Doctrine and Covenants Historical Resources: Doctrine and Covenants 18–19, Doctrine and Covenants Historical Resources (2020)
Doctrine and Covenants 18–19, Doctrine and Covenants Historical Resources
Doctrine and Covenants 18–19
The reconstructed Peter and Mary Musselman Whitmer home in Fayette, New York, USA. While living in the Whitmer home, Joseph received the revelation now contained in Doctrine and Covenants 18.
Texts
Historical background and the earliest manuscript of each revelation, as published in The Joseph Smith Papers
Revelation, June 1829–B [D&C 18]
Joseph Smith dictated this revelation in Fayette, New York, within the first few days of June 1829. Although the first portion of the revelation is addressed to Oliver Cowdery, the remainder provides direction for Cowdery and David Whitmer jointly, including a call for them to find twelve disciples. More …
Revelation, circa Summer 1829 [D&C 19]
This revelation, directed to Martin Harris, clarified doctrines regarding the nature of God, Christ’s Atonement, repentance, and the afterlife, and it counseled Harris on a variety of matters. More …
People
Biographical facts and historical images of individuals associated with the revelations
Historical Background
Revelations in Context
Essays on the background of each revelation
“Build Up My Church”
Preparations to build up the Lord’s church had been underway since at least June 1829. In that month, Joseph Smith dictated the revelation for Oliver Cowdery that would become Doctrine and Covenants 18. More …
The Contributions of Martin Harris
Martin Harris committed to provide financial support for the Book of Mormon publication. Joseph Smith had talked to several printers in Palmyra and Rochester, New York. More …
To pay the printer for the first 5,000 copies of the Book of Mormon, Martin Harris mortgaged his home and farm for $3,000. Harris family tradition states that Martin carried that sum of money to the printer in this wallet.
Wallet, owned by Martin Harris, ca. 1830, leather, Church History Museum.
Saints: The Story of the Church of Jesus Christ in the Latter Days
Narrative history of events surrounding the revelations
Volume 1, Chapter 8
The Rise of the Church of Christ
In early July 1829, with manuscript in hand, Joseph knew the Lord wanted him to publish the Book of Mormon and spread its message far and wide. But the publishing business was unfamiliar to him. More …
Volume 1, Chapter 19
Stewards over This Ministry
Joseph had received a revelation several years earlier that commanded Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer to search out twelve apostles to preach the gospel to the world. Like the apostles in the New Testament, these men were to act as special witnesses of Christ. More …
Church History Topics
Essays on subjects related to the revelations
Critics of the Book of Mormon
Even before the Book of Mormon came off the press in 1830, newspaper articles criticized the book and its translator. More …
Printing and Publishing the Book of Mormon
A small group of believers supported Joseph Smith through the Book of Mormon translation process, but none of them had experience in publishing. More …
Witnesses of the Book of Mormon
The first edition of the Book of Mormon featured two testimonials: one written by a group of three witnesses and another by a group of eight. More …
Places
Maps and information about places associated with the revelations from The Joseph Smith Papers, Historic Sites, and other helpful sources
Chronology
Timeline placing each revelation in the context of key events in the Church’s first century