Revelation, 1 November 1831–A [D&C 68]

Footnotes

1. 

   John Whitmer handwriting begins.  

2. 1

   John Whitmer assigned this number to the revelation when recording it in Revelation Book 1.  

3. 

   John Whitmer handwriting ends; Oliver Cowdery begins.  

4. 2

   This heading may not have appeared in the original manuscript; it may have been added by Oliver Cowdery when he copied the revelation into Revelation Book 1.  

5. 3

   “Ordinance” likely refers to Hyde’s ordination to the high priesthood. “Ordinance”—which, according to Webster’s 1828 dictionary, could mean “appointment”—was changed to “ordination” in the 1921 edition of the Doctrine and Covenants. Hyde later recalled that, at the same conference where this ordination occurred, he was “appointed on a mission to Elyria and Florence [Ohio] in connection with Bro. Hyrum Smith.” (Doctrine and Covenants 68:1, 1921 ed.; “Ordinance,” in American Dictionary [1828]; “History of Orson Hyde,” 8, Historian’s Office, Histories of the Twelve, ca. 1858–1880, CHL.)  

   Comprehensive Works Cited

   The Doctrine and Covenants of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Containing Revelations Given to Joseph Smith, the Prophet; with Some Additions by His Successors in the Presidency of the Church. Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1921.

   An American Dictionary of the English Language: Intended to Exhibit, I. the Origin, Affinities and Primary Signification of English Words, as far as They Have Been Ascertained. . . . Edited by Noah Webster. New York: S. Converse, 1828.

   Historian’s Office. Histories of the Twelve, 1856–1858, 1861. CHL. CR 100 93.

6. 4

   Although “synagogue” refers specifically to a Jewish house of worship, it is also used in the Book of Mormon to denote a general place of worship. (Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 492 [3 Nephi 18:32].)  

7. 5

   See Revelation, 29 Oct. 1831 [D&C 66:7].  

8. 6

   Former church member Ezra Booth claimed that it was JS’s responsibility to determine whether revelations received by other individuals were “from the Lord or the devil.” A September 1830 revelation declared that JS was the only one “appointed to Receive commandments & Revelations” for the church. (Ezra Booth, “Mormonism—No. II,” Ohio Star [Ravenna], 20 Oct. 1831, [3]; Revelation, Sept. 1830–B [D&C 28:2]; see also Revelation, Feb. 1831–A [D&C 43:2–4].)  

   Comprehensive Works Cited

   Ohio Star. Ravenna. 1830–1854.

9. 7

   See Romans 1:16.  

10. 8

    See Mark 16:15–18; Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 537 [Mormon 9:22–24]; and Revelation, 7 Dec. 1830 [D&C 35:8–9].  

11. 9

    A March 1831 revelation delineated some of these signs. (Revelation, ca. 7 Mar. 1831 [D&C 45:39–44].)  

12. 10

    The minutes of the conference held in Orange, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, a week earlier record that “Br. Joseph Smith jr. said that the order of the High priesthood is that they have power given them to seal up the Saints unto eternal life.” (Minutes, 25–26 Oct. 1831.)  

13. 11

    That is, in addition to the “Laws of the Church of Christ,” dated February 1831, and other commandments. (See Revelation, 9 Feb. 1831 [D&C 42:1–72]; Revelation, 23 Feb. 1831 [D&C 42:74–93].)  

14. 12

    Edward Partridge was appointed bishop in February 1831. (See Revelation, 4 Feb. 1831 [D&C 41:9].)  

15. 13

    Extant records predating this revelation generally use the term “high priesthood” instead of “high priests.”a After this revelation, the term “high priests” is increasingly used in records.b Although a conference of elders appointed “assistants” to Edward Partridge in June 1831, there is no extant record of a conference appointing Partridge bishop.c A license created for Partridge, however, states that Partridge had been appointed bishop “with and by the consent of the whole church.”d  

    (^aSee, for example, Minutes, 25–26 Oct. 1831; and Minutes, ca. 3–4 June 1831.^bSee, for example, Revelation, 11 Nov. 1831–B [D&C 107 (partial)]; and Revelation, 4 Dec. 1831–A [D&C 72:1].^cMinutes, ca. 3–4 June 1831.^dLicense for Edward Partridge, ca. 4 Aug.1831–ca. 5 Jan. 1832.)
16. 14

    An August 1831 revelation explained that one of the functions of a bishop was to “be a Judge in Israel” and “to Judge his people by the testimony of the Just.” (Revelation, 1 Aug. 1831 [D&C 58:17–18].)  

17. 15

    The February 1831 revelation of the “Laws of the Church of Christ” stated, “If he [Partridge] transgress another shall be appointed in his Stead.” This same revelation provided instructions on how to deal with church members who committed adultery or offended other members of the church. (Revelation, 9 Feb. 1831 [D&C 42:10]; Revelation, 23 Feb. 1831 [D&C 42:80–83, 88–93].)  

18. 16

    According to an 1829 revelation, children were not to be baptized until they had reached the “years of accountability.” Sometime between 1 February 1831 and 7 March 1831, JS revised Genesis 17:11 so that it explained “that children are not accountable before me till eight years old.” (Revelation, June 1829–B [D&C 18:42]; Old Testament Revision 1, p. 41, [Joseph Smith Translation, Genesis 17:11]; see also Faulring et al., Joseph Smith’s New Translation of the Bible, 64.)  

    Comprehensive Works Cited

    Faulring, Scott H., Kent P. Jackson, and Robert J. Matthews, eds. Joseph Smith’s New Translation of the Bible: Original Manuscripts. Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 2004.

19. 17

    See Revelation, 7 Aug. 1831 [D&C 59:12–13].  

20. 18

    The “Laws of the Church of Christ” specifically prohibited idleness, stating “he that is Idle shall not eat the bread nor wear the garment of the labourer.” (Revelation, 9 Feb. 1831 [D&C 42:42].)  

21. 19

    See Revelation, 2 Jan. 1831 [D&C 38:39].  

22. 20

    See Revelation, 15 June 1831 [D&C 56:17].  

23. 21

    Sidney Gilbert, who had returned to Kirtland, Ohio, in August 1831 to “procure the necessaries” for his store in Independence, Jackson County, Missouri, was similarly told to communicate “that which he hath seen & heard . . . unto my Deciples” in Missouri “that they perish not & for this cause have I spoken these things.” (Edward Partridge, Independence, MO, to Lydia Clisbee Partridge, 5–7 Aug. 1831, Edward Partridge, Letters, 1831–1835, CHL; Revelation, 11 Sept. 1831 [D&C 64:19].)  

    Comprehensive Works Cited

    Partridge, Edward. Letters, 1831–1835. CHL. MS 23154.

24. 22

    See Revelation 22:6; Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 119 [2 Nephi 31:15]; and Revelation, 29 Oct. 1831 [D&C 66:11].  

25. 23

    These titles for Jesus Christ were used in the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and earlier JS revelations. (See, for example, Revelation 1:8, 11; Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 473–474 [3 Nephi 9:18]; and Revelation, ca. Summer 1829 [D&C 19:1].)