Section 27

Summary Information

Date allocated to Revelation

July 1830

First Date Revelation Recorded

1831, Revelation Book 1

First Date Revelation Published

1833, Book of Commandments

First Date Revelation Canonized
1835, Doctrine & Covenants
 
Period Between Revelation and First Record
One to two years

Previous Versions

Commentary

Possibly one of the most blatant examples of the 1835 priesthood redactions. There is significant material inserted from verse 5 onwards. A common explanation of this is that found in (for example) Harper’s contention that “Joseph received the first four and a half verses and parts of verses 14 and 18. Both Joseph and Newel Knight said the rest of verses 5–18 were revealed a few weeks later.”

This explanation is untenable for the following reasons. First, the extra material surrounds two separate (flowing together) portions of the end of the original revelation, dividing them by a number of verses. That is not evidence of an addition of extra supplementary material but a rewrite of the revelation. Second, if the extra material was revealed as claimed “a few weeks later”, why does it not appear for another four and a half years? It is not found anywhere else in Revelation Book 1 or 2 (which were both compiled after it was alleged to have been revealed), in Edward Partridge’s copy (1830) of the revelation, in the version published in the Painsville Telegraph (in August 1830, which itself casts doubt on the September date given on this revelation by the 2013 D&C), or in the March 1833 edition of Evening and Morning Star?

The logical conclusion is that the majority of this revelation was inserted as part of the priesthood power struggle in late 1834 / early 1835.

Bold Text indicates material excised in next edition
Italicised Text indicates material added in this edition

Revelation Book 1 (1831)

BoC (1833)

D&C (1835)

D&C (2013)

A Revelation to the Church given at Harmony susquehannh County State of Pennsylvania given to Joseph the Seer at a time that he went to purchase wine it for Sacrament & he was stoped by an Angel & he he spok to him as follows Sayin

A Commandment to the church of Christ, given in Harmony, Pennsylvania, September 4, 1830.

Revelation given September, 1830.

Revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Harmony, Pennsylvania, August 1830. In preparation for a religious service at which the sacrament of bread and wine was to be administered, Joseph set out to procure wine. He was met by a heavenly messenger and received this revelation, a portion of which was written at the time and the remainder in the September following. Water is now used instead of wine in the sacramental services of the Church.

1

Listen to the voice of Jesus Christ your Lord your God & your Redeemer whose word is quick & powerful

LISTEN to the voice of Jesus Christ, your Lord, your God and your Redeemer, whose word is quick and powerful.

Listen to the voice of Jesus Christ, your Lord, your God and your Redeemer, whose word is quick and powerful.

Listen to the voice of Jesus Christ, your Lord, your God, and your Redeemer, whose word is quick and powerful.

2

for Behold I say unto you it mattereth not what ye ​shall​ eat or what ye shall drink when ye partake of the sacrament if it so be that ye do it with an eye single to my glory Remembering unto the father my Body which laid down for you & my blood which was shed for you the Remission of your sins

For behold I say unto you, that it mattereth not what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, when ye partake of the sacrament, if it so be that ye do it with an eye single to my glory;

Remembering unto the Father my body which was laid down for you, and my blood which was shed for the remission of your sins:

For behold I say unto you, that it mattereth not what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, when ye partake of the sacrament, if it so be that ye do it with an eye single to my glory; remembering unto the Father my body which was laid down for you, and my blood which was shed for the remission of your sins:

For, behold, I say unto you, that it mattereth not what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink when ye partake of the sacrament, if it so be that ye do it with an eye single to my glory—remembering unto the Father my body which was laid down for you, and my blood which was shed for the remission of your sins.

3

Wherefore a commandment I give unto you that ye shall not Purchase Wine neither strong drink of your enemies

Wherefore a commandment I give unto you, that you shall not purchase wine, neither strong drink of your enemies:

wherefore a commandment I give unto you, that you shall not purchase wine, neither strong drink of your enemies:

Wherefore, a commandment I give unto you, that you shall not purchase wine neither strong drink of your enemies;

4

Wherefore ye shall partake none except it is made new among you yea in this my Fathers Kingdom which shall be built up on the earth

Wherefore you shall partake of none, except it is made new among you, yea, in this my Father’s kingdom which shall be built up on the earth.

wherefore you shall partake of none, except it is made new among you, yea, in this my Father’s kingdom which shall be built up on the earth.

Wherefore, you shall partake of none except it is made new among you; yea, in this my Father’s kingdom which shall be built up on the earth.

