| March [20–26], 1831, Kirtland,
Ohio. |
| Sidney Rigdon, Parley P. Pratt, and Leman Copley
are called on a mission to the Shakers. Jesus now rigns in heaven, will
return soon, but no one knows when. Unknown holy men. Christ
will not return as a woman. Marriage is ordained of God (one wife) for
procreation §. Be equal in all. Lamanites
to blossom as the rose and Zion flourish
upon the hills §. |
| Shaker leader Ashbel Kitchell copied this revelation
into his journal, which was transcribed in 1856. The original is no longer
extant, but according to Lawrence R. Flake, the 1856 version contains "only
a few minor wording changes from the way it appears in the Book of commandments,
chapter 52." BYU Studies 20, no. 1 (Fall 1979): 97. |
| Dating the revelation: Book of Commandments
and 1835 Doctrine and Covenants date the revelation March 1831. The first
four verses, calling Sidney, Parley, and Leman on the mission, were probably
composed after Parley returned to Kirtland from Independence in late March.
(Verse 5 begins, "Thus saith the Lord, for I am
God, …") Verses 5–28 could have been written before Parley's
return. Parley recalls the mission to North Union was in March and Ashbel
Kitchell reports Sidney and Leman arrived there on Saturday evening,
Parley on Sunday morning. The last Saturday–Sunday
of March 1831 were the 26th and 27th. |
| Dating Parley's return from Independence: Parley
and the other missionaries met in Independence, Missouri, on February 14,
1831 and decided he would return to Kirtland. He reached St. Louis in “the
latter part of February,” after
a nine-day journey down the Missouri from Independence (assuming he left
Independence on the 15th, estimate arrival at St. Louis on February 25).
From St. Louis to Cincinnati by steamboat took a week (estimate March 4),
then 250 miles on foot over muddy roads to Strongsville, Ohio. (This leg
of the journey is the most difficult to estimate due to the mud, rides
he may have hitched, and physical condition, but an average of 35 miles
a day might be reasonable—estimate
March 11.) At Strongsville, Parley put up for the night with the Coltrin
family. In the morning, Parley was “unable
to rise from my bed, being severely attacked with the measles.” After “one
or two weeks,” Parley was provided with a
horse, which he rode the last 42 miles to Kirtland. (For a one-week stay
in Strongsville, plus a one-day ride, estimate March 19; for a two-week
stay and one-day ride, estimate March 26.) Parley P. Pratt,
66–67. Reaching Kirtland on March 26 (Saturday) may be why he arrived
at North Union the day after his companions. |
| Evening and Morning Star 1, no.
6 (Nov. 1832): {7} heading: REVELATION, GIVEN MAY, 1831. |
| Book of Commandments 52 heading: A Revelation
to Sidney, Parley, and Lemon, given in Kirtland, Ohio, March, 1831. |
| 1835 Doctrine and Covenants 65 heading: Revelation
to Sidney Rigdon, Parley P. Pratt, and Lemon Copley, given March, 1831. |
| Two minor wording changes suggest the Kitchell/Blake
manuscript is closer to Book of Commandments 32 than the Morning and
Evening Star or 1835 D&C 65. |
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Evening and Morning Star |
Book of Commandments 52 |
1835 D&C 65 |
Kitchell/Blake Manuscript |
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| Sidney, Parley, Leman,
preach to the Shakers |
1 |
¶ HEARKEN unto
my word, my servant Sidney,
and Parley,
and Lemon,
for behold, verily I say unto you, that I give unto you a commandment,
that you shall go and preach my gospel, which ye have received, even as
ye have received it, unto the Shakers. |
[1] HEARKEN
unto my word, my servant Sidney,
and Parley, and Lemon,
for behold, verily I say unto you, that I give unto you a commandment,
that you shall go and preach my gospel, which ye have received, even as
ye have received it, unto the Shakers. |
[1] Hearken
unto my word, my servant servants Sidney,
and Parley, and Lemon,
for behold, verily I say unto you, that I give unto you a commandment,
that you shall go and preach my gospel, which ye have received, even as
ye have received it, unto the shakers. |
Hearken unto my word my servants Sidney, & Parley, & Leman,— For,
behold, verily I say unto you, that I give unto you a commandment that
you shall go and preach my gospel which ye have received, even as ye have
received it, unto the Shakers. |
1 |
Sidney Rigdon
Parley P. Pratt (h)
Leman Copley
Only the Kitchell manuscript spells Leman's name correctly (throughout).
