Episode 80: A marvelous work and a wonder is coming soon!

Doctrine and Covenants 1-7

Section 1

The Lord's preface to his book of commandments

Special conference, Hiram, Ohio on 1 November 1831

¹ Everyone (including you islanders) listen to me. ⁶ This is the preface of the book of my commandments. ^8-9 I give those who distribute this book power over everyone on earth, both believers and unbelievers, until God's wrath is poured out on wicked people.

¹² The Lord is coming soon. ¹³ He is angry and his sword is bathed (in blood).

I the Lord gave Joseph Smith Jr. my commandments

¹⁷ I the Lord spoke to Joseph Smith, Jr. from heaven, giving him my commandments.

²⁹ I gave him the power to translate the Book of Mormon. ³⁰ I also gave him the power to start the only true church on earth, with which I am well pleased.

³⁵ The devil will soon have power over everything.

³⁷ These commandments are true and the promises and prophecies in them will be fulfilled.

Section 2

By the hand of Elijah

The words of the angel Moroni to Joseph Smith at his father's house in Manchester, New York, 21 September 1823.

¹ I [the Lord] will reveal to you [Joseph Smith] the priesthood, by the hand of Elijah. ³ Otherwise, the earth would be destroyed when he came.

Section 3

The wicked Martin Harris and the lost 116 pages

Via Urim and Thummim, Harmony Pennsylvania, July 1828

⁹ You are Joseph, who was chosen to do the work of the Lord. ¹² You gave what was sacred to a wicked man [Martin Harris]. ¹⁴ So I'm taking away your privileges for a while.

¹⁸ The Lamanites, Lemuelites, and Ishmaelites dwindled in unbelief because of their fathers. The Lord allowed them to destroy the Nephites because of their abominations.

¹⁹ These plates are preserved so the Lamanites may believe.

Section 4

A marvelous work (and a wonder) is coming soon

Via Urim and Thummim, Harmony Pennsylvania, July 1828

¹ A marvelous work is coming soon.

Section 5

Martin Harris would like to see the plates

Joseph Smith, Harmony, Pennsylvania, March 1829.

¹ My servant Martin Harris would like to see the plates that you [Joseph Smith] received from me [the Lord]. ² Tell him that this is what God said to you: “I, God, have given you, Joseph Smith, Jr., the plates. ³ Don't show them to anyone, except for those who I command you. ⁴ Woe to anyone who won't listen to my words.”

The Lord will show the plates to three men

¹¹ I'll show these things to three of my servants. ¹⁸ This generation will be condemned if they don't believe these three witnesses. ¹⁹ If they don't repent, everyone on earth will be destroyed.

Now about the guy who wants to see the plates (Martin Harris)

²³ And now, about the man that would like to see the plates. ²⁴ If he humbles himself sufficiently and bows down to me, I might let him see them.

²⁵ Then he shall say to the people, “I saw the things the Lord showed to Joseph Smith, Jr. And I know for sure they're true.”

²⁶ And I the Lord command my servant Martin Harris to say nothing else about it, except to say, “I've seen them.”

²⁷ But if he breaks the covenant that he has covenanted with me, he is condemned. ²⁸ If he acknowledges the things that he did that were wrong, I'll let him see the plates.

³⁰ After you translate a few more pages, stop for a while. I'll tell you when to start translating again. ³⁵ Amen.

Section 6

A great and marvelous work is coming

Revelation to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, Harmony Pennsylvania, April 7, 1829. Via Urim and Thummim

¹ A great and marvelous work is coming. ² I'm God. Listen to me. ¹⁸ Stand by my servant Joseph.

Jesus gives Oliver Cowdery the gift of translation

²⁰ You're Oliver [Cowdery]. If you treasure these words in your heart, I'll encircle you in the arms of my love. ²¹ I'm Jesus Christ, the son of God.

²⁵ I'm going to let you translate, just like my servant Joseph. ²⁶ Much of my gospel has been hidden by wicked people.

²⁷ You and Joseph (but mostly Joseph) are going to reveal these hidden scriptures. ³⁷ Amen.

Section 7

John the apostle is still alive (like a flame or an angel)

A revelation to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. April 1829, Harmony, Pennsylvania. It is a translation from a letter written and hidden by John the Apostle. It deals with the question of whether John is dead or alive.

¹ The Lord said to me, “John, my beloved, what do you want? I'll give you whatever you ask for.”

² I said to him, “I'd like to live forever.”

³ Jesus said to me, “Okay, you'll live until I return in all my glory.”

⁴ Then Jesus said to Peter, “If my beloved doesn't die until I return, what's it to you? ⁶ I'll make him like a flaming fire and an angel.”