Day in the Life

Apr 6, 1837

Journal Entry

April 06, 1837 ~ Thursday

April 6th [FIGURE] 1837. This being more part-
icular the day of the solumn assembly, or a day that
is looked upon an^n^ually with feeling of greater interest
in celebration of the 6th of April 1830 as upon
that day the church of Latter day Saints was first
organized in this last dispensation & fulness of times
Henceforth the solumn assembly of the Elders
of Israel
& all official members that can, will meet
in the LORDS house annually to attend to the most
solumn ordinances of the house of GOD & of receiev-
ing the visions & great things of heavens. Therefore
I shall be more particular in recording the transact-
ions of this day than others for it is sumthing simil-
ar to the pentecost that St Paul speak of at Jerrusalem [Acts 2]

I repaired to the house of the
Lord
at 8 oclock A.M. & after spending an hour in the
lower part of the house the presidency of the Church

called the quorums of the seventies into the upper part
of the house that they might be by themselves for awhile
as theire was some business to be attended to in these
quorums before they could procede to the business of
the day below. In the first place six of the presidents
of the seventies were to leave the Seventies & take
a station in the quorum of the travling high priest
hood
and six other Presidents chosen in their stead
I shall not here give the particulars of this change
of councillers suffice it to say that all of the
councillors first chosen excepting Joseph Young
were high priest befor the organization of the
seventies & they had a right to officiate in the
lower offices of the Church & there was some
difiference in the authority and office of the
quorums of high priesthood & seventies.

The six new Presidents chosen out of the seventies
to take the place of thos that were to leave
were John Gould, Josiah Butterfield, Salmon
Gee
, [blank] Foster, John Gaylard.

After this matter was aranged theire
was a glorious ordinance performed upon the heads
of those who had been anointed (by the first
presidency of the Church Joseph Smith jr Sidney
Rigdon
&c was this ordinance performed. it was
as follows. while all of the anointed present lifted
there hands towards heaven this first presidency
of the Church confirmed & sealed upon our
heads all the blessings of our ordination, anointing,
& Patriarchal with a seal in the presence of
God & the Lamb & holy angels that they should all
be fulfilled upon our heads that not one jot or tittle
should fail & the seal was confirmed upon our
heads with a shout of all the anointed with uplifted
hand to heaven HOSANNA. Hosanna. Hosanna. to
GOD & the LAMB. Amen. Amen. & Amen! Hosanna
Hosanna. Hosanna. to GOD & the LAMB. Amen—

Amen. & Amen. & Hosanna. Hosanna. Hosanna. to GOD
& the LAMB. Amen. Amen. & Amen. This was repeated
as it is written & if ever a shout entered the cabinet of
heaven that did & was repeated by angels on high
& caused the power of God to rest upon us.

(O, ye Priest of Baal. O, ye Gentile religionest O, ye inha-
bitants of Babylon possessing the mark of the beast what
knowledge have ye of the ordinances or blessings or
virtues of the house & Church of God) Great and
marvelous are the blessings and power of the ordinan-
ces
of the Lord & his gospel made manifest on these occas-
ions. After being in the upper room about two hours
we again Joined the congregation of the Saints in the
lower court & the house came to order for the busi-
ness of the day, the veils were closed & each apartment
commenced the duties of the day the washing of the
feet of the anointed was the first business that
was performed. The twelve assisted our presidency
in washing the feet. Elder Heber Kimble one of the twelve
apostles attended to the washing of my feet & prophesied
upon my head & pronounced me clean from the Blood
of this generation this as it was with JESUS when
he washed his deciples feet. great were the blessings
that rested upon us in this ordinance. After the washing
of feet
, the veils were rolled, which brought the con-
gregation into one assembly, the stand of the priesthood
were still coverd with the veils the Presidency stood
in the lower stand & President Joseph Smith jr arose
and addressed the congregation for the term of three
hours clothed with the power, spirit, & image of GOD
He unbosom'd his mind & feelings in the house of his
friends. He presented many things of vast importance to the
minds of the Elders of Israel. O that they might be written
upon our hearts as with an iron pen to remain forever
that we might practice them in our lives. That fountain
of light, principle & virtue that came forth out of

