DC-KJV and JE-D&C 4

Annotation of D&C 4    

D&C 4 is a good example of evidence that Joseph Smith translated and received revelations “after the manner of his language” because it shows that a high percentage of Joseph Smith’s language is also KJV language (in bold below).

Few of the KJV words/phrases are not also found in Jonathan Edwards, including the so-called "blended" passages.

The revelations include non-Biblical, sophisticated terms that Joseph could not have learned from the translation process, suggesting Joseph’s lexicon was greater than would be expected of an ignorant, illiterate farm hand. Many of these terms and phrases, are found in Edwards.

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 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.

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 = nonbiblical BofM/D&C similar to JE

Section 4

Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to his father, Joseph Smith Sr., at Harmony, Pennsylvania, February 1829.

1–4, Valiant service saves the Lord’s ministers;

5–6, Godly attributes qualify them for the ministry;

7, The things of God must be sought after.

1 Now behold, a marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men.

2 Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God[1], see that ye serve him with[2] all your heart, might, mind and strength[3], that ye may stand blameless[4] before God[5] at the last day[6].

3 Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work[7];

4 For behold the field is white already to harvest[8]; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle[9] with his might, the same layeth up in store[10] that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul;

5 And faith, hope, charity[11] and love, with an eye single[12] to the glory of God[13], qualify[14] him for the work[15].

6 Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness[16], godliness, charity, humility, diligence[17].

7 Ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened[18] unto you. Amen.

(Doctrine and Covenants 4–4:7)

[1] OT (1) NT (2) BM (2) DC (1) JE (120)

[2] OT (4) BM (2) DC (1) JE (25) Deut 11:13, Josh, JE « serve him with all your heart and with all your soul”

[3] “might, mind and strength” BM (3) DC (5) “mind and strength” JE (2) JE: “ adore him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength”

[4] “stand blameless” DC (1); “blameless” OT (3) NT (12) BM (7) DC (3) JE (55)

[5] OT (17) NT (26) BM (54) DC (7) PGP (1) JE (600) « stand before God” NT (1) BM (8) DC (1) JE (10)

[6] NT (5) BM (49) DC (8) JE (100)

[7] DC (3) JE (6) JE: “The saints are especially called to the work”

[8] NT (1) DC (7) JE (2)

[9] NT (4) BM (1) DC (10) JE (20) NT: Rev 14 :15 Thrust in thy sickle, and reap:

[10] OT (3) NT (1) BM (2) DC (2) JE (15)

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

[12] BM (1) DC (5) JE (1) JE: “The Spirit of God enlightens 'em with respect to their duty by making their eye single and pure, whereby the "whole body is full of light" [Matthew 6:22]. The sanctifying influence of the Spirit of God rectifies the taste of the soul,”

[13] OT (2) NT (15) BM (6) DC (6) PGP (1) JE (500)

[14] DC (1) JE (50) JE: (Brainard) “if God should succeed his attempts to qualify himself for so great a work.” NOTE: JFS also used “qualify” in D&C 138.

[15] )T (7) NT (4) BM (1) DC (10) JE (80)

[16] NT (2) DC (2) JE (15) 2 Pet. 1:7 “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. (2 Peter 1:5–7) JE: “Faith, knowledge, and temperance, and patience, and godliness, and brotherly kindness , and charity, should not only be in Christians, but they should abound in them (2 Peter 1:6–8). The apostle Paul, as holy a man as he was, he pressed forward still and did not rest in past attainments…”

[17] OT (1) NT (9) BM (33) DC (9) JE (450)

[18] OT (2) NT (4) BM (4) DC (9) JE (10) 7  “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. (Matthew 7:7–8) “Therefore, ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you; for he that asketh, receiveth; and unto him that knocketh, it shall be opened. (3 Nephi 27:29)