Читать книгу Essentials in Church History - Joseph Fielding Smith - Страница 171

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Shortly after this event, Joseph returned to Fayette. Newel Knight followed him and was baptized during the last week in May, by David Whitmer. On the 9th of June the first conference of the Church was held in Fayette. The Church at that time numbered twenty-seven souls. There were many others present at the meetings, some of whom were friendly and some who believed. At this conference the sacrament was administered and those recently baptized were confirmed. Others were sustained by the members to receive the Priesthood, and were ordained. The officers at the commencement of the Conference were, Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, Peter Whitmer and Ziba Peterson, each of whom held the office of elder in the Church. During this conference Samuel H. Smith was ordained to the office of an elder, Joseph Smith, Sen., Hyrum Smith and Martin Harris were ordained priests, and Hiram Page and Christian Whitmer were ordained teachers. At the close of this conference there were in the Church seven ordained elders, three priests and two teachers. Oliver Cowdery was appointed to keep the record of the Church and minutes of meetings until the next conference. The Holy Spirit was poured out upon them. Many of this little band composing the Church were given the spirit of prophecy, while others beheld visions and remarkable manifestations from the heavens. Newel Knight saw in vision the great work which would yet be accomplished through the preaching of the Gospel and the organization of the Church. He beheld the Redeemer and received the assurance that he would be admitted into his presence to dwell in his kingdom for ever.

“To find ourselves engaged in the very same order of things,” said Joseph Smith, “as observed by the holy apostles of old; to realize the importance and solemnity of such proceedings; and to witness and feel with our own natural senses, the like glorious manifestations of the powers of the Priesthood, the gift and blessing of the Holy Ghost, and the goodness and condescension of a merciful God unto such as obey the everlasting Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, combined to create within us sensations of rapturous gratitude, and inspire us with fresh zeal and energy in the cause of truth.”

Eleven other converts were baptized at the close of this conference, by David Whitmer, in Seneca Lake, where most of the other baptisms were performed. Those added to the Church at this time were: John Poorman, John Jolly, Julia Ann Jolly, Harriet Jolly, Jerusha Smith (the wife of Hyrum Smith), William, Catherine and Don Carlos Smith; and Peter, Caroline and Electa Rockwell.