the heart & mouth of the prophet JOSEPH whose
soul like Enoch's swell^d^ wide as eternity I say
such evidences presented in such a forcible manner
ought to drive into oblivion every particle of unbelief
& dubiety from the mind of the hearers, for such
language sentiment principle & spirit cannot
flow from darkness. Joseph Smith jr is a prophet
of God rised up for the deliverance of Israel as
true as my heart now burns within me while
I am penning thes lines which is as true as truth
itself. President Hiram Smith followed Joseph with
many useful remarks he also was clothed with much
of the spirit of God. Joseph desired us to give heed to his
words & teaching this once & be wigse that Zion &
her stakes might spedily be redeemed he instructed
us to be sure & [thask] those that enter the Kingdom
to send up their wise men to Kirtland with there money
to counsel with the presidency & purchase an interit
ance before they move their families or bring the
poor to the places of gathering for to suffer. Also
that we must keep in view the institution of the
Kirtland Safety Society & if the Elders of Israel
would be faithful & do what was in their power
this once Kirtland should spedily be redeemed &
become a strong hold not to be thrown down. Joseph
presented us in some degree the plot of the city
of Kirtland (which is the strong hold of the daughter
of Zion) as it was given him by vision, it was
great marvelous & glorious. the city extended to
the east, west, north, & south, steam boats will
come puffing into the city our Goods will be conve
yed upon rail roads from Kirtland to many places
& probably to Zion. houses of worship would be
reared unto the most high beautiful streets was
to be made for the Saints to walk in Kings of the
earth would come to behold the glory thereof

& many glorious things not now to be named would
be bestowed upon the Saints, but all these thing are
better imagined than spoken by the children of Jacob

President Oliver Cowder followed
Hiram Smith & made but few remarks but verry
appropriate, he called upon the Elders to keep within
the bounds of their knowledge & to let the great miyster-
ies of the Kingdom alone for the gentiles had not
a knowledge even of the first principles of the
gospel. that it was far better to preach what the
people would call the small things of the Bible
than to enter into the vishions of Isaiah, Ezekiel,
& John &c.

President Sidney Rigdon
next spoke & said many important things and
impress'd it upon the Elders of Israel with great
force & eloquence to lay to with their mights this
once for the redemption of Kirtland that Israel
may be safe & free and have a place to set his foot
{for if we do not give heed to the word we should suffer loss}

After the Presidency closed
their remarks the twelve were called upon to
break bread for the multitude (as Jesus did in the days
of the Apostles) that they might all be filled they did so &
we were all filled & was made glad while feasting
with Patriarchs, Prophets, Apostles, Evangelest, Pasters,
Teachers, & Deacons.

After the feast was
closed thanks was returned to GOD with uplifted hands
to heaven this being about the seting of the son all
had the privilege of returning to thir homes that felt
disposed & the rest might spend the night in the house
of the Lord
in prayer, & exohortation, praise & thanks-
giving. At about candle light the meeting commenced
with great interest Joseph requested the congregation
to speak their feelings freely & pray according to the spirit

the Saints began to open their mouths & they were filled with
language unto edification one a prayer another an exortation
some a doctrin & a psalm others ^a^ toungue, some an
interpretation Prophecy was also poured out upon us
& all things was done decently & in order & the night
was spent gloriously by the Saints much of the gifts
of the gospel rested upon us. One Brother clothed
with the gift of tongues laid his hands upon my head &
prophesied great blessing upon me another brother
possessing the interpretation uttered it unto me to
my joy & consolation with the many blessing pronounced
upon my head he rehersed the blessing that Jacob
pronounced upon the heads of Joseph & said that
I should possess the blessings of heaven & of earth
& be much blessed in my ministry &c. [Genesis 48:3-4]

much Prophecy was uttered upon the heads of
many of the Saints in other languages & was interpeted
which was glorious, thus was this day & night spent
gloriously & those scenes will long be remembered
Rejoice O, earth & shout O heavens for the natural
fruit of the tame olive tree is again manifest in the
earth. the fig tree is puting forth leaves. The
Church of Christ is travling out of the wilderness
with her gifts & graces which edify the body of
Christ
. The house of God is reared in beauty &
splender according to the pattern given by the
vishions of heaven & the revelations of Jesus Christ
O, ye gentiles come & receieve the gospel repent &
be baptized for the remishion of your sins & recieve
the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands & partake
of the blessing of God with Israel that you may be
hid under the shadow of ^the^ ALMIGHTY in the day
of GODs wrath & Indignation upon babylon which is
at hand. The meeting continued untill break of
day when we all dispersed to our homes with great
Joy & consolation. May the Lord bless the Saints
& have mercy upon the poor the sick & the afflicted,
& deliver Israel from the gentile yoke for Jesus sake Amen

People

Browse people Wilford Woodruff mentioned on this day in his journal. Click on the person's name to view a short bio and other pages they are mentioned on or click on "View in Family Search" to view their FamilySearch profile.