Turquoise: dropped
after 1835
Pink: added after 1835 |
| They partly want truth |
2 |
Behold I say unto you, that they
desire to know the truth in part, but not all, for they are not right
before me, and must needs repent: |
[2] Behold I say unto you, that they
desire to know the truth in part, but not all, for they are not right before
me, and must needs repent: |
Behold I say unto you, that they desire to know the truth
in part, but not all, for they are not right before
me and must needs repent: |
¶ Behold I say unto you, that
they desire to know the truth in part, but not all, for they are not right [before me],
and must needs repent: |
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3 |
wherefore I send you, my servants
Sidney and Parley, to preach the gospel unto them; |
[3] Wherefore I send you, my servants
Sidney and Parley, to preach the gospel unto them; |
wherefore I send you, my servants Sidney and Parley, to
preach the gospel unto them; |
wherefore I send you, my servants Sidney and Parley, to
preach the gospel unto them; |
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| Leman reason with them |
4 |
and my servant Lemon shall
be ordained unto this work, that he may reason with them, not according
to that which he has received of them, but according to that which shall
be taught him by you, my servants, and by so doing I will bless him, otherwise
he shall not prosper: |
and my servant Lemon shall be ordained unto this work, that
he may reason with them, not according to that which he has received of
them, but according to that which shall be taught him by you, my servants,
and by so doing I will bless him, otherwise he shall not prosper: |
and my servant Lemon shall
be ordained unto this work, that he may reason with them, not according
to that which he has received of them, but according to that which shall
be taught him by you, my servants, and by so doing I will bless him, otherwise
he shall not prosper: |
and my servant Leman shall be ordained unto this work, that
he may reason with them, not according to that which he [8] has received
of them, but according to that which shall be taught him by [you] my servants,
and by so doing I will bless him; otherwise he shall not prosper. |
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| Believers saved, unbelievers damned |
5 |
Thus saith the Lord, for I am
God, and have sent mine only begotten Son into the world, for the redemption
of the world, and have decreed, that he that receiveth him shall be saved,
and he that receiveth him not, shall be damned: |
[4] Thus saith the Lord, for I am
God and have sent mine only begotten Son into the world, for the redemption
of the world, and have decreed, that he that receiveth him shall be saved,
and he that receiveth him not, shall be damned: |
thus saith the Lord, for I am God and have sent mine only
begotten Son into the world, for the redemption of the world, and have
decreed that he that receiveth him shall be saved, and he that receiveth
him not, shall be damned. |
Thus saith the Lord, for I am God, and have sent
mine only begotten Son into the world for the redemption of the world,
and have decreed, that he that decreed receiveth him shall be saved, and
he that receiveth him not shall be damned! |
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| Jesus now reigns in heaven, will
return soon |
6 |
and they have done unto the son
of Man even as they listed; |
[5] And they have done unto the Son
of man even as they listed; |
[2] And they have done unto the son of Man even as they listed; |
¶ And they have done unto the
son of man; even as they listed, |
2 |
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and he has taken his power on
the right hand of his glory, and now reigneth in the heavens, and will
reign till he descends on the earth to put all enemies under his feet: |
[6] And he has taken his power on
the right hand of his glory, and now reigneth in the heavens, and will
reign till he descends on the earth to put all enemies under his feet: |
and he has taken his power on the right hand of his glory,
and now reigneth in the heavens, and will reign till he descends on the
earth to put all enemies under his feet: |
and he has taken his power on the right hand of his glory,
and now reigneth in the heavens, & will reign till he descend on the
Earth to put all enemies under his feet; |
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which time is nigh at hand: |
[7] Which time is nigh at hand: |
which time is nigh at hand: |
which time is nigh at hand. |
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| No one knows when |
7 |
I the Lord God, have spoken it; |
I the Lord God, have spoken it; |
I the Lord God have spoken
it: |
I the Lord hath spoken it. |
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Orange: unique to Kitchell |
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but the hour and the day no man
knoweth, neither the angels in heaven, nor shall they know until he come: |
[8] But the hour and the day no man
