Summary Information

Date allocated to Revelation

June 1829

First Date Revelation Recorded

1832, Revelation Book 2

First Date Revelation Published

1835, Doctrine & Covenants

First Date Revelation Canonized
1835, Doctrine & Covenants
 
Period Between Revelation and First Record
A minimum of three years

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 “A Commandment to Oliver David & Martin” and being on page 21.
  • Revelation Book 2 (1832?) – Pages 19 and 20. There is no date of writing on the entry, but as it is early on in the book it can be presumed it dates to 1832.
  • Doctrine and Covenants 1835 – as Section 42

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 25.

The revelation was copied into Revelation Book 2, and given it’s early placement there we can assume a date of copying of 1832.

There is one redaction from Revelation Book 2 to the 1835 printed version in Doctrine and Covenants, the change from “them” to “the book” in verse 6.

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

Revelation Book 2 (1832?)

D&C (1835)

D&C (2013)

A Revelation to Oliver David and Martin given Fayett sineca co New York given previous to them having a view of the plates &c.

Revelation to Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and Martin Harris, June, 1829, given previous to their viewing the plates containing the book of Mormon:

Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris, at Fayette, New York, June 1829, prior to their viewing the engraved plates that contained the Book of Mormon record. Joseph and his scribe, Oliver Cowdery, had learned from the translation of the Book of Mormon plates that three special witnesses would be designated (see Ether 5:2–4; 2 Nephi 11:3; 27:12). Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris were moved upon by an inspired desire to be the three special witnesses. The Prophet inquired of the Lord, and this revelation was given in answer through the Urim and Thummim.

1

Behold I say unto you that you must rely upon my word which if you do with full purpose of heart you shall have a view of the plate and also the brestplate the sword ​of Laban the Urim and Thumim​ which was​ given to the brother of Jared upon the mount when he talked with the Lord face to face and the marveelus directors which was given to Lehi while in the wilderness on the borders of the red sea

Behold I say unto you, that you must rely upon my word, which if you do, with full purpose of heart, you shall have a view of the plates, and also the breastplate, the sword of Laban, the Urim and Thummim, which were given to the brother of Jared upon the mount, when he talked with the Lord face to face, and the miraculous directors which were given to Lehi while in the wilderness, on the borders of the red sea;

Behold, I say unto you, that you must rely upon my word, which if you do with full purpose of heart, you shall have a view of the plates, and also of the breastplate, the sword of Laban, the Urim and Thummim, which were given to the brother of Jared upon the mount, when he talked with the Lord face to face, and the miraculous directors which were given to Lehi while in the wilderness, on the borders of the Red Sea.

2

and it is by your faith that you shall obtain a view of them even by that faith which was had by the prophets of old

and it is by your faith that you shall obtain a view of them, even by that faith which was had by the prophets of old.

And it is by your faith that you shall obtain a view of them, even by that faith which was had by the prophets of old.

3

and after that you have obtained faith and have seen them with your eyes you shall testify of them by the power of God

And after that you have obtained faith, and have seen them with your eyes, you shall testify of them, by the power of God;

And after that you have obtained faith, and have seen them with your eyes, you shall testify of them, by the power of God;

4

and this you shall do that my servant Joseph Smith Jr may not be distroyed that I may bring about my rightous purposes unto the children of men in this work

and this you shall do that my servant Joseph Smith, jr. may not be destroyed, that I may bring about my righteous purposes unto the children of men, in this work.

And this you shall do that my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., may not be destroyed, that I may bring about my righteous purposes unto the children of men in this work.

5

and ye shall testify that ye have seen them even as my servant Joseph Smith jr has seen them for it is by my power that he has seen them and it is because he had faith

And ye shall testify that you have seen them, even as my servant Joseph Smith, jr. has seen them, for it is by my power that he has seen them, and it is because he had faith:

And ye shall testify that you have seen them, even as my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., has seen them; for it is by my power that he has seen them, and it is because he had faith.

6

and he has translated them even that part which I have commanded him and as your Lord and your God liveth it is true

and he has translated the book, even that part which I have commanded him, and as your Lord and your God liveth it is true.

And he has translated the book, even that part which I have commanded him, and as your Lord and your God liveth it is true.

7

wherefore you have received the same power and the same faith and the same gift like unto him

Wherefore you have received the same power, and the same faith, and the same gift like unto him;

Wherefore, you have received the same power, and the same faith, and the same gift like unto him;

8

and if ye do these last commandments of mine which I have given you the gates of hell shall not prevail against you for my grace is sufficient for you and ye shall be lifted up at the Last day

and if you do these last commandments of mine, which I have given you, the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; for my grace is sufficient for you: and you shall be lifted up at the last day.

And if you do these last commandments of mine, which I have given you, the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; for my grace is sufficient for you, and you shall be lifted up at the last day.

9

and I Jesus Christ your Lord and your God have spoken it unto you that I might bring about my righteous purposes unto the children of men Amen

— And I, Jesus Christ, your Lord and your God, have spoken it unto you, that I might bring about my righteous purposes unto the children of men. Amen.

And I, Jesus Christ, your Lord and your God, have spoken it unto you, that I might bring about my righteous purposes unto the children of men. Amen.