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Revelation, 1 November 1831–A [D&C 68]

Source Note

Revelation,
Hiram Township

Area settled by immigrants from Pennsylvania and New England, ca. 1802. Located in northeastern Ohio about twenty-five miles southeast of Kirtland. Population in 1830 about 500. Population in 1840 about 1,100. JS lived in township at home of John and Alice...

More Info
, OH, 1 Nov. 1831. Featured version, titled “70 A Revelation to Orson Luke Lyman & William,” copied [ca. Nov. 1831] in Revelation Book 1, pp. 113–114; handwriting of
Oliver Cowdery

3 Oct. 1806–3 Mar. 1850. Clerk, teacher, justice of the peace, lawyer, newspaper editor. Born at Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller. Raised Congregationalist. Moved to western New York and clerked at a store, ca. 1825–1828...

View Full Bio
and
John Whitmer

27 Aug. 1802–11 July 1878. Farmer, stock raiser, newspaper editor. Born in Pennsylvania. Son of Peter Whitmer Sr. and Mary Musselman. Member of German Reformed Church, Fayette, Seneca Co., New York. Baptized by Oliver Cowdery, June 1829, most likely in Seneca...

View Full Bio
; CHL. Includes redactions. For more complete source information, see the source note for Revelation Book 1.

Historical Introduction

On 1–2 November 1831, ten
elders

A male leader in the church generally; an ecclesiastical and priesthood office or one holding that office; a proselytizing missionary. The Book of Mormon explained that elders ordained priests and teachers and administered “the flesh and blood of Christ unto...

View Glossary
convened a
conference

A meeting where ecclesiastical officers and other church members could conduct church business. The “Articles and Covenants” of the church directed the elders to hold conferences to perform “Church business.” The first of these conferences was held on 9 June...

View Glossary
in
Hiram

Area settled by immigrants from Pennsylvania and New England, ca. 1802. Located in northeastern Ohio about twenty-five miles southeast of Kirtland. Population in 1830 about 500. Population in 1840 about 1,100. JS lived in township at home of John and Alice...

More Info
, Ohio, to discuss the publication of the Book of Commandments, a compilation of JS’s revelations.
1

For more information on this conference, see Minutes, 1–2 Nov. 1831.


According to a later JS history, four of the conference attendees—
Orson Hyde

8 Jan. 1805–28 Nov. 1878. Laborer, clerk, storekeeper, teacher, editor, businessman, lawyer, judge. Born at Oxford, New Haven Co., Connecticut. Son of Nathan Hyde and Sally Thorpe. Moved to Derby, New Haven Co., 1812. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio, ...

View Full Bio
,
Luke Johnson

3 Nov. 1807–8 Dec. 1861. Farmer, teacher, doctor. Born at Pomfret, Windsor Co., Vermont. Son of John Johnson and Alice (Elsa) Jacobs. Lived at Hiram, Portage Co., Ohio, when baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by JS, 10 May 1831. Ordained...

View Full Bio
,
Lyman Johnson

24 Oct. 1811–20 Dec. 1859. Merchant, lawyer, hotelier. Born at Pomfret, Windsor Co., Vermont. Son of John Johnson and Alice (Elsa) Jacobs. Moved to Hiram, Portage Co., Ohio, Mar. 1818. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Sidney Rigdon...

View Full Bio
, and
William E. McLellin

18 Jan. 1806–14 Mar. 1883. Schoolteacher, physician, publisher. Born at Smith Co., Tennessee. Son of Charles McLellin and Sarah (a Cherokee Indian). Married first Cynthia Ann, 30 July 1829. Wife died, by summer 1831. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of...

View Full Bio
—approached JS during the conference and requested to know the Lord’s will concerning them.
2

JS History, vol. A-1, 163. A few days earlier, JS had dictated a revelation to McLellin regarding God’s will for him, but McLellin and his copetitioners apparently desired more direction. (Revelation, 29 Oct. 1831 [D&C 66].)


This revelation came in response to their inquiry.
3

JS History, vol. A-1, 163.


The revelation provided more information about the evangelizing duties of the four men specifically and of elders in general. While Hyde, McLellin, and Luke Johnson were all
ordained

The conferral of power and authority; to appoint, decree, or set apart. Church members, primarily adults, were ordained to ecclesiastical offices and other responsibilities by the laying on of hands by those with the proper authority. Ordinations to priesthood...

View Glossary
to the
high priesthood

The authority and power held by certain officers in the church. The Book of Mormon referred to the high priesthood as God’s “holy order, which was after the order of his Son,” and indicated that Melchizedek, a biblical figure, was a high priest “after this...

