Divining Rods

Joseph Smith and his contemporaries lived in a culture steeped in biblical ideas, terminology, and practices. Biblical accounts, such as the story of Moses and his brother Aaron, described the use of physical objects such as rods to manifest God’s will (see Exodus 7:9–12 and Numbers 17:8). Many Christians in Joseph Smith’s day similarly regarded divining rods as instruments for revelation. They believed these rods could help them find underground water or minerals.¹

Oliver Cowdery

Oliver Cowdery

Early versions of the revelation in Doctrine and Covenants 8 state that Oliver Cowdery had “the gift of working with the sprout” or the “rod of nature,” indicating that he used a divining rod at some point. The Lord acknowledged Cowdery’s gift, declaring that “there is no other power save God that can cause this thing of Nature to work in your hands.” When Church leaders prepared this revelation for inclusion in the Doctrine and Covenants in 1835, they called Cowdery’s gift “the gift of Aaron,” reflecting its similarity to Aaron’s rod.²

Other sources likewise suggest that Oliver Cowdery, as well as Joseph Smith Sr. and Joseph Smith Jr., had likely used divining rods. But the revelation does not clarify how Cowdery employed his rod. It does indicate this was only one of several gifts available to Cowdery. In addition, the revelation taught Cowdery how to obtain the gift of translation through study, prayer, and the aid of the Holy Ghost.

Church Resources

Jeffrey G. Cannon, “Oliver Cowdery’s Gift: D&C 6, 7, 8, 9, 13,” in Matthew McBride and James Goldberg, eds., Revelations in Context: The Stories behind the Sections of the Doctrine and Covenants (Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2016), 15–19.

“Revelation, April 1829–B [D&C 8],” Historical Introduction, josephsmithpapers.org.

Bibliography

The following publication provides further information about this topic. By referring or linking you to this resource, we do not endorse or guarantee the content or the views of the author.

Larry E. Morris, “Oliver Cowdery’s Vermont Years and the Origins of Mormonism,” BYU Studies, vol. 39, no. 1 (2000), 106–29.

Related Topics: Seer Stones, Treasure Seeking

Notes

1. Similar practices persist today among some who live in rural communities.

2. The earliest manuscript copy of the revelation now found in Doctrine and Covenants 8 calls it a “sprout.” In 1833, when this revelation was prepared for publication, Sidney Rigdon revised the text to refer to a “rod of nature.” Revelation, April 1829–B [D&C 8],” in Revelation Book 1, 13, josephsmithpapers.org; Book of Commandments, 1833, 19, josephsmithpapers.org; Doctrine and Covenants, 1835, 161, josephsmithpapers.org.