Revelation, 25 November 1834 [D&C 106]

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Revelation, 25 November 1834 [D&C 106]
Source Note

Revelation,
Kirtland Township
Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Latter-day Saint missionaries visited township, early Nov. 1830; many residents joined Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and...
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, Geauga Co., OH, 25 Nov. 1834. Featured version copied [ca. 25 Nov. 1834] in Revelation Book 2, p. 116; 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...
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; CHL. For more complete source information, see the source note for Revelation Book 2.

Historical Introduction
On 25 November 1834, JS dictated this revelation explaining God’s will for
Warren Cowdery
17 Oct. 1788–23 Feb. 1851. Physician, druggist, farmer, editor. Born at Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller. Married Patience Simonds, 22 Sept. 1814, in Pawlet, Rutland Co. Moved to Freedom, Cattaraugus Co., New York, 1816...
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, the older brother of
Oliver Cowdery
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. Warren Cowdery, who lived in
Freedom
Area settled, 1811. Township created, 1820. Population in 1835 and 1840 about 1,800. Included Freedom village, which had about fifteen dwellings in 1836. Branch of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints organized in township, 1834. Warren Cowdery appointed...
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, New York, had been
baptized
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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into 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...
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sometime between May and September 1834. Before his baptism, he had sympathized with the Saints’ plight in Missouri.
1
Warren Cowdery, Freedom, NY, to Oliver Cowdery, Kirtland, OH, 14 Jan. 1834, in The Evening and the Morning Star, Jan. 1834, 127.
Comprehensive Works Cited
The Evening and the Morning Star. Independence, MO, June 1832–July 1833; Kirtland, OH, Dec. 1833–Sept. 1834.
He had also opened his home to JS when JS and others came to Freedom in March 1834 to recruit members for the
Camp of Israel
A group of approximately 205 men and about 20 women and children led by JS to Missouri, May–July 1834, to redeem Zion by helping the Saints who had been driven from Jackson County, Missouri, regain their lands; later referred to as “Zion’s Camp.” A 24 February...
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.
2
JS, Journal, 9–12 Mar. 1834.
Shortly after JS’s visit, a branch of the church was established in Freedom; when
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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visited the area in April 1834, he noted that “a large Church” was there, “consisting of some forty members or more,” many of whom had been baptized by
Orson Pratt
19 Sept. 1811–3 Oct. 1881. Farmer, writer, teacher, merchant, surveyor, editor, publisher. Born at Hartford, Washington Co., New York. Son of Jared Pratt and Charity Dickinson. Moved to New Lebanon, Columbia Co., New York, 1814; to Canaan, Columbia Co., fall...
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.
3
Pratt, Autobiography, 121. A letter from Oliver Cowdery to Warren dated 29 April 1834 indicates that Warren was still not a member of the church at that time. (Oliver Cowdery, Kirtland Mills, OH, to Warren Cowdery, [Freedom, NY], 29 Apr. 1834, in Cowdery, Letterbook, 40–41.)
Pratt, Parley P. The Autobiography of Parley Parker Pratt, One of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Embracing His Life, Ministry and Travels, with Extracts, in Prose and Verse, from His Miscellaneous Writings. Edited by Parley P. Pratt Jr. New York: Russell Brothers, 1874.
Cowdery, Oliver. Letterbook, 1833–1838. Huntington Library, San Marino, CA.
Sometime after his own baptism, Warren Cowdery noted that the members of the church in Freedom were in need of “a preacher of our order” who could “do us good, by strengthening and building us up in the most holy faith.”
4
Warren Cowdery, Freedom, NY, to Oliver Cowdery, Kirtland, OH, 1 Sept. 1834, in The Evening and the Morning Star, Sept. 1834, 189.
Although he seemed to be calling for an
elder
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...
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to be sent to the
branch
An ecclesiastical organization of church members in a particular locale. A branch was generally smaller than a stake or a conference. Branches were also referred to as churches, as in “the Church of Shalersville.” In general, a branch was led by a presiding...
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, he may have meant that the branch needed a presiding authority, the position to which he was called in this revelation. In an October 1834 letter, he told Oliver that he “had thoughts of requesting you to enquire what is the will of the Lord concerning me,” stating that he sometimes thought he could be “useful in the vineyard of the Lord.”
5
Warren Cowdery, Freedom, NY, to Oliver Cowdery, [Kirtland, OH], 28 Oct. 1834, in LDS Messenger and Advocate, Nov. 1834, 1:22.
Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate. Kirtland, OH. Oct. 1834–Sept. 1837.
This revelation was apparently dictated after Oliver received Warren’s letter.
6
Oliver Cowdery published the letter in the November 1834 issue of the Messenger and Advocate.
In addition to designating Warren as a presiding
high priest
An ecclesiastical and priesthood office. Christ and many ancient prophets, including Abraham, were described as being high priests. The Book of Mormon used the term high priest to denote one appointed to lead the church. However, the Book of Mormon also discussed...
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in Freedom, the revelation gave admonitions and promises to him and provided instruction concerning the second advent of Jesus Christ.