View Glossary
at a conference held in
Orange

Located about five miles south of Kirtland Township. Area settled, 1815. Organized 1820. Population in 1830 about 300. Population in 1838 about 800. Sixty-five Latter-day Saints lived in township, by Nov. 1830. Joseph and Julia Murdock, twins adopted by JS...

More Info
, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, a week earlier, Lyman Johnson was ordained to the high priesthood at the Hiram conference on 2 November.
4

Minutes, 25–26 Oct. 1831; Minutes, 1–2 Nov. 1831.


After closing the portion of the revelation addressed specifically to the four men with an “Amen,” the document shifts its audience to the church in general and gives additional information about the office of
bishop

An ecclesiastical and priesthood office. JS appointed Edward Partridge as the first bishop in February 1831. Following this appointment, Partridge functioned as the local leader of the church in Missouri. Later revelations described a bishop’s duties as receiving...

View Glossary
, as well as counsel to members of the church “in
Zion

A specific location in Missouri; also a literal or figurative gathering of believers in Jesus Christ, characterized by adherence to ideals of harmony, equality, and purity. In JS’s earliest revelations “the cause of Zion” was used to broadly describe the ...

View Glossary
” about teaching and
baptizing

An ordinance in which an individual is immersed in water for the remission of sins. The Book of Mormon explained that those with necessary authority were to baptize individuals who had repented of their sins. Baptized individuals also received the gift of...

View Glossary
their children and avoiding idleness and greed. The text may originally have been dictated as two discrete revelations, which, like some other revelations closely related in time or content, were then copied together and presented as a single, unified text. All extant copies of the text—whether in manuscript or published form—present both parts as one revelation.
The original manuscript of the revelation is not extant, and the conference minutes do not mention the revelation.
5

See Minutes, 1–2 Nov. 1831.


However, the copy in Revelation Book 1 is dated 1 November 1831 and a heading states that it was “given in
Hiram

Area settled by immigrants from Pennsylvania and New England, ca. 1802. Located in northeastern Ohio about twenty-five miles southeast of Kirtland. Population in 1830 about 500. Population in 1840 about 1,100. JS lived in township at home of John and Alice...

More Info
Nov. 1. 1831.”
6

A 2 November date for the revelation cannot, however, be ruled out. A later JS history places the revelation as the final event of the two-day conference. (JS History, vol. A-1, 157–163.)


John Whitmer

27 Aug. 1802–11 July 1878. Farmer, stock raiser, newspaper editor. Born in Pennsylvania. Son of Peter Whitmer Sr. and Mary Musselman. Member of German Reformed Church, Fayette, Seneca Co., New York. Baptized by Oliver Cowdery, June 1829, most likely in Seneca...

View Full Bio
and
Oliver Cowdery

3 Oct. 1806–3 Mar. 1850. Clerk, teacher, justice of the peace, lawyer, newspaper editor. Born at Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller. Raised Congregationalist. Moved to western New York and clerked at a store, ca. 1825–1828...

View Full Bio
copied the revelation into Revelation Book 1, probably soon after its dictation.
7

Cowdery and Whitmer left for Missouri on 20 November 1831 with Revelation Book 1, and the revelation was likely copied before they left. When this revelation was published in the 1835 edition of the Doctrine and Covenants, additional verses were included. (Whitmer, History, 38; Doctrine and Covenants 22, 1835 ed.)


Footnotes

  1. [1]

    For more information on this conference, see Minutes, 1–2 Nov. 1831.

  2. [2]

    JS History, vol. A-1, 163. A few days earlier, JS had dictated a revelation to McLellin regarding God’s will for him, but McLellin and his copetitioners apparently desired more direction. (Revelation, 29 Oct. 1831 [D&C 66].)

  3. [3]

    JS History, vol. A-1, 163.

  4. [4]

    Minutes, 25–26 Oct. 1831; Minutes, 1–2 Nov. 1831.

  5. [5]

    See Minutes, 1–2 Nov. 1831.

  6. [6]

    A 2 November date for the revelation cannot, however, be ruled out. A later JS history places the revelation as the final event of the two-day conference. (JS History, vol. A-1, 157–163.)

  7. [7]

    Cowdery and Whitmer left for Missouri on 20 November 1831 with Revelation Book 1, and the revelation was likely copied before they left. When this revelation was published in the 1835 edition of the Doctrine and Covenants, additional verses were included. (Whitmer, History, 38; Doctrine and Covenants 22, 1835 ed.)

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation.
*Revelation, 1 November 1831–A [D&C 68]
Revelation Book 1 Revelations printed in The Evening and the Morning Star, June 1832–June 1833 Revelations printed in Evening and Morning Star, January 1835–June 1836 Doctrine and Covenants, 1835 History, 1838–1856, volume A-1 [23 December 1805–30 August 1834] Doctrine and Covenants, 1844 “History of Joseph Smith”

Page 113

John Whitmer handwriting begins.


given in
Hiram

Area settled by immigrants from Pennsylvania and New England, ca. 1802. Located in northeastern Ohio about twenty-five miles southeast of Kirtland. Population in 1830 about 500. Population in 1840 about 1,100. JS lived in township at home of John and Alice...

More Info
Nov. 1. 1831
70
1

John Whitmer assigned this number to the revelation when recording it in Revelation Book 1.


A Revelation to

John Whitmer handwriting ends; Oliver Cowdery begins.


Orson [Hyde]

8 Jan. 1805–28 Nov. 1878. Laborer, clerk, storekeeper, teacher, editor, businessman, lawyer, judge. Born at Oxford, New Haven Co., Connecticut. Son of Nathan Hyde and Sally Thorpe. Moved to Derby, New Haven Co., 1812. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio, ...

View Full Bio
Luke [Johnson]

3 Nov. 1807–8 Dec. 1861. Farmer, teacher, doctor. Born at Pomfret, Windsor Co., Vermont. Son of John Johnson and Alice (Elsa) Jacobs. Lived at Hiram, Portage Co., Ohio, when baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by JS, 10 May 1831. Ordained...

View Full Bio
&
Lyman [Johnson]

24 Oct. 1811–20 Dec. 1859. Merchant, lawyer, hotelier. Born at Pomfret, Windsor Co., Vermont. Son of John Johnson and Alice (Elsa) Jacobs. Moved to Hiram, Portage Co., Ohio, Mar. 1818. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Sidney Rigdon...

View Full Bio
&
William [E. McLellin]

18 Jan. 1806–14 Mar. 1883. Schoolteacher, physician, publisher. Born at Smith Co., Tennessee. Son of Charles McLellin and Sarah (a Cherokee Indian). Married first Cynthia Ann, 30 July 1829. Wife died, by summer 1831. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of...

View Full Bio
The mind & will of the Lord as made known by the voice of the spirit made <​known to​> a
confrence

A meeting where ecclesiastical officers and other church members could conduct church business. The “Articles and Covenants” of the church directed the elders to hold conferences to perform “Church business.” The first of these conferences was held on 9 June...

View Glossary
held November first 1831 concerning certain
Elders

A male leader in the church generally; an ecclesiastical and priesthood office or one holding that office; a proselytizing missionary. The Book of Mormon explained that elders ordained priests and teachers and administered “the flesh and blood of Christ unto...

View Glossary
who requested of the Lord to kno◊ his will concerning them & also certain items as made known in addition to the
Laws

Principles given to the church and its members in February 1831 revelations. In January 1831, a revelation promised the saints in New York that the law would be given after they gathered in Ohio. Once in Ohio, on 9 and 23 February 1831, JS dictated two revelations...

View Glossary
& commandments which have been given to the
church

The Book of Mormon related that when Christ set up his church in the Americas, “they which were baptized in the name of Jesus, were called the church of Christ.” The first name used to denote the church JS organized on 6 April 1830 was “the Church of Christ...

View Glossary
2

This heading may not have appeared in the original manuscript; it may have been added by Oliver Cowdery when he copied the revelation into Revelation Book 1.


firstly my servant
Orson

8 Jan. 1805–28 Nov. 1878. Laborer, clerk, storekeeper, teacher, editor, businessman, lawyer, judge. Born at Oxford, New Haven Co., Connecticut. Son of Nathan Hyde and Sally Thorpe. Moved to Derby, New Haven Co., 1812. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio, ...

View Full Bio
was called by his ordinance
3

“Ordinance” likely refers to Hyde’s ordination to the high priesthood. “Ordinance”—which, according to Webster’s 1828 dictionary, could mean “appointment”—was changed to “ordination” in the 1921 edition of the Doctrine and Covenants. Hyde later recalled that, at the same conference where this ordination occurred, he was “appointed on a mission to Elyria and Florence [Ohio] in connection with Bro. Hyrum Smith.” (Doctrine and Covenants 68:1, 1921 ed.; “Ordinance,” in American Dictionary [1828]; “History of Orson Hyde,” 8, Historian’s Office, Histories of the Twelve, ca. 1858–1880, CHL.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

The Doctrine and Covenants of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Containing Revelations Given to Joseph Smith, the Prophet; with Some Additions by His Successors in the Presidency of the Church. Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1921.

An American Dictionary of the English Language: Intended to Exhibit, I. the Origin, Affinities and Primary Signification of English Words, as far as They Have Been Ascertained. . . . Edited by Noah Webster. New York: S. Converse, 1828.

Historian’s Office. Histories of the Twelve, 1856–1858, 1861. CHL. CR 100 93.

to proclaim the everlasting Gospel by the spirit of the living God from people to people & from land to land from <​in the​> congregtions of the wicked in their Synagogues
4

Although “synagogue” refers specifically to a Jewish house of worship, it is also used in the Book of Mormon to denote a general place of worship. (Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 492 [3 Nephi 18:32].)


reas[o]ning with & expounding all scriptures <​un​>to them
5

See Revelation, 29 Oct. 1831 [D&C 66:7].


& behold & lo this is an ensample unto all those who were
ordained

The conferral of power and authority; to appoint, decree, or set apart. Church members, primarily adults, were ordained to ecclesiastical offices and other responsibilities by the laying on of hands by those with the proper authority. Ordinations to priesthood...

View Glossary
unto this
priesthood

Power or authority of God. The priesthood was conferred through the laying on of hands upon adult male members of the church in good standing; no specialized training was required. Priesthood officers held responsibility for administering the sacrament of...

View Glossary
whose mission is appointed unto them to go forth & this is the ensample unto them that they shall speak as they are moved upon by the Holy Ghost & whatsoever they shall speak when moved upon by the Holy Ghost shall be Scripture
6

Former church member Ezra Booth claimed that it was JS’s responsibility to determine whether revelations received by other individuals were “from the Lord or the devil.” A September 1830 revelation declared that JS was the only one “appointed to Receive commandments & Revelations” for the church. (Ezra Booth, “Mormonism—No. II,” Ohio Star [Ravenna], 20 Oct. 1831, [3]; Revelation, Sept. 1830–B [D&C 28:2]; see also Revelation, Feb. 1831–A [D&C 43:2–4].)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Ohio Star. Ravenna. 1830–1854.

shall be the will of the Lord shall be the mind of the Lord shall be the voice of the Lord & shall be the power of God unto Salvation
7

See Romans 1:16.


behold this is the promise of the Lord unto you o ye my servants wherefore be of good cheer & do not fear for I the Lord am with you & will stand by you & you <​ye​> shall bear record of me even Jesus christ that I am the Son of God that I was that I am & that I am to come this is the word of the Lord unto you my Servant
Orson

8 Jan. 1805–28 Nov. 1878. Laborer, clerk, storekeeper, teacher, editor, businessman, lawyer, judge. Born at Oxford, New Haven Co., Connecticut. Son of Nathan Hyde and Sally Thorpe. Moved to Derby, New Haven Co., 1812. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio, ...

View Full Bio
& also to my servant
Luke

3 Nov. 1807–8 Dec. 1861. Farmer, teacher, doctor. Born at Pomfret, Windsor Co., Vermont. Son of John Johnson and Alice (Elsa) Jacobs. Lived at Hiram, Portage Co., Ohio, when baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by JS, 10 May 1831. Ordained...

View Full Bio
& unto my servant
Lyman

24 Oct. 1811–20 Dec. 1859. Merchant, lawyer, hotelier. Born at Pomfret, Windsor Co., Vermont. Son of John Johnson and Alice (Elsa) Jacobs. Moved to Hiram, Portage Co., Ohio, Mar. 1818. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Sidney Rigdon...

View Full Bio
& unto my servant
William

18 Jan. 1806–14 Mar. 1883. Schoolteacher, physician, publisher. Born at Smith Co., Tennessee. Son of Charles McLellin and Sarah (a Cherokee Indian). Married first Cynthia Ann, 30 July 1829. Wife died, by summer 1831. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of...

View Full Bio
& unto all the faithful Elders of my church go ye unto all the world preach the gospel to every creature acting in the authority which I have given you
baptising

An ordinance in which an individual is immersed in water for the remission of sins. The Book of Mormon explained that those with necessary authority were to baptize individuals who had repented of their sins. Baptized individuals also received the gift of...

View Glossary
in the name of the Father & of the Son & of <​of the​> Holy Ghost & he that believeth & is baptised shall be saved & he that believeth not shall be damned & he that believeth shall be blessed with signs following even as it is written
8

See Mark 16:15–18; Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 537 [Mormon 9:22–24]; and Revelation, 7 Dec. 1830 [D&C 35:8–9].


