| April [7–30], 1829, Harmony, Pennsylvania. |
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| For Joseph Smith and Oliver
Cowdery. Great and
marvelous work to be performed. All willing are called of God §.
Ask, knock, receive. Seek wisdom, not riches. Declare only repentance.
Oliver to use his gift to learn the mysteries. The Lord reassured Oliver
on the night that he prayed for it. Like Joseph, he can translate ancient
records, including those that have not yet been revealed. |
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| Oliver and Samuel
H. Smith arrived in Harmony
on April 5 (¶ Oliver's History of
the Church), and Oliver began writing for Joseph on the 7th. Verse 17
suggests Oliver had already begun writing at the time of this revelation. |
| This revelation is one of those on missing pages in
BCR
Book of Commandments and Revelations, titled "Revelation Book 1" in Manuscript Revelation Books, edited by Robin Scott Jensen, Robert J. Woodford, and Steven C. Harper, (Salt Lake City: The Church Historian's Press, 2009). This is the first volume in the Revelations and Translations series of The Joseph Smith Papers.
. The index indicates only that it was received in April 1829. |
| Aside from the introductory sentences, the text of the Book of Commandments and Doctrine and Covenents is virtually identical, including punctuation and capitalization. |
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Book of Commandments
(
BC
A Book of Commandments, for the Government of the Church of Christ, Organized according to the Law, on the 6th of April, 1830 (Zion [Far West, MO]: W. W. Phelps & Co., 1833). Publication interrupted by a mob which destroyed the press in July 1833. Surviving pages are incomplete.
5)
June 1833 |
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Doctrine & Covenants
( 8)
August 1835 |
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A Revelation
to Oliver, given in Harmony, Pennsylvania, April, 1829, when employed [as]
a scribe fo[r] Joseph, while translating the book of Mormon. |
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Revelation
given April, 1829, to Oliver Cowdery, and Joseph
Smith jr. |
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| Great
and marvelous |
1 |
[1] A great and marvelous
work is about to come forth unto the children of men: |
1 |
A great and marvelous
work is about to come forth unto the children of men: |
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| Listen
up |
2 |
behold I am God, and give
heed unto my word, which is quick and powerful, sharper than a two-edged
sword, to the dividing asunder of both joints and marrow:— therefore
give heed unto my words. |
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behold I am God, and give heed unto my word, which is quick and powerful, sharper than a two edged
sword, to the dividing asunder of both joints and marrow: Therefore
give heed unto my words. |
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Verse 2 is
repeated in D&C 11, 12,
and 14. |
| Field
is white |
3 |
[2] Behold, the field is white already
to harvest, therefore whoso desireth to reap, let him thrust in his sickle
with his might and reap while the day lasts, that he may treasure up for
his soul everlasting salvation in the kingdom of God: |
2 |
Behold the field is white already
to harvest, therefore whoso desireth to reap, let him thrust in his sickle
with his might and reap while the day lasts, that he may treasure up for
his soul everlasting salvation in the kingdom of God: |
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Behold … marrow: repeated in D&C
33. |
| Whoever
wants to work is called |
4 |
Yea, whosoever will thrust in his sickle
and reap, the same is called of God; |
3 |
Yea, whosoever will thrust in his sickle
and reap, the same is called of God; |
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| Ask,
knock |
5 |
therefore, if you will ask of me you shall receive;
if you will knock it shall be opened unto you. |
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therefore, if you will ask of me you shall receive;
if you will knock it shall be opened unto you. |
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| Obey, establish Zion |
6 |
[3] Now as you have asked, behold
I say unto you, keep my commandments, and seek to bring forth and establish
the cause of Zion: |
4 |
Now as you have asked, behold
I say unto you, keep my commandments, and seek to bring forth and establish
the cause of Zion: |
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| Seek
wisdom, eternal life, not riches |
7 |
seek not for riches but for wisdom, and behold the mysteries
of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich. Behold
he that hath eternal life is rich. |
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seek not for riches but for wisdom, and behold the mysteries
of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich. Behold
he that hath eternal life is rich. |
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| If
you want, you can do much good |
8 |
[4] Verily, verily I say unto you,
even as you desire of me so it shall be unto you; and, if you desire,
you shall be the means of doing much good in this generation. |
5 |
Verily, verily I say unto you,
even as you desire of me so it shall be unto you; and if you desire,
you shall be the means of doing much good in this generation. |
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| Say
nothing but repentance |
9 |
Say nothing but repentance unto this generation; keep my
commandments and assist to bring forth my work according to my commandments,
and you shall be blessed. |
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Say nothing but repentance unto this generation: keep my
commandments and assist to bring forth my work according to my commandments,
and you shall be blessed. |
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| Oliver's
sacred gift |
10 |
[5] Behold
thou hast a gift, and blessed art thou because of thy gift. Remember it
is sacred and cometh from above; |
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Behold thou hast a gift, and blessed art thou because of thy gift. Remember it
is sacred and cometh from above: |
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Gifts
of the spirit D&C 46:8–29. |
Ask
to know mysteries, use gift
Convince others of their errors |
11 |
