--
Versions of the Rod of Nature revelation
The four versions of the Rod of Nature revelation are designated below as follows:
A - Original text of what the Joseph Smith Papers editors titled "April 1829-B" from A Book of Commandments & Revelations as recorded by John Whitmer. A Book of Commandments & Revelations (also called "Revelations Book 1" by the editors) is the first of two books published in the Manuscript Revelation Books, the first volume of the Revelations and Translations series, edited by Robin Scott Jensen, Robert J. Woodford, and Steven C. Harper (Salt Lake City: The Church Historian's Press, 2009) and is part of the Joseph Smith Papers project published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was a handwritten copy of revelations copied beginning in 1831 by John Whitmer.
B - Modifications of "April 1829-B". This includes handwritten modifications to the text of 1829-B by John Whitmer, Oliver Cowdery, Sidney Rigdon and an unidentified scribe. Most of the changes were by Sidney Rigdon.
C - The Book of Commandments, Section 7, 1833. The Book of Commandments was an effort to publish Joseph Smith's revelations in 1833, but was thwarted during publication by a mob, and only a few copies survived.
D - Doctrine and Covenants, Section 8, first published in 1835. The Doctrine and Covenants was an updated version of Joseph Smith's revelations published in 1835.
A, B, C and D reference each of the four versions of the revelation below, and use the versing established in D. Italics indicate an insubstantial edit was not noted. Bold highlights changes between versions. Inconsequential changes such as "&" becoming "and," spelling or punctuation changes are not identified as changes.
Heading
A: A Revelation to Oliver he being desirous to know whether the Lord would grant him the gift of Revelation & Translation# given in Harmony Sus Pennsylvania
B: A Revelation to Oliver he being desirous to know whether the Lord would grant him the gift of Translation given in Harmony Susquehannah Pennsylvania April 1829
C: A Revelation given to Oliver, in Harmony, Pennsylvania, April, 1829
D: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to Oliver Cowdery, at Harmony, Pennsylvania, April 1829. HC 1: 36–37. In the course of the translation of the Book of Mormon, Oliver, who continued to serve as scribe, writing at the Prophet's dictation, desired to be endowed with the gift of translation. The Lord responded to his supplication by granting this revelation
Verse 1
A:Oliver Verily Verily I say unto you that as Shuredly as the Lord liveth which is your God & your Redeemer even so shure shall ye receive a knowledge of whatsoever things ye shall ask with an honest heart believing that ye shall receive a knowledge concerning the engravings of old Records which are ancient which contain those parts of my Scriptures of which hath been spoken by the manifestation of my Spirit
B:Oliver Verily Verily I say unto you that as aSuredly as the Lord liveth which is your God & your Redeemer even so shure you shall receive a knowledge of whatsoever things you shall ask with an honest heart believing that you shall receive a knowledge concerning the engravings of old Records which are ancient which contain those parts of my Scriptures which has been spoken by the manifestation of my Spirit
C: Oliver, verily, verily I say unto you, that assuredly as the Lord liveth, which is your God and your Redeemer, even so sure shall ye receive a knowledge of whatsoever things ye shall ask in faith, with an honest heart, believing that you shall receive a knowledge concerning the engravings of old records, which are ancient, which contain those parts of my scripture of which have been spoken, by the manifestation of my Spirit;
D: Oliver Cowdery, verily, verily, I say unto you, that assuredly as the Lord liveth, who is your God and your Redeemer, even so surely shall you receive a knowledge of whatsoever things you shall ask in faith, with an honest heart, believing that you shall receive a knowledge concerning the engravings of old records, which are ancient, which contain those parts of my scripture of which has been spoken by the manifestation of my Spirit.
Verse 2
A: yea Behold I will tell you in your mind & in your heart by the Holy Ghost which Shall come upon you & which shall dwell in your heart
<no changes of consequence in subsequent versions>
Verse 3
A: now Behold this is the spirit of Revelation Behold this is the spirit by which Moses brought the children of Israel through the red Sea on dry ground
<no changes of consequence in subsequent versions>
Verse 4
A: therefore this is thy gift apply unto it & blessed art thou for shall deliver you out of the hands of your enemies when if it were not so they would slay thee & bring thy soul to distruction
B: therefore this is thy gift apply unto it & blessed art thou for it shall deliver you out of the hands of your enemies when if it were not so they would slay you & bring your soul to distruction
<no changes of consequence in subsequent versions>
Verse 5
A: O remember these words & keep my commandments remember this is thy gift
B: O remember these words & keep my commandments remember this is your gift
<no changes of consequence in subsequent versions>
Verse 6
A: now this is not all for thou hast another gift which is the gift of working with the sprout Behold it hath told you things
B: now this is not all for you have another gift which is the gift of working with the rod Behold it has told you things
C: Now this is not all, for you have another gift, which is the gift of working with the rod: behold it has told you things:
D: Now this is not all thy gift; for you have another gift, which is the gift of Aaron; behold, it has told you many things;
Verse 7
A: Behold there is no other power save God that can cause this thing of Nature to work in your hands for it is the work of God
B: Behold there is no other power save God that can cause Rod to work in your hands for it is the work of God
C: behold there is no other power save God, that can cause this rod of nature to work in your hands, for it is the work of God.
D: Behold, there is no other power, save the power of God, that can cause this gift of Aaron to be with you.
Verse 8
<text is unique to D>
D: Therefore, doubt not, for it is the gift of God; and you shall hold it in your hands, and do marvelous works; and no power shall be able to take it away out of your hands, for it is the work of God.
Verse 9
A:& therefore whatsoever ye shall ask to tell you by that means that will he grant unto you that ye shall know
B:& therefore whatsoever you shall ask me to tell you by that means that will I grant unto you that you shall know
C: and therefore whatsoever you shall ask me to tell you by that means, that will I grant unto you, that you shall know.
D: And, therefore, whatsoever you shall ask me to tell you by that means, that will I grant unto you, and you shall have knowledge concerning it.
Verse 10
A: remember that without faith ye can do nothing trifle not with these things do not ask for that which ye had not ought
B: remember that without faith you can do nothing trifle not with these things do not ask for that which you ought not
C: Remember that without faith you can do nothing; therefore ask in faith. Trifle not with these things. Do not ask for that which you ought not.
<no changes of consequence in D>
Verse 11
A: ask that ye may know the mysteries of God & that ye may Translate all those ancient Records which have been hid up which are Sacred & according to your faith shall it be done unto you
B: ask that you may know the mysteries of God & that you may Translate all those ancient Records which have been hid up which are Sacred & according to your faith it shall be done unto you
<no changes of consequence in C>
D: Ask that you may know the mysteries of God, and that you may translate and receive knowledge from all those ancient records which have been hid up, that are sacred; and according to your faith shall it be done unto you.
Verse 12
A: Behold it is I that have spoken it & I am the same which spake unto you from the beginning amen
<no changes of consequence in C>
D: Behold, it is I that have spoken it; and I am the same that spake unto you from the beginning. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Comment: