Doctrine and Covenants Sections 21 - 40

Doctrine and Covenants Section 21

When: April 6, 1830
Where: Fayette, Seneca County, New York (Manchester, New York, according to the Book of Commandments)
Who: Joseph Smith
What: Joseph called to be a seer, translator, prophet, Apostle, and elder. Church should receive his word as if from the Lord's own mouth.
First published as chapter 22 in the 1833 edition of the Book of Commandments.

Organizing the Church

The Church was organized April 6, 1830, at the home of Peter Whitmer in Fayette, New York

Joseph Smith, twenty-four years of age, presides over the organization proceedings. At his side is Oliver Cowdery, who acted as his scribe during the translation of the plates.

The sacred meeting is opened by solemn prayer.

In attendance are the six men who are to formally organize the Church and a number of specially invited guests—which may have numbered anywhere from thirty to fifty-six persons.

Establishing the principle of common consent in the Church, participants in the organization unanimously vote by the uplifted hand to organize the Church and to sustain Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery as presiding officers.

Joseph Smith ordains Oliver Cowdery to be an elder in the Church of Jesus Christ. Following this, Oliver ordains Joseph to the same office.

The sacrament of the Lord's supper is administered to members of the Church. The prayers used were received by revelation.

Doctrine and Covenants Section 22

When: April 6, 1830
Where: Fayette, Seneca County, New York (Manchester, New York according to the Book of Commandments)
Who: Joseph Smith
What: Joseph Smith called to be a seer, translator, prophet, apostle, and elder. Church should receive his word as if from the Lord's own mouth.
First published as chapter 23 in the 1833 edition of the Book of Commandments.

Doctrine and Covenants Section 23

When: April 1830 (April 6, according to the Book of Commandments)
Where: Manchester, Ontario County, New York
Who: Joseph Smith
What: The Lord tells Oliver Cowdery, Hyrum Smith, Samuel Smith, Joseph Smith Sr., and Joseph Knight their respective duties in the Church.
First published as chapters 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21 in the 1833 edition of the Book of Commandments.

Doctrine and Covenants Section 24

When: July 1830
Where: Harmony, Susquehanna, Pennsylvania
Who: Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery
What: Encouragement given to Church leaders because of the intense persecution.
First published as chapter 25 in the 1833 edition of the Book of Commandments.

Doctrine and Covenants Section 25

When: July 1830
Where: Harmony, Susquehanna, Pennsylvania
Who: Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery
What: Encouragement given to Church leaders because of the intense persecution.
First published as chapter 26 in the 1833 edition of the Book of Commandments.

Emma Smith

Doctrine and Covenants Section 26

When: July 1830
Where: Harmony, Susquehanna, Pennsylvania
Who: Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, and John Whitmer
What: Joseph, Oliver, and John are instructed to study and preach the word. The law of common consent is affirmed.
First published as chapter 27 in the 1833 edition of the Book of Commandments.

Common Consent at the organization of the Church

Doctrine and Covenants Section 27

When: August 1830
Where: Harmony, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania
Who: Joseph Smith
What: Emblems used in the sacrament set forward.
First published in March 1833 in The Evening and the Morning Star (verses 1–4 only) and then published later that year as chapter 28 in the 1833 edition of the Book of Commandments. The entire revelation was published in the 1835 edition of the Doctrine and Covenants.

Section 27 Highlighted Verses

For, behold, I say unto you, that it mattereth not what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink when ye partake of the sacrament, if it so be that ye do it with an eye single to my glory—remembering unto the Father my body which was laid down for you, and my blood which was shed for the remission of your sins (D&C 27:2)

Historical Notes on Section 27

During the first week of August 1830, Newel Knight and his wife traveled to Harmony to visit Joseph and Emma.
Newel and Sally Knight traveled to Harmony to visit Joseph and Emma Smith during the first week of August 1830. Emma and Sally had not yet been confirmed. After they were confirmed, everyone then partook of the sacrament.
Joseph set out to get wine for the occasion, at which time he was met by a heavenly messenger who commanded him not to buy wine of his enemies.
When Joseph returned, the group made its own wine, partook of the sacrament, and confirmed Emma and Sally.
Newel Knight records that only the first four verses of section 27 were given on this occasion; the rest were given in Fayette, New York, at a later date.

Doctrine and Covenants Section 28

When: September 1830
Where: Fayette, Seneca County, New York
Who: Joseph Smith to Oliver Cowdery
What: No one except the Prophet can receive revelation for the Church
First published as chapter 30 in the 1833 edition of the Book of Commandments.