and if thou wilt inquire, thou shalt know mysteries which
are great and marvelous: therefore thou shalt exercise thy gift, that
thou mayest find out mysteries, that thou mayest bring many to the knowledge
of the truth; yea, convince them of the error of their ways. |
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and if thou wilt inquire, thou shalt know mysteries which
are great and marvelous: therefore thou shalt exercise thy gift, that
thou mayest find out mysteries, that thou mayest bring many to the knowledge
of the truth; yea, convince them of the error of their ways. |
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| Don't
tell others about gift |
12 |
Make not thy gift known unto any, save it be
those who are of thy faith.—Trifle not with sacred things. |
6 |
Make not thy gift known unto any, save it be
those who are of thy faith. Trifle not with sacred things. |
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| Endure
to end to be saved |
13 |
If thou wilt do good, yea and hold out faithful to the end,
thou shalt be saved in the kingdom of God, which is the greatest of all
the gifts of God; for there is no gift greater than the gift of salvation. |
7 |
If thou wilt do good, yea and hold out faithful to the end,
thou shalt be saved in the kingdom of God, which is the greatest of all
the gifts of God; for there is no gift greater than the gift of salvation. |
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When
you asked, my spirit answered
That's why you're here |
14 |
[6] Verily,
verily I say unto thee, blessed art thou for what thou hast done, for
thou hast inquired of me, and behold as often as thou hast inquired, thou
hast received instruction of my Spirit. If it had not been so, thou wouldst
not have come to the place where thou art at this time. |
6 |
Verily,
verily I say unto thee, blessed art thou for what thou hast done, for
thou hast inquired of me, and behold as often as thou hast inquired, thou
hast received instruction of my Spirit. If it had not been so, thou wouldst
not have come to the place where thou art at this time. |
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| You
asked me and I enlightened you |
15 |
[7] Behold thou knowest that thou hast
inquired of me, and I did enlighten thy mind; and now I tell thee these
things, that thou mayest know that thou hast been enlightened by the Spirit
of truth; |
7 |
Behold thou knowest that thou hast
inquired of me, and I did enlighten thy mind; and now I tell thee these
things, that thou mayest know that thou hast been enlightened by the Spirit
of truth; |
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Spirit
of Truth |
| Only
God knows thoughts and intents |
16 |
yea, I tell thee, that thou mayest know that there is none
else save God, that knowest thy thoughts and the intents of thy heart: |
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yea, I tell thee, that thou mayest know that there is none
else save God, that knowest thy thoughts and the intents of thy heart: |
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| Words
you have been writing are true |
17 |
I tell thee these things as a witness unto thee, that
the words or the work which thou hast been writing is true: |
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I tell thee these things as a witness unto thee, that
the words or the work which thou hast been writing is true: |
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| Support
Joseph |
18 |
[8] Therefore be diligent, stand by
my servant Joseph faithfully in whatsoever difficult circumstances he may
be, for the word's sake. |
8 |
Therefore be diligent, stand by
my servant Joseph faithfully in whatsoever difficult circumstances he may
be, for the word's sake. |
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| Admonish
him, be admonished by him |
19 |
Admonish him in his faults and also receive
admonition of him. Be patient; be sober; be temperate; have patience,
faith, hope and charity. |
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Admonish him in his faults and also receive
admonition of him. Be patient; be sober; be temperate; have patience,
faith, hope and charity. |
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| Blessed |
20 |
[9] Behold thou art Oliver,
and I have spoken unto thee because of thy desires, therefore, treasure
up these words in thy heart. Be faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments
of God, and I will incircle thee in the arms of my love. |
9 |
Behold thou art Oliver,
and I have spoken unto thee because of thy desires: therefore, treasure
up these words in thy heart. Be faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments
of God, and I will incircle thee in the arms of my love. |
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| Jesus
Christ |
21 |
[10] Behold I am Jesus Christ, the
Son of God. I am the same that came unto my own, and my own received
me not. I am the light which shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth
it not. |
10 |
Behold I am Jesus Christ, the
Son of God. I am the same that came unto my own, and my own received
me not.— I am the light which shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth
it not. |
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| Remember
the night when you cried to me |
22 |
[11] Verily, verily
I say unto you, if you desire a further witness, cast your mind upon the
night that you cried unto me in your heart, that you might know concerning
the truth of these things; |
11 |
Verily, verily
I say unto you, if you desire a further witness, cast your mind upon the
night that you cried unto me in your heart, that you might know concerning
the truth of these things; |
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¶
1832 History |
| I
spoke peace to your mind |
23 |
did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter?—What
greater witness can you have than from God? |
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did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What
greater witness can you have than from God? |
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| I
have told you things no one else knows |
24 |
And now behold, you have received a witness, for if I have
told you things which no man knoweth, have you not received a witness? |
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And now behold, you have received a witness, for if I have
