The Re-translation (rewrite) of the Book of Commandments
If you’ve been around the world of Mormonism for any length of time you’re sure to know the Doctrine and Covenants used to be called Book of Commandments.
This was a compilation of commandments revealed to Joseph and others but it didn’t take long before the original prophecies needed some tweaking.
We have to ask – were they written down incorrectly to begin with or did God forget something?
The following is a side by side comparison of Chapter 6 from the Book of Commandments which is now called Doctrine and Covenants Section 7.
There are more than a few things to look at birthed by the content of this section, the first being why the Apostle John felt it necessary to hide the text of this revelation.
It’s odd that Joe Smith had so many revelations from this Mormon god and his emissaries, but no one allowed him to hold onto the text so people several generations later could benefit from what this god had to say.
The only other text we have is from the Egyptian papyri for the book of Abraham and we already know it doesn’t match up with what the hypocephalus says or the text of Abraham.
Book of
Commandments Chapter 6 |
D&C
Section 7 |
A Revelation given to
Joseph and Oliver, in Harmony, Pennsylvania, April, 1829, when they desired to know whether John, the beloved disciple, tarried on earth. Translated from parchment, written and hid up by himself. |
Revelation given to
Joseph Smith the Prophet and Oliver Cowdery, at Harmony, Pennsylvania, April 1829, when they inquired through the Urim and Thummim as to whether John, the beloved disciple, tarried in the flesh or had died. The revelation is a translated version of the record made on parchment by John and hidden up by himself. HC 1:35-36. |
6:1 And the Lord said
unto me, John my beloved, what desirest thou? and I said Lord, give unto me power that I may bring souls unto thee.–And the Lord said unto me: Verily, verily I say unto thee, because thou desiredst this, thou shalt tarry till I come in my glory: |
7:1 And the Lord s
aid unto me: John, my beloved, what desirest thou? For if you shall ask what you will, it shall be granted unto you. 7:2 And I said unto him: Lord, give unto me power over death, that I may live and bring souls unto thee. 7:3 And the Lord said unto me: Verily, verily, I say unto thee, because thou desirest this thou shalt tarry until I come in my glory, and shalt prophesy before nations, kindreds, tongues and people. |
6:2 And for this
cause, the Lord said unto Peter:–If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? for he desiredst of me that he might bring souls unto me: but thou desiredst that thou might speedily come unto me in my kingdom: I say unto thee, Peter, this was a good desire, but my beloved has undertaken a greater work. |
7:4 And for this
cause the Lord said unto Peter: If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? For he desired of me that he might bring souls unto me, but thou desiredst that thou mightest speedily come unto me in my kingdom. 7:5 I say unto thee, Peter, this was a good desire; but my beloved has desired that he might do more, or a greater work yet among men than what he has before done. 7:6 Yea, he has undertaken a greater work; therefore I will make him as flaming fire and a ministering angel; he shall minister for those who shall be heirs of salvation who dwell on the earth. 7:7 And I will make thee to minister for him and for thy brother James; and unto you three I will give this power and the keys of this ministry until I come. |
6:3 Verily I say unto
you, ye shall both have according [t]o your desires, for ye both joy in that which ye have desired. |
7:8 Verily I say
unto you, ye shall both have according to your desires, for ye both joy in that which ye have desired. |
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