Appendix 5, Document 1. Blessing to Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith, between circa 15 and 28 September 1835
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Source Note
JS, Blessing, to and , [, Geauga Co., OH], between ca. 15 and 28 Sept. 1835. Featured version copied [between ca. 15 and 28 Sept. 1835] in Patriarchal Blessing Book 1, p. 9; handwriting of ; CHL. For more complete source information on Patriarchal Blessing Book 1, see the source note for Blessing from Joseph Smith Sr., 9 Dec. 1834.
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Historical Introduction
On 18 December 1833, JS provided a blessing for his and , which recorded in the patriarchal blessing book sometime between 15 and 28 September 1835. Although Cowdery charged most individuals ten cents per one hundred words to have their blessings recorded in the book, he does not appear to have charged for recording this blessing. This later version of the blessing states that Joseph Smith Sr. held “the right of patriarchal priesthood.” Although the blessing does not explicitly declare where that right came from, it was likely tied to his as a to the church in December 1834. The blessing also declares that would “be a partaker” with Joseph Smith Sr. “in all his patriarchal blessings.” In addition, the blessing includes promises of strength and health to Joseph Smith Sr. and assurances of a large posterity using imagery found in the book of Genesis when the patriarch Jacob blessed his son Joseph. The text of the blessing also draws on some of the language in the Instruction on Priesthood, which was prepared by JS and Cowdery in spring 1835.
Footnotes
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1
The blessing comes after a blessing for Don Carlos and Agnes Coolbrith Smith, which was given on 15 September 1835, and before blessings for Hyrum, Samuel, and William Smith. The Hyrum Smith blessing has a notation stating it was recorded in September 1835; the Samuel and William Smith blessings were recorded on 28 September 1835. (Patriarchal Blessings, 1:7–11.)
Patriarchal Blessings, 1833–. CHL. CR 500 2.
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2
See Cowdery, “Account Book of Writing,” 1–4.
Cowdery, Oliver. “Account Book of Writing,” 1835–1836. CHL. MS 2314.
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3
Historical Introduction to Account of Meetings, Revelation, and Blessing, 5–6 Dec. 1834; Historical Introduction to Blessing from Joseph Smith Sr., 9 Dec. 1834.
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4
See Genesis 49:22–26.
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