& unto you it shall be given to know the signs of the times & the signs of the coming of the Son of man
9

A March 1831 revelation delineated some of these signs. (Revelation, ca. 7 Mar. 1831 [D&C 45:39–44].)


& of as many as the Father shall bear record to you it shall be given to seal them up unto Eternal life
10

The minutes of the conference held in Orange, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, a week earlier record that “Br. Joseph Smith jr. said that the order of the High priesthood is that they have power given them to seal up the Saints unto eternal life.” (Minutes, 25–26 Oct. 1831.)


Amen—
And now conc[e]rning the items in addition to the
Laws

Principles given to the church and its members in February 1831 revelations. In January 1831, a revelation promised the saints in New York that the law would be given after they gathered in Ohio. Once in Ohio, on 9 and 23 February 1831, JS dictated two revelations...

View Glossary
& commandments
11

That is, in addition to the “Laws of the Church of Christ,” dated February 1831, and other commandments. (See Revelation, 9 Feb. 1831 [D&C 42:1–72]; Revelation, 23 Feb. 1831 [D&C 42:74–93].)


they are these there rema[i]neth hereafter in the due [p. 113]
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Source Note

Document Transcript

Page 113

Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Revelation, 1 November 1831–A [D&C 68]
ID #
6527
Total Pages
2
Print Volume Location
JSP, D2:98–103
Handwriting on This Page
  • John Whitmer
  • Oliver Cowdery

Footnotes

  1. new scribe logo

    John Whitmer handwriting begins.

  2. [1]

    John Whitmer assigned this number to the revelation when recording it in Revelation Book 1.

  3. new scribe logo

    John Whitmer handwriting ends; Oliver Cowdery begins.

  4. [2]

    This heading may not have appeared in the original manuscript; it may have been added by Oliver Cowdery when he copied the revelation into Revelation Book 1.

  5. [3]

    “Ordinance” likely refers to Hyde’s ordination to the high priesthood. “Ordinance”—which, according to Webster’s 1828 dictionary, could mean “appointment”—was changed to “ordination” in the 1921 edition of the Doctrine and Covenants. Hyde later recalled that, at the same conference where this ordination occurred, he was “appointed on a mission to Elyria and Florence [Ohio] in connection with Bro. Hyrum Smith.” (Doctrine and Covenants 68:1, 1921 ed.; “Ordinance,” in American Dictionary [1828]; “History of Orson Hyde,” 8, Historian’s Office, Histories of the Twelve, ca. 1858–1880, CHL.)

    The Doctrine and Covenants of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Containing Revelations Given to Joseph Smith, the Prophet; with Some Additions by His Successors in the Presidency of the Church. Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1921.

    An American Dictionary of the English Language: Intended to Exhibit, I. the Origin, Affinities and Primary Signification of English Words, as far as They Have Been Ascertained. . . . Edited by Noah Webster. New York: S. Converse, 1828.

    Historian’s Office. Histories of the Twelve, 1856–1858, 1861. CHL. CR 100 93.

  6. [4]

    Although “synagogue” refers specifically to a Jewish house of worship, it is also used in the Book of Mormon to denote a general place of worship. (Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 492 [3 Nephi 18:32].)

  7. [5]

    See Revelation, 29 Oct. 1831 [D&C 66:7].

  8. [6]

    Former church member Ezra Booth claimed that it was JS’s responsibility to determine whether revelations received by other individuals were “from the Lord or the devil.” A September 1830 revelation declared that JS was the only one “appointed to Receive commandments & Revelations” for the church. (Ezra Booth, “Mormonism—No. II,” Ohio Star [Ravenna], 20 Oct. 1831, [3]; Revelation, Sept. 1830–B [D&C 28:2]; see also Revelation, Feb. 1831–A [D&C 43:2–4].)

    Ohio Star. Ravenna. 1830–1854.

  9. [7]

    See Romans 1:16.

  10. [8]

    See Mark 16:15–18; Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 537 [Mormon 9:22–24]; and Revelation, 7 Dec. 1830 [D&C 35:8–9].

  11. [9]

    A March 1831 revelation delineated some of these signs. (Revelation, ca. 7 Mar. 1831 [D&C 45:39–44].)

  12. [10]

    The minutes of the conference held in Orange, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, a week earlier record that “Br. Joseph Smith jr. said that the order of the High priesthood is that they have power given them to seal up the Saints unto eternal life.” (Minutes, 25–26 Oct. 1831.)

  13. [11]

    That is, in addition to the “Laws of the Church of Christ,” dated February 1831, and other commandments. (See Revelation, 9 Feb. 1831 [D&C 42:1–72]; Revelation, 23 Feb. 1831 [D&C 42:74–93].)

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