"THIS Certifies that _________, has been received into the church of the Latter Day Saints, organized on the sixth of April, in the year of our Lord, one thousand, eight hundred, and thirty, and has been ordained an elder according to the rules and regulations of said church, and is duly authorized to preach the gospel, agreeably to the authority of that office.
From the satisfactory evidence which we have of his good moral character, and his zeal for the cause of righteousness, and diligent desire to persuade men to forsake evil and embrace truth, we confidently recommend him to all candid and upright people, as a worthy member of society.
We, therefore, in the name, and by the authority of this church, grant unto this, our worthy brother in the Lord, this letter of commendation as a proof of our fellowship and esteem: praying for his success and prosperity in our Redeemer’s cause.
Given by the direction of a conference of the elders of said church, assembled in Kirtland, Geauga county, Ohio, this ______ day of _______, in the year of our Lord one thousand, eight hundred, and thirty-________.
______________ Chairman.
___________ Clerk."1
Oliver Cowdery and Parley P. Pratt were preaching the gospel to Kikthawenund and his people when the government agent threatened the two Elders because they were preaching to the Native Americans without permission. Oliver was worried about continuing preaching to other Navajo tribes, so he sent Parley to get a preaching license from the government.2 The council decided to start issuing preaching licenses to all Elders, which had to be signed by both the clerk (Frederick G. Williams) and the Chairman (Joseph Smith).3
These licenses, referred to in Doctrine and Covenants 20, were for elders.4
