Summary Information

Date allocated to Revelation

May 1829

First Date Revelation Recorded

1838 or 1839, Manuscript History of the Church Vol 1

First Date Revelation Published

1839, Manuscript History of the Church Vol 1

First Date Revelation Canonized
1876, Doctrine & Covenants
 
Period Between Revelation and First Record
Ten years (Manuscript History of the Church Vol 1).

Previous Versions

Commentary

The earliest printed record of this revelation is in the Manuscript History of the Church (1839 ) and it was first canonised in 1876. There is no redaction of the text (the words of John the Baptist) from 1839 onwards, apart from the removal of “the” (from “the Messiah”).

There is no record of this revelation or the event that it relates to in Revelation Book 1, the Book of Commandments, Times and Seasons (the Church newspaper) or the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants. Neither is there any reference to the Aaronic Priesthood in any “anti-Mormon” literature or documents prior to 1835.

Arguably, the first reference is in a letter in September 1834 from Oliver Cowdrey to W.W. Phelps, which was published in “Messenger and Advocate”. The handwritten text is dated 5th December 1834.

“The reader may further understand, that Presidents <the> reason why President <High Counsellor> Cowdery was not previously ordained <to the Presidency,> was, in consequence of his necessary attendance in Zion, to assist Wm W. Phelps in conducting the printing business; but that this promise was made by the angel while in company with President Smith, at the time they recievd the office of the lesser priesthood.”

There is however no reference to “Aaronic” priesthood, though the letter further down refers to Joseph Smith ordaining Oliver Cowdrey to the High Priesthood “which is after the order of Melchizedek”. This however is clearly not in 1829 as Sidney Rigdon and Frederick Williams are present, and seems to refer to an event in the recent few weeks (1834) not in 1829.

Bold Text indicates material excised in next edition
Italicised Text indicates material added in this edition

Manuscript History of Church Vol 1 (1839)

D&C (1876)

D&C (2013)

n/a

Words of the Angel, John, (the Baptist,) spoken to Joseph Smith jr., and Oliver Cowdrey, as he (the angel) laid his hands upon their heads and ordained them to the Aaronic Priesthood, in Harmony, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, May 15th, 1829.

An extract from Joseph Smith’s history recounting the ordination of the Prophet and Oliver Cowdery to the Aaronic Priesthood near Harmony, Pennsylvania, May 15, 1829. The ordination was done by the hands of an angel who announced himself as John, the same that is called John the Baptist in the New Testament. The angel explained that he was acting under the direction of Peter, James, and John, the ancient Apostles, who held the keys of the higher priesthood, which was called the Priesthood of Melchizedek. The promise was given to Joseph and Oliver that in due time this higher priesthood would be conferred upon them.

1

Upon you my fellow servants in the name of Messiah I confer the priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministring of angels and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, and this shall never be taken again from the earth, untill the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness.

Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of the Messiah, I confer the priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministring of angels and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, and this shall never be taken again from the earth, untill the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness.

Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this shall never be taken again from the earth, until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness.