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Revelation, October 1830–B [D&C 33]

Source Note

Revelation,
Fayette Township

Located in northern part of county between Seneca and Cayuga lakes. Area settled, by 1790. Officially organized as Washington Township, 14 Mar. 1800. Name changed to Fayette, 6 Apr. 1808. Population in 1830 about 3,200. Population in 1840 about 3,700. Significant...

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, Seneca Co., NY, to
Ezra Thayer

14 Oct. 1791–6 Sept. 1862. Farmer, gardener, builder. Born in New York. Married Elizabeth Frank. Lived at Bloomfield, Ontario Co., New York, 1820. Lived at Farmington, Ontario Co., 1830. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Parley ...

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and
Northrop Sweet

19 Feb. 1802–23 Feb. 1881. Farmer. Born in New York. Married first Elethan Harris, before 1828. Moved to Palmyra, Wayne Co., New York, by June 1830. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Parley P. Pratt, by Oct. 1830, in Palmyra. Appointed...

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, Oct. 1830. Featured version, titled “35 & 36th Commandment AD Oct. 1830,” copied [ca. Mar. 1831] in Revelation Book 1, pp. 44–45; handwriting of
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...

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

Historical Introduction

JS dictated this revelation for
Ezra Thayer

14 Oct. 1791–6 Sept. 1862. Farmer, gardener, builder. Born in New York. Married Elizabeth Frank. Lived at Bloomfield, Ontario Co., New York, 1820. Lived at Farmington, Ontario Co., 1830. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Parley ...

View Full Bio
and
Northrop Sweet

19 Feb. 1802–23 Feb. 1881. Farmer. Born in New York. Married first Elethan Harris, before 1828. Moved to Palmyra, Wayne Co., New York, by June 1830. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Parley P. Pratt, by Oct. 1830, in Palmyra. Appointed...

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in early October 1830, within a month of their
baptisms

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...

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in the
Church of Christ

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...

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. The revelation appointed them to the ministry and provided instruction regarding their preaching. Later in his life, Thayer wrote that he was prepared for the revelation by a vision in which “a man came and brought me a roll of paper and presented it to me, and also a trumpet and told me to blow it. I told him that I never blowed any in my life. He said you can blow it, try it. I put it in my mouth and blowed on it, and it made the most beautiful sound that I ever heard. The roll of paper was the revelation on me and Northrop Sweet.
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...

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was the man that brought the roll and trumpet. When he brought the revelation on me and Northrop Sweet, he said, here is a revelation from God for you.”
1

“Testimony of Brother E. Thayre,” True Latter Day Saints’ Herald, Oct. 1862, 82.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Saints’ Herald. Independence, MO. 1860–.

Thayer

14 Oct. 1791–6 Sept. 1862. Farmer, gardener, builder. Born in New York. Married Elizabeth Frank. Lived at Bloomfield, Ontario Co., New York, 1820. Lived at Farmington, Ontario Co., 1830. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Parley ...

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also recalled that, following this revelation,
Sweet

19 Feb. 1802–23 Feb. 1881. Farmer. Born in New York. Married first Elethan Harris, before 1828. Moved to Palmyra, Wayne Co., New York, by June 1830. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Parley P. Pratt, by Oct. 1830, in Palmyra. Appointed...

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“soon left the church.”
George A. Smith

26 June 1817–1 Sept. 1875. Born at Potsdam, St. Lawrence Co., New York. Son of John Smith and Clarissa Lyman. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Joseph H. Wakefield, 10 Sept. 1832, at Potsdam. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio,...

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, JS’s cousin and later a church
apostle

A title indicating one sent forth to preach; later designated as a specific ecclesiastical and priesthood office. By 1830, JS and Oliver Cowdery were designated as apostles. The “Articles and Covenants” of the church explained that an “apostle is an elder...

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, explained that Sweet and five others left the church and “organized the ‘Pure Church of Christ,’ as they called it, composed of six members, and commenced having meetings, and preaching, but that was the extent of the growth of this early schism.”
2

George A. Smith, in Journal of Discourses, 15 Nov. 1864, 11:4.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Journal of Discourses. 26 vols. Liverpool: F. D. Richards, 1855–1886.

Thayer, on the other hand, gathered “a large congregation” to hear JS preach. According to his own account, Thayer filled his barn—“and some could not get in”—where JS,
Hyrum Smith

9 Feb. 1800–27 June 1844. Farmer, cooper. Born at Tunbridge, Orange Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Randolph, Orange Co., 1802; back to Tunbridge, before May 1803; to Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont, 1804; to Sharon, Windsor Co...

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,
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...

