Without Disclosing My True Identity
were needed, because “the minds of men are so constructed that they will not believe,
without a testimony of seeing or hearing.”^188
After Joseph had witnessed one of the greatest travesties given to the ego of men, he
questioned the brethren, “What importance is there attached to the calling of these Twelve
Apostles that is different from the other callings or officers of the Church?”^189 Joseph did not
tell them, he asked them! It was then that they, not the “prophet, seer, and revelator” who
had given them the Book of Mormon, defined what they, as the Twelve apostles, were called
to do. Joseph acquiesced to everything that they desired of him; and thus, the LDS
Melchizedek Priesthood replaced the “holy order of the Son of God.”^190
Because They Desired It, God Hath Done It
The priesthood leaders were well aware of Joseph’s lack of interest in making the
Twelve an official quorum and creating another circle of power to be envied and
worshipped by the members of the Church. During the meetings of February 14, 1835,
Joseph seldom gave his personal opinion on any matter unless pressed. He sat back and
watched the men conjure up all kinds of proposals for their new priesthood body.
After the men left the meeting in which the Twelve were ordained, the confusion
began as to what exactly the two priesthoods, the Aaronic and Melchizedek, constituted.
There were a lot of arguments, much contention, and many hurt feelings over the matter of
the priesthood. The Twelve got together on March 28, 1835, attempting to work out their
differences. They realized that they did not have a clue what they were doing. They had
attempted to come up with an answer concerning their priesthood authority without giving
due diligence to Joseph’s calling; after all, Joseph was the one with whom Christ conversed,
wasn’t he? It was to Oliver and Joseph that the priesthood was restored, wasn’t it? Yet these
men attempted to create their own definition of what the priesthood was all about without
even consulting Joseph. Their attempt only led to their further division and disagreement.
Finally, they acknowledged that they had
grieved or wounded the feelings of the Presidency...we therefore feel to ask
of him whom we have acknowledged to be our Prophet and Seer, that he
inquire of God for us, and obtain a revelation, (if consistent) that we may
look upon it when we are separated, that our hearts may be comforted. Our
worthiness has not inspired us to make this request, but our unworthiness.
We have unitedly asked God our heavenly Father to grant unto us through
His Seer, a revelation of His mind and will concerning our duty the coming
season, even a great revelation, that will enlarge our hearts, comfort us in
adversity, and brighten our hopes amidst the powers of darkness.^191Again, Joseph suffered them to have what they wanted. In counsel with Oliver and
Hyrum, Joseph reviewed many of the former “revelations” he had given concerning the
priesthood, put together an official statement on the subject, and gave it as the “revelation
on priesthood.” It took some time, but it was ready for the 1835 publication of the Doctrine
and Covenants. It was included as section III, and entitled, “On Priesthood.”^192
Eventually, everything was “proposed” and “voted upon” by the members of the
Church, though typically just those designated as leaders were present. The majority of
votes always ruled. The constraints of peer pressure and wanting to be accepted usually