| November 1, 1831, Hiram,
Ohio. |
| Testimony of the witnesses
to Book of Commandments §. |
| Book
of Commandments, Laws and Covenants, Book A (1832) 162–163 |
| Revelation Book 1 November [3], 1831, 121. This revelation appears after D&C 133, which is dated November 3rd 1831, though the minutes of the conference indicate |
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Background |
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B.
H. Roberts' hypothesis
Testimony destroyed by mob |
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[B. H. Roberts suggests]
it may have been signed … but owing to the fact that the printing press
was destroyed by a mob before the "Book of Commandments" was all
printed, the "Testimony" does not appear in the part of it that
was printed. |
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HC
History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, edited by B. H. Roberts, 7 vols. (Salt Lake City: Deseret News, 1902-1912, 1932).
1:226n. |
| Each
testifies revelations true |
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Each of the Elders present
at the conference testified to the truth of the revelations … [and]
expressed a willingness to testify to the truth of the revelations to all
the world. Accordingly this testimony was prepared … |
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| Might
have been intended for back of book |
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The testimonies of the
Book of Mormon witnesses was originally printed at the back of the book,
so Roberts is correct in suggesting the testimony of the Book of Commandments
witnesses might have been destroyed by the mob.
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But he
misconstrues conference minutes in arguing that the brethren
fully endorsed the Book of Commandments. |
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| Several
had reservations |
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Several
had reservations about the way the revelations were written. Joseph was unwilling to let anyone tinker with the wording, so the
matter of the written testimony was dropped. |
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| Minutes |
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According to the minutes of the meeting, |
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| Some willing to testify |
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A number of the brethren
arose and said that they were willing to testify to the world that they
knew that they were of the Lord. Revelation received
relative to the same. |
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¶
Minutes of November 1–2, 1831 |
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The next day, at the morning session, |
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D&C 1 was received between the first and second sessions of November 1. |
| Revelation
read |
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The Revelation of last
evening [was] read by the Moderator. |
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Brethren
bear witness
Joseph's feelings |
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The brethren then arose
in turn and bore witness to the truth of the Book of Commandments, after
which br Joseph Smith Jr. arose and expressed his feelings and gratitude
concerning the Commandment and Preface received yesterday. |
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A
number or each?
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On
the first day, only a number of the brethren endorse the book, after which Joseph receives a revelation—presumably the revelation given below. On the second,
"the brethren" rise in turn to bear witness to the Book of Commandments. |
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| Elders
willing to testify |
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[Roberts:] Each of the Elders present
… expressed a willingness to testify to the truth of the revelations
to all the world. Accordingly this testimony was prepared … |
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The sequence is significant
to one's perception of Joseph at this stage of his life. According to Roberts,
the Prophet receives a revelation that confirms the united, expressed will
of his associates. If this were the case one would, indeed, have expected
the document to have been signed and prepared for inclusion in the Book
of Commandments. |
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¶
Minutes of November 8, 1831
¶ D&C
67: 3–10 |
Not
consensus
Instrument of persuasion |
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However, according to
the minutes and associated documents, the Prophet receives the revelation
only after "a number" brethren express their wholehearted support.
If some were holding back—as the minutes of November 8, D&C 67,
and Joseph's 1842 recollection clearly state—the revelation was not
a consensus view, but an instrument of persuasion. It would be difficult
to reject outright a revelation from the Lord. |
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Witnessing the Book of Coveants |
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Text |
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| Joseph
to receive commandments |
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The testimony of
the witnesses to the book of the Lords commandments, which he gave to
his church through Joseph Smith. Jr. who was appointed by the voice of
the church for this purpose: |
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MH-A
Manuscript History of the Church (December 1805-August 30, 1834), 553 pages numbered from the "back" of Joseph's "large journal" (A-1), written June 11, 1839-Aug. 24, 1843. Selected Collections 1:1, Volume 1 // “Joseph Smith History, 1839” (first 93 pages), Early Mormon Documents 1:56-148; “History, 1839” (first 240 pages), Papers of Joseph Smith 1:265-386. Original, Church Archives, CR 100 102, Volume 1.
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162–163. |
Lord
has borne record
Inspired, profitable, true |
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we therefore feel willing
to bear testimony to all the world of mankind, to every creature upon
the face of <all> the earth, and upon the islands of the sea, that the
Lord has borne record to our souls, through the Holy Ghost shed forth upon
us, that these commandments [163] were given by inspiration of God, and
are profitable for all men, and are verily true. |
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| Testimony
through grace |
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We give this testimony
unto the world, the Lord being our helper: and it is through the grace
of God, the Father. and his Son Jesus Christ, that we are permitted to
have this privilege of bearing this testimony unto the world, that the
children of men may be profited thereby. |
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