Revelation, , Ontario Co., NY, to , [Apr.] 1830. Featured version, titled “19th. Commandment AD 1830,” copied [ca. Mar. 1831] in Revelation Book 1, p. 29; handwriting of ; CHL. Includes redactions. For more complete source information, see the source note for Revelation Book 1.
Historical Introduction
Soon after the 6 April 1830 organizational meeting, JS dictated revelations to five individuals who were “anxious to know of the Lord what might be their respective duties” now that the church was formally established. This revelation was directed to one of the five, JS’s older brother . Almost a year earlier, Hyrum visited , Pennsylvania, while JS was translating the Book of Mormon. During that visit JS announced a revelation that instructed Hyrum, “Seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word, and then shall your tongues be loosed; then, if you desire you shall have my Spirit, and my word: Yea, the power of God unto the convincing of men: but now hold your peace.” During the next year, Hyrum testified as one of the Eight Witnesses to the , safeguarded the Book of Mormon manuscript during printing, and proofread the printer’s copy of the Book of Mormon.
A Commandment to given at Ontario County State of New York
Behold I speak unto you a few words for thou also art under no condemnation & thy heart is opened & thy tongue loosed & thy Calling is to exhortation & to strengthen the continually wherefore thy duty is unto the Church forever & this because of thy family [p. 29]
John Whitmer probably created this heading when he copied the text into Revelation Book 1. At the time this revelation was dictated, Hyrum Smith and JS were likely at Hyrum’s residence in Palmyra. If this is the case, the revelation originated in Palmyra, not in Manchester.