Inside back cover: John the Baptist Appearing to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, by Del Parson. May not be copied. On May 15, 1829, on the bank of the Susquehanna River, near Harmony, Pennsylvania, John the Baptist ordained Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery to the Aaronic Priesthood. He said, “Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins” (D&C 13:1).