Warren Cowdery
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was likely not present when the revelation was dictated, because he wrote letters to
Oliver Cowdery
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from
Freedom
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on 22 and 28 November.
7
Warren Cowdery, Freedom, NY, to Oliver Cowdery, [Kirtland, OH], 28 Nov. 1834, in LDS Messenger and Advocate, Dec. 1834, 1:35; “A Summary,” LDS Messenger and Advocate, Dec. 1834, 1:45.
However, he may have come to
Kirtland
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, Ohio, shortly thereafter, because the Kirtland high council had determined in September 1834 that high priests were to be
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...
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by that council, and there is no indication Warren Cowdery was a high priest before this revelation was dictated.
8
Minutes, 24 Sept. 1834.
Whatever the case, commentary in the December 1834 issue of the Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate called him “the presiding elder of the church at Freedom, N. Y.,” indicating that by the time that issue was published, some action had been taken on this revelation’s instructions.
9
“A Summary,” LDS Messenger and Advocate, Dec. 1834, 1:45. The issue contains the notice of the death of a nine-year-old in Kirtland on 12 December 1834, meaning it was published sometime after 12 December. (Obituary for Cornelius Camfield, LDS Messenger and Advocate, Dec. 1834, 1:41.)

The original of this revelation is not extant. Sometime after its dictation,
Oliver Cowdery
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recorded it in Revelation Book 2.
Footnotes
[1]
Warren Cowdery, Freedom, NY, to Oliver Cowdery, Kirtland, OH, 14 Jan. 1834, in The Evening and the Morning Star, Jan. 1834, 127.
[2]
JS, Journal, 9–12 Mar. 1834.
[3]
Pratt, Autobiography, 121. A letter from Oliver Cowdery to Warren dated 29 April 1834 indicates that Warren was still not a member of the church at that time. (Oliver Cowdery, Kirtland Mills, OH, to Warren Cowdery, [Freedom, NY], 29 Apr. 1834, in Cowdery, Letterbook, 40–41.)
Pratt, Parley P. The Autobiography of Parley Parker Pratt, One of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Embracing His Life, Ministry and Travels, with Extracts, in Prose and Verse, from His Miscellaneous Writings. Edited by Parley P. Pratt Jr. New York: Russell Brothers, 1874.
Cowdery, Oliver. Letterbook, 1833–1838. Huntington Library, San Marino, CA.
[4]
Warren Cowdery, Freedom, NY, to Oliver Cowdery, Kirtland, OH, 1 Sept. 1834, in The Evening and the Morning Star, Sept. 1834, 189.
[5]
Warren Cowdery, Freedom, NY, to Oliver Cowdery, [Kirtland, OH], 28 Oct. 1834, in LDS Messenger and Advocate, Nov. 1834, 1:22.
[6]
Oliver Cowdery published the letter in the November 1834 issue of the Messenger and Advocate.
[7]
Warren Cowdery, Freedom, NY, to Oliver Cowdery, [Kirtland, OH], 28 Nov. 1834, in LDS Messenger and Advocate, Dec. 1834, 1:35; “A Summary,” LDS Messenger and Advocate, Dec. 1834, 1:45.
[8]
Minutes, 24 Sept. 1834.
[9]
“A Summary,” LDS Messenger and Advocate, Dec. 1834, 1:45. The issue contains the notice of the death of a nine-year-old in Kirtland on 12 December 1834, meaning it was published sometime after 12 December. (Obituary for Cornelius Camfield, LDS Messenger and Advocate, Dec. 1834, 1:41.)
Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation. *Revelation, 25 November 1834 [D&C 106] Revelation Book 2 Doctrine and Covenants, 1835 History, 1838–1856, volume B-1 [1 September 1834–2 November 1838] Doctrine and Covenants, 1844 “History of Joseph Smith”
Page 116
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Kirtland
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, November 25; 1834
It is my will that my servant
Warren [Cowdery]
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1
At some point after recording the revelation in Revelation Book 2, Oliver Cowdery supplied “Cowdery” as Warren’s last name. (Revelation, 25 Nov. 1834, in Revelation Book 2, p. 116 [D&C 106:1].)
