who died of the cholera in our camp; and the Lord knows, if I get a mansion as bright as theirs, I ask no more.” At this he wept and could not speak for some time. He then said the Lord had called Brigham Young to be one of the twelve special witnesses, and Joseph Young to be a president of the seventies.

A meeting was called for the 14th of February, and on that day all the members of Zion’s Camp that could be called together assembled to receive such blessings as the Lord had promised them. President Joseph Smith then stated that the object of the meeting was to choose men for important positions in the ministry to go forth and prune the vineyard for the last time. He had been commanded by the Lord to prepare for the calling of Twelve Apostles, in fulfilment of the revelation given before the organization of the Church (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 18). These twelve men were to be chosen from among those who went up in Zion’s Camp, and the three special witnesses to the Book of Mormon were to select and ordain them. After the usual opening exercises and appropriate instructions a recess was taken for one hour. When the meeting was later called to order the three witnesses were blessed by the laying on of hands by the presidency; they then united in prayer and proceeded to make choice of the Twelve Apostles. Their names in the order in which they were chosen are as follows:[2]

  1. Lyman E. Johnson
  2. Brigham Young
  3. Heber C. Kimball
  4. Orson Hyde
  5. David W. Patten
  6. Luke S. Johnson
  7. William E. McLellin
  8. John F. Boynton
  9. Orson Pratt
  10. William Smith
  11. Thomas B. Marsh
  12. Parley P. Pratt