THE DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS
SECTION 6
Revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet and Oliver Cowdery, at Harmony, Pennsylvania, April 1829. HC 1: 32—35. Oliver Cowdery began his labors as scribe in the translation of the Book of Mormon, April 7, 1829. He had already received a divine manifestation of the truth of the Prophet’s testimony respecting the plates on which was engraved the Book of Mormon record. The Prophet inquired of the Lord through the Urim and Thummim and received this response.
1—6, Laborers in the Lord’s field gain salvation; 7—13, There is no gift greater than the gift of salvation; 14—27, Witness of truth comes by the power of the Spirit; 28—37, Look unto Christ, and do good continually.
1 A GREAT and marvelous work is about to come forth [ Specifically in this case the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. The restoration of the gospel, and the covenants and ordinances that follow. 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) ] unto the children of men.
2 Behold, I am God; give heed unto my word, which is quick and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword, to the dividing asunder of both joints and marrow; [ Interesting here that with the coming forth of this great and marvelous work that it is like a sword that divides. We find some like kind symbolism if 1 Ne 14: 7 where there he suggests that this great and marvelous work will either convince those that there is a God, that he does live, that he is the source of peace and eternal life; or will cause them to harden their hearts and turn further from God as they choose to not follow him and therefore in the end turn against him. ] therefore give heed unto my words.
3 Behold, the field is white already to harvest; therefore, whoso desireth to reap, let him thrust in his sickle with his might, and reap while the day lasts, [ Or you can only work during your mortal day - they did not have lights on tractors during those times and you would not think of bringing a lantern or anything with fire to light the field at night. ] that he may treasure up for his soul [ 3 Ne. 13:21 because we know that where your treasure is your heart will be. ] everlasting salvation in the kingdom of God.
5 Therefore, if you will ask of me you shall receive; if you will knock it shall be opened unto you.
6 Now, as you have asked, behold, I say unto you, keep my commandments, and seek to bring forth and establish the cause of Zion;
7 Seek not for riches [ Oliver had interest in material wealth and power; So the council from the Lord here provides details for Oliver to watch himself so that he can understand the reason why the Lord is giving these gifts to him. ] but for wisdom, and behold, the mysteries of God [ The mysteries of God are the things that God knows and not everyone else does. ] shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich. Behold, he that hath eternal life is rich.
8 Verily, verily, I say unto you, even as you desire of me so it shall be unto you; and if you desire, you shall be the means of doing much good in this generation.
9 Say nothing but repentance unto this generation; keep my commandments, and assist to bring forth my work, according to my commandments, and you shall be blessed.
10 Behold thou hast a gift, [ Oliver has been given a gift to be able to perceive the great and marvelous mysteries of God thru revelation so that be can bring others to the truth Compare D&C 8:1-5. ] and blessed art thou because of thy gift. Remember it is sacred and cometh from above—
11 And if thou wilt inquire, [ Ask - what Oliver is required to do. The Lord has to be careful as to not interfear with our agency as well. So we must seek him to unlock the blessings. Just as our patriarchal blessings are gifts that we can obtain but we must do our part and ask and work as well. ] thou shalt know mysteries which are great and marvelous; therefore thou shalt exercise thy gift, that thou mayest find out mysteries, that thou mayest bring many to the knowledge of the truth, yea, convince them of the error of their ways. [ The Lord provides Oliver with the purpose for this specific gift he is given. To bring this knowledge to others and convince them of the error of their ways. ]
12 Make not thy gift known unto any save it be those who are of thy faith. Trifle not with sacred things. [ The Lord will reveal more to those who can keep things quite; those who receive revelation are not to go around saying I spoke to the Lord last night ; or I received this revelation or that. They need to receive the revelation and act upon the revelation - but not brag about it to lift themselves up. When one receives revelation one is charged with known how to use that inspiration in prudence. ]
13 If thou wilt do good, yea, and hold out faithful to the end, thou shalt be saved in the kingdom of God, which is the greatest of all the gifts of God; for there is no gift greater than the gift of salvation.
14 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, blessed art thou for what thou hast done; for thou hast inquired of me, and behold, as often as thou hast inquired thou hast received instruction of my Spirit. If it had not been so, thou wouldst not have come to the place where thou art at this time. [ At the point of this revelation Jospeh Smith does not know the whole story of exactly why Oliver came to Harmony. So this acted as a way fro Oliver to verify that Jospeh was a prophet because Joseph was not privy to the prayers that Oliver has asked in secret, where he was show a vision of the plates and what Joseph was assigned to do. ]
15 Behold, thou knowest that thou hast inquired of me and I did enlighten thy mind; [ Joseph is the mouthpiece for the Lord here; he tells Oliver that when you were praying you received revelation; I am confirming that you did indeed receive revelation. Here we have the 3 witness rule in play again God knew that Oliver had prayed; He told Jospeh in this revelation; and lastly Oliver knew when and where the Lord was speaking about. ] and now I tell thee these things that thou mayest know that thou hast been enlightened by the Spirit of truth;
16 Yea, I tell thee, that thou mayest know that there is none else save God that knowest thy thoughts and the intents of thy heart. [ This should be another witness to Oliver that Joseph Smith is indeed a bonafide prophet. - because only God can know the thought's of a man, only God knew when Oliver prayed to him and what inspiration was given Oluver at that time. ]
17 I tell thee these things as a witness unto thee—that the words or the work which thou hast been writing are true.
18 Therefore be diligent; stand by my servant Joseph, faithfully, in whatsoever difficult circumstances he may be for the word’s sake.
19 Admonish him in his faults, [ The Lord instructs Oliver to help Joseph Smith with his faults - this is not a one way street - both have to work together to help each other grow. Good example for a councilor. ] and also receive admonition of him. Be patient; be sober; [ Websters 1828 dictionary:"Regular; calm; not under the influence of passion; as sober judgment; a man in his sober senses." ] be temperate; have patience, faith, hope and charity. [ 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. ]
20 Behold, thou art Oliver, and I have spoken unto thee because of thy desires; therefore treasure up these words in thy heart. Be faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments of God, and I will encircle thee in the arms of my love. [ Eternal salvation - see vs 13; and 2 Ne. 1:16 This is the temple endowment: having been cast out, to search diligently according to the revealed path, and at last to be clasped in the arms of Jesus. ]
21 Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the son of God. I am the same that came unto mine own, and mine own received me not. I am the light which shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not.
22 Verily, verily, I say unto you, if you desire a further witness, cast your mind upon the night that you cried unto me in your heart, that you might know concerning the truth of these things. [ The Lord speaks here directly to a specific night; while we do not know much about this night we can assume that Oliver is very aware of the specific night in which this even happened. ]
23 Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? [ Oliver had not told Joseph or anyone else of why he had had come to Harmony. "One spring day, as rain was falling hard against the Smiths’ roof, Oliver told the family he wanted to go to Harmony to help Joseph when the school term was over. Lucy and Joseph Sr. urged him to ask the Lord if his desires were right.
Retiring to his bed, Oliver prayed privately to know if what he had heard about the gold plates was true. The Lord showed him a vision of the gold plates and Joseph’s efforts to translate them. A peaceful feeling rested over him, and he knew then that he should volunteer to be Joseph’s scribe.
Oliver told no one about his prayer. But as soon as the school term ended, he and Joseph’s brother Samuel set out on foot for Harmony, more than a hundred miles away. The road was cold and muddy from spring rain, and Oliver had a frostbitten toe by the time he and Samuel arrived at Joseph and Emma’s door. Yet he was eager to meet the couple and see for himself how the Lord worked through the young prophet.
Once Oliver arrived in Harmony, it was as if he had always been there. Joseph talked with him late into the night, listened to his story, and answered his questions. It was obvious Oliver had a good education, and Joseph readily accepted his offer to act as scribe.
The Lord also urged Oliver to remember the witness he had received before coming to Harmony, which Oliver had kept to himself. “Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God?” the Lord asked. “If I have told you things which no man knoweth have you not received a witness?”
Oliver was astonished. He immediately told Joseph about his secret prayer and the divine witness he had received. No one could have known about it except God, he said, and he now knew the work was true." from Saints pg 60
As if to say remember how you felt after you got done praying; do you remember the spirit that you were blessed with; did you not know of my love for you, was your testimony not strengthened? ] What greater witness can you have than from God? [ The fact that the Lord needs to remind Oliver of this event shows that we can let all of the activities that are going on in our life distract us from those spiritual experiences, no matter how meaningful they might have been at the time. Our memories fade, our mind are clouded with other things.so it is important for us to remember, may not be a bad idea o write them down as well. Otherwise they will soon be forgotten then non-existent.Here the Lord calls attention to them again - So that Oliver does not forget. ]
24 And now, behold, you have received a witness; for if I have told you things which no man knoweth have you not received a witness?
25 And, behold, I grant unto you a gift, if you desire of me, to translate, [ See D&C 8 & 9. ] even as my servant Joseph.
26 Verily, verily, I say unto you, that there are records which contain much of my gospel, which have been kept back because of the wickedness of the people;
27 And now I command you, that if you have good desires—a desire to lay up treasures for yourself in heaven—then shall you assist in bringing to light, [ One more warning to Oliver - that he needs to stay focused on spiritual treasures and not worldly ones if he is going to continue to be part of the work. ] with your gift, [ The specific gift that Oliver was given was to receive revelation of the great and marvelous works of God; and then to be a witness and bring that truth to others and convince them of the error of their ways. See verse 10 & 11. ] those parts of my scriptures which have been hidden because of iniquity.
28 And now, behold, I give unto you, and also unto my servant Joseph, the keys [ Not a reference to any priesthood keys = but rather a reference as to the keys or ways to know how to do it. ] of this gift, [ The gift (from verse 27) here is the ability to understand the meaning of the scriptures - to receive revelation of the great and marvelous works of God. see Luke 11:52. ] which shall bring to light this ministry; and in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.
29 Verily, verily, I say unto you, if they reject my words, and this part of my gospel and ministry, blessed are ye, for they can do no more unto you than unto me. [ They put the Savior to death so that must have been really comforting. Notice here that the Savior does not say or imply that he will protect them from all of the evil plans of men. How often when we are about the Lords work do we feel that everything should go perfect since we are about his work. Here is says that everything did not even go perfect for him allt the time so why should we expect anything different. ]
30 And even if they do unto you even as they have done unto me, blessed are ye, for you shall dwell with me in glory.
31 But if they reject not my words, which shall be established by the testimony which shall be given, blessed are they, and then shall ye have joy in the fruit of your labors.
32 Verily, verily, I say unto you, as I said unto my disciples, where two or three are gathered together in my name, as touching one thing, [ Paraphrase from Matt 19:18-20; which means "concerning any matter"; since they are gathered under the direction of the priesthood they are gathered in his name. ] behold, there will I be in the midst of them—even so am I in the midst of you.
33 Fear not to do good, my sons, for whatsoever ye sow, that shall ye also reap; therefore, if ye sow good ye shall also reap good for your reward.
34 Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail.
35 Behold, I do not condemn you; go your ways and sin no more; perform with soberness the work which I have commanded you.
37 Behold the wounds which pierced my side, [ Referencing the atonement that he made ofr us. ] and also the prints of the nails in my hands and feet; be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven. [ It is because he atoned for our sin that put him in the position to offer us eternal life. ] Amen.