D&C 12:7-9 Joseph Knight and You
Joseph Knight, Sr. resided in Harmony, Pennsylvania, and he and his family had been supportive of Joseph Smith since they first met in 1825. The first six verses of this revelation, which is directed to Brother Knight, are identical to Section 11 and similar to Section 4; these truths being pertinent to all who are part of the latter-day Restoration. Indeed, the Lord said in verse 7, “I speak unto you, and also to all those who have desires to bring forth and establish this work.”
What do you think are the most important attributes for those who engage in missionary work or any other aspect of the Lord’s work? In verses 8-9 the Lord set forth some of the qualifications for those who “have desires” to assist in His work. His emphatic premise was, “No one can assist in this work except he …”:
- Be humble
- Be full of love
- Have faith
- Have hope
- Have charity
- Be temperate in all things (meaning “moderate,” “balanced,” or “not extreme”)
- Give heed with all one’s might
The first qualification the Lord specified is to be humble. How would you describe a humble person? What things do humble people do, or not do? As we strive to be humble and to follow all these precepts with our might, the Lord says, “then you are called” (verse 9).
D&C 13 “I Confer the Priesthood of Aaron”
What are the three keys John the Baptist specified as he conferred the Aaronic priesthood upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery? (See also JS—H 1:69). Regarding the ministering of angels, President Wilford Woodruff recounted, “I had the administration of angels while holding the office of a priest” (Discourses of Wilford Woodruff, p. 298; see also D&C 84:26; D&C 107:20). How have you been blessed by holders of the Aaronic Priesthood?
D&C 14:1-6 We Are Called to His Work
As persecution in Harmony increased, Oliver Cowdery wrote to his friend David Whitmer to ask for help. The Whitmer family invited Joseph and Oliver to continue the translation of the Book of Mormon at their home in Fayette, New York. This revelation was given for David, and verses 1-6 are essentially the same as the opening verses given to Hyrum Smith and Joseph Knight in Sections 11 and 12. These verses can be summarized as follows:
We are called to participate in God’s great and marvelous work by heeding His word, keeping His commandments, and working with all our might. In return, He promises us everlasting salvation.
D&C 14:7-11 God’s Greatest Gift
As the Lord’s message to David Whitmer continues, we learn the following:
- Eternal life (exaltation with God) is “the greatest of all the gifts of God” (verse 7). It is indeed a gift, for even though the Lord sets standards for gaining eternal life, it is not something that we can possibly “earn.”
- The Lord called David to the work and promised him spiritual and temporal blessings. He hints that David can become one of the Three Witnesses of the truth of the Book of Mormon (verses 8, 11).
- The light of Jesus Christ cannot be hidden (verse 9).
Read again all of Section 14 and make a list of the Lord’s invitations or commandments, and a list of His promises.
D&C 15-16 John and Peter Whitmer
Except for their individual names in the first verse, these two sections are identical in wording.
- What do we learn about the Lord’s word or words in D&C 15:1-2, 5? (see also 14:2).
- Compare what the Lord said to John and Peter Whitmer in 15:3; 16:3 to what He said to Oliver Cowdery in 6:14-15, 22-24. Think of the quiet, secret things the Lord has said to you or given you.
- How do you think declaring repentance can be “of the most worth” to John and Peter, and to us? (15:4, 6; 16:4, 6; see also D&C 11:9).
- Why do you think “repentance” is singled out as the heart of our message to the world?
D&C 17 The Witnesses
Think about a time when someone did not believe you. How did it make you feel? Imagine how Joseph Smith felt about the ceaseless accusations and false rumors against him (see JS—H 1:21-22, 25).
Read the Book of Mormon prophecies about the role of the Three Witnesses in 2 Nephi 27:12 and Ether 5:2-4. Read D&C 17:1-5, looking for the following:
- What did the Lord say the witnesses must do before they would be allowed to “have a view” of the sacred items? (verses 1-2; note the prime role of “faith;” see also verse 5).
- What five items did the Lord say that the witnesses would see? (verse 1; note that Joseph Smith said that the plates, breastplate, and Urim and Thummim were deposited in the stone box in the hill [see JS—H 1:51-52, 59] but the sword of Laban and the “miraculous directors” [the Liahona; see Alma 37:38] are not mentioned in our historical documents as having been in the box; thus we conclude that they were brought forth at a later time).
- What responsibilities did the Lord say the witnesses must take upon themselves? (verses 3, 5).
- What were the blessings and benefits of having additional witnesses? (verses 4, 9). Oliver, David, and Martin saw the Angel Moroni (who showed them the plates), and heard the voice of God declaring the truth of it all (see “The Testimony of Three Witnesses” at the beginning of the Book of Mormon; History of the Church, 1:54-55). Joseph then told his mother how greatly relieved he was that finally someone else could testify with him (History of Joseph Smith by His Mother, p. 152).
- Note in verse 6 the positive and powerful language the Lord used as He bore His own witness of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon.
- What promise did the Lord give in verse 8 to Oliver, David, and Martin? It is well-known that all three witnesses later withdrew from their association with Joseph Smith and the Church, but never denied their testimonies of the Book of Mormon and of what they had seen and heard. Oliver Cowdery and Martin Harris eventually reunited with the Church.
JS—H 1:66-71 Another Minister from Heaven
These verses relate events that led up to—and the occurrence of—the visit of the resurrected John the Baptist, on May 15, 1829, to restore the lesser priesthood upon the heads of Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. After John simultaneously conferred the priesthood upon them, Joseph and Oliver immediately obeyed his instruction to baptize each other (Joseph baptizing Oliver first), and then to ordain one another to the Aaronic Priesthood (again, Joseph ordained Oliver first).
What prompted this glorious event? They were doing God’s work, involved in the scriptures, and praying with fervor. After translating the account in 3 Nephi of the Savior’s appearance to the Nephites after His resurrection, Joseph and Oliver wondered about the issue of authority from God to administer the ordinances of the gospel, so they prayed.
JS—H 1:72-76 Help from the Holy Ghost
In verse 70 John the Baptist told Joseph and Oliver that he “had not the power of laying on hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost,” but this did not impede the influence of the Holy Ghost upon them, for Joseph wrote in verse 73:
- “Immediately on our coming up out of the water after we had been baptized, we experienced great and glorious blessings from our Heavenly Father.”
- “The Holy Ghost fell upon him [Oliver] and he stood up and prophesied many things [and] I also had the spirit of prophecy.”
- “We were filled with the Holy Ghost.”
- And in verse 74: “Our minds being now enlightened, we began to have the scriptures laid open to our understanding, and the true meaning and intention of their more mysterious passages revealed unto us.”
Before Joseph and Oliver had the opportunity to receive the ordinance of confirmation and the gift of the Holy Ghost—and before they were members of the Church (which was not yet organized)—the Spirit fell upon them and influenced them, opening their minds and hearts in new and powerful ways.
Does the influence of the Holy Ghost help you recognize and appreciate “great and glorious blessings”? What difference does it make in your scripture study when you feel that you have the Holy Ghost helping you? What other blessings come to mind as you think about the gift of the Holy Ghost in your life?
JS—H, Endnote “Days Never to Be Forgotten”
This account and testimony were written by Oliver Cowdery and included at the end of Joseph Smith—History. It is a precious gem from an eloquent witness to and participant in a number of the magnificent events early in the Restoration. What thoughts and feelings come to you as you read Oliver’s narrative? What do you learn about Jesus Christ from his account?
