Warren A. Cowdery's Calling to Service
November 25, 1834 • Kirtland, Ohio
Warren A. Cowdery, Oliver's older brother, had been serving the Church in Freedom, New York. As an older member of the Cowdery family at approximately 46 years old, Warren had shown dedication to the gospel but needed formal ordination to his calling as presiding high priest over the Freedom branch.
November 1834 found the Church in a period of rapid organization and priesthood structuring. The Kirtland Temple was under construction, with its walls rising toward completion. The School of the Prophets had been operating, and the Church was establishing more formal priesthood offices and organization patterns that would later be fully articulated in D&C 107.
Freedom, New York, represented one of the Church's eastern branches that needed stronger local leadership. The Saints in New York were somewhat isolated from the main body in Ohio, requiring local presiding officers who could minister without constant direction from Kirtland. Economic challenges of the 1830s affected these rural communities, making temporal and spiritual leadership crucial.
The 1830s marked a period of religious revival and millennial expectation across America. The Second Great Awakening had prepared many hearts to receive restored gospel truths. Social reform movements, including abolition and temperance, were gaining momentum, creating an atmosphere where new religious movements could find receptive audiences.
Warren A. Cowdery's ordination strengthened the Church's presence in western New York. His service helped maintain the faith of isolated Saints and provided a crucial link between the New York branches and Church headquarters in Kirtland. The revelation gave him confidence to act with authority despite being far from the Prophet.
This revelation establishes enduring principles about local Church leadership and the worthiness of laborers to receive support. It teaches modern Church members about the unexpected nature of the Second Coming and the need for constant spiritual preparation. The promise of crowns in the Father's mansions continues to motivate faithful service across all Church callings.
The phrase "laborer is worthy of his hire" echoes Christ's instructions to the Seventy (Luke 10:7). The imagery of girding up loins connects to ancient practices of tucking robes into belts for active work, used throughout scripture as a metaphor for preparation (1 Peter 1:13). The concept of "children of light" versus darkness appears in Essene texts and Paul's writings (1 Thessalonians 5:5).
The principle of local priesthood authority underlies the modern stake and ward organization. The teaching about the Second Coming as a thief challenges contemporary Saints to maintain daily discipleship rather than crisis-driven spirituality. The promise of temporal provision for Church service speaks to modern concerns about balancing Church callings with family responsibilities.
By November 1834, the Church had grown to several thousand members spread across multiple states. With this growth came inevitable conflicts, misunderstandings, and occasionally serious transgressions that required formal resolution. The informal methods of the early Church were no longer sufficient for the increasingly complex organization.
Kirtland, Ohio, had become the gathering place for the Saints and the administrative center of the Church. The School of the Prophets had been operating for over a year, and construction of the Kirtland Temple was underway. This concentration of members and activities created both opportunities and challenges that required structured governance.
The Cowdery family had been instrumental in the Restoration. Oliver Cowdery served as scribe for the Book of Mormon translation and was one of the Three Witnesses. His older brother Warren had accepted the gospel and moved to Freedom, New York, where a branch of the Church needed leadership.
The Church's rapid expansion in 1834 necessitated more formal organization. The high council had been organized in February 1834 (D&C 102), and Zion's Camp had recently returned from Missouri. These experiences highlighted the need for strong local leadership in scattered branches.
Warren A. Cowdery had been serving informally in Freedom but lacked official ordination and calling. The Saints in that area needed a presiding authority who could perform ordinances, settle disputes, and provide spiritual guidance. Joseph Smith received this revelation to formally establish Warren's authority and responsibilities.
This revelation connects to several others received during this organizational period:
The Freedom, New York branch represented one of several eastern congregations maintaining the faith after the main body moved to Ohio. These branches served as:
Warren's calling demonstrated that the Church was maturing from a centralized charismatic movement to an organized institution with delegated priesthood authority functioning across great distances.
1 It is my will that my servant Warren A. Cowdery should be appointed and ordained a presiding high priest over my church, in the land of Freedom and the regions round about;
2 And should preach my everlasting gospel, and lift up his voice and warn the people, not only in his own place, but in the adjoining counties;
3 And devote his whole time to this high and holy calling, which I now give unto him, seeking diligently the kingdom of heaven and its righteousness, and all things necessary shall be added thereunto; for the laborer is worthy of his hire.
Warren's calling to "devote his whole time" challenges modern Saints to consider how we prioritize Church service amid temporal demands. The promise that "all things necessary shall be added" continues to comfort those who make sacrifices for the kingdom.
4 And again, verily I say unto you, the coming of the Lord draweth nigh, and it overtaketh the world as a thief in the night—
5 Therefore, gird up your loins, that you may be the children of light, and that day shall not overtake you as a thief.
The warning that even "children of light" can be overtaken challenges complacency. We must maintain daily spiritual disciplines—prayer, scripture study, service—rather than assuming our Church membership alone prepares us for the Lord's coming.
6 And again, verily I say unto you, there was joy in heaven when my servant Warren bowed to my scepter, and separated himself from the crafts of men;
7 Therefore, blessed is my servant Warren, for I will have mercy on him; and, notwithstanding the vanity of his heart, I will lift him up inasmuch as he will humble himself before me.
The Lord's acknowledgment of Warren's "vanity" while still calling him teaches us that God uses imperfect people. Our weaknesses don't disqualify us from service if we approach the Lord with humility and willingness to improve.
8 And I will give him grace and assurance wherewith he may stand; and if he continue to be a faithful witness and a light unto the church I have prepared a crown for him in the mansions of my Father. Even so. Amen.