Certificate regarding O. Pratt-- This certificate to Orson Hyde and the one following it to Orson Pratt are indicative of the responsibilities that were being placed on the Twelve Apostles now that the First Presidency was re-organized. Orson Hyde was "duly appointed and authorized . . . to receive, solicit and gather tithing and donations in the United States. . ." Orson Pratt was similarly authorized for the "British Islands and adjacent countries. . ."
Ordinarily one thinks of the Bishops in the L.D.S. Church as performing the functions here assigned and delegated to two members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. One must remember, however, that the areas over which these Apostles were called to preside did not have regularly constituted Wards with Bishops to perform the functions here delegated to members of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles. However, the Apostles were here functioning entirely within their calling as is evidenced by the following from a revelation designating their authority: "The Twelve are a Traveling Presiding High Council, to officiate in the name of the Lord under the direction of the Presidency of the Church, agreeable to the institution of heaven; to build up the church, and regulate all the affairs of the same in all nationsÃÂ. " (D&C 107:33)
To all persons interested:
This letter certifies that Elder Orson Hyde is a duly appointed and authorized agent of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to receive, solicit and gather tithing and donations in the United States, and he is hereby instructed to keep a detailed account of all such receipts, specifying the amount, name and residence of each individual making remittances, and forward the same to us by some faithful brother, or appropriate the same to our order. And should Elder Hyde leave the States, he is instructed, to countersign and transfer this letter to some faithful brother whom he shall select as agent in his stead, and this letter thus countersigned shall be good authority for said agent to transact the above business as though Elder Hyde had done it himself.
Given under our hands and seal at Great Salt Lake City, Great Basin, North America, this 9th day of April, 1849, for and in behalf of said Church. BRIGHAM YOUNG, HEBER C. KIMBALL, WILLARD RICHARDS, Presidency of said Church.
9-April 9-MS, August 15, 1849, p. 248 See notes to previous document. TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED. "This letter certifies that Elder Orson Pratt, of Liverpool, England, is a duly appointed and authorized agent of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to receive, solicit, and gather tithing and donations in the British Islands and adjacent countries; and he is hereby instructed to keep a detailed account of all such receipts, specifying the amount, name, and residence of each individual making remittances, and forward the same to us by some faithful brother, or appropriate the same to our order.
Given under our hands and seal, at Great Salt Lake City, Great Basin, North America, this 9th day of April, 1849, for and in behalf of said Church, BRIGHAM YOUNG, HEBER C. KIMBALL, WILLARD RICHARDS, Presidency of said Church. {1849-April 9-Frontier Guardian, Vol. 1, No. 11, p. 2 (June 27, 1849)}
[source: Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
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