My
non-comprehensive list of D&C revelations, which came about after some
bottom-up inquiry. (Meaning, the prophet never asked God about it, until the
questions were brought to his attention from various members.
My point in compiling this list was to find out whether revelation every comes about by way of bottom-up inquiry (anyone who isn't a prophet/apostle of the church), as opposed to resulting only from top-up inquiry (prophet/apostle). Clearly, there are times when someone from the general membership brings attention to a subject, which the prophet/apostles have not before considered. Clearly, it is OK for them to bring those concerns or questions to the attention of the prophet, asking for the prophet to provide some clarification, or to seek revelation from God on those subjects.
In a televised interview of President Hinkley in the 1990s, the question was posed, "At present, women are not allowed to be priests in your Church; is it possible that the rules COULD change in the future?" President Hinkley responded, "YES. But there's no agitation for that. We don't find it." And so, according to one of the most revered prophets of our time, it is possible that women will be ordained in the LDS Church. Not only can I find NO scriptural context for denying women ordination, but they are now "AGITATING" for that.
From my perspective, we should agitate for change, if we feel moved to, by the spirit. I really can't say for sure, because I was too young. But I hope that, had I been older (I was only an infant during this time), I would have AGITATED like crazy, for change regarding the racially-charged ban on ordination of Blacks. I hope I would have asked, knocked, and agitated loudly. And people were agitating for this change. Thank Heavens that Pres. Kimball had the will to ask God, and had the ears and heart to hear God's answer, finally, in 1978.As you'll see, I found that 22 out of the 138 headings were given context, describing them as being revelations to the prophet, as the result of someone else's question. This means that approximately 16% (1 out of every 5 or 6) of the revelations from the Doctrine and Covenants, was the result of someone besides the prophet asking/knocking/agitating.
Section 5Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Harmony, Pennsylvania, March 1829, at the
request of Martin Harris.
My point in compiling this list was to find out whether revelation every comes about by way of bottom-up inquiry (anyone who isn't a prophet/apostle of the church), as opposed to resulting only from top-up inquiry (prophet/apostle). Clearly, there are times when someone from the general membership brings attention to a subject, which the prophet/apostles have not before considered. Clearly, it is OK for them to bring those concerns or questions to the attention of the prophet, asking for the prophet to provide some clarification, or to seek revelation from God on those subjects.
In a televised interview of President Hinkley in the 1990s, the question was posed, "At present, women are not allowed to be priests in your Church; is it possible that the rules COULD change in the future?" President Hinkley responded, "YES. But there's no agitation for that. We don't find it." And so, according to one of the most revered prophets of our time, it is possible that women will be ordained in the LDS Church. Not only can I find NO scriptural context for denying women ordination, but they are now "AGITATING" for that.
From my perspective, we should agitate for change, if we feel moved to, by the spirit. I really can't say for sure, because I was too young. But I hope that, had I been older (I was only an infant during this time), I would have AGITATED like crazy, for change regarding the racially-charged ban on ordination of Blacks. I hope I would have asked, knocked, and agitated loudly. And people were agitating for this change. Thank Heavens that Pres. Kimball had the will to ask God, and had the ears and heart to hear God's answer, finally, in 1978.As you'll see, I found that 22 out of the 138 headings were given context, describing them as being revelations to the prophet, as the result of someone else's question. This means that approximately 16% (1 out of every 5 or 6) of the revelations from the Doctrine and Covenants, was the result of someone besides the prophet asking/knocking/agitating.
Section 5Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Harmony, Pennsylvania, March 1829, at the
request of Martin Harris.
Section 8Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to Oliver Cowdery, at Harmony, Pennsylvania, April 1829. In the course of the translation of the Book of Mormon, Oliver, who continued to serve as
scribe, writing at the Prophet’s dictation, desired to be endowed with the gift of translation. The Lord
responded to his supplication by granting this revelation.
Section 9
the dictation of the translator, rather than to attempt to translate.
Section 12
Book of Mormon plates and the work of translation then in progress and several times had given material assistance to Joseph Smith and his scribe, which enabled them to continue translating. At
Joseph Knight’s request, the Prophet inquired of the Lord and received the revelation.
