Doctrine and Covenants 14 |
Verses 1-6 (received by Joseph Smith Jr. for David Whitmer) are almost exactly the same as D&C 6:1-6 (for Oliver Cowdery), D&C 11:1-6 (for Hyrum Smith), and D&C 12:1-6 (for Joseph Knight, Sr.). Why should we think these are special revelations when they are literally just repeating the same exact words to different people? Wouldn't God personalize his message to his children? Wouldn't Jesus at least change up the way that he taught the same principle? Doesn't God have more important insights to put into his book of latter-day revelations than simply the same words, copied and pasted? |
1 A GREAT and marvelous work is about to come forth unto the children of men. | |
2 Behold, I am God; give heed to my word, which is quick and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword, to the dividing asunder of both joints and marrow; therefore give heed unto my word. | 2
While technically the Lord could use whatever words he would like to, it is strange that his words in modern revelation would be so unoriginal and highly dependent on the text of the KJV bible. Compare this verse with "Behold, I am God; give heed to my word, which is quick and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword, to the dividing asunder of both joints and marrow" to Hebrews 4:12 with "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow". Note that of the 21 instances of the word "asunder" in the KJV bible, only 3 also contain a variation of divide, with the verse in Hebrews being quite similar to this verse (with Leviticus 1:17 and Leviticus 5:8 being quite dissimilar). |
3 Behold, the field is white already to harvest; therefore, whoso desireth to reap let him thrust in his sickle with his might, and reap while the day lasts, that he may treasure up for his soul everlasting salvation in the kingdom of God. | |
4 Yea, whosoever will thrust in his sickle and reap, the same is called of God. | |
5 Therefore, if you will ask of me you shall receive; if you will knock it shall be opened unto you. | |
6 Seek to bring forth and establish my Zion. Keep my commandments in all things. | |
7 And, if you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God. | |
8 And it shall come to pass, that if you shall ask the Father in my name, in faith believing, you shall receive the Holy Ghost, which giveth utterance, that you may stand as a witness of the things of which you shall both hear and see, and also that you may declare repentance unto this generation. | |
9 Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, who created the heavens and the earth, a light which cannot be hid in darkness; | |
10 Wherefore, I must bring forth the fulness of my gospel from the Gentiles unto the house of Israel. | |
11 And behold, thou art David, and thou art called to assist; which thing if ye do, and are faithful, ye shall be blessed both spiritually and temporally, and great shall be your reward. Amen. | |
