Section 23
Summary Information
Date allocated to Revelation
April 1830
First Date Revelation Recorded
1831, Revelation Book 1
First Date Revelation Published
1833, Book of Commandments
First Date Revelation Canonized
Period Between Revelation and First Record
Previous Versions
- Revelation Book 1 – Entered on page 29ff as “18th Commandment” through to “22nd Commandment”
- Book of Commandments (1833) – As Sections 17 through to 21
- Doctrine and Covenants 1835 – as Section 45
Commentary
As with other revelations from the same period, there seems to be some confusion as to whether the revelation was given in Manchester or Fayette. In this case, the confusion is of a more serious nature, as the Book of Commandments, the written draft for the first volume of History of the, Church and the History of Joseph Smith in Times and Seasons (1842) all place the revelations at Manchester (and in the case of the Book of Commandments, on the same day) as the founding of the church in Fayette., 30 miles away. Whilst such a journey is easily carried out today, in 1830 it would have been a different matter.
The obvious conclusion is that the titling in the Book of Commandments is incorrect and that other early citations of these revelations continue to refer to Manchester without realising the error.
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 Oliver given at Manchester Ontario Co State of New York Soon after his calling to the Minstery A Commandment to Hyram given at Manchester Ontario County State of New York A Revelation to Samuel given at Manchester Ontario Co N.Y A Commandment to given to Joseph at Manchester Ontario County State of New York A Commandment to Joseph Knight given at Manchester Ontario County State of New York | A Revelation to Oliver, given in Manchester, New-York, April 6, 1830. A Revelation to Hyrum, given in Manchester, New-York, April 6, 1830. A Revelation to Samuel, given in Manchester, New-York, April 6, 1830. A Revelation to Joseph, the father of Joseph, given in Manchester, New-York, April 6, 1830 A Revelation to Joseph (K.,) given in Manchester, New-York, April 6, 1830. | Revelation to Oliver Cowdery, Hyrum Smith, Samuel H. Smith, Joseph Smith Sen. and Joseph Knight, Sen. given April, 1830. | A series of five revelations given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Manchester, New York, April 1830, to Oliver Cowdery, Hyrum Smith, Samuel H. Smith, Joseph Smith Sr., and Joseph Knight Sr. As the result of earnest desire on the part of the five persons named to know of their respective duties, the Prophet inquired of the Lord and received a revelation for each person. | |
1 | Behold I say unto you Oliver a few words Behold thou art Blessed & art under no condemnation but beware of pride lest thou shouldest enter into temptation | BEHOLD I speak unto you, Oliver, a few words. Behold thou art blessed, and art under no condemnation. But beware of pride, lest thou shouldst enter into temptation. | Behold I speak unto you, Oliver, a few words. Behold thou art blessed, and art under no condemnation. But beware of pride, lest thou shouldst enter into temptation. | Behold, I speak unto you, Oliver, a few words. Behold, thou art blessed, and art under no condemnation. But beware of pride, lest thou shouldst enter into temptation. |
2 | make known thy Calling unto the Church & also before the World & thy heart shall be opened to Preach the truth from henceforth & for ever amen | Make known thy calling unto the church, and also before the world; and thy heart shall be opened to preach the truth from henceforth and forever. Amen. | Make known thy calling unto the church, and also before the world; and thy heart shall be opened to preach the truth from henceforth and forever. Amen. | Make known thy calling unto the church, and also before the world, and thy heart shall be opened to preach the truth from henceforth and forever. Amen. |
3 | Behold I speak unto you Hyram a few words for thou also art under no condemnation & thy heart is opened & thy tongue loosed & thy Calling is to exhortation & to strengthen the Church continually wherefore thy duty is unto the Church forever & this because of thy family | BEHOLD I speak unto you, Hyrum, a few words: For thou also art under no condemnation, and thy heart is opened, and thy tongue loosed; And thy calling is to exhortation, and to strengthen the church continually. Wherefore thy duty is unto the church forever; and this because of thy family. Amen. | Behold I speak unto you, Hyrum, a few words: for thou also art under no condemnation, and thy heart is opened, and thy tongue loosed; and thy calling is to exhortation, and to strengthen the church continally. Wherefore thy duty is unto the church forever; and this because of thy family. Amen. | Behold, I speak unto you, Hyrum, a few words; for thou also art under no condemnation, and thy heart is opened, and thy tongue loosed; and thy calling is to exhortation, and to strengthen the church continually. Wherefore thy duty is unto the church forever, and this because of thy family. Amen. |
4 | Behold I speak a few words unto you Samuel for thou also art under no condemnation & thy calling is to Exhortation to strengthen the Church & thou art not as yet called to preah before the world Amen | BEHOLD I speak a few words unto you, Samuel: For thou also art under no condemnation, and thy calling is to exhortation, and to strengthen the church. And thou art not as yet called to preach before the world. Amen. | Behold I speak a few words unto you, Samuel: for thou also art under no condemnation, and thy calling is to exhortation, and to strengthen the church. And thou art not as yet called to preach before the world. Amen. | Behold, I speak a few words unto you, Samuel; for thou also art under no condemnation, and thy calling is to exhortation, and to strengthen the church; and thou art not as yet called to preach before the world. Amen. |
5 | Behold I speak a few words unto you Joseph for thou art under no condemnation & thy calling also is to Exhortation & to strengthen the Church & this is thy duty from henceforth & forever amen | BEHOLD I speak a few words unto you, Joseph: For thou also art under no condemnation, and thy calling is to exhortation, and to strengthen the church. And this is thy duty from henceforth and forever. Amen. | Behold I speak a few words unto you, Joseph: for thou also art under no condemnation, and thy calling also is to exhortation, and to strengthen the church. And this is thy duty from henceforth and forever. Amen. | Behold, I speak a few words unto you, Joseph; for thou also art under no condemnation, and thy calling also is to exhortation, and to strengthen the church; and this is thy duty from henceforth and forever. Amen. |
6 | Behold I manifest unto you by these words that thou must take up thy Cross in the which thou must pray vocally before the World as well as in Seecret & in thy family & among thy friends & in all Places | BEHOLD I manifest unto you by these words, that you must take up your cross, in the which you must pray vocally before the world, as well as in secret, and in your family, and among your friends, and in all places. | Behold I manifest unto you, Joseph Knight, by these words, that you must take up your cross, in the which you must pray vocally before the world, as well as in secret, and in your family, and among your friends, and in all places.— | Behold, I manifest unto you, Joseph Knight, by these words, that you must take up your cross, in the which you must pray vocally before the world as well as in secret, and in your family, and among your friends, and in all places. |
7 | Behold it is thy duty to unite with the true Church & give thy Language to Exhortation continually that thou mayest Receive the reward of the Labourer amen | And behold it is your duty to unite with the true church, and give your language to exhortation continually, that you may receive the reward of the laborer. Amen. | And behold it is your duty to unite with the true church, and give your language to exhortation continually, that you may receive the reward of the laborer. Amen. | And, behold, it is your duty to unite with the true church, and give your language to exhortation continually, that you may receive the reward of the laborer. Amen. |