Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-10-15
THE FIRST CHURCH MEMBERS.

We have been requested 10 explain
whether Joseph Smith and Oliver Cow"
derry were members OF the Church when
baptized. as recorded IN the Church
history. or whether they had to wait
until April 8, 1890. Also whether they
we're Elders before that date. II APP
pears that the questions have been UNI
der consideration at different places
and a settlement concerning them Is
desirable.
1t IL evident ON rational grounds,
that the brethren named, and others
who were baptized previous to the date
OF the organization Of the Church,
could not be members OF II until II was
organized. They were baptized for the
remission OF sins, in accordance with
the instructions given Of the Lord to
tho Prophet Joseph. In certain sense
being baptized into Christ they were
united with His spiritual church, but
they could not be members OF an or
eanlzed body until the organization took
place. That needs no argument
Section 20 of the Doctrine and Cove
nants answers both questions pTo-
pounded by our correspondent, IN para
graphs one to four. But TO make the
matter still clearer we refer our read
ers TO tho first volume Of the History
Of the Church, chapters five and seVen'
on page rs Of the same volume state
ment Is given, signed by Joseph Knight,
IN the presence OF four witnesses, TO
The effect that the names Of the SIX
members OF the Church who attended TO
It's legal Organization were given to
him by Oliver Cowderyi with the fur-
Their information that some Of these
had been baptized previously but were
nil taptlztd on the day OF organization
IL will be seen, then, that Joseph ana
oliver and the others who had been
baptized previous TO the organization OF
me Church, we're baptized again, 70
that they became members OF the
church at tho date Of its organization
They did not become Elders IN tho
Church until its organization, ana I'M
I'll their names had been presented 10
the organized body TO be accepted IN
,ha, capacity. according to the doc
urine Of common consent, which is a
Fundamental principle of Church dis
cipline.
when Joseph and Oliver received
their ordination under tho hands or
John the Baptist IN May, 1879, tney
were ordained TO the Aaronlo Priest
hood, but not to any special office thefe-
IN. When they were ordained by Peter
lanes and John, the higher or Mel
cbisedek Priesthood was conferred upon
Them. But 1t was ON tho sixth OF April
1850. that they were called OF God to be
Apostles, and Joseph was SO ordained
10 BIO the First Elder OF the Chureh
and oliver Cowdery The Second Elder
of the Church. Tho particulars con-
corning this are to be found In Chapter
eight OF the History Of the Church.
There need be no dispute about mat
t,rs OF this kind, and would not De II
rare was taken in reading ana COM
nenting upon the revelations recorded
IN the Doctrine and Covenants, ana eN-
planned In the new issue Of the History
az the church. with the footnotes that
have been added. And after all. what
great matter is involved IN the question
as to the membership in the Church OF
the individuals named, seeing that they
we're undoubtedly baptized by proper
authority, restored from heaven In the
last dlspensationP In our opinion, time
As not probably employed when spent
IN that way.