DC 69 Intro: SECTION 69
Revelation given through rough Joseph Smith, Jr., November 1831, at Hiram, Ohio. The compilation of the revelations to comprise the "Book of Commandments" was authorized at one of the four special conferences held in Hiram during the first half of November 1831. It was decided that Oliver Cowdery and John Whitmer should carry the revelations to Independence, Missouri, where they would be printed by W. W. Phelps and Company. This instruction was sought and received in connection with the mission of these brethren.
1a Hearken unto me, saith the Lord your God, for my servant Oliver Cowdery's sake: it is not wisdom in me that he should be intrusted with the commandments and the moneys which he shall carry unto the land of Zion, except one go with him who will be true and faithful; wherefore I, the Lord, will that my servant John Whitmer should go with my servant Oliver Cowdery;
1b and also that he shall continue in writing and making a history of all the important things which he shall observe and know concerning my church; and also that he receive counsel and assistance from my servant Oliver Cowdery, and others.
2a And also my servants who are abroad in the earth should send forth the accounts of their stewardships to the land of Zion, for the land of Zion shall be a seat and a place to receive and do all these things;
2b nevertheless, let my servant John Whitmer travel many times from place to place, and from church to church, that he may the more easily obtain knowledge--preaching and expounding, writing, copying, selecting, and obtaining all things which shall be for the good of the church, and for the rising generations, that shall grow up on the land of Zion, to possess it from generation to generation, for ever and ever. Amen.
DC 70 Intro: SECTION 70
Revelation given through Joseph Smith, Jr., November 12, 1831, at Hiram, Ohio. The editing and publishing of the revelations occupied much of the time of the elders who were commissioned to do this. In this revelation six of these elders were designated as "stewards over the revelations and commandments," and their remuneration was set forth as part of the basic stewardship law.
1a Behold and hearken, O ye inhabitants of Zion, and all ye people of my church, who are far off, and hear the word of the Lord, which I give unto my servant Joseph Smith, Jr., and also unto my servant Martin Harris, and also unto my servant Oliver Cowdery, and also unto my servant John Whitmer, and also unto my servant Sidney Rigdon, and also unto my servant William W. Phelps, by the way of commandment unto them, for I give unto them a commandment;
1b wherefore hearken and hear, for thus saith the Lord unto them, I, the Lord, have appointed them, and ordained them to be stewards over the revelations and commandments which I have given unto them, and which I shall hereafter give unto them;
1c and an account of this stewardship will I require of them in the day of judgment; wherefore I have appointed unto them, and this is their business in the church of God, to manage them and the concerns thereof; yea, the benefits thereof.
2a Wherefore a commandment I give unto them, that they shall not give these things unto the church, neither unto the world;
2b nevertheless, inasmuch as they receive more than is needful for their necessities and their wants, it shall be given into my storehouse, and the benefits shall be consecrated unto the inhabitants of Zion and unto their generations, inasmuch as they become heirs according to the laws of the kingdom.
