Introduction
The Book of Commandments, published in 1833, holds a foundational place in the history of the Restoration movement. Prepared under the direction of Joseph Smith, Jr., the first prophet of the Church of Christ, this collection of revelations served as a guiding document for the nascent church established in his namesake. These revelations were understood to convey divine direction for the church’s organization, principles, and mission during its earliest years.
The Book of Commandments is widely regarded as the precursor to the modern Doctrine and Covenants, a sacred text shared and adapted by many denominations within the Restoration tradition. Although subsequent editions of the Doctrine and Covenants expanded and refined these original revelations, the 1833 Book of Commandments preserves the unaltered language of its time, offering unique insight into the early expressions of faith and governance in the Restoration movement.
The Doctrine and Covenants Project Scriptural Library presents transcriptions of the 1833 Book of Commandments as they originally appeared, meticulously rendered from the printed document produced by W.W. Phelps in Independence, Missouri. No changes or edits have been made to the transcribed pages, ensuring historical and textual integrity. This project invites readers to engage with these early texts in their original form, fostering deeper understanding and appreciation for the roots of the Restoration movement and its enduring legacy.
Differences Between the 1833 Book of Commandments and the 1835 Doctrines and Covenants
The differences between the 1833 Book of Commandments and the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants are numerous and reflect the evolving needs and understandings of the early church under Joseph Smith’s leadership. These changes can be grouped into several categories:
Structural Changes
- The Book of Commandments (1833) consists of 65 chapters, while the Doctrine and Covenants (1835) includes a reorganized and expanded set of sections.
- Some revelations were subdivided or combined in the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants, resulting in a different numbering system.
Additions
- The 1835 Doctrine and Covenants includes several revelations not present in the Book of Commandments. These include:
- The revelation on marriage (Section 101 in the 1835 edition, later removed by the LDS Church).
- The “Lectures on Faith,” a series of theological discourses placed at the beginning of the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants.
- Additional revelations received after 1833, reflecting the continued development of the church’s theology and governance.
Explanations
LDS apologists often explain the differences between the two as divinely inspired revisions. This Project takes an academic, nondenominational view of the issues at hand.
Terms
Terms that are referenced here are not indicative of stylistic preferences from certain denominations of the Mormon diaspora. We use the term Mormon academically, as this is a nondenominational project, and therefore, Mormonism applies to all members of the Restoration. Restoration, on this site, is in reference to denominations created from Joseph Smith, Jr.’s original church, not to be confused with religious studies scholar terms that are not equivalent to modern Evangelical Christianity.
Revisions and Expansions
- Many sections in the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants were expanded or revised compared to their original form in the Book of Commandments:
- Clarifications: Language was often refined for clarity or expanded to reflect the growing complexity of church doctrine.
- Doctrinal Updates: Key theological ideas, such as the roles of priesthood offices, were further developed.
- Church Governance: Revelations regarding church structure and leadership were updated to include emerging roles and offices, such as the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, which were not fully organized in 1833.
Editorial Changes
- Grammar and Style: Phrases were adjusted for smoother readability, often replacing the colloquial tone of the 1833 version with a more formal style.
- Historical Context: Explanatory prefaces or headings were added in the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants to provide context for the revelations.
- Shift in Tone: Some revisions softened or altered the language to align with the church’s expanding vision and mission.
Removals
- Certain portions of the Book of Commandments were omitted in the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants. These omissions may reflect shifts in emphasis or the evolving priorities of the early church.
New Framework
- The 1835 Doctrine and Covenants was presented as a more comprehensive collection of scripture, incorporating not just revelations but also theological teachings (Lectures on Faith) and affirmations of the church’s governance and authority.
Different Publication Contexts
- The Book of Commandments was hastily printed during a period of persecution and was incomplete due to the destruction of the press in 1833.
- The 1835 Doctrine and Covenants was published in a more stable environment and represents a more deliberate and polished effort to codify the revelations.
Notable Changes:
It should be noted that the changes here are from the lens of an academic reviewer, not a faith-based reviewer. Not all of these changes are significant, but some make a stark contrast between the original 1833 Book of Commandments and the 1835 Doctrine & Covenants.
- Chapter 4: The Doctrine & Covenants have changes to “and I have commanded that you should pretend to no other gift until my purpose is fulfilled in this“. Also, specific mention of three witnesses removed, perhaps because 8 more witnesses were allowed to view the Golden Plates.
- Chapter 6: Concurrent with the Book of Mormon, this is the first translation project of a parchment Joseph Smith. It was the translation of a parchment that contained the Account of John the apostle. The 1835 and later D&C versions were expanded to include prophesies that Peter James and John would restore the priesthood.
- Chapter 8: Oliver Cowdery was told that he had the gift of “working with the sprout, behold it hath told you things. Behold there is no other power save God that can cause this thing of Nature [sic] to work in your hands.” This refers to a divining rod. Wording was changed in later editions of the Doctrine and Covenants referring to Cowdery’s rod as the “gift of Aaron”.
- Chapter 9: The term “Urim and Thummim” is introduced in the 1835 version, while absent in the 1833 version.
- Chapter 10: These short chapters contained revelations of no more than 4 sentences each directed toward associates of Joseph Smith. They were combined into one D&C chapter.
- Chapter 24: The duties of Elders in the church and specifics of baptism elaborated in D&C.
- Chapter 28: Additional material in D&C constitutes more than half of this section. D&C includes new passages about Joseph Smith being visited by Elijah, Elias (who is separate from Elijah in Mormonism), Peter, James, John, Archangel Michael (who is Adam in Mormonism), and others. This chapter has the most controversial difference between the Book of Commandments and the Doctrine and Covenants.
- Chapter 31-33: Short revelations to David Whitmer, Peter Whitmer Jr. and John Whitmer combined into one chapter. It concerns missionary work to the “Lamanites”
- Chapter 44: This chapter was combined with chapter 47 in D&C.
- Chapter 47: This chapter appended to chapter 44 to become one section of D&C.
- Chapter 55: Two sections of the 1835 D&C were inadvertently numbered 66. Thus there were actually 103 sections (although they only numbered to 102).
- Chapter 65: This chapter of the Book of Commandments incomplete when the press was destroyed.
Summary
The transition from the 1833 Book of Commandments to the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants reflects a significant moment in the early Restoration movement. These changes demonstrate the church’s growth, its increasing complexity, and its efforts to address doctrinal, organizational, and practical challenges as they arose. The 1833 Book of Commandments offers an unvarnished glimpse into the early revelations, while the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants marks a turning point toward a more formalized scripture.