The 1843 And 1844 Ordinations Of Joseph Smith As Kingthe 1843 And 1844 Ordinations Of Joseph Smith As King

[stn9 0]

Note: Pahoran started a thread issuing a CFR to John Larsen to support his statement in another thread wherein he stated that Joseph Smith "declar[ed] himself king of the world." The topic is both fascinating and important irrespective of John's ability to provide a reference, so I've started this new thread on the documents that pertain to the topic of Joseph Smith's ordinations as king, focusing more but not exclusively on the April 1844 ordination. If you have or know of a document not listed below that is pertinent to this discussion, please reply here or PM me.

The Issue

Joseph Smith was ordained a "king" on two known occasions: first on 28 September 1843, and then again on 11 April 1844. Some have stated (here on this board, in print, and to me personally) that the April 1844 ordination was a self-appointment as king of the world, evidence of Joseph Smith's growing megalomania.

The Questions

â?¢ Why was he ordained as a king?

â?¢ Why was he ordained twice?

â?¢ What was the significance of these ordinations to the Prophet and those closest to him?

I've compiled a quick list of the sources I think I'll use in discussing these questions. Most are somewhere and in some form available online or electronically if you want to read up, but I'll post some of them after the original post.

Scriptural Sources

â?¢ Revelation 1:6; 5:10

â?¢ JST Genesis 14 (1831)

â?¢ D&C 76:56 (1832)

â?¢ JST Revelation 12:1-7 (c. 1832-33)

Historical Sources

â?¢ Wilford Woodruff Journal, 6 August 1843

â?¢ Notes of the 27 August 1843 sermon (various sources in The Words of Joseph Smith)

â?¢ William Clayton Journal, 11 April 1844

â?¢ Lyman Wight, Letter to Joseph Smith, 19 June 1844

â?¢ William Clayton Journal, 1 January 1845

â?¢ William Marks, Letter to Beloved Brethren, 1853 [check source title]

â?¢ Revelation to John Taylor, 27 June 1882

â?¢ Franklin D. Richards Journal, 4 February 1885

Again, if you have or know of a document not listed above that is pertinent to this discussion, please contribute!

[stn9 0]

Wilford Woodruff Journal, 6 August 1843

Church Archives, typescript from microfilm of original

...He [brigham Young] also remarked in Conversation or inquired who had the Melchezedek priesthood[,] that if any in the Church had it he did not know it[;] for any person to have the fulness of that priesthood [he] must be a King & a Priest...

Joseph Smith Diary, 27 August 1843

The Words of Joseph Smith, 27 Aug 1843

...Read 7th Hebrews.

...

3 grand orders of priesthood referred to here.

1st. King of Shiloamâ??power & authority over that of Abraham holding the key & the power of endless life.â??angels desire to look into it, but they have set up to many stakes. God cursed the children of Israel because they would not receive the last law from Moses.â??

by the offering of Isaac.â??if a man would attainâ??he must sacrifice all to attain to the keys of the kingdom of an endless life

What was the power of Melchise**** twas not P. of Aaron &c. a king & a priest to the most high God. a perfect law of Theocracy holding keys of power & blessings. stood as God to give laws to the people. administering endless lives to the sons and daughters of Adam

Kingly powers. of anointing.â??Abram says Melchisedek.â??away I have a priesthood.â??

Salvation could not come to the world without the mediation of Jesus Christ.

how shall God come to the rescue of this generation. he shall send Elijah law revealed to Moses in Horebâ??never was revealed to the C. of Israel and he shall reveal the covenants to seal the hearts of the fathers to the children and the children to the fathers.â??anointing & sealing called elected and made sure

without father &c. a priesthood which holds the priesthood by right from the Eternal Gods.â??and not by descent from father and mother

2d Priesthood, patriarchal authority finish that temple and God will fill it with power.

3d Priesthood. Levitical Priest

Priests made without an oath but the Priesthood of Melchisedek is by oath and covenant...

Franklin D. Richards "Words of the Prophets"

The Words of Joseph Smith, 27 Aug 1843

A sermon of Josephs Heb 7 chap

...

There are 3 grand principles or orders of Priesthood portrayed in this chapter

1st Levitical which was never able to administer a Blessing but only to bind heavy burdens which neither they nor their father were able to bear

2 Abrahams Patriarchal power which is the greatest yet experienced in this church

3d That of Melchisedec who had still greater power even power of an endless life of which was our Lord Jesus Christ which also Abraham obtained by the offering of his son Isaac which was not the power of a Prophet nor apostle nor Patriarch only but of King & Priest to God to open the windows of Heaven and pour out the peace & Law of endless Life to man & No man can attain to the Joint heirship

[PacMan 273]

Ever get the feeling that you're simply out of the loop, and that everyone is contently smiling as they pass you by?

No? Well...you should.

[DonBradley 889]

Hey Stn9,

I just saw this (which shows how often I'm here these days, eh?). Most of the JS sermon quotes you give appear to me to refer to the second anointing, which Joseph received in the Anointed Quorum on September 28, 1843, rather than to his more political anointing in the Council of Fifty. I think it's important to keep the two separate. No doubt Joseph saw the former anointing a necessary prerequisite to the latter, but the context and significance of the two seems quite distinct. One was sacerdotal in context--the temple-linked Anointed Quorum, and necessary to his own salvation; the other was regal/political in context--he was anointed prophet, priest, and king over Israel and was preparatory to the full establishment of the political kingdom of God.

Thanks for providing the quotes and at least attempting to open an interesting line of discussion! :-)

Don

[stn9 0]

I think the last 5 quotes refer to the second (1844) anointing. Am I misreading this? And if you have any other documents or quotes to add, please do. I would be grateful for the addition.

[DonBradley 889]

I think the last 5 quotes refer to the second (1844) anointing. Am I misreading this? And if you have any other documents or quotes to add, please do. I would be grateful for the addition.

Agreed.

I may have seen available sources on this; but if so, I can't remember. But these quotes are certainly sufficient to show that there was a regal anointing performed for Joseph Smith in the Council of 50.

Don