Joseph Smith gave no explanation regarding the events or circumstances preceding the revelation given him March 8, 1833 - Section 90 - which contains information of importance pertaining to the organizing of the First Presidency.

It is likely the revelation was given in answer to prayer since the first verse includes the phrase, "according to thy petition."The First Presidency of the Church was organized March 18, 1833, with Joseph Smith as president, and Sidney Rigdon and Frederick G. Williams as counselors.

This was in fulfillment of the commandment given in the revelation 10 days earlier. The Lord said to Joseph Smith: " . . . verily I say unto thy brethren, Sidney Rigdon and Frederick G. Williams, their sins are forgiven them also, and they are accounted as equal with thee in holding the keys of this last kingdom." (D&C 90:6.)

A year earlier, in March 1832, Frederick G. Williams was instructed in a revelation received through the Prophet:

"Listen to the voice of him who speaketh, to the word of the Lord your God, and hearken to the calling wherewith you are called, even to be a high priest in my church, and a counselor unto my servant Joseph Smith, Jun.; Unto whom I have given the keys of the kingdom, which belong always unto the Presidency of the High Priesthood: Therefore, verily I acknowledge him and will bless him, and also thee, inasmuch as thou art faithful in the counsel, in the office which I have appointed unto you. . . ." (D&C 81:1-3.)

In Church History and Modern Revelation, Joseph Fielding Smith wrote: "Sidney Rigdon was also called and these men had acted in this calling for one full year before they were set apart.

"The Prophet laid his hands on the head of each in turn and conferred upon each the authority to take part with him in the First Presidency of the Church. In this manner the presiding council of the Church was organized for the first time in this dispensation.

"This is the authority which was conferred upon Peter, James and John, in the dispensation of the Meridian of Time. There is no record which informs us definitely that these three apostles were organized as a quorum of priesthood independent of the Council of the Twelve Apostles in that dispensation. They may have acted as a First Presidency while still acting as members of the council of apostles. It may also be true that they were succeeded in that council by other brethren called to the apostleship.

"There is but meager information that has reached us in relation to the events in the history of the Church and its organization in those times. The fact remains, however, that the sealing power and `keys of the kingdom,' comprising the power to direct, regulate and organize the Church, are vested in this presiding quorum, or council in the Church in this day as it was in that day."