Doctrine and Covenants 6
Historical Context
Doctrine and Covenants 6 introduces us to one of the most important figures in the saga of the Restoration. On the Sabbath evening of April 5, Oliver Cowdery and Samuel H. Smith both arrived in Harmony, Pennsylvania. Oliver had moved to Palmyra the previous fall and while boarding with the Smith family became aware of the plates and of Joseph Smith’s prophetic call. At the time, Joseph was struggling to restart the translation of the Book of Mormon. Lucy Mack Smith later recalled, “Joseph has been so hurried with his secular affairs, that he could not proceed with his spiritual concerns so fast as was necessary for the speedy completion of the work.” During this period Emma acted as scribe when she was able, but she “had so much of her time taken up with the care of the house, that she could write for but a small portion of the time.” In response to these pressures, “Joseph called upon the Lord, three days prior to the arrival of Samuel and Oliver, to send him a scribe, according to the promise of the angel; and he was informed that the same should be forthcoming in a few days. Accordingly, when Mr. Cowdery told him the business he had come upon, Joseph was not at all surprised.” Though we do not know the exact date on which this revelation was received, it appears to have been shortly after Oliver arrived in Harmony. The connection between Joseph and Oliver was immediate. In an 1834 letter to W. W. Phelps, Oliver notes that he arrived in Harmony on April 5 and then commenced his work as scribe of the translation just two days later, on April 7, 1829.”
Verse-by-Verse Commentary
Doctrine and Covenants 6:1-6
1 A great and marvelous work is about to come forth unto the children of men.
2 Behold, I am God; give heed unto 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 words.
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 Now, as you have asked, behold, I say unto you, keep my commandments, and seek to bring forth and establish the cause of Zion;
Doctrine and Covenants 6 is the beginning of a series of lessons on personal revelation for Oliver Cowdery. The Lord gently guides Oliver through a series of sometimes painful lessons about how to hear and recognize the voice of revelation. He begins here by using some of the words found in other early revelations to important figures in the work, such as Joseph Smith Sr. (D&C 4), Hyrum Smith (D&C 11), Joseph Knight Sr. (D&C 12), David Whitmer (D&C 14), John Whitmer (D&C 15), and Jacob Whitmer (D&C 16). In all of these revelations the Lord invites the recipient to join the work of bringing souls to Christ in the latter days. A common theme among all of the revelations is the Lord’s invitation to ask questions, with a promise that answers will be given. Early on in the work, the Lord establishes the democratic nature of revelation, with the matters of individual importance requiring no mediator between the Lord and His disciples.
Doctrine and Covenants 6:7-13
7 Seek not for riches but for wisdom, and behold, the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich. Behold, he that hath eternal life is rich.
8 Verily, verily, I say unto you, even as you desire of me so it shall be unto you; and if you desire, you shall be the means of doing much good in this generation.
9 Say nothing but repentance unto this generation; keep my commandments, and assist to bring forth my work, according to my commandments, and you shall be blessed.
10 Behold thou hast a gift, and blessed art thou because of thy gift. Remember it is sacred and cometh from above—
11 And if thou wilt inquire, thou shalt know mysteries which are great and marvelous; therefore thou shalt exercise thy gift, that thou mayest find out mysteries, that thou mayest bring many to the knowledge of the truth, yea, convince them of the error of their ways.
12 Make not thy gift known unto any save it be those who are of thy faith. Trifle not with sacred things.
13 If thou wilt do good, yea, and hold out faithful to the end, thou shalt be saved in the kingdom of God, which is the greatest of all the gifts of God; for there is no gift greater than the gift of salvation.
In verses 7–13, Oliver is told that he “shall be the means of doing much good in this generation” (D&C 6:8). Oliver’s estrangement from the Church in 1838 and his decade-long absence from the faith has caused the modern Church to overlook how crucial he was in the early period of the Restoration. When the Church was organized, the Lord designated Oliver as the “second elder” (D&C 20:3), which placed his authority behind only Joseph Smith’s in importance. Oliver also acted as the second witness when the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthoods were restored (D&C 13; 27:12; 128:21). He beheld Jesus Christ, Moses, Elias, and Elijah when they appeared in the Kirtland Temple and received the keys of this dispensation along with Joseph (D&C 110). Oliver was also effectively the Church’s first mission president, leading the first missionaries “unto the Lamanites” (D&C 28:8). Later he played a key role in the selection of the first Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in this dispensation, delivering the first apostolic charge. Every person who exercises priesthood authority in the Church owes a debt of gratitude to Oliver Cowdery for his work in the early Restoration.
Doctrine and Covenants 6:14-19
14 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, blessed art thou for what thou hast done; for thou hast inquired of me, and behold, as often as thou hast inquired thou hast received instruction of my Spirit. If it had not been so, thou wouldst not have come to the place where thou art at this time.
15 Behold, thou knowest that thou hast inquired of me and I did enlighten thy mind; and now I tell thee these things that thou mayest know that thou hast been enlightened by the Spirit of truth;
16 Yea, I tell thee, that thou mayest know that there is none else save God that knowest thy thoughts and the intents of thy heart.
17 I tell thee these things as a witness unto thee—that the words or the work which thou hast been writing are true.
18 Therefore be diligent; stand by my servant Joseph, faithfully, in whatsoever difficult circumstances he may be for the word’s sake.
19 Admonish him in his faults, and also receive admonition of him. Be patient; be sober; be temperate; have patience, faith, hope and charity.
Oliver had already received a revelation before Joseph inquired of the Lord on his behalf. Prior to his arrival in Harmony, Oliver spent a year boarding with the Smith family in Palmyra, where he served as a local schoolteacher. While staying with the Smiths he was introduced to the work Joseph was engaged in. The Prophet’s 1838 history states, “After we had received this revelation [D&C 6] he [Oliver Cowdery] stated to me that after he had gone to my father’s to board, and after the family communicated to him concerning my having got the plates, that one night after he had retired to bed, he called upon the Lord to know if these things were so, and that the Lord had manifested to him that they were true.” In his 1832 history, Joseph wrote that the “Lord appeared unto a young man by the name of Oliver Cowdery and shewed unto him the plates in a vision and also the truth of the work and what the Lord was about to do through me his unworthy servant.”
It appears that Joseph Smith Sr. also played a key role in helping Oliver find his role in the work. Lucy Mack Smith recorded, “One day, Oliver came home from school in quite a lively mood; as soon as he had an opportunity of conversing with Mr. Smith [Joseph Smith Sr.] he told him that he [Oliver] had been in deep study all day and it had been put into his heart that he would have the privilege of writing for Joseph when the term of school which he was then teaching was closed.” It appears the Lord manifested himself to Oliver in a number of ways to enlist his services in the work.
Doctrine and Covenants 6:20-24
20 Behold, thou art Oliver, and I have spoken unto thee because of thy desires; therefore treasure up these words in thy heart. Be faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments of God, and I will encircle thee in the arms of my love.
21 Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I am the same that came unto mine own, and mine own received me not. I am the light which shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not.
22 Verily, verily, I say unto you, if you desire a further witness, cast your mind upon the night that you cried unto me in your heart, that you might know concerning the truth of these things.
23 Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God?
24 And now, behold, you have received a witness; for if I have told you things which no man knoweth have you not received a witness?
One of the most difficult lessons to learn about revelation is how to recognize it when it comes. Though Oliver received numerous witnesses from visions and righteous counsel from trusted people in his life, the Lord still had to point out to him that another witness came in the simple form of peace to his mind. Revelation comes with great frequency to men and women, but it often goes unrecognized. The peace of the Spirit is often not seen as the confirmation of divine will that it represents. Because we believe in a caring and involved God, we believe that revelation comes constantly, but it usually comes in a more subtle way than we would expect. Setting aside the daily distractions that take us away from peaceful moments of pondering can help us recognize the promptings and gifts we are continually given. In Oliver’s case, he had already received multiple witnesses of the truth of the work, yet he sought additional clarification from Joseph. There was nothing wrong with seeking an additional witness, but in this case the revelation pointed not to Oliver’s future, but to his past, showing Oliver that the Lord had already provided him with multiple experiences confirming the divine nature of his calling.
Doctrine and Covenants 6:25-27
25 And, behold, I grant unto you a gift, if you desire of me, to translate, even as my servant Joseph.
26 Verily, verily, I say unto you, that there are records which contain much of my gospel, which have been kept back because of the wickedness of the people;
27 And now I command you, that if you have good desires—a desire to lay up treasures for yourself in heaven—then shall you assist in bringing to light, with your gift, those parts of my scriptures which have been hidden because of iniquity.
Oliver Cowdery is second only to Joseph Smith in his importance in the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. In verses 25–27, the Lord recognizes Oliver’s desire to possess the same gift as Joseph does, specifically the power to translate. This desire is more fully explored in the events linked to Doctrine and Covenants 8 and 9, when Joseph and Oliver directly petition the Lord to grant Oliver the ability to translate. As a scribe, Oliver plays a key role in not only the Book of Mormon but also the early stages of the new translation of the Bible that the Prophet was directed to undertake. At the same time, the Lord is gently emphasizing that Oliver needs to recognize his own gifts, which may be different from those held by Joseph. Each of us is given different gifts in order to accomplish the work of the Lord, and while we may have our own perspective on what we want to happen, our gifts often take the form of unexpected blessings and new directions.
Doctrine and Covenants 6:28-37
28 And now, behold, I give unto you, and also unto my servant Joseph, the keys of this gift, which shall bring to light this ministry; and in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.
29 Verily, verily, I say unto you, if they reject my words, and this part of my gospel and ministry, blessed are ye, for they can do no more unto you than unto me.
30 And even if they do unto you even as they have done unto me, blessed are ye, for you shall dwell with me in glory.
31 But if they reject not my words, which shall be established by the testimony which shall be given, blessed are they, and then shall ye have joy in the fruit of your labors.
32 Verily, verily, I say unto you, as I said unto my disciples, where two or three are gathered together in my name, as touching one thing, behold, there will I be in the midst of them—even so am I in the midst of you.
33 Fear not to do good, my sons, for whatsoever ye sow, that shall ye also reap; therefore, if ye sow good ye shall also reap good for your reward.
34 Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail.
35 Behold, I do not condemn you; go your ways and sin no more; perform with soberness the work which I have commanded you.
36 Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.
37 Behold the wounds which pierced my side, and also the prints of the nails in my hands and feet; be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven. Amen.
In what is essentially Joseph and Oliver’s first meeting together, revelation through Joseph begins to speak of the importance of two or three witnesses to establish the work. In the years following, Oliver serves not only as one of the three chosen witnesses of the Book of Mormon but also as the crucial second witness of the Restoration. In this role he never falters. While it is true that Oliver was estranged from the Church for a time, at the end of his life he came back to the faith. In the intervening years he never denied his testimony of the work. He still plays a leading role in the remarkable “little flock” that the Lord gathered around the Prophet during the translation of the Book of Mormon. The personal language the Savior uses in speaking with each of these early witnesses speaks of their importance not only in proving the truth of the Book of Mormon but also as witnesses of Jesus Christ.
Footnotes
