Church History
Joseph Smith’s Revelations, Doctrine and Covenants 16

“Doctrine and Covenants 16,” Joseph Smith’s Revelations: A Doctrine and Covenants Study Companion from the Joseph Smith Papers (2020)

“Doctrine and Covenants 16,” Joseph Smith’s Revelations: A Doctrine and Covenants Study Companion from the Joseph Smith Papers

Doctrine and Covenants 16

Revelation, June 1829–D

Source Note

Revelation, Fayette Township, Seneca Co., NY, to Peter Whitmer Jr., June 1829. Featured version, titled “Chapter XIV,” typeset [ca. early 1833] for Book of Commandments, 34. John Whitmer copied this revelation [ca. Mar. 1831] into Revelation Book 1, but the page on which it was copied was removed at some point from that volume and is no longer extant.1 The version found in the Book of Commandments and featured below is the earliest extant version. For more information, see the source note for the Book of Commandments on the Joseph Smith Papers website.

Historical Introduction

This revelation for Peter Whitmer Jr., dictated in early June 1829, is identical to the revelation for John Whitmer, which apparently preceded it.2

CHAPTER XIV.

1 A Revelation given to Peter [Whitmer Jr.], in Fayette, New-York, June, 1829.3

[1]HEARKEN my servant Peter, and listen to the words of Jesus Christ, your Lord and your Redeemer, [2]for behold I speak unto you with sharpness and with power, for mine arm is over all the earth, [3]and I will tell you that which no man knoweth save me and thee alone:4 [4]for many times you have desired5 of me to know that which would be of the most worth unto you.

[5]2 Behold, blessed are you for this thing, and for speaking my words which I have given you, according to my commandments:6

[6]3 And now behold I say unto you, that the thing which will be of the most worth unto you, will be to declare repentance unto this people, that you may bring souls unto me,7 that you may rest with them in the kingdom of my Father.8 Amen [p. 34]

Notes

  1. See Revelation Book 1, p. [207], in JSP, MRB:385.

  2. See Historical Introduction to Revelation, June 1829–C [D&C 15], herein.

  3. The editors of the Book of Commandments composed revelation headings loosely based on John Whitmer’s headings found in Revelation Book 1. Because the page or pages in Revelation Book 1 that apparently contained this revelation are missing, it is unknown whose work is reflected in this heading. Regardless, it was most likely not part of the original revelation text.

  4. Compare Revelation, Apr. 1829–A [D&C 6:24], herein.

  5. A June 1829 revelation instructed Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer that the twelve were to be identified by “their desires and their works.” (Revelation, June 1829–B [D&C 18:38], herein.)

  6. See Revelation, June 1829–B [D&C 18:34–35], herein.

  7. A prior revelation had addressed the worth of souls in describing the duties given to Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer. (Revelation, June 1829–B [D&C 18:15–16], herein.)

  8. See Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 510 [3 Nephi 28:8–10]; and Revelation, June 1829–B [D&C 18:15–16, 25, 44–46], herein.