84 mentions
Scriptural Figure
50 mentions
Scriptural Figure
Kimball, Heber Chase
14 Jun 1801 - 22 Jun 1868
1454 mentions
Apostle
Smith, Hyrum
9 Feb 1800 - 27 Jun 1844
422 mentions
Apostle
119 mentions
Scriptural Figure
162 mentions
Scriptural Figure
Foster, James
1 Apr 1786 - 12 Dec 1846
178 mentions
Scriptural Figure
Gaylord, John C.
12 Jul 1797 - 17 Jul 1874
Gould, John
21 Dec 1784 - 25 Jun 1855
122 mentions
Scriptural Figure
Smith, Joseph (Jr.)
23 Dec 1805 - 27 Jun 1844
Young, Joseph
7 Apr 1797 - 16 Jul 1881
Butterfield, Josiah
13 Mar 1795 - 3 Mar 1871
Cowdery, Oliver
3 Oct 1806 - 3 Mar 1850
129 mentions
Apostle
156 mentions
Scriptural Figure
Gee, Salmon
16 Oct 1792 - 13 Sep 1845
Rigdon, Sidney
19 Feb 1793 - 14 Jul 1876

Places

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Related Documents

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Autobiography 1858 Deseret News

——The Presidency of the Church, the Twelve Apostles, and other quorums, met in solemn assembly, and sealed upon our heads, our washings, anointings and blessings with a loud shout of hosannah to God and the Lamb; the Spirit of the Lord rested upon us. After spending three hours in the upper room, the quorums repaired to the lower court; the vails were lowered, and the ordinance of washing of feet was administered. Elder H. C. Kim-

Autobiography 1865 Millennial Star

——The Presidency of the Church, the Twelve Apostles, and other Quo- rums, met in solemn assembly, and sealed upon our heads our washings, anointings and blessings, with a loud shout of hosannah to God and the Lamb; the Spirit of the Lord rested upon us. After spending three hours in the upper room, the Quorums re- paired to the lower court; the vails were lowered, and the ordinance of washing of feet was administered. Elder H. C. Kimball washed my feet, and pronounced blessings upon me. After this ordinance, the vails of the Temple were rolled up, and President Joseph Smith addressed the Elders for three hours, clothed with the Spirit and power of God. He unbosomed his feelings in the house of his friends, and gave much instruction. He urged upon us the absolute necessity of giving strict heed to his teachings and counsel, and the revelations of the Lord to the Church, and be wise in all things, that Zion and her stakes may be redeemed and established, no more to be thrown down. He said, that the kings of the earth would yet come to behold the glory of Zion, and that great and glorious blessings would be bestowed upon the Saints in the last days. Hyrum Smith bore testi- mony, and was followed by Oliver Cowdery, who exhorted the Elders to keep within the bounds of their know- ledge, and let the mysteries of the kingdom alone, for the Gentiles had not a knowledge even of the first principles of the Gospel. He said, it is far better to preach what the people would call the small things of the kingdom, than to enter into the visions of Isaiah, Ezekiel and John. The Twelve broke bread, which was distri- buted to the multitude, who eat and were filled; thanks were returned, and the meeting closed at the setting of the sun. The house was again filled at candle light. President Smith requested the Elders to speak their feelings freely, and sing, exhort and pray, as the Spi- rit should give utterance. The meet- ing continued during the whole night;

Autobiography 1857 Draft 2

The Presidency of the church, the Twelve apostles and other Quorums met in solemn assembly, and sealed upon our heads, our washings, anointings and blessings with a loud shout of Hossanna to God and the Lamb; the spirit of the Lord met ^rested^ upon us, after spending three hours in the upper room, the quorums repaired to the lower court, & the vails were lowered, the ordinance of washing of feet was administered, Elder H. C. Kimball washed my feet & pronounced blessings upon me; after this ordinance the vails of the Temple were rolled up, and Prest. Joseph Smith addressed