Section 14
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to David Whitmer, at Fayette, New York, June 1829. The Whitmer family had become greatly interested in the translating of the Book of Mormon. The Prophet established his residence at the home of Peter Whitmer Sr., where he dwelt until the work of translation was carried to completion and the copyright on the forthcoming book was secured. Three
of the Whitmer sons, each having received a testimony as to the genuineness of the work, became
deeply concerned over the matter of their individual duty. This revelation and the two following
(sections 15 and 16) were given in answer to an inquiry through the Urim and Thummim. David
Whitmer later became one of the Three Witnesses to the Book of Mormon.
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to David Whitmer, at Fayette, New York, June 1829. The Whitmer family had become greatly interested in the translating of the Book of Mormon. The Prophet established his residence at the home of Peter Whitmer Sr., where he dwelt until the work of translation was carried to completion and the copyright on the forthcoming book was secured. Three
of the Whitmer sons, each having received a testimony as to the genuineness of the work, became
deeply concerned over the matter of their individual duty. This revelation and the two following
(sections 15 and 16) were given in answer to an inquiry through the Urim and Thummim. David
Whitmer later became one of the Three Witnesses to the Book of Mormon.
Section 17
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris, at Fayette, New York, June 1829,prior to their viewing the engraved plates that contained the Book of Mormon record. Joseph and his scribe, Oliver Cowdery, had learned from the translation of the Book of Mormon plates that three special witnesses would be designated (see Ether 5:2–4; 2 Nephi 11:3; 27:12). Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris were moved upon by an inspired desire to be the three special witnesses. The Prophet inquired of the Lord, and this revelation was given in answer through the Urim and Thummim.
Section 23A series of five revelations given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Manchester, New York, April 1830, to Oliver Cowdery, Hyrum Smith, Samuel H. Smith, Joseph Smith Sr., and Joseph Knight Sr. As the result of earnest desire on the part of the five persons named to know of their respective duties, the Prophet inquired of the Lord and received a revelation for each person.
Section 32Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to Parley P. Pratt and Ziba Peterson, in Manchester, New York, early October 1830. Great interest and desires were felt by the elders respecting the Lamanites, of whose predicted blessings the Church had learned from the Book of Mormon. In consequence, supplication was made that the Lord would indicate His will as to whether elders should be sent at that time to the Indian tribes in the West. The revelation followed.
Section 35Revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet and Sidney Rigdon, at or near Fayette, New York, December 7, 1830. At this time, the Prophet was engaged almost daily in making a translation of the Bible. The translation was begun as early as June 1830, and both Oliver Cowdery and John Whitmer had served as scribes. Since they had now been called to other duties, Sidney Rigdon was called by divine appointment to serve as the Prophet’s scribe in this work (see verse 20). As a preface to the record of this revelation, Joseph Smith’s history states: “In December Sidney Rigdon came [from Ohio] to inquire of the Lord, and with him came Edward Partridge. … Shortly after the arrival of these two brethren, thus spake the Lord.”
Section 39Revelation 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. (Interestingly, in Section 40, it is said that Mr. Covel reverted to his old ways.)
Section 43Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, in February 1831. At this time some members of the Church were disturbed by people making false claims as revelators. The Prophet inquired of the Lord and received this communication addressed to the elders of the Church. The first part deals with matters of Church polity; the latter part contains a warning that the elders are to give to the nations of the earth.
Section 51Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Thompson, Ohio, May 20, 1831. At this time the Saints migrating from the eastern states began to arrive in Ohio, and it became necessary to make definite arrangements for their settlement. As this undertaking belonged particularly to the bishop’s office, Bishop Edward Partridge sought instruction on the matter, and the Prophet inquired of the Lord.
Section 53Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to Algernon Sidney Gilbert, at Kirtland, Ohio, June 8, 1831. At Sidney Gilbert’s request, the Prophet inquired of the Lord as to Brother Gilbert’s work and appointment in the Church.
Section 54Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to Newel Knight, at Kirtland, Ohio, June 10, 1831. Members of the Church living in Thompson, Ohio, were divided on questions having to do with the consecration of properties. Selfishness and greed were manifest. Following his mission to the Shakers (see theheading to section 49), Leman Copley had broken his covenant to consecrate his large farm as a place of inheritance for the Saints arriving from Colesville, New York. As a consequence, Newel Knight (leader of the members living in Thompson) and other elders had come to the Prophet asking how to proceed. The Prophet inquired of the Lord and received this revelation, which commands the members in Thompson to leave Leman Copley’s farm and journey to Missouri.