told you things which no man knoweth, have you not received a witness? |
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| May translate like
Joseph |
25 |
And, behold I grant unto you a gift
if you desire of me, to translate even as my servant Joseph. |
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And, behold I grant unto you a gift
if you desire of me, to translate even as my servant Joseph. |
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| Other
records kept back |
26 |
[12] Verily, verily I say unto you,
that there are records which contain much of my gospel, which have been
kept back because of the wickedness of the people; |
12 |
Verily, verily I say unto you,
that there are records which contain much of my gospel, which have been
kept back because of the wickedness of the people; |
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| You
can help with your gift |
27 |
and now I command you, that if you have good
desires, a
desire to lay up treasures for yourself in heaven, then shall you
assist in bringing to light, with your gift, those parts of my scriptures
which have been hidden because of iniquity. |
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and now I command you, that if you have good
desires, a
desire to lay up treasures for yourself in heaven, then shall you
assist in bringing to light, with your gift, those parts of my scriptures
which have been hidden because of iniquity. |
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| You
and Joseph shall bring them out |
28 |
[13] And now behold I give unto you,
and also unto my servant Joseph, the keys of this gift, which shall bring
to light this ministry; and in the mouth of two or three witnesses, shall
every word be established. |
13 |
And now, behold I give unto you,
and also unto my servant Joseph, the keys of this gift, which shall bring
to light this ministry; and in the mouth of two or three witnesses, shall
every word be established. |
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| Blessed |
29 |
[14] Verily, verily I say unto you,
if they reject my words, and this part of my gospel and ministry, blessed
are ye, for they can do no more unto you than unto me; |
14 |
Verily, verily I say unto you,
if they reject my words, and this part of my gospel and ministry, blessed
are ye, for they can do no more unto you than unto me; |
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30 |
and if they do unto you, even as they have done unto me, blessed are ye, for you shall
dwell with me in glory: |
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and if they do unto you, even as they have done unto me, blessed are ye, for you shall
dwell with me in glory: |
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| Joy
in fruit of your labors |
31 |
but if they reject not my words, which shall be established
by the testimony which shall be given, blessed are they; and then shall
ye have joy in the fruit of your labors. |
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but if they reject not my words, which shall be established
by the testimony which shall be given, blessed are they; and then shall
ye have joy in the fruit of your labors. |
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| Where
two or three are gathered |
32 |
[15] Verily, verily I say unto you, as I said unto my disciples,
where two or three are gathered together in my name, as touching one thing,
behold there will I be in the midst of them: even so am I in the
midst of you. |
15 |
Verily, verily I say unto you, as I said unto my disciples,
where two or three are gathered together in my name, as touching one thing,
behold there will I be in the midst of them: even so am I in the
midst of you. |
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"For
where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst
of them." Matthew 18:20 |
| Sow
good, reap good |
33 |
Fear not to do good my sons, for whatsoever ye sow, that
shall ye also reap; therefore, if ye sow good, ye shall also reap good
for your reward: |
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Fear not to do good my sons, for whatsoever ye sow, that
shall ye also reap; therefore, if ye sow good, ye shall also reap good
for your reward: |
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| On
my rock they cannot prevail |
34 |
[16] Therefore fear not,
little flock, do good, let earth and hell combine against you, for if
ye are built upon my Rock, they cannot prevail. |
16 |
Therefore fear not,
little flock, do good, let earth and hell combine against you, for if
ye are built upon my Rock, they cannot prevail. |
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"Fear
not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the
kingdom." Luke 12:32
"That thou art
Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell
shall not prevail against it." Matthew 16:16–18 |
| Sin
no more |
35 |
Behold I do not condemn you, go your ways and
sin no more: perform with soberness the work which I have commanded you: |
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Behold I do not condemn you, go your ways and
sin no more: perform with soberness the work which I have commanded you: |
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| Don't
be afraid |
36 |
look unto me in every thought, doubt not, fear
not: |
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look unto me in every thought, doubt not, fear
not: |
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My wounds
Inherit kingdom of heaven |
37 |
behold the wounds which pierced my side, and
also the prints of the nails in my hands and feet: be faithful; keep
my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven: Amen. |
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behold the wounds which pierced my side, and
also the prints of the nails in my hands and feet: be faithful; keep
my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven: Amen. |
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"Arise and come forth
unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into my side, and also that ye
may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may
know that I am the God of Israel, and the God of the whole earth, and
have been slain for the sins of the world" 3 Nephi 11:14. |
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