Autobiography Volume 1 circa 1842-1865

was the great day of the Solemn Assembly As upon this day the Church was organized in 1830 the six of April has become a day specially set apart and as this an[niversary] of the organization of the Church was like the Pentecost at Jerusalem [Acts 2] I shall somewhat fully record the proceedings of this time At 8 o'clock a.m. I went up to the House of the Lord and spent an hour in the lower part. The Presidents of the Church then called the quorums of the Seventies in the upper part of the house as there was some business to be attended to before they could proceed with the order of the day In the first place six of the Presidents of the Seventies were taken from that position and transferred to the quorum of the travelling High Priests and six other Presidents were chosen in their stead. I shall not give the particulars of this change: suffice it to say that all of the counsellors first chosen excepting Joseph Young were High Priests before the organization of the Seventies and they had the right to officiate in the lower offices of the Church The six new Presidents chosen out of the Seventies to take the places of those who were to be transferred were [blank] After this matter was arranged there was a glorious ordinance performed upon the heads of those of the Elders who had been anointed. While all the anointed present standing lifted their hands towards heaven the First Presidency of the Church confirmed and sealed upon our heads all the blessings of our ordination anointing and Patriarchal with a seal in the presence of God and the Lamb and his holy angels. This seal was confirmed with a shout from all the anointed with uplifted hands of Hosanna! Hosanna! Hosanna to God and the Lamb! Amen, Amen, and Amen! This was repeated three times and if ever a shout entered the portals of heaven this did and was echoed by the

Autobiography Volume 1 circa 1842-1865

like Enoch's seems wide as eternity. That showed strikingly that he is in very deed and a Prophet of God raised up for the deliverence of Israel He desired us to give heed to his words and teachings and be wise that Zion and her stakes might be redeemed. He also presented us in some degree with the plot of the city of Kirtland which is the strong hold of the daughter of Zion. The plan which he presented was given to him by vision and the future will prove that the visions of Joseph concerning Jackson County all the various Stakes of Zion and of the redemption of Israel will be fulfilled in the time appointed of the Lord. Presidents Hyrum Smith Oliver Cowdery and Sidney Rigdon followed with suitable addresses to the congregation. The Twelve were then called upon to break bread for the multitude as Jesus did in the days of this Apostles when the multitude followed him. [Matthew 14:19-20] This was done and the congregation was satisfied and we were made glad while feasting with Patriarchs Prophets Apostles Evangelists Pastors and Teachers. [Ephesians 4:11] The feast ended thanks were returned to God with up- lifted hands to heaven. And this being at about the setting of the

Autobiography 1857 Draft 1

home and partook of food. On the The presidency of the Church, the Twelve Apostles, High priests, Seventies, with the ^and^ other Quorums of the Church- met in solmum assembly to transact the business of the Church after spending an hour in the lower part of the House, the presidency called the Seventies into an upper room. And there removed six of the presidency of the seventies into the High Priest Quorum, then appointed six others to take their place as Presidents of the Seventies. Then the presidency of the Church ^and^ sealed upon our heads, our washings, anointings, & blessings with a loud shout of Hosanna to God & the Lamb. The spirit and power of God rested upon ^us^ to the joy of our hearts after spending three hours in the upper rooms we then joined the congregation of the Saints in ^The Quorums then repaired to^ the Lower Court and each the vails were closed ^lowered^ and each appartment attended to the duties of their office. The ^the Ordinance of washing of feet was administered^ washing of the feet of the anointed was the next business attended to, The Twelve assisted the presidency of the Seventies to wash the feet of the Elders Elder ^H. C.^ Kimball washed my feet and pronounced blessings upon me my head. when at the close of ^after^ this ordinance the veils ^of the Temple^ were rolled up which brought the whole assembly congregation into one assembly. The Presidency occupied the lower stand of the priesthood. And ^and^ President Joseph Smith arose and addressed the Saints ^Elders^ for the term of three hours clothed with the spirit and power of God

Events

View selected events in the two months surrounding this date in Wilford Woodruff's life. Click on the dates to jump to that day in Wilford Woodruff's journal.

Woodruffs live with Jonathan and Olive Hale; Wilford records patriarchal blessings for Joseph Smith Sr.

Apr 6, 1837