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Church Policies Programs and Administration

One of the important and enduring developments in the 1830s related to the structure of Church government. In the early 1840s, Joseph Smith wrote, "We believe in the same organization that existed in the primitive Church, viz.: apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, etc." This basic pattern of church government was constituted before 1836. When the Church was organized on April 6, 1830, Joseph Smith was called to serve as first elder and Oliver Cowdery as second elder. The names and principal responsibilities of the three offices of the Aaronic Priesthood-priests, teachers, and deacons-were also known at that time. Although there was not a Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Joseph Smith was designated not only as a prophet, seer, and revelator, but also as an apostle.

As the Church increased rapidly in membership, the Prophet continued to unfold through revelation the ordained offices in the priesthood. Within five years, he directed the calling and ordination of bishops and their counselors, high priests, a First Presidency, assistant presidents, a patriarch, high councils, seventies, and a Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, as well as organized in Kirtland the first stake of the Church. By 1835 a well-developed ecclesiastical judicial system had also emerged, and while its emphasis has changed in some respects, this basic judicial pattern has continued to the present day.

During this formative period in the history of the restoration, many members learned that some of their presumptions regarding the role and conduct of a prophet were incorrect. Before they joined the Church, the only acquaintance that converts generally had with prophets was through reading the Bible; and in the view of some, Joseph Smith appeared and acted in a manner very different from their ideas of ancient prophets. He did not have a long, flowing beard and did not wear a long robe. Instead, he looked like his contemporaries. While laboring in the fields he wore the work clothes of the period; he played with his children; he wrestled with the strongest men in the communities where he lived; and he joked with friends. He was a man with imperfections as well as a prophet who recorded the word of God, and some early converts found it difficult to recognize or accept his dual role. When some claimed revelations pertaining to basic principles affecting the entire Church, Joseph Smith informed them that he alone had the authority to receive such messages. It was difficult for some of the early converts to accept this restricted form of revelation from an individual who appeared so human in some respects and yet whose spiritual authority encompassed the whole Church.

While the Saints were learning about the functions and responsibilities of a prophet and their relationship to him, Joseph Smith also taught them about many other offices in the Church, which created various new challenges for the membership. In addition to learning about the duties of the new officers, the Saints had to become acquainted with the relationship of one office to another and to the place of each position in the broadening channel of jurisdiction and authority.