JS and others, Blessing, to , , Geauga Co., OH, 1 Mar. 1835. Featured version copied [not before 25 Feb. 1836] in Minute Book 1, pp. 174–175; handwriting of ; CHL. For more complete source information, see the source note for Minute Book 1.
You are not set apart as one of the but to continue as you have been, To be ready to go at the command of the Lord, where he may see proper to send thee. Tho[u] art blessed. The Lord shall bless thee in thy basket and in thy store Thou shalt have an additional degree of wisdom Thine eyes shall yet be opened to see those <things> which thou hast not seen. Thou art feeble, therefore, pray that thou mayst be made strong. thou mayst be prepared to go forth as may be required of thee. We pray that thou mayst be with power with thy brethren. [p. 174]
Murdock, who was ordained a high priest in June 1831, had served several missions since his baptism in November 1830. After accompanying the Camp of Israel to Missouri, he remained there for a couple of months before departing in September 1834 with Zebedee Coltrin to “prech to the Eastren country.” Murdock arrived in Kirtland from this mission on 19 February 1835. (Minutes, ca. 3–4 June 1831; Murdock, Journal, 24 Sept. 1834 and 19 Feb. 1835.)
Murdock, John. Journal, ca. 1830–1859. John Murdock, Journal and Autobiography, ca. 1830–1867. CHL. MS 1194, fd. 2.
Murdock suffered ill health throughout his journey back from Missouri, but on 20 February 1835, he was blessed by church patriarch Joseph Smith Sr. that he would “be healed of the infirmities of [his] body.” (Murdock, Journal, 20 Feb. 1835.)
Murdock, John. Journal, ca. 1830–1859. John Murdock, Journal and Autobiography, ca. 1830–1867. CHL. MS 1194, fd. 2.