DC-KJV and JE-D&C 28
Annotation of D&C 28 – preliminary
D&C 28 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.
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.
Passages where the Lord is speaking directly are generally not found in 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 28
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to Oliver Cowdery, at Fayette, New York, September 1830. Hiram Page, a member of the Church, had a certain stone and professed to be receiving revelations by its aid concerning the upbuilding of Zion and the order of the Church. Several members had been deceived by these claims, and even Oliver Cowdery was wrongly influenced thereby. Just prior to an appointed conference, the Prophet inquired earnestly of the Lord concerning the matter, and this revelation followed.
1–7, Joseph Smith holds the keys of the mysteries, and only he receives revelations for the Church;
8–10, Oliver Cowdery is to preach to the Lamanites;
11–16, Satan deceived Hiram Page and gave him false revelations.
1 Behold, I say unto thee, Oliver, that it shall be given unto[1] thee that thou shalt be heard by the church in all things whatsoever[2] thou shalt teach them by the Comforter[3], concerning the revelations and commandments[4] which I have given.
2 But, behold, verily, verily, I say unto thee, no one shall be appointed[5] to receive commandments and revelations[6] in this church excepting[7] my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., for he receiveth them even as Moses[8].
3 And thou shalt be obedient unto the things which I shall give unto him, even as Aaron[9], to declare faithfully the commandments and the revelations, with[10] power and authority[11] unto the church.
4 And if thou art led at any time[12] by the Comforter to speak or teach, or at all times[13] by the way of commandment[14] unto the church, thou mayest do it.
5 But thou shalt not write by way of commandment, but by wisdom;
6 And thou shalt not command him who is at thy head, and at the head of the church[15];
7 For I have given him the keys of the mysteries[16], and the revelations which are sealed[17], until I shall appoint unto them another in his stead[18].
8 And now, behold, I say unto you that you shall go unto the Lamanites and preach my gospel unto them; and inasmuch as they receive thy teachings thou shalt cause my church to be established[19] among them; and thou shalt have revelations, but write them not by way of commandment.
9 And now, behold, I say unto you that it is not revealed[20], and no man knoweth where the city Zion shall be built, but it shall be given hereafter[21]. Behold, I say unto you that it shall be on the borders[22] by the Lamanites.
10 Thou shalt not leave this place[23] until after the conference; and my servant Joseph shall be appointed to preside over the conference by the voice of[24] it, and what he saith to thee thou shalt tell.
11 And again, thou shalt take thy brother, Hiram Page, between him and thee alone, and tell him that those things which he hath written from that stone are not of me and that Satan deceiveth him;
12 For, behold, these things have not been appointed unto him, neither shall anything be appointed unto any of this church contrary to the church covenants[25].
13 For all things must be done in order[26], and by common consent[27] in the church, by the prayer of faith[28].
14 And thou shalt assist to settle all these things, according to the covenants of the church[29], before thou shalt take thy journey among the Lamanites.
15 And it shall be given thee from the time[30] thou shalt go, until the time[31] thou shalt return, what thou shalt do.
16 And thou must open thy mouth at all times, declaring my gospel with the sound of rejoicing[32]. Amen.
(Doctrine and Covenants 28–28:16)
[1] NT (1) BM (3) DC (7) JE (3)
[2] NT (1) BM (3) DC (6) JE (2) NT : « For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.”
(Acts 3:22)
[3] DC (12)
[4] DC (5)
[5] DC (24) JE (2)
[6] DC (5)
[7] DC (3) JE (270)
[8] OT (1) BM (2) DC (1)
[9] DC (2)
[10] “With power and authority” BM (3) DC (2) PGP (1)
[11] NT (2) BM (23) DC (6) PGP (1) JE (25)
[12] OT (3) NT (15) BM (8) DC (8) JE (270)
[13] OT (8) BM (5) DC (5) JE (250)
[14] BM (2) DC (7) JE (1) JE: “he tells em in the 8 verse that he dont speak by way of Commandment”
[15] NT (1) DC (2) JE (70)
[16] DC (2)
[17] BM (4) DC (1)
[18] BM (1) DC (2) JE (1)
[19] DC (3) JE (18) JE: “And as to the state of the Christian world, since Christianity began to be established by human laws, wickedness for the most part has greatly prevailed”
[20] DC (1) JE (2)
[21] BM (3) DC (3) JE (2) JE: “it was the will of God that the spirit of prophecy should cease in this period 3.2v. for reasons that may be given hereafter…” “those fruits of God's grace that are to be given hereafter”
[22] OT (2) BM (5) DC (2) JE (3)
[23] DC (1) JE (1)
[24] BM (13) DC (29) JE (17)
[25] DC (2)
[26] BM (1) DC (4) JE (20)
[27] DC (3) JE (3) JE: “no one has his office by the particular appointment of any one singly, or more than another, but all alike by common consent , there being no antecedent establishment giving one any power or headship over another, to authorize or appoint another…”
[28] NT (1) DC (9) JE (20)
[29] DC (4)
[30] OT (5) BM (28) DC (1) JE (90)
[31] OT (3) NT (3) BM (14) DC (4) PGP (1) JE (11)
[32] DC (3)