THE DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS
SECTION 30
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to David Whitmer, Peter Whitmer, Jun., and John Whitmer, at Fayette, New York, September 1830, following the three-day conference at Fayette, but before the elders of the Church had separated. HC 1: 115—116. Originally this material was published as three revelations; it was combined into one section by the Prophet for the 1835 edition of the Doctrine and Covenants.
[ Originally published as 3 seperate sections ot texts because of the nature. Each section is directed at one of the 3 Whitmer brothers - who were the sons of Peter Whitmer, Sr. ]
1 BEHOLD, I say unto you, David, that you have feared man and have not relied on me for strength as you ought.
2 But your mind has been on the things of the earth [ Well that is most likely true. Who is a farmer that does not consider the cares associated with harvesting at harvest time. David is a farmer, so sure he is interested in his crops. This is not a command that he is doing something of a worldly nature as he does not say that his heart is set more on the things of the world, but earth (the soil, and the crop yield that comes from the earth). David is looking down rather than up. His earthly cares have led him to neglect his commission to harvest souls (D&C 14; 17; 18). ] more than on the things of me, your Maker, and the ministry whereunto you have been called; and you have not given heed unto my Spirit, and to those who were set over you, but have been persuaded by those whom I have not commanded. [ Very likely referring to the subject of D&C 28, the matter of Hyrum Page’s stone, which was dealt with earlier that same month of September. Cowdery and members of the Whitmer family believed these false revelations were genuine. This is the first revelation to David since that incident. Oliver was reprimanded and told to resolve the problem in D&C 28. A testiment that we must always keep our guard up as both Oliver and David we duped into believing in the false revelations. David who was baptosed in June 1829 was one of the first members and was one of the 3 wirnesses along with Oliver. David was probably also involved in the controversy occurring in the preceding July regarding Smith’s editing of D&C 20. We are informed in HofC 1:104-105 that members of the Whitmer family were supportive of Cowdery in his contention. It was Christian Whitmer, not David, who sided with Smith and persuaded the others of the Whitmer family that Cowdery was in error. ]
3 Wherefore, you are left to inquire for yourself at my hand, and ponder upon the things which you have received.
4 And your home shall be at your father’s house, until I give unto you further commandments. And you shall attend to the ministry in the church, and before the world, and in the regions round about. Amen.
5 Behold, I say unto you, Peter, that you shall take your journey with your brother Oliver; [ Peter Whitmer is called as the "Junior Companion" to Oliver to preach to the Lamanites. ] for the time has come that it is expedient in me that you shall open your mouth to declare my gospel; therefore, fear not, but give heed unto the words and advice of your brother, which he shall give you.
6 And be you afflicted in all his afflictions, ever lifting up your heart unto me in prayer and faith, for his and your deliverance; for I have given unto him power to build up my church among the Lamanites;
7 And none have I appointed to be his counselor over him in the church, concerning church matters, except it is his brother, Joseph Smith, Jun.
8 Wherefore, give heed unto these things and be diligent in keeping my commandments, and you shall be blessed unto eternal life. Amen.
9 Behold, I say unto you, my servant John, that thou shalt commence from this time forth to proclaim my gospel, as with the voice of a trump.
10 And your labor shall be at your brother Philip Burroughs’, [ This is the only mention of Philip in the D&C. However we find the following from the autobiography of Parley P. Pratt. Parley preached at a church meeting held at Burroughs’ home in Seneca, NY in Sept., 1830. Samuel H. Smith and Orson Hyde visited the Burroughs home in 1832 and both comment on this event. Samuel in his journal wrote of him "He was glad to see us & Sister Buroughs was strong in the faith held a meeting in the school house a considerable number of people came to hear & paid good attention." Orson in his journal wrote of him "Brother B. [was] rather low, but left him about persuaded to go to Zion." According to the New York Federal census of 1860 he was still living in Seneca, NY with his wife and 5 family members. Clearly, they never gathered with the Saints in Kirtland or elsewhere. Their level of their commitment beyond this is unknown.] and in that region round about, [ Called to preach in the region of western NY. ] yea, wherever you can be heard, until I command you to go from hence.