should receive <be ap>pointed and
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
a presiding
High Priest
An ecclesiastical and priesthood office. Christ and many ancient prophets, including Abraham, were described as being high priests. The Book of Mormon used the term high priest to denote one appointed to lead the church. However, the Book of Mormon also discussed...
View Glossary
over my
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
in the land of
Freedom
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and the regions round about;
2
Freedom appears to have been a central location for several branches in western New York. In January and April 1835, conferences were held there, attended by representatives from areas such as Westfield, Chautauque County; Portage, Allegany County; Kortright, Delaware County; and Avon, Livingston County. (“A Summary,” LDS Messenger and Advocate, Feb. 1835, 1:75; Minutes, LDS Messenger and Advocate, Apr. 1835, 1:101–102.)
and should preach my everlasting gospel, and lift up his voice and warn the people, not only in his own place, but in the adjoining countries, and devote his whole time in this high and holy calling which I now give unto him; seeking dilligently the kingdom of heaven and its righteousness, and all things necessary shall be added thereunto; for the laborer is worthy of his hire.
3
See Luke 10:7; Revelation, Sept. 1830–F [D&C 31:5]; and Revelation, 22–23 Sept. 1832 [D&C 84:79].
And again, verily I say unto you, the coming of the Lord draweth nigh,
4
See James 5:8; Revelation, 3 Nov. 1831 [D&C 133:17]; and New Testament Revision 2, p. 149 (second numbering) [Joseph Smith Translation, Revelation 1:3].
and it overtaketh the world as a thief in the night:
5
See 1 Thessalonians 5:2; and New Testament Revision 2, p. 77 (second numbering) [Joseph Smith Translation, Luke 12:44].
therefore, gird up your loins, that ye may be the children of the light, and and that day shall not overtake you as a thief.
6
See 1 Thessalonians 5:4–5.
And again, verily I say unto you, there was joy in heaven when my servant
Warren
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bowed to my scepter and separated himself from the crafts of men.
7
See Luke 15:7.
Therefore, blessed is my servant
Warren
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, for I will have mercy on him, and notwithstanding the vanity of his heart, I will lift him up, and inasmuch as he will humble himself before me; <and> I will give <unto> him grace and assurance wherewith he may stand; and if he continues to be a faithful witness, and a light unto the Church, I have prepared a crown for him in the mansion of my Father:
8
See Revelation, 7 Aug. 1831 [D&C 59:2]; and Revelation, 15 Mar. 1832 [D&C 81:6].
even so. Amen. [p. 116]
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Footnotes
[1]
At some point after recording the revelation in Revelation Book 2, Oliver Cowdery supplied “Cowdery” as Warren’s last name. (Revelation, 25 Nov. 1834, in Revelation Book 2, p. 116 [D&C 106:1].)
[2]
Freedom appears to have been a central location for several branches in western New York. In January and April 1835, conferences were held there, attended by representatives from areas such as Westfield, Chautauque County; Portage, Allegany County; Kortright, Delaware County; and Avon, Livingston County. (“A Summary,” LDS Messenger and Advocate, Feb. 1835, 1:75; Minutes, LDS Messenger and Advocate, Apr. 1835, 1:101–102.)
[3]
See Luke 10:7; Revelation, Sept. 1830–F [D&C 31:5]; and Revelation, 22–23 Sept. 1832 [D&C 84:79].
[4]
See James 5:8; Revelation, 3 Nov. 1831 [D&C 133:17]; and New Testament Revision 2, p. 149 (second numbering) [Joseph Smith Translation, Revelation 1:3].
[5]
See 1 Thessalonians 5:2; and New Testament Revision 2, p. 77 (second numbering) [Joseph Smith Translation, Luke 12:44].
[6]
See 1 Thessalonians 5:4–5.
[7]
See Luke 15:7.
[8]
See Revelation, 7 Aug. 1831 [D&C 59:2]; and Revelation, 15 Mar. 1832 [D&C 81:6].