Summary Information
Date allocated to Revelation
April 1829
First Date Revelation Recorded
c. March 1831, Revelation Book 1
First Date Revelation Published
Mid 1833, Book of Commandments (as Section 34)
First Date Revelation Canonized
Period Between Revelation and First Record
Previous Versions
- Revelation Book 1 (c. March 1831) – Page 13
- Book of Commandments (Mid 1833) – as Section 7
- Doctrine and Covenants 1835 – as Section 34
Commentary
Another revelation that sees heavy redaction in 1835 (connected to new theology re priesthood).
Oliver Cowdery’s gift is altered from a “sprout” to a “rod” between 1831 and 1833 (both references to a dowsing rod that Oliver Cowdery used as part of his folk magic – see historical intro in Joseph Smith papers) and then to the “gift of Aaron” in 1835 (which is linked to the introduction of the two levels of priesthood in that year).
It is clear that the insertion of verse 8, particularly “you shall hold it in your hands” is a reference to this diving rod, even if the 1835 version redacts to link it to the priesthood. It is unclear however whether Cowdery ever used his diving rod from 1830 onwards.
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) | |
6th. Commandment AD 1829 A Revelation to Oliver [Cowdery] he being desirous to know whether the Lord would grant him the gift of Revelation & Translation given in Harmony Susquehannah Pennsylvania | A Revelation given to Oliver [Cowdery], in Harmony, Pennsylvania, April, 1829. | Revelation given April, 1829. | Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to Oliver Cowdery, at Harmony, Pennsylvania, April 1829. In the course of the translation of the Book of Mormon, Oliver, who continued to serve as scribe, writing at the Prophet’s dictation, desired to be endowed with the gift of translation. The Lord responded to his supplication by granting this revelation. | |
1 | Oliver Verily Verily I say unto you that as Shuredly as the Lord liveth which is your God & your Redeemer even so shure shall ye receive a knowledge of whatsoever things ye shall ask with an honest heart believeing that ye Shall receive, a knowledge concerning the engraveings of old Records which are ancient which contain those parts of my Scriptures of which hath been spoken by the manifestation of my Spirit | OLIVER, verily, verily I say unto you, that assuredly as the Lord liveth, which is your God and your Redeemer, even so sure shall you receive a knowledge of whatsoever things you shall ask in faith, with an honest heart, believing that you shall receive a knowledge concerning the engravings of old records, which are ancient, which contain those parts of my scripture of which have been spoken, by the manifestation of my Spirit; | Oliver Cowdery, verily, verily I say unto you, that assuredly as the Lord liveth, who is your God and your Redeemer, even so sure shall you receive a knowledge of whatsoever things you shall ask in faith, with an honest heart, believing that you shall receive a knowledge concerning the engravings of old records, which are ancient, which contain those parts of my scripture of which have been spoken, by the manifestation of my Spirit; | Oliver Cowdery, verily, verily, I say unto you, that assuredly as the Lord liveth, who is your God and your Redeemer, even so surely shall you receive a knowledge of whatsoever things you shall ask in faith, with an honest heart, believing that you shall receive a knowledge concerning the engravings of old records, which are ancient, which contain those parts of my scripture of which has been spoken by the manifestation of my Spirit. |
2 | yea Behold I will tell you in your mind & in your heart by the Holy Ghost which Shall come upon you & which shall dwell in your heart | yea, behold I will tell you in your mind and in your heart by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart. | yea, behold I will tell you in your mind and in your heart by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart | Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart. |
3 | now Behold this is the spirit of Revelation Behold this is the spirit by which Moses brought the children of Israel through the red Sea on dry ground | Now, behold this is the Spirit of revelation:— behold this is the Spirit by which Moses brought the children of Israel through the Red sea on dry ground: | Now, behold this is the Spirit of Revelation: behold this is the Spirit by which Moses brought the children of Israel though the Red sea on dry ground: | Now, behold, this is the spirit of revelation; behold, this is the spirit by which Moses brought the children of Israel through the Red Sea on dry ground. |
