In early 1835, the first quorum of the 12 of the restored church were called.

That spring, they were tasked with traveling through the eastern states to the Atlantic Ocean

and hold conferences in the vicinity of several branches of the church for the purpose of regulating

all things necessary for their welfare.

As they prepared to approach their first mission, they requested revelatory instruction from Joseph.

This revelation came in response to that request, though the last part of the revelation had actually been received four years earlier.

This revelation demonstrates the continuing process of revealing understanding of priesthood,

particularly building on some of the ideas introduced in Section 84. This expanded administrative

offices within the church, including deacons, teachers, priests, and elders. As the Joseph Smith

papers details, the first individuals were ordained to the high priesthood in June of 1831.

This likewise opened the way for multiple bishops and a president of the high priesthood.

In late 1831, Newell K. Whitney was appointed Bishop of Curtland, and in early 1832, Joseph Smith became the president of the high priesthood.

On the day the church was organized, his position had been that of first elder.

The ecclesial structure of the church would continue to expand.

My name is Janice Johnson. I'm a Willis Center Research Associate at the Maxwell Institute,

and I, along with Joseph Stewart, the public communication specialist at

the Institute, will be discussing each week's block of reading from the Church of Jesus Christ

of Latter-day Saints, come follow me curriculum. We aren't here to present a lesson, but rather to hit

on a few key themes from the scripture block that we will believe will help fulfill the Maxwell

Institute's mission

to inspire and fortify Latter-day Saints and their testimonies of their restored gospel of Jesus Christ

and to engage the world of religious ideas. Today we're glad to be joined by Dr. Steve Harper,

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