The Doctrine and Covenants
A general assembly of the Church was held in Kirtland, August 17, 1835, to consider the labors, of a committee appointed by a general assembly of the Church, September 24, 1834, for the purpose of arranging the items of doctrine and the revelations for publication. This committee was composed of the following: Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, Sidney Rigdon and Frederick G. Williams. The committee having finished their work they called a general assembly on the above date to consider their labors. It should be understood that the printing of the revelations according to the action of the conference of the Church, on a previous date in 1831, had miscarried, due to the destruction of the printing press in Independence in July, 1833, and the destruction of most of the forms which had been issued up to that time. At this general assembly Oliver Cowdery and Sidney Rigdon, of the presidency, were in charge; the Prophet and Frederick G. Williams were at the time on a visit in Michigan. All the quorums of the Priesthood were arranged in order; Thomas Burdick, Warren Parrish and Sylvester Smith were appointed clerks. The usual procedure at conferences of the Church was followed, and the morning session was devoted to ordinations and the transaction of other important business. In the afternoon Oliver Cowdery introduced the “Book of Doctrine and Covenants of the Church” in behalf of the committee. Sidney Rigdon followed with instructions pertaining to the manner of voting, by which they intended to obtain the voice of the assembly for or against the book. Each of the councils and quorums of the Priesthood then by separate vote acknowledged the revelations which had been selected for a place in the book, as from the Lord, and the doctrine and covenants of their faith. A written acknowledgment from the Twelve Apostles, which had evidently been prepared before their departure for their mission, was read. It is as follows:
Testimony of the Twelve Apostles to the Truth of the Book of Doctrine and Covenants
“The testimony of the Witnesses to the Book of the Lord’s Commandments, which commandments he gave to his Church through Joseph Smith, Jr., who was appointed, by the voice of the Church, for this purpose.
“We therefore feel willing to bear testimony to all the world of mankind, to every creature upon the face of all the earth, that the Lord has borne record to our souls through the Holy Ghost shed forth upon us, that these commandments were given by inspiration of God, and are profitable for all men, and are verily true. We give this testimony unto the world, the Lord being our helper; and it is through the grace of God the Father, and His Son Jesus Christ, that we are permitted to have this privilege of bearing this testimony unto the world, in the which we rejoice exceedingly, praying the Lord always that the children of men may be profited thereby.
Thomas B. Marsh,
David W. Patten,
Brigham Young,
Heber C. Kimball,
Orson Hyde,
William E. McLellin,
Parley P. Pratt,
Luke S. Johnson,
William Smith,
Orson Pratt,
John F. Boynton,
Lyman E. Johnson.”
To the revelations were added by vote of this assembly, the Lectures on Faith, which had been given in the School of the Elders (Prophets) earlier in the year, and an article on Government and Laws in General; also one on Marriage. These lectures and the two articles mentioned were not received, however, as doctrine and binding on the Church, as were the revelations. The minutes of this gathering were signed by Oliver Cowdery and Sidney Rigdon as Presidents, and by the three clerks. They were published in the book when printed, with a preface signed by the presidency, with date of February 17, 1835.
Close of the Year 1835
The close of the year 1835 found the Prophet busy working on the Book of Abraham, which, among other great truths, revealed principles pertaining to astronomy as taught to Abraham. Many council meetings were held, and the twelve were instructed that they were to take their families and move to Missouri the following summer with the presidency, after the endowment in the temple was received. The School of the Elders was continued, and the study of grammar and Hebrew, under a competent instructor, became an important part of their work. The elders were preparing for the solemn assembly which was soon to convene in the Kirtland Temple, now nearly completed. Peace and tranquility prevailed, which permitted the Prophet and the Saints to accomplish many things essential to the welfare of the Church. The one thing that marred the peace which was granted for a season was the rebellious spirit manifested by William Smith against the Prophet, which nearly cost William his standing in the Church. Charges were made against him before the high council, but on his show of repentance he was forgiven. Christian Whitmer, one of the eight witnesses to the Book of Mormon, died in Clay County, Missouri, November 27, 1835, firm in the faith. He was one of the members of the high council in Missouri.
Anointing and Blessings in the Temple
Much time was spent in January and February, 1836, in council meetings and the filling of vacancies in the various organizations of the Priesthood. Professor Seixas, a thorough Hebrew scholar, was employed to teach the Hebrew language, in the stead of Dr. Piexotto, who had failed to live up to his contract. Thursday, January 21, the first of a number of meetings in the temple was held. These gatherings continued through several days, in which the faithful elders of the Church received blessings by the laying on of hands and anointing with oil.
At this first meeting the presidency met, and Father Joseph Smith, the patriarch, was anointed and blessed. He then anointed and blessed each of the brethren of the presidency, beginning with the oldest, pronouncing such blessings upon them as the Spirit of the Lord revealed, and many prophecies were uttered by each of them.