knoweth, neither the angels in heaven, nor shall they know until he come: |
but the hour and the day no man knoweth, neither the angels
in heaven, nor shall they know until he comes: |
But the day & the hour and
no man knoweth, neither the angels in heaven; nor shall they know untill
he come.— |
|
"But of that day and hour knoweth no
man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only." Matt. 24:36 //
Mk. 13:32
come: Kitchell agrees with
EMS/BC |
| Holy men you don't know |
8 |
wherefore I will that all men
shall repent, for all are under sin, except them which
I have reserved unto myself, holy men that ye know not of: |
[9] wherefore I will that all men
shall repent, for all are under sin, except them which
I have reserved unto myself, holy men that ye know not of: |
wherefore I will that all men shall repent, for all are
under sin, except them which
I have reserved unto myself, holy men that ye know not of: |
Wherefore I will that all men shall repent, for all are
under sin, except them which I have reserved
unto myself; holy men that ye know not of. |
|
them: those after 1835
"But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith
of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe." Gal. 3:22
|
| Covenant from beginning |
9 |
wherefore I say unto you, that
I have sent unto you mine everlasting covenant, even that which was from
the beginning, |
[10] Wherefore I say unto you, that
I have sent unto you mine everlasting covenant, even that which was from
the beginning, |
wherefore I say unto you, that I have sent unto you mine
everlasting covenant, even that which was from the beginning, |
[9] Wherefore I say unto you, that I have sent unto you
my everlasting Covenant even that which was
from the beginning |
|
Orange: unique to Kitchell |
| Nations to bow |
10 |
and that which I have promised I have so fulfilled, and
the nations of the earth shall bow to it; |
and that which I have promised I have so fulfilled, and
the nations of the earth shall bow to it; |
and that which I have promised I have so fulfilled, and
the nations of the earth shall bow to it; |
and that [which] I have promised I have so fulfilled, and
the Nations of the earth shall bow to it; |
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and, if not of themselves,
they shall come down, for that which is now exalted of itself, shall be
laid low of power: |
[11] And, if not of themselves, they
shall come down, for that which is now exalted of itself, shall be laid
low of power: |
and, if not of themselves,
they shall come down, for that which is now exalted of itself, shall be
laid low of power: |
and if not, of themselves
they shall come down, for that which is now exalted of itself shall be
laid low of power;— |
|
Interesting difference comma placement can
make |
| As I said to Peter |
11 |
wherefore I give unto you a
commandment, that ye go among this people and say unto them, like unto
mine apostle of old, whose name was Peter: |
[12] Wherefore I give unto you a commandment,
that ye go among this people and say unto them, like unto mine apostle
of old, whose name was Peter: |
wherefore I give unto you a commandment, that ye go among
this people and say unto them, like unto mine apostle of old, whose name
was Peter: |
Wherefore I give unto you a commandment that ye go among
this people and say unto them like unto mine Apostle of old, whose name
was Peter. |
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| Believe |
12 |
Believe on the name
of the Lord Jesus, who was on the earth and is to come, the beginning and
the end; |
[13] Believe on the name
of the Lord Jesus, who was on the earth, and is to come, the beginning
and the end; |
Believe on the name of the Lord Jesus, who was
on the earth, and is to come, the beginning and the end; |
Believe on the name of the Lord Jesus who was
on the Earth & is to come; the beginning & the end; |
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| Repent, be baptized |
13 |
repent and be baptized in the
name of Jesus Christ, according to the holy commandment, for the remission
of sins; |
[14] Repent and be baptized in the
name of Jesus Christ, according to the holy commandment, for the remission
of sins; |
repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, according
to the holy commandment, for the remission of sins; |
repent & be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ according
to the holy commandment for the remission of sins; |
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| Get Holy Ghost |
14 |
and whoso
doeth this shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, by the laying on
of the hands of the elders of this church. |
[15] And whoso doeth this
shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, by the laying on of the hands
of the elders of this church. |
and whoso doeth this shall receive the gift
of the Holy Ghost, by the laying on of the hands of the elders of this the church. |
and whoso doeth this shall receive the gift
of the Holy-ghost by the laying on of [the] hands of the Elders of this Church. |
