Doctrine and Covenants 27

 
1

In the Book of Commandments (the precursor to the Doctrine and Covenants), this revelation was comprised of only the content of the Current D&C 27, verses 1-5 and parts of verses 14,15. The parts about prophets returning to minister and restore parts of the gospel were added later. Some see this as a huge problem. It does seem like revisions I make to my own writing, especially if I come back to the draft for revision after a long time, but if there were continuing revelation, I don’t see this as a problem. I think a God of continuing revelation could appropriately provide more information at a later time, assuming He does not contradict himself.

-a-bom
1 LISTEN to the voice of Jesus Christ, your Lord, your God, and your Redeemer, whose word is quick and powerful.
1
2 For, behold, I say unto you, that it mattereth not what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink when ye partake of the sacrament, if it so be that ye do it with an eye single to my glory--remembering unto the Father my body which was laid down for you, and my blood which was shed for the remission of your sins.
Alcohol
2
3 Wherefore, a commandment I give unto you, that you shall not purchase wine neither strong drink of your enemies;
3
4 Wherefore, you shall partake of none except it is made new among you; yea, in this my Father's kingdom which shall be built up on the earth.
4
5 Behold, this is wisdom in me; wherefore, marvel not, for the hour cometh that I will drink of the fruit of the vine with you on the earth, and with Moroni, whom I have sent unto you to reveal the Book of Mormon, containing the fulness of my everlasting gospel, to whom I have committed the keys of the record of the stick of Ephraim;
Misinterpretation of Bible
5
6 And also with Elias, to whom I have committed the keys of bringing to pass the restoration of all things spoken by the mouth of all the holy prophets since the world began, concerning the last days;
Misinterpretation of Bible
6
1

Verses 6,7 refer to Elias, and verse 9 refers to Elijah as if Elija were another person. Elias is the Greek form of the Hebrew Elijah. As far as I know, only the Mormon restorationist movement considers these to be names of two different persons (see also the account of Elias and Elijah each appearing in the Kirtland temple in D&C 110:12-13). This seems to be a glaring misunderstanding by Joseph Smith.

-a-bom
7 And also John the son of Zacharias, which Zacharias he (Elias) visited and gave promise that he should have a son, and his name should be John, and he should be filled with the spirit of Elias;
7
1
Verses 6,7 refer to Elias, and verse 9 refers to Elijah as if Elija were another person. Elias is the Greek form of the Hebrew Elijah. As far as I know, only the Mormon restorationist movement considers these to be names of two different persons (see also the account of Elias and Elijah each appearing in the Kirtland temple in D&C 110:12-13). This seems to be a glaring misunderstanding by Joseph Smith.
8 Which John I have sent unto you, my servants, Joseph Smith, Jun., and Oliver Cowdery, to ordain you unto the first priesthood which you have received, that you might be called and ordained even as Aaron;
8
9 And also Elijah, unto whom I have committed the keys of the power of turning the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to the fathers, that the whole earth may not be smitten with a curse;
9
1
Verses 6,7 refer to Elias, and verse 9 refers to Elijah as if Elija were another person. Elias is the Greek form of the Hebrew Elijah. As far as I know, only the Mormon restorationist movement considers these to be names of two different persons (see also the account of Elias and Elijah each appearing in the Kirtland temple in D&C 110:12-13). This seems to be a glaring misunderstanding by Joseph Smith.
10 And also with Joseph and Jacob, and Isaac, and Abraham, your fathers, by whom the promises remain;
10
11 And also with Michael, or Adam, the father of all, the prince of all, the ancient of days;
Literal Adam and Eve
11
12 And also with Peter, and James, and John, whom I have sent unto you, by whom I have ordained you and confirmed you to be apostles, and especial witnesses of my name, and bear the keys of your ministry and of the same things which I revealed unto them;
12
13 Unto whom I have committed the keys of my kingdom, and a dispensation of the gospel for the last times; and for the fulness of times, in the which I will gather together in one all things, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth;
13
1

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 "Unto whom I have committed the keys of my kingdom" to Matthew 16:19 with "And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven". Note that there are only 8 instances of the words "key" or "keys" in the KJV bible, but only the verse in Matthew also contains the word "kingdom".

Also compare this verse with "a dispensation of the gospel... and for the fulness of times, in the which I will gather together in one all things, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth" to Ephesians 1:10 with "the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth". Note that the phrase "fulness of times" is unique within the KJV bible.

-auricularis_posterior
14 And also with all those whom my Father hath given me out of the world.
14
15 Wherefore, lift up your hearts and rejoice, and gird up your loins, and take upon you my whole armor, that ye may be able to withstand the evil day, having done all, that ye may be able to stand.
15
1

Compare verses 15-18 to Ephesians 6:13-17. While even most believers recognize this parallel within this revelation's text, it is interesting that verse 13 also contains a strong parallel to a different part of the KJV epistle to the Ephesians. This suggests a naturalistic composition of this revelation.

-auricularis_posterior
16 Stand, therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, having on the breastplate of righteousness, and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, which I have sent mine angels to commit unto you;
16
1
Compare verses 15-18 to Ephesians 6:13-17. While even most believers recognize this parallel within this revelation's text, it is interesting that verse 13 also contains a strong parallel to a different part of the KJV epistle to the Ephesians. This suggests a naturalistic composition of this revelation.
17 Taking the shield of faith wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked;
17
1
Compare verses 15-18 to Ephesians 6:13-17. While even most believers recognize this parallel within this revelation's text, it is interesting that verse 13 also contains a strong parallel to a different part of the KJV epistle to the Ephesians. This suggests a naturalistic composition of this revelation.
18 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of my Spirit, which I will pour out upon you, and my word which I reveal unto you, and be agreed as touching all things whatsoever ye ask of me, and be faithful until I come, and ye shall be caught up, that where I am ye shall be also. Amen.
18
1
Compare verses 15-18 to Ephesians 6:13-17. While even most believers recognize this parallel within this revelation's text, it is interesting that verse 13 also contains a strong parallel to a different part of the KJV epistle to the Ephesians. This suggests a naturalistic composition of this revelation.