The Jewish priests were not allowed to raise their hands unless ten adult males were present; this was the one stipulation regarding priestly blessings (see M Megillah 4:3). Ten constitute the minimum number required in Jewish law to form a minyan, or quorum for group prayers. These prayers are typically offered while the group stands in a circle, which is hence often termed a minyan. It is believed that as long as ten are gathered the Divine Presence descends.It was the firm belief of the Jewish sages that wherever ten Israelites are assembled, either for worship or for the study of the Law, the Divine Presence dwells among them. In rabbinical literature, those who meet for study or prayer in smaller groups, even one who meditates or prays alone, are to be praised. However, the stress is put upon the merits and sacredness of the minyan of ten.
There is also a belief that the Divine Presence actually constitutes the tenth member. The number ten is symbolic and of sacred significance throughout the scriptures and is mentioned often.
It is interesting to note that on Wednesday, 4 May 1842, after two days of preparation in the upper story of his Nauvoo store the prophet Joseph Smith gathered together nine men. With Joseph this would be ten men total. Why just ten when there were many other righteous men at that time he could have included as well but choose instead to go with just ten total? Was it to form a true minyan? We are not told nor is it a taught belief within the LDS Church today. Contrast this with Jesus' statement that whenever two or more were gathered together in the name of the Lord, there his spirit would be also (compare Matthew 18:19—20).
In a significant departure from the simple washings and anointings received in the Kirtland Temple, these men were introduced to new theological instructions and ritual. According to the account recorded in the "The Book of the Law of the Lord," Smith spent the day
"In council in the Presidents & General offices with Judge [James] Adams. Hyram Smith Newell K. Whitney. William Marks, Wm Law. George Miller. Brigham Young. Heber C. Kimball & Willard Richards. [blank] & giving certain instructions concerning the priesthood. [blank] &c on the Aronic Priesthood to the first [blank] continuing through the day." (Dean C. Jessee, ed., The Papers of Joseph Smith (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1993), 2:380. The blanks indicate erased words in the original.)
This was subsequently expanded to read in the History of the Church that Smith instruct[ed] them in the principles and order of the Priesthood, attending to washings, anointings, endowments and the communication of keys pertaining to the Aaronic Priesthood, and so on to the highest order of the Melchisedek Priesthood, setting forth the order pertaining to the Ancient of Days, and all those plans and principles by which any one is enabled to secure the fullness of those blessings which have been prepared for the Church of the First Born, and come up and abide in the presence of the Eloheim in the eternal worlds. In this council was instituted the ancient order of things for the first time in these last days....therefore let the Saints...[know] assuredly that all these things referred to in this council are always governed by the principle of revelation. (HC, 5:2.)
Ten has always been considered one of the sacred numbers that hold importance in the scriptures and is symbolic of perfection.
Also See:
Angels - The Nine Orders
10 - Ten - 10
Latter-day Saint Prayer Circles
The True Order of Prayer
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