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| Marriage ordained of God |
15 |
¶ And again:
I say unto you, that whoso forbiddeth to marry is not ordained of God,
for marriage is ordained of God unto man: |
[16] And again, I
say unto you, that whoso forbiddeth to marry, is not ordained of God, for
marriage is ordained of God unto man: |
[3] And again, verily I
say unto you, that whoso forbiddeth to marry is not ordained of God, for
marriage is ordained of God unto man: |
And again I say unto
you, that whoso forbiddeth to marry is not ordained of God; for marriage
is ordained of God unto man; |
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| One wife, for creation |
16 |
wherefore it is lawful that
he should have one wife, and they twain shall be one flesh, and all this
that the earth might answer the end of its creation; |
[17] Wherefore it is lawful that he
should have one wife, and they twain shall be one flesh, and all this that
the earth might answer the end of its creation; |
wherefore it is lawful that he should have one wife, and
they twain shall be one flesh, and all this that the earth might answer
the end of its creation; |
therefore it is lawful that
man should have one Wife, and they twain [10]
shall be one flesh; and all this, that the Earth might answer the end of
its Creation, |
|
"A bishop then must be blameless,
the husband of one wife, …" 1 Tim. 3:2
"Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, …" 1 Tim. 3:12
"If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children
…" Titus 1:6
"Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave
unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh." Gen. 2:24 // Matt. 19: 5–6;
Mk. 10:8; Eph. 5:31; Moses 3:24 |
| Purpose of creation |
17 |
and that it might be filled with the measure of man, according
to his creation before the world was made. |
and that it might be filled with the measure of man, according
to his creation before the world was made. |
and that it might be filled with the measure of man, according
to his creation before the world was made. |
and that it might be filled with the increase of man, according
to his creation before the world was made. |
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| Don't forbid meat |
18 |
And whoso forbiddeth to abstain
from meats, that man should not eat, is not ordained of God; |
[18] And whoso forbiddeth to abstain
from meats, that man should not eat the same, is
not ordained of God; |
And whoso forbiddeth to abstain
from meats, that man should not eat [the same], is not ordained of God; |
¶ And whoso forbideth to abstain
from meats, that man should not eat, the same is
not ordained of God— |
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| All made for man |
19 |
for behold the
beasts of the field, and the fowls of the air, and that which cometh of
the earth, is ordained for the use of man, for food and for raiment, and
that he might have in abundance, |
[19] For behold the beasts of the
field, and the fowls of the air, and that which cometh of the earth, is
ordained for the use of man, for food and for raiment, and that he might
have in abundance, |
for behold the beasts of the field, and the fowls of the
air, and that which cometh of the earth, is ordained for the use of man,
for food, and for raiment, and that he might have in abundance, |
for behold the Beasts of the field, & the fowls of the
air, and that which cometh of the earth, is ordained for the use of man
for food and for raiment; and that he might have in abundance; |
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| All meant to be equal |
20 |
but it is not given that one man should possess
that which is above another: |
but it is not given that one man should possess that which
is above another: |
but it is not given that one man should possess that which
is above another: |
but it is not given that one man should possess that which
is above another.— |
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wherefore the world lieth in sin; |
[20] Wherefore the world lieth in
sin; |
wherefore the world lieth in sin; |
Wherefore the world lieth in sin, |
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| Don't kill for sport |
21 |
and wo be unto man that sheddeth blood, or that wasteth flesh
and hath no need. |
and wo be unto man that sheddeth blood or that wasteth
flesh and hath no need. |
and wo be unto man that sheddeth blood or that wasteth
flesh and hath no need. |
and wo be unto man that sheddeth blood, or that wasteth
flesh and hath no need.— |
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| Second coming not as a woman |
22 |
And again: verily I say unto
you, that the son of Man cometh not in the form of a woman, neither of
a man travelling on the earth: |
[21] And again, verily I say unto
you, that the Son of man cometh not in the form of a woman, neither of
a man travelling on the earth: |
[4] And again, verily I say unto
you, that the Son of man cometh not in the form of a woman, neither of
a man travelling on the earth: |