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,
David Whitmer

7 Jan. 1805–25 Jan. 1888. Farmer, livery keeper. Born near Harrisburg, Dauphin Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Peter Whitmer Sr. and Mary Musselman. Raised Presbyterian. Moved to Ontario Co., New York, shortly after birth. Attended German Reformed Church. Arranged...

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,
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...

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,
Peter Whitmer Jr.

27 Sept. 1809–22 Sept. 1836. Tailor. Born at Fayette, Seneca Co., New York. Son of Peter Whitmer Sr. and Mary Musselman. Baptized by Oliver Cowdery, June 1829, in Seneca Lake, Seneca Co. One of the Eight Witnesses of the Book of Mormon, June 1829. Among six...

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,
Parley P. Pratt

12 Apr. 1807–13 May 1857. Farmer, editor, publisher, teacher, school administrator, legislator, explorer, author. Born at Burlington, Otsego Co., New York. Son of Jared Pratt and Charity Dickinson. Traveled west with brother William to acquire land, 1823....

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, and
Ziba Peterson

Ca. 1810–1849. Teacher, farmer, law officer. Born in New York. Lived in Macedon, Wayne Co., New York, ca. 1830. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Ordained an elder, by 9 June 1830. Served mission to Ohio and Missouri, 1830–1831. Stripped...

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preached “with great power.”
3

“Testimony of Brother E. Thayre,” True Latter Day Saints’ Herald, Oct. 1862, 83. Thayer apparently organized another meeting in December at the Canandaigua courthouse, where JS or Sidney Rigdon likely preached. (“Credulity,” Pennsylvania Inquirer and Morning Journal [Philadelphia], 29 Dec. 1830, [2].)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Saints’ Herald. Independence, MO. 1860–.

Pennsylvania Inquirer and Morning Journal. Philadelphia. 1830–1834.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    “Testimony of Brother E. Thayre,” True Latter Day Saints’ Herald, Oct. 1862, 82.

    Saints’ Herald. Independence, MO. 1860–.

  2. [2]

    George A. Smith, in Journal of Discourses, 15 Nov. 1864, 11:4.

    Journal of Discourses. 26 vols. Liverpool: F. D. Richards, 1855–1886.

  3. [3]

    “Testimony of Brother E. Thayre,” True Latter Day Saints’ Herald, Oct. 1862, 83. Thayer apparently organized another meeting in December at the Canandaigua courthouse, where JS or Sidney Rigdon likely preached. (“Credulity,” Pennsylvania Inquirer and Morning Journal [Philadelphia], 29 Dec. 1830, [2].)

    Saints’ Herald. Independence, MO. 1860–.

    Pennsylvania Inquirer and Morning Journal. Philadelphia. 1830–1834.

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation.
*Revelation, October 1830–B [D&C 33]
Revelation Book 1 Revelation, October 1830–B, Extract, Edward Partridge Copy [D&C 33:1] Book of Commandments, 1833 Doctrine and Covenants, 1835 History, 1838–1856, volume A-1 [23 December 1805–30 August 1834] “History of Joseph Smith” Doctrine and Covenants, 1844

Page 44

35 & 36th
1

John Whitmer supplied consecutive numbering to the majority of the revelations in the first part of Revelation Book 1. This is the only case in which a single revelation has two numbers; earlier revelations given to two or more individuals did not receive two numbers. There is no other evidence that this revelation was originally two different texts.


Commands
Commandment

Generally, a divine mandate that church members were expected to obey; more specifically, a text dictated by JS in the first-person voice of Deity that served to communicate knowledge and instruction to JS and his followers. Occasionally, other inspired texts...

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AD
2

In preparation for publication of the Book of Commandments, John Whitmer inserted “Oct.” here.


1830
A Commandment to
Ezra [Thayer]

14 Oct. 1791–6 Sept. 1862. Farmer, gardener, builder. Born in New York. Married Elizabeth Frank. Lived at Bloomfield, Ontario Co., New York, 1820. Lived at Farmington, Ontario Co., 1830. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Parley ...

View Full Bio
&
Northrop [Sweet]

19 Feb. 1802–23 Feb. 1881. Farmer. Born in New York. Married first Elethan Harris, before 1828. Moved to Palmyra, Wayne Co., New York, by June 1830. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Parley P. Pratt, by Oct. 1830, in Palmyra. Appointed...

View Full Bio
th[e]ir call to the ministery &c given at
Fayette

Located in northern part of county between Seneca and Cayuga lakes. Area settled, by 1790. Officially organized as Washington Township, 14 Mar. 1800. Name changed to Fayette, 6 Apr. 1808. Population in 1830 about 3,200. Population in 1840 about 3,700. Significant...

