Sections 14
Background Information
This revelation is directed to David Whitmer after he helped JS and OC move to Peter Whitmer's house in Fayette, NY to complete the translation of the Book of Mormon. DW learned about JS in the fall of 1828 where word spread around the Palmyra region of the gold plates JS had obtained. DW discussed the gossip with OC, who, at the time, was acquitted with the Smith family. In their discussion, OC told DW that "“there must be some truth in the story of the plates, and that he intended to investigate the matter.” Later OC informed DW that he had plans to go to Harmony to see JS about the plates. OC later sent a letter to DW requesting assistance in moving JS and OC to Fayette.
Notably, it appears they the Whitmers become supporters of JS based on divine manifestations they received while helping the prophet move to Fayette. On the journey to Fayette, DW (along with JS and OC) encountered a “pleasant, nice looking old man” who JS later identified was a angel transporting the plates. Moreover, DW recalled that soon after he arrived in in Fayette, his mother, Mary Whitemer, was met "by the same old man" who showed her the plates.
Reagarding DW and Peter Whitmer Jr, Joseph Smith remarked that “David, John, and Peter Whitmer Jr became our zealous friends and assistants in the work; And being anxious to know their respective duties, and having desired with much earnestness that I should enquire of the Lord concerning them, I did so, through the means of the Urim and Thummin and obtained for them in succession the folowing Revelations. The "revelations" refer to this revelation (section 14) and the June 1829 revelation (section 15) to John Whitmer and Peter Whitmer Jr.
Section
1 A great and marvelous work is about to come forth unto the children of men. 2 Behold, I am God; give heed to my word, which is quick and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword, to the dividing asunder of both joints and marrow; therefore give heed unto my word. 3 Behold, the field is white already to harvest; therefore, whoso desireth to reap let him thrust in his sickle with his might, and reap while the day lasts, that he may treasure up for his soul everlasting salvation in the kingdom of God. 4 Yea, whosoever will thrust in his sickle and reap, the same is called of God. 5 Therefore, if you will ask of me you shall receive; if you will knock it shall be opened unto you.
6 Seek to bring forth and establish my Zion [the Lord's goal is always to establish Zion. Having a well structured church organization is good, but Zion is the end goal, which hasn't happened yet] Keep my commandments in all things. 7 And, if you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God. 8 And it shall come to pass, that if you shall ask the Father in my name, in faith believing, you shall receive the Holy Ghost, which giveth utterance, that you may stand as a witness of the things of which you shall both hear and see, and also that you may declare repentance unto this generation.
- Conditions:
- In verses 7-8, we learn of conditions DW is to keep to receive the HG: 1) ask the Father in the name of Christ; 2) believing that he will receive (i.e., faith believing).
- Result of Having the Holy Ghost:
- If DW obeys the conditions, then he will receive the Holy Ghost. And the purpose of the Holy Ghost is give utterance (allow DW to speak inspired words) so that DW can stand as a witness AND declare repentance.
- Thus the Holy Ghost is a causal factor in allowing DW to bear witness (of the things that he will see and hear) and declare repentance. It follows then that if he didn't receive the Holy Ghost he couldn't do those things. If that's true for him, what about us? Moreover, is it the Holy Ghost which gives DW power to see and hear things from the Lord.
9 Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, who created the heavens and the earth, a light which cannot be hid in darkness [the light of the Savior is too "bright" for the darkness to cover it]; 10 Wherefore, I must bring forth the fulness of my gospel from the Gentiles unto the house of Israel. 11 And behold, thou art David, and thou art called [DW's "calling" at this time was to assist JS in the translation process] to assist; which thing if ye do, and are faithful, ye shall be blessed both spiritually and temporally [if DW assists JS in the translation process, he will be blessed temporally and spiritually], and great shall be your reward. Amen.
Section 15
Background Information
Both this section and section 16 were given to John and Peter Whitmer after they were baptized. The two revelations were identical but addressed to each man separately. When John Whitmer compiled the revelations, he included his first (section 15) and then Peter Jr's second, suggesting that the revelations were received in that order.
Regarding section 15 and 16, JS remarked that John and Peter Jr. were "“anxious to know their respective duties [and] desired with much earnestness that I [JS] should enquire of the Lord concerning them."
Section
1 Hearken, my servant John, 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 For many times you have desired of me to know that which would be of the most worth unto you. 5 Behold, blessed are you for this thing, and for speaking my words which I have given you according to my commandments. 6 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, that you may rest with them in the kingdom of my Father. Amen.
Section 16
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 For many times you have desired of me to know that which would be of the most worth unto you. 5 Behold, blessed are you for this thing, and for speaking my words which I have given unto you according to my commandments. 6 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, that you may rest with them in the kingdom of my Father. Amen.
Section 17
Background Information
This revelation was given in response to a passage in the Book of Mormon and a JS revelation that "promised that three witnesses would testify of the gold plates." This revelation was given in Fayette, New York. Remarking about this occasion, JS recorded that it was "not many days" after section 17 was given that he, OC, DW, and MH, "agreed to retire into the woods, and try to obtain by fervent and humble prayer, the fulfillment of the promises give in this revelation; they they should have a view of the plates."
Section
1 Behold, I say unto you [OC, MH, HW], that you must rely upon my word [promise], which if you do with full purpose of heart, you shall have a view of the plates, and also of the breastplate, the sword of Laban, the Urim and Thummim, which were given to the brother of Jared upon the mount, when he talked with the Lord face to face, and the miraculous directors which were given to Lehi while in the wilderness, on the borders of the Red Sea. 2 And it is by your faith that you shall obtain a view of them [those items mentioned by the Lord], even by that faith which was had by the prophets of old.
- Faith is Exercised By Promises: In verse 1, the Lord gives OC, MH, and DW a promise upon which they exercise their faith. If they rely on His word [promise] with full purpose of heart, they will see the plates, breastplate, sword of Laban, and the Liahona (the "miraculous directors"). This is the pattern exercised by men of faith. For instance, Abraham was given a promise of a son and it was that promise that he exercised faith in. The Lord gave him an assurance. Abraham made the choice to trust that the Lord could provide despite his wife being beyond child bearing aga
3 And after that you have obtained faith, and have seen them with your eyes, you shall testify of them, by the power of God; 4 And this you shall do that my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., may not be destroyed, that I may bring about my righteous purposes unto the children of men in this work [the testimony will serve to buttress the claim made by JS about the Book of Mormon]. 5 And ye shall testify that you have seen them, even as my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., has seen them; for it is by my power that he has seen them, and it is because he had faith [Lord suggests that if JS did not have faith in the Lord, he could not have seen the plates]. 6 And he has translated the book, even that part which I have commanded him, and as your Lord and your God liveth it is true.
7 Wherefore, you have received the same power [re: the same power JS received], and the same faith, and the same gift like unto him [gift of translation? or a different gift? perhaps the Lord is referring to the gift of seeing the plates]; 8 And if you do these last commandments of mine [to testify of what they've seen?], which I have given you, the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; for my grace is sufficient for you, and you shall be lifted up at the last day. 9 And I, Jesus Christ, your Lord and your God, have spoken it unto you, that I might bring about my righteous purposes unto the children of men. Amen.
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