And again, verily I say unto
you, that the Son of Man cometh not in the form of a woman,
neither of a man, travelling on the earth. |
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| Look for cataclysms, angel's trump |
23 |
wherefore be not deceived but
continue in steadfastness, looking forth for the heavens to be shaken |
[22] Wherefore be not deceived but
continue in steadfastness, looking forth for the heavens to be shaken; |
wherefore be not deceived but continue in steadfastness,
looking forth for the heavens to be shaken; |
Wherefore, be not deceived, but continue in steadfastness,
looking forth for the [11] Heavens to be shaken, |
|
Second Coming |
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and the earth to tremble, and to reel to and fro as a drunken
man; and for the valleys to be exalted; and for the mountains to be made
low, and for the rough places to become smooth; |
[23] And the earth to tremble, and
to reel to and fro as a drunken man; and for the valleys to be exalted;
and for the mountains to be made low, and for the rough places to become
smooth; |
and the earth to tremble, and to reel to and fro as a drunken
man; and for the valleys to be exalted; and for the mountains to be made
low, and for the rough places to become smooth; |
and the earth to tremble, and [to] reel to & fro like a
drunken man; and for the vallies to rise & be
exalted; & for the Mountains to be made low, & for the rough places to
be made smooth; |
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and all this when the angel shall
sound his trumpet, |
[24] And all this when the angel
shall sound his trumpet, |
and all this when the angel shall sound his trumpet, |
and all this when the angel shall sound his trumpet. |
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| First, Jacob and Lamanites flourish |
24 |
but before the
great day of the Lord shall come, Jacob shall flourish in the wilderness;
and the Lamanites shall blossom as the rose; |
[25] But before the great day of
the Lord shall come, Jacob shall flourish in the wilderness; and the Lamanites
shall blossom as the rose: |
[5] But before the great day of the
Lord shall come, Jacob shall flourish in the wilderness; and the Lamanites
shall blossom as the rose: |
¶ But before this great
day of the Lord shall come, Jacob shall flourish in the wilderness and
the Lemanites shall blossom as the rose.— |
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| Zion on the hills,
gathered |
25 |
Zion
shall flourish upon the hills, and rejoice upon the mountains, and shall
be assembled together unto the place which I have appointed. |
[26] Zion shall flourish
upon the hills, and rejoice upon the mountains, and shall be assembled
together unto the place which I have appointed. |
Zion shall flourish upon the hills, and rejoice
upon the mountains, and shall be assembled together unto the place which
I have appointed. |
Zion shall flourish upon the hills, and rejoice
upon the mountains; and shall be assembled together unto the place which
I have appointed.— |
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| Repent, ask, knock |
26 |
Behold I say unto you, go forth
as I have commanded you; |
[27] Behold I say unto you, go forth
as I have commanded you; |
Behold I say unto you, go forth as I have commanded you; |
Behold I say unto you, go forth as I have commanded you.— |
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repent of all your sins; ask and ye shall receive; knock and it shall
be opened unto you: |
[28] Repent of all your sins; ask and ye shall
receive; knock and it shall be opened unto you: |
repent of all your sins; ask and ye shall receive; knock and it shall
be opened unto you: |
¶ Repent of all your sins,— ask and
you shall receive— knock & it shall
be opened unto you.— |
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| I will be with you |
27 |
Behold I will go before you, and
be your rearward; and I will be in your midst, and you shall not be confounded: |
[29] Behold I will go before you, and be your rearward;
and I will be in your midst, and you shall not be confounded: |
behold I will go before you, and be your rearward; and I will be in your
midst, and you shall not be confounded: |
Behold I will go before you, and be your reward— I
will be in your midst, and you shall not be confounded. |
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| I am Jesus Christ |
28 |
Behold I am Jesus
Christ, and I come quickly; even so: Amen. |
[30] Behold I am Jesus Christ, and
I come quickly; even so: Amen. |
behold I am Jesus Christ, and I come quickly; even so. Amen. |
Behold I am Jesus Christ, and I come quickly, even so Amen. |
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Trinitarian formulation: up
to this point, God the Father (the Lord God) is the speaker
(vss. 4, 7). |
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May 7th 1831. |
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D&C 50
D&C 48
Ohio Revelations
Doctrine and Covenants
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