THE DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS
SECTION 18
Revelation to Joseph Smith the Prophet, Oliver Cowdery, and David Whitmer, given at Fayette, New York, June 1829. HC 1: 60—64. When the Aaronic Priesthood was conferred, the bestowal of the Melchizedek Priesthood was promised. See heading to
Section 13. In response to supplication for knowledge on the matter, the Lord gave this revelation.
1 N
OW, behold, because of the thing which you, my servant Oliver Cowdery, have desired to know of me, I give unto you these words:
2 Behold,
I have manifested unto you, by my Spirit in many instances,
[ Or you have gone beyond faith - you have come to a knowledge Alma 32:34. ] that the things which you have written are true; wherefore you know that they are true.
3 And if you know that they are true, behold,
I give unto you a commandment, that you rely upon the things which are written;
[ The Lord has instructed Oliver in this case that he knows that that the things that he has written are true, as a result he needs to act accordingly. Same would hold true for us. ]
4 For in them are all things written concerning the foundation of my church, my gospel, and my rock.
5 Wherefore,
if you shall build up my church, upon the foundation of my gospel and my rock, the gates of hell shall not prevail against you.
[ Since this section is about those who are being called as the Twelve apostles it would only make sense that the message is pretty close to the same (paraphrased) one that was given to Simon Peter in Matt 7:24-27. ]
6 Behold, the world is ripening in iniquity; and
it must needs be that the children of men are stirred up unto repentance,
[ And how is this done? By doing missionary work. This we will see is the reason why the Lord is looking to call 12 apostles. (see verse 44) ] both the Gentiles and also the house of Israel.
7 Wherefore, as
thou [ Oliver Cowdery. ] hast been baptized by the hands of my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., according to that which I have commanded him, he hath fulfilled the thing which I commanded him.
8 And now,
marvel not that I have called him unto mine own purpose,
[ Oliver was definately more educated than Joseph Smith, Oliver knew it as well. Maybe Oliver had thoughts that he should be in the position that Joseph Smith was in - the tables reversed. But the Lord corrects that thinking. ] which purpose is known in me; wherefore, if he shall be diligent in keeping my commandments he shall be blessed unto eternal life; and his name is
Joseph.
[ Joseph Smith; the significance of this is explained further in 2 Ne. 3:14-15. ]
9 And now, Oliver Cowdery, I speak unto you, and also unto David Whitmer, by the way of commandment; for, behold, I command all men everywhere to repent, and I speak unto you, even as unto Paul mine apostle, for you are called even with that same calling with which he was called.
10 Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God;
11 For, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him.
12 And he hath risen again from the dead, that he might bring all men unto him, on conditions of repentance.
13 And how great is his joy in the soul that repenteth!
14 Wherefore,
you are called to cry repentance unto this people. [ Because it is through repentance that you take upon yourself the name of Christ(verses 23-24) and you change as you understand the gospel (see vers 44). ]
15 And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me,
how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!
[What is the worth of but one soul? How great will be your joy with them - and theirs to you. ]
16 And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!
17 Behold, you have my gospel before you,
and my rock,
[ Through revelation they have come to understand - to know (see vs 2) the truth of the gospel. ] and my salvation.
18
Ask the Father in my name,
[ Is it good enough to just go through life simply trying to just do what is right? Or do we need to ask specifically what God would have us do? Why? Consult the Lord for your assignment - If you do not ask he may not direct in order to protect your agency ; D&C 46:28-30. ] in faith believing that you shall receive, and you shall have the Holy Ghost, which manifesteth all things
which are expedient [ We often tend to skip this part - we want to know all things, but we will only be given what is important for us at that time. ] unto the children of men.
19 And
if you have not faith,
[ Why is faith important? If we do not have faith in the power of God then we put limits on what he can or cannot do in our behalf. ] hope,
[] and charity,
[What role does charity play in the process? Do you think the Lord is going to do something for you that you can do for yourself? Is he going to help someone out that you can help? So how does charity play out in the Lord's work. We have to work as if it all depends on us - right! It is through the combination of effort that the real miracles happen.Compare with D&C 4:5. True power from God is safeguarded by one attribute alone and that is charity. This is one of the foremost attribues of Heavenly Father and His son Jesus Christ. So when we talk about charity what God is saying is in order to wield my power I need to know that you have an eye single to the glory of God - the immortality and eternal life of man. ] you can do nothing.
