Short lists of those who were ordained and commissioned to preach after their baptism never included Black Pete. However, the men who wrote about their baptisms note they were also ordained and commissioned as part of their conversion process, and many of the early converts were not included in lists of commissioned preachers, leaving Black Pete's authority to preach and baptize uncertain. As part of Kirtland's ecstatic religious experiences, a number of men received "letters' that fell from heaven which were copied onto paper before the original letter disappeared. Black Pete was among those who received one of these letters, his delivered by a black angel. Because these letters were apparently divine commissions to travel the countryside preaching and baptized and because Black Pete was among those who went about the country preaching, it is likely he also performed baptisms during January of 1831. Careful studies of the relationship between black members and priesthood ordination confirm that some early black members were ordained to the priesthood well after Black Pete's conversion. Although the beginning date for a priesthood ban on black members is not firmly established, it is clear that during Black Pete's period of involvement in early Latter-day Saint history, there were no priesthood restrictions on black members. Black Pete may well have acted in his role as Book of Mormon preacher in an authorized capacity. Nevertheless, the newly founded religious movement in Ohio quickly looked to Black Pete for direction; and as this small Church of Christ spread, it seemed to take on a life of its own.