DC 6:Intro SECTION 6
Oliver Cowdery met Joseph Smith on April 5, 1829. Two days later he began to write for Joseph as the prophet dictated the translation of the Book of Mormon. The following inspired instruction was received at Harmony, Pennsylvania, during the latter part of the month. It was addressed to Oliver Cowdery.
DC 7:Intro SECTION 7
Revelation given to Joseph Smith, Jr., and Oliver Cowdery in Harmony, Pennsylvania, April 1829, in response to their prayers concerning the meaning of John 21:20-24. The 1835 edition of the Doctrine and Covenants states that this was "translated from parchment, written and hid up by himself (John)."
DC 8:Intro SECTION 8
Revelation given through Joseph Smith, Jr., to Oliver Cowdery, April 1829, at harmony, Pennsylvania. It was occasioned by Oliver's questions and concerns as he entered into more intimate association with Joseph during this first month of their acquaintance.
DC 8:1a Oliver Cowdery, verily, verily I say unto you, that assuredly as the Lord liveth, who is your God and your Redeemer,
DC 9:Intro SECTION 9
Revelation given through Joseph Smith, Jr., to Oliver Cowdery in Harmony, Pennsylvania, during April 1829. It followed and explained Oliver's failure as a translator and encouraged him to continue as Joseph's scribe, which he did.
DC 10:Intro SECTION 10
Revelation given through Joseph Smith, Jr., to his brother, Hyrum Smith, May 1829, at Harmony, Pennsylvania. The first four paragraphs contain the same assurances and counsel as had been given to Oliver Cowdery during the preceding months (D. and C. 6).
DC 11:Intro SECTION 11
Revelation given through Joseph Smith, Jr., the prophet, in response to the earnest prayers of Joseph Knight, Sr. On several occasions Mr. Knight brought provisions to Joseph and Oliver so they could continue their work of translation without interruption. This revelation was given in May 1829, at Harmony, Pennsylvania. Note the similarity between the opening affirmations and commandments of this revelation and those given to Oliver Cowdery (D. and C. 6), Hyrum Smith (D. and C. 10), and David Whitmer (D. and C. 12).
DC 12:Intro SECTION 12
At the invitation of the Whitmer family, Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery went from Harmony, Pennsylvania, to Fayette, Seneca County, New York, where they stayed in the Whitmer home until the translation of the Book of Mormon was completed. The following revelation, addressed to David Whitmer, was received in June 1829, while the prophet was still in Fayette.
DC 15:Intro SECTION 15
In June, 1829, Martin Harris visited Fayette, New York, to inquire concerning the progress being made in the translation of the Book of Mormon. During this visit he joined Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer in asking that they might be chosen as the three special witnesses to the divinity of the Book of Mormon, mentioned in the prophecies of Nephi and Moroni (II Nephi 11:133; Ether 2:2-3).
The following revelation was received in answer to Joseph's prayer on behalf of his three associates. A few days later the promise it contained was fulfilled, and Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris became the three special witnesses to the fact that Joseph truly had the Book of Mormon plates and that these plates had been translated "by the gift and power of God." Their testimony was maintained to the end of their lives and has been included in every edition of the Book of Mormon.
DC 16:Intro SECTION 16
Although Martin Harris is not mentioned in this revelation given in June 1829, at Fayette, he joined Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer in selecting the first apostles in the Quorum of Twelve in the Restoration. The selection was made at Kirtland, February 14, 1835. Those chosen were ordained under the hands of Oliver, David, and Martin (the Three Witnesses), each praying separately.
DC 16:1a Now, behold, because of the thing which you, my servant Oliver Cowdery, have desired to know of me, I give unto you these words:
DC 16:3a And now, Oliver Cowdery, I speak unto you, and also unto David Whitmer, by the way of commandment;
DC 16:6a And now, behold, I give unto you, Oliver Cowdery, and also unto David Whitmer, that you shall search out the twelve who shall have the desires of which I have spoken; and by their desires and their works, you shall know them;
DC 17:1b which commandments were given to Joseph Smith, Jr., who was called of God and ordained an apostle of Jesus Christ, to be the first elder of this church; and to Oliver Cowdery, who was also called of God an apostle of Jesus Christ, to be the second elder of this church, and ordained under his hand:
DC 19:Intro SECTION 19
Revelation given through Joseph Smith, Jr., the prophet, on the day the church was organized, April 6, 1830, at Fayette, Seneca County, New York, before or, possibly, during the organization meeting, and is addressed to both Joseph and the church. It refers to the organization in the past tense and gives instruction concerning the ordination of Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery as though this were yet to be consummated. The ordinations did take place at the organization meeting, after the other brethren participating had indicated their willingness to accept Joseph and Oliver as their teachers and leaders.
