Doctrine and Covenants 9

 
1 BEHOLD, I say unto you, my son, that because you did not translate according to that which you desired of me, and did commence again to write for my servant, Joseph Smith, Jun., even so I would that ye should continue until you have finished this record, which I have entrusted unto him.
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2 And then, behold, other records have I, that I will give unto you power that you may assist to translate.
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3 Be patient, my son, for it is wisdom in me, and it is not expedient that you should translate at this present time.
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4 Behold, the work which you are called to do is to write for my servant Joseph.
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5 And, behold, it is because that you did not continue as you commenced, when you began to translate, that I have taken away this privilege from you.
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6 Do not murmur, my son, for it is wisdom in me that I have dealt with you after this manner.
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7 Behold, you have not understood; you have supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me.
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God blames Oliver for supposing that he only needed to ask God for knowledge - that Oliver didn't "study it out" in his mind. It seems that God forgot that his previous instructions for how Oliver was to obtain knowledge (D&C 8:9-11) indicated that all Oliver had to do was ask with faith, making sure he didn't ask for things he should not ask for. Verses 7-8 provide the additional qualification (after the fact) "that you must study it out in your mind" before asking God for knowledge.

God goes on in the 10th and 11th verses to say it was previously expedient for Oliver to translate, and that Oliver could have translated if he had just known the fact seemingly withheld but now given in the 7th verse that Oliver needed to study it out in his mind before asking. Now, because of all this, it's no longer expedient for Oliver to translate.

-a-bom
8 But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right.
Epistemology
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In this revelation for Oliver Cowdery, God explains why Oliver was not successful in translating the Book of Mormon and how Oliver should go about receiving knowledge. The verses instruct that to know something, one should study that something and ask God if it is right, and then God will cause feelings to let the person know the thing is right.

As the LDS Church teaches that all scriptures should be applied to one's self, this method of obtaining knowledge of spiritual and religious matters is taught to be applicable to all.

Unfortunately, this method of knowing things relies on interpretation of feelings and perceptions that are completely subjective and cannot be distinguished from one's own feelings or the experiences of others whose experiences lead them to believe contradictory truth claims. For example, the stupor of thought mentioned in verse 9 could be the result of cognitive dissonance resulting from learning of new evidence that contradicts your belief, regardless of whether that belief is based in reality or not.

As if to demonstrate how poorly asking God works to help a person understand reality, apparently, “[a] common technique among religious cults is to instruct people to ask God what He wants them to do. Members are exhorted to study and pray in order to know God’s will for them” (Steven Hassan, Combatting Cult Mind Control, p. 70). The point isn't to say the Mormon Church is a cult. The point is that cult's use this same teaching to get people to believe theirs is the only true religion. Since they cannot all be the only true religion, this method is severely flawed.

For more information about this, see “How well does the Book of Mormon promise work?”.

-a-bom
1
God blames Oliver for supposing that he only needed to ask God for knowledge - that Oliver didn't "study it out" in his mind. It seems that God forgot that his previous instructions for how Oliver was to obtain knowledge (D&C 8:9-11) indicated that all Oliver had to do was ask with faith, making sure he didn't ask for things he should not ask for. Verses 7-8 provide the additional qualification (after the fact) "that you must study it out in your mind" before asking God for knowledge. God goes on in the 10th and 11th verses to say it was previously expedient for Oliver to translate, and that Oliver could have translated if he had just known the fact seemingly withheld but now given in the 7th verse that Oliver needed to study it out in his mind before asking. Now, because of all this, it's no longer expedient for Oliver to translate.
9 But if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong; therefore, you cannot write that which is sacred save it be given you from me.
9
1
In this revelation for Oliver Cowdery, God explains why Oliver was not successful in translating the Book of Mormon and how Oliver should go about receiving knowledge. The verses instruct that to know something, one should study that something and ask God if it is right, and then God will cause feelings to let the person know the thing is right. As the LDS Church teaches that all scriptures should be applied to one's self, this method of obtaining knowledge of spiritual and religious matters is taught to be applicable to all. Unfortunately, this method of knowing things relies on interpretation of feelings and perceptions that are completely subjective and cannot be distinguished from one's own feelings or the experiences of others whose experiences lead them to believe contradictory truth claims. For example, the stupor of thought mentioned in verse 9 could be the result of cognitive dissonance resulting from learning of new evidence that contradicts your belief, regardless of whether that belief is based in reality or not. As if to demonstrate how poorly asking God works to help a person understand reality, apparently, “[a] common technique among religious cults is to instruct people to ask God what He wants them to do. Members are exhorted to study and pray in order to know God’s will for them” (Steven Hassan, Combatting Cult Mind Control, p. 70). The point isn't to say the Mormon Church is a cult. The point is that cult's use this same teaching to get people to believe theirs is the only true religion. Since they cannot all be the only true religion, this method is severely flawed. For more information about this, see [“How well does the Book of Mormon promise work?”](https://a-bom.github.io/comefollowme49.html).
10 Now, if you had known this you could have translated; nevertheless, it is not expedient that you should translate now.
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11 Behold, it was expedient when you commenced; but you feared, and the time is past, and it is not expedient now;
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12 For, do you not behold that I have given unto my servant Joseph sufficient strength, whereby it is made up? And neither of you have I condemned.
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13 Do this thing which I have commanded you, and you shall prosper. Be faithful, and yield to no temptation.
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14 Stand fast in the work wherewith I have called you, and a hair of your head shall not be lost, and you shall be lifted up at the last day. Amen.
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