Revelation, July 1828 [D&C 3]

July one Thousand Eighthundred & Twenty Eight  Given to Joseph the Seer

The Book of Mormon identified a seer as a “revelator, and a prophet also,” specifying, however, that a seer was “greater than a prophet.” A seer could “know of things which has past, and also of things which is to come.” The work of a seer included translation...

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after he had lost certan writ ings

1 Jul. 1828

JS traveled to parents’ home in Manchester Township, New York, and learned Martin Harris had lost 116 manuscript pages of Book of Mormon.

which he had Translated

To produce a new text through a revelatory, rather than scholarly, process by the “gift and power of God.” In the Book of Mormon, the ancient prophet Mosiah translated records into his own language using “interpreters,” or “two stones which was fastened into...

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by the gift & Power of God 

Saying the words <works> of & designs & the Purposes of God cannot  be frustrated neither can they come to naught ground for God  doth not wa[l]k in crooked Paths neither doth he turn to  the right hand nor to the left neither doth vary from  that which he hath said therefore his paths are strait & his  course is one eternal round Remember Remember that it  is not the work of God that is frustrated but the works of  men for although a man may have many Revelations &  have power to do many Mighty works yet if he boast in  his own strength & Sets at naught the councils of God &  follows after the dictates of his will & carnal desires he  must fall to the Earth & incur the vengence of a Just God  upon him behold you have been intrusted with those  things but strict was your commandment

Generally, a divine mandate that church members were expected to obey; more specifically, a text dictated by JS in the first-person voice of deity that served to communicate knowledge and instruction to JS and his followers. Occasionally, other inspired texts...

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& Remember  also the Promises which were made to you if you transgre ssed them & behold how oft you have transgressed them  Laws of God & have gone on in the Persuasions of men for  behold you should not have feared men more then God alth ough men set at naught the councils of God & dispise his  words yet you should have been faithful & he would have  extended his arm & supported you against all the firey darts  of the advisary & he would have been with you in evry time  of trouble behold thou art Joseph & thou wast chosen to do  the work of the Lord but because of transgression thou mayest  fall but remember God is merciful therefore repent of  that which thou hast done & he will only cause thee  to be afflicted for a season & thou art still chosen &  will & will again be called to the work & except [p. 1]