DC 19:3b 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;
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.
DC 24:2b And thou shalt go with him at the time of his going, and be unto him for a scribe, while there is no one to be a scribe for him, that I may send my servant Oliver Cowdery whithersoever I will.
DC 25:Intro SECTION 25
Revelation given through Joseph Smith at Harmony, Pennsylvania, in July 1830, to Joseph Smith, Jr., Oliver Cowdery, and John Whitmer. It is specifically important because of its affirmation of the principle of "common consent" in the government of the church.
DC 26:2d which John I have sent unto you, my servants, Joseph Smith, Jr., and Oliver Cowdery, to ordain you unto this first priesthood which you have received, that you might be called and ordained even as Aaron;
DC 27:Intro SECTION 27
Revelation given to Oliver Cowdery through Joseph Smith, Jr., in September 1830 at Fayette, New York.
Hiram Page had come into possession of a stone by use of which he had obtained certain "revelations" concerning the building of Zion, church organization, and similar matters. Oliver Cowdery and the Whitmer family, to whom Hiram was related, tended to accept his claims. The instruction now received appoints Oliver to an important mission and then sets forth the associated principles of prophetic guidance and common consent according to the church covenants and the prayer of faith. It should be noted that Oliver, who had shared responsibility for the difficulties which had arisen, is now commanded to take responsibility for their settlement.
DC 31:Intro SECTION 31
Revelation to Parley P. Pratt and Ziba Peterson, given through Joseph Smith, Jr., prophet and seer to the church, October 1830 at Fayette, New York. The appointment of Oliver Cowdery and Peter Whitmer to take the message of the Restoration to the Lamanites aroused considerable interest and enthusiasm among the ministry. This mission to the West was most important. Men were anxious to go.
DC 31:1b and that which I have appointed unto him, is that he shall go with my servants Oliver Cowdery and Peter Whitmer, Jr., into the wilderness, among the Lamanites;
DC 37:2a And again a commandment I give unto the church, that it is expedient in me that they should assemble together at the Ohio, against the time that my servant Oliver Cowdery shall return unto them.
DC 47:2a And again, I say unto you, that it shall be appointed unto him to keep the church record and history continually, for Oliver Cowdery I have appointed to another office.
DC 52:9e And let there be one obtained for my servant Oliver Cowdery also; and thus, even as I have said, if ye are faithful, ye shall assemble yourselves together to rejoice upon the land of Missouri, which is the land of your inheritance, which is now the land of your enemies.
DC 55:2a And again, you shall be ordained to assist my servant Oliver Cowdery to do the work of printing, and of selecting, and writing books for schools, in this church, that little children also may receive instruction before me as is pleasing unto me.
DC 57:Intro SECTION 57
Revelation addressed to the elders who had come to Independence, Missouri, in fulfillment of the instructions given them in Kirtland. It was given through Joseph Smith, Jr., in July 1831. In it the Center Place and "the spot for the temple" are designated, and the instructions previously given to Edward Partridge, Sidney Gilbert, W. W. Phelps, and Oliver Cowdery are confirmed.
DC 57:5b And let my servant Oliver Cowdery assist him, even as I have commanded, in whatsoever place I shall appoint unto him, to copy, and to correct, and select, that all things may be right before me, as it shall be proved by the Spirit through him.
DC 58:13b And let a conference meeting be called, and after that let my servants Sidney Rigdon and Joseph Smith, Jr., return, and also Oliver Cowdery with them, to accomplish the residue of the work which I have appointed unto them in their own land, and the residue as shall be ruled by the conferences.
DC 60:2e And from thence let my servants Sidney Rigdon, and Joseph Smith, Jr., and Oliver Cowdery, take their journey for Cincinnati: and in this place let them lift up their voice, and declare my word with loud voices, without wrath or doubting, lifting up holy hands upon them.
DC 60:4d And by the mouth of my servant Joseph Smith, Jr., it shall be made known concerning Sidney Rigdon and Oliver Cowdery, the residue hereafter. Even so. Amen.
DC 61:4a And now, concerning my servants Sidney Rigdon, and Joseph Smith, Jr., and Oliver Cowdery, let them come not again upon the waters, save it be upon the canal, while journeying unto their homes, or, in other words, they shall not come upon the waters to journey, save upon the canal.
DC 61:5c And again, verily I say unto you, My servants Sidney Rigdon, and Joseph Smith, Jr., and Oliver Cowdery, shall not open their mouths in the congregations of the wicked, until they arrive at Cincinnati;
DC 63:Intro SECTION 63
Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, and Oliver Cowdery arrived in Kirtland, August 27, 1831, from their first visit to the land of Zion. Joseph wrote in his history,
"In these infant days of the church, there was great anxiety to obtain the word of the Lord upon every subject that in any way concerned our salvation; and as the "land of Zion" was the most temporal object in view, I inquired of the Lord for further information upon the gathering of the Saints, and the purchase of the land and other matters."