Doctrine and Covenants Section 29

When: September 1830 (on or about September 26, according to Newel Knight Journal)
Where: Fayette, Seneca County, New York
Who: Joseph Smith in the presence of six elders
What: Concerning the Second Coming and judgment
First published in The Evening and the Morning Star (September 1832) and then included as chapter 29 in the 1833 edition of the Book of Commandments.

Doctrine and Covenants Section 30

When: September 1830 (before September 26, according to "Far West Record," p. 2)
Where: Fayette, Seneca County, New York
Who: Joseph Smith for David, Peter Jr., and John Whitmer
What: Peter Jr. is called to serve a mission with Oliver Cowdery to the Lamanites.
First published as three separate revelations (chapters 31, 32, and 33 in the 1833 edition of the Book of Commandments).

Telling Native Americans about the Book of Mormon

Preaching to Native Americans

Doctrine and Covenants Section 31

When: September 1830
Where: Fayette, Seneca County, New York (according to Manuscript History of the Church)
Who: Joseph Smith to Thomas B. Marsh
What: Thomas is called to serve a mission and is assured of his family's well-being.
First published as chapter 34 in the 1833 edition of the Book of Commandments.

Doctrine and Covenants Section 32

When: October 1830 (before October 17)
Where: Probably Manchester, Ontario County, New York
Who: Joseph Smith to Parley P. Pratt and Ziba Peterson
What: Parley and Ziba are called on a mission to preach to the Lamanites. They are to accompany Oliver Cowdery and Peter Whitmer Jr.
First published as section 54 in the 1835 edition of the Doctrine and Covenants.

Parley P. Pratt

Doctrine and Covenants Section 33

When: October 1830
Where: Fayette, Seneca County, New York
Who: Joseph Smith to Ezra Thayer and Northrop Sweet
What: Ezra and Northrop sought the will of the Lord through Joseph Smith. Joseph said that "the Lord is ever ready to instruct such as diligently seek in faith."
First published as chapter 35 in the 1833 edition of the Book of Commandments.

Doctrine and Covenants Section 34

When: November 4, 1830
Where: Fayette, Seneca County, New York
Who: Joseph Smith to Orson Pratt
What: The faithful are the sons of God through the Atonement. Preaching the gospel prepares the way for the Second Coming. Prophecy comes through the Holy Ghost.
First published as chapter 34 in the 1833 edition of the Book of Commandments.

Doctrine and Covenants Section 35

When: December 1830 (December 7, according to the Ohio Star [January 5, 1832])
Where: Fayette, Seneca County, New York (according to the Book of Commandments)
Who: Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon
What: Oliver Cowdery and John Whitmer, who had previously served as scribes for Joseph, were currently serving missions. Sidney was then called to be a scribe.
First published as chapter 37 in the 1833 edition of the Book of Commandments.

Sidney Rigdon

Sidney Rigdon meets Joseph

Joseph and Sidney Rigdon translating the Bible

Doctrine and Covenants Section 36

When: December 1830 (after December 7)
Where: Fayette, Seneca County, New York (according to the Book of Commandments)
Who: Joseph Smith for Edward Partridge
What: Every man who receives the gospel and the priesthood is to be called to go forth and preach.
First published as chapter 38 in the 1833 edition of the Book of Commandments.

Edward Partridge

Doctrine and Covenants Section 37

When: December 1830 (after December 7)
Where: Canandaigua, Ontario County, New York (according to the Book of Commandments)
Who: Joseph Smith and Sidney Ridgon
What: The Saints are called to gather in Ohio.
First published as chapter 39 in the 1833 edition of the Book of Commandments.

Doctrine and Covenants Section 38

When: January 2, 1831
Where: Fayette, Seneca County, New York
Who: Joseph Smith
What: Christ is in the midst of the Saints. The Saints are to esteem each other as brethren.
First published in the The Evening and the Morning Star (April 1831) and was then included as chapter 40 in the 1833 edition of the Book of Commandments.

Doctrine and Covenants Section 39

When: January 5, 1831
Where: Fayette, Seneca County, New York
Who: Joseph Smith for James Covill
What: Covill commanded to be baptized. To receive the gospel is to receive Christ. The Lord's servants are to preach the gospel before the Second Coming.
First published as chapter 41 in the 1833 edition of the Book of Commandments.

Doctrine and Covenants Section 40

When: January 1831 (after January 5)
Where: Fayette, Seneca County, New York
Who: Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon
What: After James Covill was commanded to be baptized, fears of persecution and worldly cares cause him to reject the Lord's command.
First published as chapter 42 in the 1833 edition of the Book of Commandments.