First Presidency, Correspondence, 1877-1885

File — Box: 2, Folder: 1

Identifier: I

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

John Taylor, letter to the First Presidency, 7 November 1877, says: "The subject of the present condition of the patriarchs has lately been considered by us. It has appeared to several of the members of the quorum [of the Twelve] that they had lately noticed a spirit amongst some of the brethren ordained to this office, to degrade it to a mere means of obtaining a livelihood, and to obtain more business they had been traveling from door to door and underbidding each other in the price of blessings.... Resolution: 'that a quorum of patriarchs be organized, over which, Bro. John Smith, by virtue of his calling, will preside, and the members of which quorum he will direct in their labors and operations, as he shall be instructed by the council of the apostles, and that it shall be Bro. Smith's duty to see that Records of Blessings are properly kept and preserved.' (unanimously passed)."

Dates

1877-1885

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.