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 13:Intro SECTION 13
Revelation given through Joseph Smith, Jr., the prophet, to John Whitmer, June 1829, at the home of Peter Whitmer, Sr., John's father, at Fayette, Seneca County, New York. John Whitmer became one of the eight witnesses whose testimony is published with all editions of the Book of Mormon.
DC 14:Intro SECTION 14
Revelation given through Joseph Smith, Jr., to Peter Whitmer, Jr. It is identical with the message to John, Peter's brother, and was received at the same time and place, June 1829, at Fayette, Seneca County, New York.
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 16:3a 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 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:Intro SECTION 26
The first paragraph of this revelation was given to Joseph Smith, Jr., early in August 1830 at Harmony, Pennsylvania, and was written down at that time. It was given through the personal ministry of a "heavenly messenger" as Joseph was seeking wine for the Sacrament which he and his wife and John Whitmer (Joseph's secretary at the time) wished to share with Newel Knight and his wife. Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Knight had just been confirmed. The "Book of Commandments" gives the date of this revelation as September 4, 1830. This was probably when the later paragraphs of the revelation were received.
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 29:Intro SECTION 29
Revelation given to David Whitmer, Peter Whitmer, Jr., and John Whitmer through Joseph Smith, Jr., September 1830 at Fayette, New York. It was received at the close of the second conference of the church. The Hiram Page "peepstone" difficulty (see Section 27) was in the background of the message to David Whitmer.
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 47:Intro SECTION 47
Revelation given through Joseph Smith, Jr., March 8, 1831, at Kirtland, Ohio, and addressed to John Whitmer. Oliver Cowdery's departure upon the mission to the West had left Joseph without a scribe who could keep an official record of the church's history. John Whitmer, who was now called to this responsibility, wrote only eighty-five pages. These included many of the revelations given prior to 1838.
DC 52:6b Let my servants David Whitmer and Harvey Whitlock also take their journey, and preach by the way, unto the same land. Let my servants Parley P. Pratt and Orson Pratt take their journey, and preach by the way, even unto this same land.
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 69:2b 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 70:1a 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 110:21a And again, the voice of God in the chamber of old Father Whitmer, in Fayette, Seneca County, and at sundry times, and in divers places, through all the travels and tribulations of this Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