5

Behold this is wisdom in me Wherefore marvel not for the hour cometh that I will drink of the fruit of the Vine with you on the Earth

Behold this is wisdom in me, wherefore marvel not, for the hour cometh that I will drink of the fruit of the vine with you, on the earth,

Behold this is wisdom in me: wherefore marvel not for the hour cometh that I will drink of the fruit of the vine with you on the earth, and with Moroni, whom I have sent unto you to reveal the book of Mormon, containing the fulness of my everlasting gospel; to whom I have committed the keys of the record of the stick of Ephraim;

Behold, this is wisdom in me; wherefore, marvel not, for the hour cometh that I will drink of the fruit of the vine with you on the earth, and with Moroni, whom I have sent unto you to reveal the Book of Mormon, containing the fulness of my everlasting gospel, to whom I have committed the keys of the record of the stick of Ephraim;

6


and also with Elias, to whom I have committed the keys of bringing to pass the restoration of all things, or the restorer of all things spoken by the mouth of all the holy prophets since the world began, concerning the last days:

And also with Elias, to whom I have committed the keys of bringing to pass the restoration of all things spoken by the mouth of all the holy prophets since the world began, concerning the last days;

7

and also John the son of Zacharias, which Zacharias he (Elias) visited and gave promise that he should have a son, and his name should be John, and he should be filled with the spirit of Elias;

And also John the son of Zacharias, which Zacharias he (Elias) visited and gave promise that he should have a son, and his name should be John, and he should be filled with the spirit of Elias;

8

which John I have sent unto you, my servants, Joseph Smith, jr. and Oliver Cowdery, to ordain you unto this first priesthood which you have received, that you might be called and ordained even as Aaron:

Which John I have sent unto you, my servants, Joseph Smith, Jun., and Oliver Cowdery, to ordain you unto the first priesthood which you have received, that you might be called and ordained even as Aaron;

9

and also Elijah, unto whom I have committed the keys of the power of turning the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to the fathers, that the whole earth may not be smitten with a curse:

And also Elijah, unto whom I have committed the keys of the power of turning the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to the fathers, that the whole earth may not be smitten with a curse;

10

and also, with Joseph, and Jacob, and Isaac, and Abraham your fathers; by whom the promises remain;

And also with Joseph and Jacob, and Isaac, and Abraham, your fathers, by whom the promises remain;

11

and also with Michael, or Adam, the father of all, the prince of all, the ancient of days:

And also with Michael, or Adam, the father of all, the prince of all, the ancient of days;

12

And also with Peter, and James, and John, whom I have sent unto you, by whom I have ordained you and confirmed you to be apostles and especial witnesses of my name, and bear the keys of your ministry: and of the same things which I revealed unto them:

And also with Peter, and James, and John, whom I have sent unto you, by whom I have ordained you and confirmed you to be apostles, and especial witnesses of my name, and bear the keys of your ministry and of the same things which I revealed unto them;

13

unto whom I have committed the keys of my kingdom, and a dispensation of the gospel for the last times; and for the fulness of times, in the which I will gather together in one all things both which are in heaven and which are on earth:

Unto whom I have committed the keys of my kingdom, and a dispensation of the gospel for the last times; and for the fulness of times, in the which I will gather together in one all things, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth;

14

& with you all those whom my father hath given me out of the world

and with all those whom my Father hath given me out of the world:

and also with all those whom my Father hath given me out of the world:

And also with all those whom my Father hath given me out of the world.

15

Wherefore lift up your hearts & rejoice & Gird up your loins

Wherefore lift up your hearts and rejoice, and gird up your loins

wherefore lift up your hearts and rejoice, and gird up your loins, and take upon you my whole armor, that ye may be able to withstand the evil day, having done all ye may be able to stand.

Wherefore, lift up your hearts and rejoice, and gird up your loins, and take upon you my whole armor, that ye may be able to withstand the evil day, having done all, that ye may be able to stand.

16

Stand, therefore, having your loins girt about with truth; having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace which I have sent mine angels to commit unto you,

Stand, therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, having on the breastplate of righteousness, and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, which I have sent mine angels to commit unto you;

17

taking the shield of faith wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked;

Taking the shield of faith wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked;

18

& be faithful untill I come even so amen

and be faithful until I come:— even so. Amen.

and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of my Spirit, which I will pour out upon you, and my word which I reveal unto you, and be agreed as touching all things whatsoever ye ask of me, and be faithful until I come, and ye shall be caught up that where I am ye shall be also. Amen.

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of my Spirit, which I will pour out upon you, and my word which I reveal unto you, and be agreed as touching all things whatsoever ye ask of me, and be faithful until I come, and ye shall be caught up, that where I am ye shall be also. Amen.