Section 58Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, in Zion, Jackson County, Missouri, August 1, 1831. Earlier, on the first Sabbath after the arrival of the Prophet and his party in Jackson County, Missouri, a religious service had been held, and two members had been received by baptism. During that week, some of the Colesville Saints from the Thompson Branch and others arrived (see section 54). Many were eager to learn the will of the Lord concerning them in the new place of gathering.
Section 60Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, in Independence, Jackson County, Missouri, August 8, 1831. On this occasion the elders who had traveled to Jackson County and participated in the dedication of the land and the temple site desired to know what they were to do.
Section 66Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Hiram, Ohio, October 29, 1831. William E. McLellin had petitioned the Lord in secret to make known through the Prophet the answer to five questions, which were unknown to Joseph Smith. At McLellin’s request, the Prophet inquired of the Lord and received this revelation.
Section 74Revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Wayne County, New York, in 1830. Even before the organization of the Church, questions had arisen about the proper mode of baptism, leading the Prophet to seek answers on the subject. Joseph Smith’s history states that this revelation is an explanation of1 Corinthians 7:14, a scripture that had often been used to justify infant baptism. (I'm making the assumption that the questions were coming from potential converts).
Section 75Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Amherst, Ohio, January 25, 1832. This section comprises two separate revelations (the first in verses 1 through 22 and the second inverses 23 through 36) given on the same day. The occasion was a conference at which Joseph Smith was sustained and ordained President of the High Priesthood. Certain elders desired to learn more about their immediate duties. These revelations followed.
Section 89Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, February 27, 1833. As a consequence of the early brethren using tobacco in their meetings, the Prophet was led to ponder upon the matter; consequently, he inquired of the Lord concerning it. This revelation, known as the Word of Wisdom, was the result. (We know from other histories that JSjr became concerned about the matter of tobacco, after Emma complained about the men spitting on the floors).
Section 108Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, December 26, 1835. This section was received at the request of Lyman Sherman, who had previously been ordained a seventy and who had come to the Prophet with a request for a revelation to make known his duty. (Lyman was a Seventy, but this still illustrates a bottom-up flow of enquiry, preceding MANY revelations.)
Section 133Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Hiram, Ohio, November 3, 1831. Prefacing this revelation, Joseph Smith’s history states, “At this time there were many things which the Elders desired to know relative to preaching the Gospel to the inhabitants of the earth, and concerning the gathering; and in order to walk by the true light, and be instructed from on high, on the 3rd of November, 1831, I inquired of the Lord and received the following important revelation.” This section was first added to the book of Doctrine and Covenants as an appendix and was subsequently assigned a section number.
I believe strongly in personal revelation and divine inspiration. I put great trust and faith in my God. I also believe in prophets, but I realize that they are only human, and at times they may be wholly unaware of issues, which WE can and should bring to their attention, especially when we feel moved to do so, by the Spirit.
And I'll close this post with a favorite scripture: 3 Ne 27: 28-29 "And now I go unto the Father. And verily I say unto you, whatsoever things ye shall ask the Father in my name shall be given unto you. 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."
Section 23A series of five revelations given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Manchester, New York, April 1830, to Oliver Cowdery, Hyrum Smith, Samuel H. Smith, Joseph Smith Sr., and Joseph Knight Sr. As the result of earnest desire on the part of the five persons named to know of their respective duties, the Prophet inquired of the Lord and received a revelation for each person.
Section 32Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to Parley P. Pratt and Ziba Peterson, in Manchester, New York, early October 1830. Great interest and desires were felt by the elders respecting the Lamanites, of whose predicted blessings the Church had learned from the Book of Mormon. In consequence, supplication was made that the Lord would indicate His will as to whether elders should be sent at that time to the Indian tribes in the West. The revelation followed.
Section 35Revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet and Sidney Rigdon, at or near Fayette, New York, December 7, 1830. At this time, the Prophet was engaged almost daily in making a translation of the Bible. The translation was begun as early as June 1830, and both Oliver Cowdery and John Whitmer had served as scribes. Since they had now been called to other duties, Sidney Rigdon was called by divine appointment to serve as the Prophet’s scribe in this work (see verse 20). As a preface to the record of this revelation, Joseph Smith’s history states: “In December Sidney Rigdon came [from Ohio] to inquire of the Lord, and with him came Edward Partridge. … Shortly after the arrival of these two brethren, thus spake the Lord.”
Section 39Revelation 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. (Interestingly, in Section 40, it is said that Mr. Covel reverted to his old ways.)
