DC-KJV and JE-D&C 39-40

Annotation of D&C 39-40 – preliminary

D&C 39-40 is a good example because it shows that a high percentage of Joseph Smith’s language is also KJV language. Few of the KJV words/phrases are not also found in Edwards, including the so-called "blended" passages. Many sections of the D&C use the Lord’s personal pronouns, which is unlike most other scriptures an nothing that Edwards would have used this way.

The blue D&C words/phrases in the annotation are nonbiblical and also not found in Edwards. In some cases noted below, the nonbiblical language is close to Edwards (e.g., plural instead of singular). There are several examples in the Book of Mormon and D&C of paraphrased or misquoted passages from the KJV that are identical to paraphrased or misquoted KJV passages in Edwards' works.

The red words/phrases are nonbiblical D&C wording that are also found in Edwards' works.

Purple are biblical or nonbiblical D&C words/phrases similar to Edwards.

Naturally, Edwards is not the only person who ever used this nonbiblical Book of Mormon terminology. English is a common language or we couldn't understand one another. But the ready availability of Edwards' works in Palmyra during Joseph's youth indicates that Edwards was a possible source for Joseph's vocabulary that he used when translating the plates and receiving revelations. Passages with the Lord’s personal pronouns obviously are not usually found in Edwards.

Bold = KJV 

Blue = nonbiblical BofM/D&C w/o JE (If unique to this instance, no footnote is given)

Red = nonbiblical BofM/D&C and JE 

Purple = biblical/nonbiblical BofM/D&C similar to JE

Section 39

Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to James Covel, at Fayette, New York, January 5, 1831. James Covel, who had been a Methodist minister for about forty years, covenanted with the Lord that he would obey any command that the Lord would give to him through Joseph the Prophet.

1–4, The Saints have power to become the sons of God;

5–6, To receive the gospel is to receive Christ;

7–14, James Covel is commanded to be baptized and labor in the Lord’s vineyard;

15–21, The Lord’s servants are to preach the gospel before the Second Coming;

22–24, Those who receive the gospel will be gathered in time and in eternity.

1 Hearken and listen to the voice of him who is from all eternity to all eternity[1], the Great I Am[2], even Jesus Christ—

2 The light and the[3] life of the world[4]; a light which shineth in darkness and the darkness[5] comprehendeth it not;

3 The same which came in the meridian of time[6] unto mine own, and mine own received me not;

4 But to as many as received me, gave I power to become my sons; and even so will I give unto as many as will receive me, power to become[7] my sons.

5 And verily, verily, I say unto you, he that receiveth my gospel receiveth me; and he that receiveth not my gospel receiveth not me.

6 And this is my gospel—repentance and baptism[8] by water[9], and then cometh the baptism of fire[10] and the Holy Ghost, even the Comforter, which showeth all things, and teacheth the peaceable things[11] of the kingdom.

7 And now, behold, I say unto you, my servant James, I have looked upon thy works and I know thee.

8 And verily I say unto thee, thine heart is now right before me at this time[12]; and, behold, I have bestowed great blessings[13] upon thy head;

9 Nevertheless, thou hast seen great sorrow[14], for thou hast rejected me many times because of pride[15] and the cares of the world[16].

10 But, behold, the days of thy deliverance are come, if thou wilt hearken to my voice, which saith unto thee: Arise and be baptized[17], and wash away[18] your sins, calling on my name, and you shall receive my Spirit, and a blessing so great as you never have known.

11 And if thou do this, I have prepared thee for a greater work[19]. Thou shalt preach the fulness of my gospel, which I have sent forth in these last days[20], the covenant which I have sent forth to recover my people, which are of the house of Israel.

12 And it shall come to pass that power shall rest upon thee; thou shalt have great faith[21], and I will be with thee and go before thy face.

13 Thou art called to labor in my vineyard, and to build up my church, and to bring forth Zion, that it may rejoice upon the hills[22] and flourish[23].

14 Behold, verily, verily, I say unto thee, thou art not called to go into the eastern countries[24], but thou art called to go to the Ohio.

15 And inasmuch as my people shall assemble themselves[25] at the Ohio, I have kept in store[26] a blessing such as is not known among the children of men[27], and it shall be poured forth[28] upon their heads. And from thence men shall go forth into all nations[29].

16 Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, that the people in Ohio call upon me in much faith[30], thinking I will stay my hand in judgment upon the nations, but I cannot deny my word.

17 Wherefore lay to with your might and call faithful laborers[31] into my vineyard, that it may be pruned for the last time.

18 And inasmuch as they do repent and receive the fulness of my gospel, and become sanctified[32], I will stay mine hand in judgment.

