"Behold, I say unto you, concerning the school in Zion, I, the Lord, am well pleased that there should be a school in Zion, and also with my servant Parley P. Pratt, for he abideth in me. And inasmuch as he continueth to abide in me he shall continue to preside over the school in the land of Zion until I shall give unto him other commandments. And I will bless him with a multiplicity of blessings, in expounding all scriptures and mysteries to the edification of the school, and of the church in Zion." Doctrine and Covenants 97:3-5¹

The School of the Prophets was established to prepare elders of the Church for their ministry, as directed by a December 1832 revelation to Joseph Smith. It began on January 23, 1833, in Kirtland, Ohio, with instruction covering both sacred and secular topics. Members were initiated through the washing of feet and greeted each other formally at meetings. Joseph Smith presided over the school. A similar school, led by Parley P. Pratt, was organized in Jackson County, Missouri, during the summer of 1833, and was commended by the Lord in a revelation (D&C 97:3-5). Pratt reported that about 60 men participated in the school and that they met outdoors.²

1. Doctrine and Covenants 97

2. "School of the Prophets," josephsmithpapers.org; The Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt, 100, archive.org