Section 43Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, in February 1831. At this time some members of the Church were disturbed by people making false claims as revelators. The Prophet inquired of the Lord and received this communication addressed to the elders of the Church. The first part deals with matters of Church polity; the latter part contains a warning that the elders are to give to the nations of the earth.
Section 51Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Thompson, Ohio, May 20, 1831. At this time the Saints migrating from the eastern states began to arrive in Ohio, and it became necessary to make definite arrangements for their settlement. As this undertaking belonged particularly to the bishop’s office, Bishop Edward Partridge sought instruction on the matter, and the Prophet inquired of the Lord.
Section 53Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to Algernon Sidney Gilbert, at Kirtland, Ohio, June 8, 1831. At Sidney Gilbert’s request, the Prophet inquired of the Lord as to Brother Gilbert’s work and appointment in the Church.
Section 54Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to Newel Knight, at Kirtland, Ohio, June 10, 1831. Members of the Church living in Thompson, Ohio, were divided on questions having to do with the consecration of properties. Selfishness and greed were manifest. Following his mission to the Shakers (see theheading to section 49), Leman Copley had broken his covenant to consecrate his large farm as a place of inheritance for the Saints arriving from Colesville, New York. As a consequence, Newel Knight (leader of the members living in Thompson) and other elders had come to the Prophet asking how to proceed. The Prophet inquired of the Lord and received this revelation, which commands the members in Thompson to leave Leman Copley’s farm and journey to Missouri.
Section 58Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, in Zion, Jackson County, Missouri, August 1, 1831. Earlier, on the first Sabbath after the arrival of the Prophet and his party in Jackson County, Missouri, a religious service had been held, and two members had been received by baptism. During that week, some of the Colesville Saints from the Thompson Branch and others arrived (see section 54). Many were eager to learn the will of the Lord concerning them in the new place of gathering.
Section 60Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, in Independence, Jackson County, Missouri, August 8, 1831. On this occasion the elders who had traveled to Jackson County and participated in the dedication of the land and the temple site desired to know what they were to do.
Section 66Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Hiram, Ohio, October 29, 1831. William E. McLellin had petitioned the Lord in secret to make known through the Prophet the answer to five questions, which were unknown to Joseph Smith. At McLellin’s request, the Prophet inquired of the Lord and received this revelation.
Section 74Revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Wayne County, New York, in 1830. Even before the organization of the Church, questions had arisen about the proper mode of baptism, leading the Prophet to seek answers on the subject. Joseph Smith’s history states that this revelation is an explanation of1 Corinthians 7:14, a scripture that had often been used to justify infant baptism. (I'm making the assumption that the questions were coming from potential converts).
Section 75Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Amherst, Ohio, January 25, 1832. This section comprises two separate revelations (the first in verses 1 through 22 and the second inverses 23 through 36) given on the same day. The occasion was a conference at which Joseph Smith was sustained and ordained President of the High Priesthood. Certain elders desired to learn more about their immediate duties. These revelations followed.
Section 89Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, February 27, 1833. As a consequence of the early brethren using tobacco in their meetings, the Prophet was led to ponder upon the matter; consequently, he inquired of the Lord concerning it. This revelation, known as the Word of Wisdom, was the result. (We know from other histories that JSjr became concerned about the matter of tobacco, after Emma complained about the men spitting on the floors).
Section 108Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, December 26, 1835. This section was received at the request of Lyman Sherman, who had previously been ordained a seventy and who had come to the Prophet with a request for a revelation to make known his duty. (Lyman was a Seventy, but this still illustrates a bottom-up flow of enquiry, preceding MANY revelations.)
Section 133Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Hiram, Ohio, November 3, 1831. Prefacing this revelation, Joseph Smith’s history states, “At this time there were many things which the Elders desired to know relative to preaching the Gospel to the inhabitants of the earth, and concerning the gathering; and in order to walk by the true light, and be instructed from on high, on the 3rd of November, 1831, I inquired of the Lord and received the following important revelation.” This section was first added to the book of Doctrine and Covenants as an appendix and was subsequently assigned a section number.
I believe strongly in personal revelation and divine inspiration. I put great trust and faith in my God. I also believe in prophets, but I realize that they are only human, and at times they may be wholly unaware of issues, which WE can and should bring to their attention, especially when we feel moved to do so, by the Spirit.
And I'll close this post with a favorite scripture: 3 Ne 27: 28-29 "And now I go unto the Father. And verily I say unto you, whatsoever things ye shall ask the Father in my name shall be given unto you. 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."
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