4 | therefore this is thy gift apply unto it & blessed art thou for [it] shall deliver you out of the hands of your enemies when if it were not so they would sley thee & bring thy soul to distruction | therefore, this is thy gift; apply unto it and blessed art thou, for it shall deliver you out of the hands of your enemies, when, if it were not so, they would slay you and bring your soul to destruction. | therefore this is thy gift; apply unto it and blessed art thou, for it shall deliver you out of the hands of your enemies, when, if it were not so, they would slay you and bring your soul to destruction. | Therefore this is thy gift; apply unto it, and blessed art thou, for it shall deliver you out of the hands of your enemies, when, if it were not so, they would slay you and bring your soul to destruction. |
5 | O remember these words & keep my commandments remember this is thy gift | O remember, these words and keep my commandments. Remember this is your gift.. | O remember these words, and keep my commandments.— Remember this is your gift. | Oh, remember these words, and keep my commandments. Remember, this is your gift. |
6 | now this is not all for thou hast another gift which is the gift of working with the sprout Behold it hath told you things | Now this is not all, for you have another gift, which is the gift of working with the rod: behold it has told you things: | Now this is not all thy gift; for you have another gift, which is the gift of Aaron: behold it has told you many things: | Now this is not all thy gift; for you have another gift, which is the gift of Aaron; behold, it has told you many things; |
7 | Behold there is no other power save God that can cause this thing of Nature to work in your hands for it is the work of God | behold there is no other power save God, that can cause this rod of nature, to work in your hands, for it is the work of God; | behold there is no other power save the power of God that can cause this gift of Aaron to be with you; | Behold, there is no other power, save the power of God, that can cause this gift of Aaron to be with you. |
8 | therefore, doubt not, for it is the gift of God, and you shall hold it in your hands, and do marvelous works; and no power shall be able to take it away out of your hands; for it is the work of God. | Therefore, doubt not, for it is the gift of God; and you shall hold it in your hands, and do marvelous works; and no power shall be able to take it away out of your hands, for it is the work of God. | ||
9 | & therefore whatsoever ye shall ask to tell you by that means that will he grant unto you that ye shall know | and therefore whatsoever you shall ask me to tell you by that means, that will I grant unto you, that you shall know | And therefore, whatsoever you shall ask me to tell you by that means, that will I grant unto you and you shall have knowledge concerning it: | And, therefore, whatsoever you shall ask me to tell you by that means, that will I grant unto you, and you shall have knowledge concerning it. |
10 | remember that without faith ye can do nothing trifle not with these things do not ask for that which ye had not ought | Remember that without faith you can do nothing. Trifle not with these things. Do not ask for that which you ought not. | remember, that without faith you can do nothing. Therefore, ask in faith. Trifle not with these things: do not ask for that which you ought not: | Remember that without faith you can do nothing; therefore ask in faith. Trifle not with these things; do not ask for that which you ought not. |
11 | ask that ye may know the mysteries of God & that ye may Translate all those ancient Records which have been hid up which are Sacred & according to your faith shall it be done unto you | Ask that you may know the mysteries of God, and that you may translate all those ancient records, which have been hid up, which are sacred, and according to your faith shall it be done unto you. | ask that you may know the mysteries of God, and that you may translate and receive knowledge from all those ancient records which have been hid up, that are sacred, and according to your faith shall it be done unto you. | Ask that you may know the mysteries of God, and that you may translate and receive knowledge from all those ancient records which have been hid up, that are sacred; and according to your faith shall it be done unto you. |
12 | Behold it is I that have spoken it & I am the same which spake unto you from the begining amen | Behold it is I that have spoken it, and I am the same which spake unto you from the beginning:— Amen. | Behold, it is I that have spoken it: and I am the same who spake unto you from the beginning. Amen. | Behold, it is I that have spoken it; and I am the same that spake unto you from the beginning. Amen. |