19 Wherefore, go forth, crying with a loud voice[33], saying: The kingdom of heaven is at hand; crying: Hosanna! blessed be the name of the Most High God.

20 Go forth baptizing[34] with water[35], preparing the way before my face for the time of my coming;

21 For the time is at hand[36]; the day or the hour no man knoweth; but it surely shall come.

22 And he that receiveth these things receiveth me; and they shall be gathered unto me in time and in eternity[37].

23 And again, it shall come to pass that on as many as ye shall baptize with water[38], ye shall lay your hands, and they shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost[39], and shall be looking forth[40] for the signs of my coming, and shall know me.

24 Behold, I come quickly. Even so. Amen.

(Doctrine and Covenants 39:1-24)

Section 40

Revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet and Sidney Rigdon, at Fayette, New York, January 6, 1831. Preceding the record of this revelation, the Prophet’s history states, “As James [Covel] rejected the word of the Lord, and returned to his former principles and people, the Lord gave unto me and Sidney Rigdon the following revelation” (see section 39).

1–3, Fear of persecution and cares of the world cause rejection of the gospel.

1 Behold, verily I say unto you, that the heart of my servant James Covel was right before[41] me, for he covenanted with me that he would obey[42] my word.

2 And he received the word with gladness[43], but straightway[44] Satan tempted[45] him; and the fear of persecution[46] and the cares of the world caused him to reject the word[47].

3 Wherefore he broke my covenant, and it remaineth with me to do with him as seemeth me good. Amen.

(Doctrine and Covenants 40–40:3)

[1] BM (2) DC (1) PGP (3)

[2] DC (3)

[3] “light and the life of the world” BM (3) DC (4); “light and life” JE (15) JE: “Christ willingly gives his people, that look to him and trust in him, light and life in their souls” “Light and life do accompany each other in the Lord Jesus Christ”

[4] NT (1) BM (3) DC (4) JE (4)

[5] NT (1) DC (6)

[6] DC (2) PGP (4)

[7] NT (1) DC (4) JE (10)

[8] BM (2) DC (1)

[9] BM (1) DC (2)

[10] BM (2) DC (3)

[11] C (3) PGP (1)

[12] OT (7) NT (5) BM (34) DC (8) PGP (5) JE (100+)

[13] BM (4) DC (3) JE (40)

[14] BM (5) DC (1) PGP (1) JE (6)

[15] BM (3) DC (1)

[16] DC (2) JE (10) JE: “The cares of the world commonly choke and suffocate them…” “when the business and cares of the world shall again begin to crowd a little upon you…” cf. “the care of this world” (Matthew 13:22) and “the cares of this world” (Mark 4:19) “cares of this world” JE (6)

[17] NT (1) DC (1) PGP (1)

[18] NT (1) DC (1) JE (6) NT : « arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”

(Acts 22:16)

[19] DC (4) JE (25)

[20] NT (1) DC (8) JE (10)

[21] NT (2) BM (6) DC (1) JE (6)

[22] DC (2)

[23] OT (13) BM (1) DC (5) PGP (1) JE (100+)

[24] DC (8) JE (4)

[25] OT (2) BM (12) DC (3) JE (4)

[26] NT (1) DC (1) JE (20)

[27] OT (23) BM (131) C (39) PGP (15) JE (130)

[28] OT (4) DC (1) JE (70)

[29] NT (1) DC (1) JE (10)

[30] BM (3) DC (2) JE (1)

[31] DC (1) JE (1) JE paraphrase (Brainerd) : « Oh, that God would "send forth faithful laborers into his harvest" Matthew 9:38 !”  Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

(Matthew 9:38) pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.

(Luke 10:2)

[32] BM (1) DC (1)

[33] NT (1) BM (1) DC (2) JE (4)

[34] DC (2)

[35] “baptizing with water” NT (1) DC (2) JE (2)

[36] NT (2) BM (7) DC (1) JE (6)

[37] DC (2)

[38] NT (2) BM (1) DC (1)

[39] NT (2) BM (3) DC (7)PGP (4) JE (14)

[40] DC (5) PGP (3)

[41] OT (1) DC (1)

[42] DC (1) PGP (1) JE (15)

[43] OT (10) NT (2) BM (3) DC (2) JE (30)

[44] OT (4) NT (38) BM (2) DC (7) JE (10)

[45] DC (1) PGP (1) JE (4)

[46] DC (1) JE (1) 14 ¶ The sower soweth the word.

15 And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.

16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;

17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended.

 18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,

19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.

(Mark 4:14–19)

[47] BM (1) DC (1)