20
Contend against no church,
[ The command is to not attack any specific church; but to attack un-righteous principles and if those un-righteous principles, traditions or teachings are found in the church so be it - There is some good in most churches - people are trying to become deciples of Christ there in and no one wins but Satan when they are beaten down. Help others improve there walk and all will be blessed... See also John 13:35; 15;8; Acts 11:26 - disciples are not defined by their doctrine; but their ultimate salvation may be - So they can try to be disciples without correct doctrine; but without the ordinances provided by the correct doctrine they cannot be saved. ] save it be the church of the devil.
21
Take upon you the name of Christ,
[ As apostles they are special witnesses of Jesus Christ - they are his special witnesses. ] and speak the truth in soberness.
22 And as many as repent and are baptized in my name, which is Jesus Christ, and endure to the end, the same shall be saved.
23 Behold,
Jesus Christ is the name which is given of the Father, and there is none other name given whereby man can be saved;
[ Answer to why we must take upon us the name of Christ. ]
24 Wherefore, all men must take upon them
the name [ And that name is Jesus Christ as we are taught in verse 23. ] which is given of the Father, for in that name shall they be called at the last day;
25 Wherefore, if they know not the name by which they are called, they cannot have place in the kingdom of my Father.
[ Commissioning of the Twelve Apostles which is similar to New Testament accounts; vs 26-36. ]
26 And now, behold, there are others who are called to declare my gospel, both unto Gentile and unto Jew;
27 Yea, even twelve; and the Twelve shall be my disciples, and they shall take upon them my name; and the Twelve are they who shall desire to take upon them my name with full purpose of heart.
28 And if they desire to take upon them my name with full purpose of heart, they are called to go into all the world to preach my gospel unto every creature.
29 And they are they who are ordained of me to baptize in my name, according to that which is written;
30 And you have that which is written before you; wherefore, you must perform it according to the words which are written.
31 And now I speak unto you, the Twelve—Behold,
my grace is sufficient for you;
[ This phrase is almost always used along with a statement dealing with the personal weaknesses of an individual. Either weaknesses that they have come to realize or ones that the Lord has chastened then on. See 2 Cor. 12:9, Ether 12:26-27, Moroni 10:32, D&C 18:31. The general idea is that Lord is indicating that a person's weaknesses are not such that their salvation is jeopardized by them at present. However, note after this statement is made, the Lord indicates that despite their weaknesses they are to maintain godly walks and to not deliberately sin. ] you must [ A requirement - an effort is required. ] walk uprightly before me [ What is God really saying here? Or you must try to change your ways to be like my ways in order for my grace to be applied. You cannot just say I sinned, please forgive me and not make any effort to change. ] and sin not.
32 And, behold, you are they who are ordained of me to ordain priests and teachers; to declare my gospel, according to the power of the Holy Ghost which is in you, and according to the callings and gifts of God unto men;
33 And I, Jesus Christ, your Lord and your God, have spoken it.
34
These words are not of men nor of man, but of me;
[ Or let me make one thing perfectly clear; so that no one can say anything else. These are the words from God; they are spoken first person - they are my (Gods) words just so we are clear here. ] wherefore, you shall testify they are of me and not of man;
35 For it is my voice which speaketh them unto you; for they are given by my Spirit unto you, and by my power you can read them one to another; and save it were by my power you could not have them;
36 Wherefore, you can testify that you have heard my voice, and know my words.
37 And now, behold, I give unto you, Oliver Cowdery, and also unto David Whitmer,
that you shall search out the Twelve,
[ Oliver and David are commissioned to find and assemble the Twelve apostles. ] who shall have the desires of which I have spoken;
38
And by their desires and their works you shall know them.
