Dear Gramps,

I have been a member of the church for 20 years and I have never seen these two questions answered and documented. Please do so.

(1) When and where was the Prophet Joseph when he received the endowment ritual? When did he receive his endowment?

(2) When and over what cause did the Church of Christ-voice of Elijah break off from Mormonism? Thank you,

Keith

Dear Keith,

I have found no specific information on when and where the Prophet Joseph Smith would have been endowed. However, there are records of endowments being received by the saints in Kirtland as early as 1834. The following references may be of interest:

Solomon Hancock . . . was among a party of fifteen brethren who were called to go from Clay County to Kirtland, on June 23, 1834, to receive their endowments, because ‘they had proved themselves faithful and true during the late persecutions’. (Smith and Sjodahl, Doctrine and Covenants Commentary, Sec. 52, p.308).

On Monday, June 23rd, 1834 a council of high priests met, according to revelation, to choose some of the first Elders to receive their endowments; being appointed by the voice of the spirit, through Joseph Smith the Prophet (Orson F. Whitney, Life of Heber C. Kimball, p.58).

Also, never have I heard of a church called “Church of Christ-Voice of Elija.” Perhaps we could be of more help if we had a little more information.

Gramps