3b Wherefore, it behooveth me, that he should be ordained by you, Oliver Cowdery, mine apostle; this being an ordinance unto you, that you are an elder under his hand, he being the first unto you, that you might be an elder unto this church of Christ, bearing my name;
3c and the first preacher of this church, unto the church, and before the world; yea, before the Gentiles; yea, and thus saith the Lord God, lo, lo! to the Jews, also. Amen.
DC 20 Intro: SECTION 20
Revelation given through Joseph Smith, Jr., prophet and seer to the church, April 1830, at Manchester, New York. This instruction came in answer to Joseph Smith's inquiry concerning the status of those who desired to unite with the church and who had already been baptized.
1a Behold, I say unto you, that all old covenants have I caused to be done away in this thing, and this is a new and everlasting covenant; even that which was from the beginning.
1b Wherefore, although a man should be baptized an hundred times, it availeth him nothing; for you can not enter in at the strait gate by the Law of Moses, neither by your dead works;
1c for it is because of your dead works, that I have caused this last covenant, and this church to be built up unto me; even as in days of old.
1d Wherefore, enter ye in at the gate, as I have commanded, and seek not to counsel your God. Amen.
DC 21 Intro: SECTION 21
This section is a composite of five revelations given through Joseph Smith, Jr., at Manchester, New York, April 1830, and addressed to Oliver Cowdery, Hyrum Smith, Samuel H. Smith, Joseph Smith, Sr., and Joseph Knight, Sr. They were given in answer to the prayers of these brethren concerning their relation to the work of the church. Each paragraph in Doctrine and Covenants 21 was printed as a separate chapter in the "Book of Commandments," but the chapters were combined in the 1835 (first) edition of the Doctrine and Covenants and have been published in this form ever since. They were received on the day the church was organized.
1a Behold, I speak unto you, Oliver, a few words. Behold, thou art blessed, and art under no condemnation. But beware of pride, lest thou shouldst enter into temptation.
1b Make known thy calling unto the church, and also before the world; and thy heart shall be opened to preach the truth from henceforth and forever. Amen.
2a Behold, I speak unto you, Hyrum, a few words, for thou also art under no condemnation, and thy heart is opened, and thy tongue loosed; and thy calling is to exhortation, and to strengthen the church continually.