It was in answer to this petition that Joseph Smith received the following revelation.
DC 63:12c Verily I say, Let him be ordained as an agent unto the disciples that shall tarry, and let him be ordained unto this power; and now speedily visit the churches, expounding these things unto them, with my servant Oliver Cowdery.
DC 68:4g These things ought not to be, and must be done away from among them; wherefore let my servant Oliver Cowdery carry these sayings unto the land of Zion.
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.
DC 69:1a 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;
DC 69:1b 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.
DC 70:1a 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;
DC 81:Intro SECTION 81
Joseph Smith left Hiram, Ohio, April 1, 1832, and he and his party reached Independence, Missouri, on April 24. A general council of the church was immediately called to convene April 26, 1832. At this council more inspired instruction was received through Joseph concerning the poor and the enlargement of Zion.
More unusual names are used in this revelation (see D. and C. 77). Their meanings are interpreted as follows:
"Alam and Ahashdah"
"Mahalaleel and Pelagoram"
"Gazelam"
"Horah and Olihah"
"Shalemanasseh and Mehemson"
"Land of Shinehah"
Newel K. Whitney
Sidney Rigdon
Joseph Smith
Oliver Cowdery
Martin Harris
Kirtland
DC 99:2a Joseph Smith, Jr., Sidney Rigdon, and Frederick G. Williams, were acknowledged presidents by the voice of the council; and Joseph Smith, Sr., John Smith, Joseph Coe, John Johnson, Martin Harris, John S. Carter, Jared Carter, Oliver Cowdery, Samuel H. Smith, Orson Hyde, Sylvester Smith, and Luke Johnson, high priests, were chosen to be a standing council for the church, by the unanimous voice of the council.
DC 99:15b Oliver Cowdery, No. 1; Joseph Coe, No. 2; Samuel H. Smith, No. 3; Luke Johnson, No. 4; John S. Carter, No. 5; Sylvester Smith, No. 6; John Johnson, No. 7; Orson Hyde, No. 8; Jared Carter, No. 9; Joseph Smith, Sr., No. 10; John Smith, No. 11; Martin Harris, No. 12
DC 99:15c After prayer the conference adjourned.Oliver Cowdery, Orson Hyde, Clerks
DC 101:Intro SECTION 101
Revelation given through Joseph Smith, Jr., April 23, 1834, at Kirtland, Ohio. A "United Order of Enoch" had been established to manage the temporal affairs of the church in Kirtland and in Zion. The Order was now in financial difficulties, largely because of losses sustained through mob action. In accordance with this revelation, the Order was now dissolved, its properties being divided among the members of the Order in such fashion as to constitute their individual stewardships. For an explanation of the unusual names used in this revelation, consult the introduction to Doctrine and Covenants 77. The probable significance of these names is as follows:
The "Order"
"Pelagoram"
"Tahhanes"
"Mahemson"
"Zombre"
"Gazelam"
"Shederlaomach"
"Olihah" The United Order of Enoch
Sidney Rigdon
Tannery
Martin Harris
John Johnson
Joseph Smith
Frederick G. Williams
Oliver Cowdery
"Lane-shine-house"
"Ahashdah"
"Ozondah"
"Shinehah"
"Shinelah"
"Shinelane"
"Cainhannoch"
"Shule" Printing Office
Newel K. Whitney
Store
Kirtland
Print
Printing
New York
Ashery
DC 103:Intro SECTION 103
Revelation given through Joseph Smith, Jr., at Kirtland, Ohio, November 25, 1834. It was addressed to Warren A. Cowdery of Freedom, New York.
DC 103:1a It is my will that my servant, Warren A. Cowdery, should be appointed and ordained a presiding high priest over my church in the land of Freedom, and the regions round about, and should preach my everlasting gospel, and lift up his voice and warn the people, not only in his own place, but in the adjoining countries,
DC 107:29e who shall show unto him the keys whereby he may ask and receive, and be crowned with the same blessing, and glory, and honor, and priesthood, and gifts of the priesthood, that once were put upon him that was my servant Oliver Cowdery;
DC 112:Intro SECTION 112
This section, which deals with governments and laws in general, is not a revelation. It was prepared in connection with the publication of the 1835 edition of the Doctrine and Covenants and was read by Oliver Cowdery at the general assembly of August 17, 1835. It was adopted unanimously and ordered to be printed in the first edition of the Doctrine and Covenants (108A:14). It was also published as the political sentiment of the church by authority of the conference of 1863. This was during the American Civil War.