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.
If thou desirest to go to the ends of the earth, thou mayest Thy heart shall be enlarged. Thou shalt escape all the calamities which are coming on the earth. and if thou desirest thou mayest bring many souls to Jesus. Thou shalt be able to comprehend all things concerning this Kingdom. Great shall be thy blessing. Thou shalt be able to speak and no man shall gainsay. Thou shalt have power to escape the hand of thine enemies. Thy life shall be sought with untiring zeal, but thou shalt escape; If it please thee, and thou desirest thou shalt have the power voluntarily to lay down thy life to glorify God. Thou shalt be spared to preside over one of the of , which shall hereafter be appointed. and thou shalt be unto it like one of the seven Angels who were appointed over the seven Churches. Amen
Thou art blessed, thou shalt stand before the great men of the earth. Thy mind shall expand, and thou shalt be enabled to waft thyself as upon the wings of the wind. Thou shalt stand according to thy desires and see the face of thy Redeemer. Thy blessings are confirmed upon thee. The Heavenly hosts are rejoicing over thee. Twice thou hast been to the Land of . The Lord has sustained thee for a wise purpose. Thy mind and thy [heart?] shall be enlarged, and thou shalt make known the gospel to the great ones of the earth. And shall yet lead them to Zion. If thou desirest thou shalt rise upon the wings of the morning and not be an inhabitant of the grave, Thou shalt be one who shall preside over Zion. All these blessings we and confirm upon thee Amen [p. 186]
Pratt, Parley P. The Autobiography of Parley Parker Pratt, One of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Embracing His Life, Ministry and Travels, with Extracts, in Prose and Verse, from His Miscellaneous Writings. Edited by Parley P. Pratt Jr. New York: Russell Brothers, 1874.