Duncan Posted June 2, 2016 Posted June 2, 2016 In section 18 it directs Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer to "search out the Twelve" but this section was given in 1829. My question is why did it take 6 years to do that and how did they decide who would be in the Twelve Apostles? I get the MP wasn't here yet or the Church established but beyond that any clues?
theplains Posted June 2, 2016 Posted June 2, 2016 17 minutes ago, Duncan said: In section 18 it directs Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer to "search out the Twelve" but this section was given in 1829. My question is why did it take 6 years to do that and how did they decide who would be in the Twelve Apostles? I get the MP wasn't here yet or the Church established but beyond that any clues? It seems they were also commanded to "contend against no church, save it be the church of the devil." How did they do that? Thanks, Jim
Nevo Posted June 2, 2016 Posted June 2, 2016 I don't know what the process was exactly, but Joseph seems to have had the final say about who was called. According to Oliver Cowdery, he and David Whitmer wanted to call Phineas Young to the Twelve but Joseph insisted that his brother William be called instead: Quote At the time the Twelve were chosen in Kirtland, and I may say before, it had been manifested that Brother Phineas was entitled to occupy the station as one of the number; but owing to Brother Joseph's urgent request at the time, Brother David and myself yielded to his wish, and consented for William to be selected, contrary to our feelings and judgment, and to our deep mortification ever since. Brother Phineas occupied at that time a relation to myself that caused me to feel delicate about urging his name, and besides, Brother Joseph about that time was bearing down heavily upon Brother Phineas. – Oliver Cowdery to Brigham Young, 27 February 1848, CHL (link) 2
consiglieri Posted June 3, 2016 Posted June 3, 2016 19 hours ago, Duncan said: In section 18 it directs Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer to "search out the Twelve" but this section was given in 1829. My question is why did it take 6 years to do that and how did they decide who would be in the Twelve Apostles? I get the MP wasn't here yet or the Church established but beyond that any clues? This is an interesting question. Making it stranger is that Martin Harris, the third witness and chooser of the 12 in 1835, is not mentioned. Also I see that further on in D&C 18, the Lord speaks directly to the Twelve, who were not called as of that time in 1829. I haven't researched this, but I suspect this may be a revelation that read one way in the 1833 Book of Commandments, and was substantially modified and language added in the 1835 publication of the first edition of the Doctrine and Covenants. Thanks for the link, Cinepro! I didn't know that about William Smith and Phineas. But when William Smith started acting out after Joseph and Hyrum died, I can see why Oliver would want to distance himself from that choice. Of course, William was by then the Church Patriarch, which really wasn't Oliver's call anyway.
Guest Posted June 4, 2016 Posted June 4, 2016 On June 2, 2016 at 4:02 PM, Duncan said: In section 18 it directs Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer to "search out the Twelve" but this section was given in 1829. My question is why did it take 6 years to do that and how did they decide who would be in the Twelve Apostles? I get the MP wasn't here yet or the Church established but beyond that any clues? It was a young Church and many who were called we're young and ended up being Ex-ed.
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