Summary Information
Date allocated to Revelation
June 1829
First Date Revelation Recorded
1833, Book of Commandments
First Date Revelation Published
1833, Book of Commandments
First Date Revelation Canonized
Period Between Revelation and First Record
Previous Versions
- Revelation Book 1 – The pages upon which this revelation was recorded have been excised from Revelation Book 1. The hand written index to the revelations lists it as “First Commandment to John” and being on page 20.
- Book of Commandments (Mid 1833) – as Section 13
- Doctrine and Covenants 1835 – as Section 40
Commentary
The original handwritten version has been removed from Revelation Book 1, but it is clear from the index of that book that this was the Revelation on page 20.
There is minimal redaction between the 1833 version and the modern version.
Bold Text indicates material excised in next edition
Italicised Text indicates material added in this edition
BoC (1833) | D&C (1835) | D&C (2013) | |
A Revelation given to John [Whitmer], in Fayette, New-York, June, 1829. | Revelation given to John Whitmer, jr. June, 1829. | Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to John Whitmer, at Fayette, New York, June 1829 (see the heading to section 14). The message is intimately and impressively personal in that the Lord tells of what was known only to John Whitmer and Himself. John Whitmer later became one of the Eight Witnesses to the Book of Mormon. | |
1 | HEARKEN my servant John, and listen to the words of Jesus Christ, your Lord and your Redeemer, | Hearken my servant John, and listen to the words of Jesus Christ, your Lord and your Redeemer, | Hearken, my servant John, and listen to the words of Jesus Christ, your Lord and your Redeemer. |
2 | for behold I speak unto you with sharpness and with power, for mine arm is over all the earth, | for behold I speak unto you with sharpness and with power, for mine arm is over all the earth, | For behold, I speak unto you with sharpness and with power, for mine arm is over all the earth. |
3 | and I will tell you that which no man knoweth save me and thee alone: | and I will tell you that which no man knoweth save me and thee alone: | And I will tell you that which no man knoweth save me and thee alone- |
4 | for many times you have desired of me to know that which would be of the most worth unto you. | for many times you have desired of me to know that which would be of the most worth unto you. | For many times you have desired of me to know that which would be of the most worth unto you. |
5 | Behold, blessed are you for this thing, and for speaking my words which I have given you, according to my commandments: | Behold, blessed are you for this thing, and for speaking my words which I have given you, according to my commandments: | Behold, blessed are you for this thing, and for speaking my words which I have given you according to my commandments. |
6 | And now behold I say unto you, that the thing which will be of the most worth unto you, will be to declare repentance unto this people, that you may bring souls unto me, that you may rest with them in the kingdom of my Father. Amen. | And now behold I say unto you, that the thing which will be of the most worth unto you, will be to declare repentance unto this people, that you may bring souls unto me, that you may rest with them in the kingdom of my Father. Amen. | And now, behold, I say unto you, that the thing which will be of the most worth unto you will be to declare repentance unto this people, that you may bring souls unto me, that you may rest with them in the kingdom of my Father. Amen. |