More Info
Seneca County State of New York
3

John Whitmer likely created this heading when he copied the text into Revelation Book 1.


Saying I say unto you
Ezra

14 Oct. 1791–6 Sept. 1862. Farmer, gardener, builder. Born in New York. Married Elizabeth Frank. Lived at Bloomfield, Ontario Co., New York, 1820. Lived at Farmington, Ontario Co., 1830. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Parley ...

View Full Bio
&
Northrop

19 Feb. 1802–23 Feb. 1881. Farmer. Born in New York. Married first Elethan Harris, before 1828. Moved to Palmyra, Wayne Co., New York, by June 1830. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Parley P. Pratt, by Oct. 1830, in Palmyra. Appointed...

View Full Bio
open ye your ears & hearken to the voice of the Lord your God whose word is quick & powerfull sharper than a twoedged sword to the dividing asunder of the Joints & marrow Soul & spirit & is a decerner of the thoughts & intents of the heart
4

See, for example, Hebrews 4:12; Revelation, Apr. 1829–A [D&C 6:2]; and Revelation, June 1829–A [D&C 14:2].


for Verily Verily I say unto you that ye are called to lift up voices as with the sound of a Trump to declare my Gospel unto a Crooked & a perverse generation
5

See Philippians 2:15; and Deuteronomy 32:5.


for Behold the field is white already to harvest & it is the Elvenenth hour & for the last time that I shall call labouerers into my vineyard
6

See Matthew 20:1–16.


& my vineyard has become corrupted evry whit & there is none that doeth good save it is a few only
7

See JS History, ca. Summer 1832, 3.


<​& they do err in many instances because of
Priest crafts

The misuse of religious authority for personal gain or prestige. The Book of Mormon stated that “priestcrafts are that men preach and set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain, and praise of the world; but they seek not the welfare...

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​> all having corrupt minds & Verily Verily I say unto you that this
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
have I established & called forth out of the Wilderness & even so will I gether mine elect elect from the four quarters of the Earth even as many as will believe in <​on​> my name & hearken unto my voice
8

See Revelation, Sept. 1830–A [D&C 29:7].


yea Verily Verily I say unto you that the field is white already to harvest Wherefore thrust in thy sickles & reap with all thy mights mind & strength
9

See, for example, Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 156 [Mosiah 2:11]; Revelation, Feb. 1829 [D&C 4:2]; and Articles and Covenants, ca. Apr. 1830 [D&C 20:31].


open thy mouth & it shall be filled & thou shalt become even as Nephi of old who Journ[ey]ed from Jerusalem in the wilderness
10

In the Book of Mormon, Nephi, the son of Lehi, journeys with his father’s family from Jerusalem through the wilderness and ultimately sails to the New World. (Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 5–9, 38–50 [1 Nephi chaps. 1–2, 16–18].)


yea open thy mouth & spare not & thou shalt be laden with Sheaves upon thy Back
11

See Revelation, Sept. 1830–F [D&C 31:5].


for lo I am with thee you yea [p. 44]
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Source Note

Document Transcript

Page 44

Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Revelation, October 1830–B [D&C 33]
ID #
6492
Total Pages
2
Print Volume Location
JSP, D1:205–208
Handwriting on This Page
  • John Whitmer

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    John Whitmer supplied consecutive numbering to the majority of the revelations in the first part of Revelation Book 1. This is the only case in which a single revelation has two numbers; earlier revelations given to two or more individuals did not receive two numbers. There is no other evidence that this revelation was originally two different texts.

  2. [2]

    In preparation for publication of the Book of Commandments, John Whitmer inserted “Oct.” here.

  3. [3]

    John Whitmer likely created this heading when he copied the text into Revelation Book 1.

  4. [4]

    See, for example, Hebrews 4:12; Revelation, Apr. 1829–A [D&C 6:2]; and Revelation, June 1829–A [D&C 14:2].

  5. [5]

    See Philippians 2:15; and Deuteronomy 32:5.

  6. [6]

    See Matthew 20:1–16.

  7. [7]

    See JS History, ca. Summer 1832, 3.

  8. [8]

    See Revelation, Sept. 1830–A [D&C 29:7].

  9. [9]

    See, for example, Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 156 [Mosiah 2:11]; Revelation, Feb. 1829 [D&C 4:2]; and Articles and Covenants, ca. Apr. 1830 [D&C 20:31].

  10. [10]

    In the Book of Mormon, Nephi, the son of Lehi, journeys with his father’s family from Jerusalem through the wilderness and ultimately sails to the New World. (Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 5–9, 38–50 [1 Nephi chaps. 1–2, 16–18].)

  11. [11]

    See Revelation, Sept. 1830–F [D&C 31:5].

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