JS, Blessing, to , [, Geauga Co., OH], 22 Sept. 1835. Featured version copied 2 Oct. 1835 in Patriarchal Blessing Book 1, pp. 13–14; handwriting of ; CHL. For more complete source information on Patriarchal Blessing Book 1, see the source note for Blessing from Joseph Smith Sr., 9 Dec. 1834.
Historical Introduction
JS’s journal states that on 22 September 1835, he and labored “in obtaining and writing blessings” for their “most beloved Brotheren.” JS dictated these blessings for church leaders who were then residing in , Ohio: , , and —the presidency of the Missouri —and , a counselor to . However, it is unknown whether the recipients were present for any of these blessings. The blessings were written in the third person, in contrast with blessings given in the second person by and JS to individuals who were present, suggesting that some or all of these four recipients were absent, though all were in Kirtland at this time.
Blessings were the subject of considerable discussion in the days leading up to the recording of these blessings. In the previous weeks, a church council had decided to compensate for his service as a patriarch and to call as his scribe. In addition, the council appointed to record the blessings Smith gave as patriarch, presumably in a leather-bound volume recently purchased for that purpose. Cowdery’s task of recording largely entailed collecting and transcribing the blessings Joseph Smith Sr. had given to his family and other members of the church since his ordination as patriarch in December 1834, but Cowdery also recorded blessings JS had given to him, Williams, and in November and December 1833. The first blessings recorded in the book were those given to JS’s immediate family and those given to Cowdery, Williams, and Rigdon. They are followed by the blessings for church leaders and , , and . This order may reveal a desire to have the blessings of trusted leaders featured at the beginning of the patriarchal blessing book, which may explain why these blessings were given soon after the volume was purchased. No other pressing deadline required the visiting Missouri leaders to obtain blessings immediately, since they all remained in until after March 1836.
’s blessing was the first of the leaders’ blessings recorded in Patriarchal Blessing Book 1. Whitmer was “President of the Church in ,” which may be why his blessing was recorded first, but there is no other indication that JS followed a hierarchical order in giving the blessings or that the order in which the blessings were recorded matches the order in which they were given. Whitmer was in because he had been instructed in June 1834 to travel there to receive “an from on high.” At the time of this blessing, he had been in Kirtland since at least October 1834, and he remained there until after the dedication of the in late March 1836. Whitmer’s blessing highlighted his role as an early and steadfast supporter of JS, reinforced his high standing among church leaders, and promised that he would witness the redemption of and enjoy great blessings thereafter.
recorded the initial dictation of this blessing on 22 September 1835 and entered it into Patriarchal Blessing Book 1 on 2 October 1835.
BishopEdward Partridge and Isaac Morley, one of Partridge’s counselors, might also have received blessings at this time if they had not been away from Kirtland preaching in the eastern United States. (Patriarchal Blessings, 1:1–15; JS, Journal, 27 Mar. 1836; Partridge, Diary, 21–25 Sept. 1835.)
Patriarchal Blessings, 1833–. CHL. CR 500 2.
Partridge, Edward. Diaries, 1818 and 1835–1836. Edward Partridge, Papers, 1818–1839. CHL. MS 892, box 1, fds. 1–2.
Whitmer departed Liberty, Missouri, around 24 August 1834. (Whitmer, Daybook, 24 Aug. 1834; JS, Journal, 27 Mar. and 2 Apr. 1836.)
Whitmer, John. Daybook, 1832–1878. CHL. MS 1159.
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in years. And shall enjoy an abundance of the precious things of the lasting mountains, and shall have part with his brethren in all the good things of this earth, and shall never want a friend. He shall bring down his adversaries under his feet, and shall walk upon their ashes when their names are blotted out. His name shall be a blessing among all nations, and his testimony shall shine as fair as the sun, and as a diamond it shall remain untarnished. There shall not be a spot upon his character while he lives, neither upon his seed after him unto the latest posterity: he shall not be forsaken nor his seed found begging bread. Amen.
, Clerk and Recorder.
Given like the foregoing blessings, by vision, to Joseph Smith, jr. the , September 22, 1835, and recorded Oct. 2, 1835. [p. 14]
As an introduction to the blessings given by JS in December 1833, which immediately precede Whitmer’s blessing in the patriarchal blessing book, Cowdery wrote, “The following blessings, by the spirit of prophecy, were pronounced by Joseph Smith, jr. the first elder, and first patriarch of the Church.” He noted that “these blessings were given by vision and the spirit of prophecy” and concluded, “Thus spake the Seer, and these are the words which fell from his lips while the visions of the Almighty were open to his view.” (Patriarchal Blessings, 1:8–9.)