[ The same formula that has been applied since ancient times see Matt 7:16-20. ]
39 And when you have found them you shall show these things unto them.
40 And you shall fall down and worship the Father in my name.
41 And you must preach unto the world, saying: You must repent and be baptized, in the name of Jesus Christ;
42 For all men must repent and be baptized, and not only men, but women,
and children who have arrived at the years of accountability. [ Which is age 8. (D&C 68:25,27; JST Gen. 17:11) ]
43 And now, after that you have received this, you must keep my commandments in all things;
44 And by your hands I will work a
marvelous work [ This phrase "marvelous work" included the following definitions of what it means: 1) Events that God will use to sift the world( 1 Ne. 14:7); 2) Bare forth the arm of the Lord (1 Ne.22:8); 3)Two latter day Messiahs - One real and one fake( 2 Ne. 25:17-18); 4)The marvelous work will cause the wisdom of the world to perish (2 Ne. 27:26); 5)All of the records of Israel will testify of these things (2 Ne. 29:1,3,7,13,14); 6) Will bear record that Gos is the same yesterday, today, and forever(3 Ne.21:9); 7)The three Nephites and John The Beloved have a role to play in the marvelous work of the last days (3 Ne. 28:31,29,33) ] among the children of men,
unto the convincing of many of their sins, [ Through the ministry of the twelve people will come to understand the doctrine of the gospel. From that they will see their own sin. ] that they may come unto repentance, [ As they are taught and understand their own sins they will seek to change, to become more like Christ through repentance. ] and that they may come unto the kingdom of my Father. [ And it is through repentance and change of character that they will find that their new character is inline with the character that is required to live with God. As no unclean thing can dwell in his presence. (1 Ne 15:34) ]
45 Wherefore, the blessings which I give unto you are above all things.
46 And after that you have received this, if you keep not my commandments you cannot be saved in the kingdom of my Father.
47 Behold, I, Jesus Christ, your Lord and your God, and your Redeemer, by the power of my Spirit have spoken it. Amen.
[ Historical Material Pertaining to Doctrine & Covenants 18 This revelation preceded the actual formation of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles by almost six years, and the formation of the Church by some nine months. It is clear from the beginning the Lord had every intention of reconstituting the original ancient Church, and it was only a matter of mankind having to fulfil his intentions. After this revelation about nine months pass before the next documented revelation is given, cf. D&C 19. During these nine months, between June 1829 and March 1830, printing of the Book of Mormon is undertaken and completed. While Smith comments very little on the events of these nine months in his History, his mother comments on some of the more noteworthy events in chapters 31-32 of History of Joseph Smith by His Mother. Excerpt from History of the Church We now became anxious to have that promise realized to us, which the angel that conferred upon us the Aaronic Priesthood had given us, viz., that provided we continued faithful, we should also have the Melchizedek Priesthood, which holds the authority of the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. We had for some time made this matter a subject of humble prayer, and at length we got together in the chamber of Mr. Whitmer's house, in order more particularly to seek of the Lord what we now so earnestly desired; and here, to our unspeakable satisfaction, did we realize the truth of the Savior's promise—"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you"—for we had not long been engaged in solemn and fervent prayer, when the word of the Lord came unto us in the chamber, commanding us that I should ordain Oliver Cowdery to be an Elder in the Church of Jesus Christ; and that he also should ordain me to the same office; and then to ordain others, as it should be made known unto us from time to time. We were, however, commanded to defer this our ordination until such times as it should be practicable to have our brethren, who had been and who should be baptized, assembled together, when we must have their sanction to our thus proceeding to ordain each other, and have them decide by vote whether they were willing to accept us as spiritual teachers or not; when also we were commanded to bless bread and break it with them, and to take wine, bless it, and drink it with them; afterward proceed to ordain each other according to commandment; then call out such men as the Spirit should dictate, and ordain them; and then attend to the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, upon all those whom we had previously baptized, doing all things in the name of the 18.6 Lord. The following commandment will further illustrate the nature of our calling to this Priesthood, as well as that of others who were yet to be sought after: [text of D&C 18 follows] (Joseph Smith, History of the Church, Vol. 1, pages 60-62) ]