| April [7–30], 1829, Harmony,
Pennsylvania |
| Because Oliver Cowdery interrupted
his own translation to write for Joseph, he should continue in that capacity
until it is finished. He may help translate other records, but now he doesn't
need to translate. Oliver thought all he had to do was ask, and the Lord
would give him the translation. He should have tried to figure it out himself,
then ask if he got it right. If the translation was correct, the Lord would
cause him to feel that it was right. If it was wrong, a stupor of thought
would make him forget it. That way, he could only write what was from the
Lord. If he had known that, he could have translated, but it is not necessary
now—Joseph
can do it. |
| Book of Commandments 8 heading: A Revelation given to
Oliver, in Harmony, Pennsylvania, April, 1829. |
| 1835 Doctrine and Covenants 34 heading: Revelation given
to Oliver Cowdery April, 1829. |
| |
|
Book of Commandments 8 |
|
|
You didn't translate
Went back to writing for Joseph, so continue that |
1 |
[1] Behold
I say unto you, my son, that, because you did not translate according to
that which you desired of me, and did commence again to write for my servant
Joseph Smith,
jr., even so
I would that you ye should
continue until you have finished this record, which I have intrusted unto you him: |
|
BC verse numbers
are in brackets.
Blue: dropped in 1835
Red: added in 1835 |
| You can translate
other records |
2 |
and then behold, other records have I, that
I will give unto you power that you may assist to translate. |
|
|
| Not
now, be patient |
3 |
[2] Be patient my
son, for it is wisdom in me, and it is not expedient that you should translate
at this present time. |
|
|
| Now
write for Joseph |
4 |
Behold, the work which you are called to do, is to write
for my servant Joseph; |
|
|
| Missed
opportunity |
5 |
and behold it is because that you did not continue
as you commenced, when you begun began to
translate, that I have taken away this privilege from you. |
|
|
| Don't
complain |
6 |
Do not murmur my son, for it is wisdom in me that I have
dealt with you after this manner. |
|
|
| You
thought you only had to ask |
7 |
[3] Behold
you have not understood, you have supposed that I would give it unto you,
when you took no thought, save it was to ask me; |
|
Key to translation |
You
must study it, then ask
Feel if it is right
|
8 |
but behold I say unto you, that you must study
it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is
right, I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you: therefore, you
shall feel that it is right; |
|
|
Stupor
of thought if not right
Cannot write mistakes
|
9 |
but if it be not right, you shall have no such
feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought, that shall cause you
to forget the thing which is wrong: therefore, you cannot write that which
is sacred, save it be given you from me. |
|
|
| You didn't know
this |
10 |
[4] Now if you had known
this, you could have translated: nevertheless, it is not expedient that
you should translate now. |
|
|
| No longer expedient
for you to translate |
11 |
Behold it was expedient when you commenced,
but you feared and the time is past, that and it
is not expedient now: |
|
|
Joseph can handle
it
Don't blame you
|
12 |
for, do you not behold that I have given unto my servant
Joseph sufficient strength, whereby it is made up? and neither of you have
I condemned. |
|
|
| Obey, prosper |
13 |
[5] Do this thing which
I have commanded you, and you shall prosper. Be faithful, and yield to
no temptation. |
|
|
| Stand fast in your
job |
14 |
Stand fast in the work wherewith I have called you, and
a hair of your head shall not be lost, and you shall be lifted up at the
last day: Amen. |
|
|
| |
|
D&C 10
D&C 8
New York–Pennsylvania Revelations
Doctrine and Covenants
|