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Doctrine and Covenants 12–17; Joseph Smith—History 1:66–75
Scripture Central Media
Watch videos from Gospel scholars and teachers to learn more about these Book of Mormon passages.
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Commentary
Doctrine and Covenants Contexts is a commentary series featuring insights from scholar Steven C. Harper. Restoration Voices is a series by Susan Easton Black.
Reading Plan
Structure your personal scripture study by following a 15-minute, day-by-day plan. Each day's assignment includes the required scripture passages from the Come, Follow Me curriculum, as well as suggestions for additional resources to bring context and understanding to your study. For the best experience, use our Reading Plan in the free ScripturePlus app! You can track your progress and have access to the best resources.
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Bibliography
Doctrine and Covenants 12
Steven C. Harper, “Section 12,” Doctrine and Covenants Contexts (Springville, UT: Book of Mormon Central, 2021), 23–24.
Susan Easton Black, “Joseph Knight Sr.,” Restoration Voices Volume 1: People of the Doctrine and Covenants (Springville, UT: Book of Mormon Central, 2021).
Larry E. Morris, “The Knight and Whitmer Families,” Revelations in Context: The Stories Behind the Sections of the Doctrine and Covenants. Salt Lake City, UT: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2016.
Dean C. Jessee, “Joseph Knight’s Recollection of Early Mormon History,” BYU Studies Quarterly 17, no. 1 (August 1976): 1–14.
William G. Hartley, “Close Friends as Witnesses: Joseph Smith and the Joseph Knight Families,” in Joseph Smith: The Prophet, the Man, ed. Susan Easton Black and Charles D. Tate Jr. (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1993), 271–83.
Book of Mormon Central. “What Role Does the Book of Mormon Play in Missionary Work? (2 Nephi 30:3).” KnoWhy 288 (March 17, 2017).
D&C 12:2
Book of Mormon Central, “How Are Rod and Sword Connected to the Word of God? (1 Nephi 11:25),” KnoWhy 427 (April 24, 2018).
D&C 12:8
Book of Mormon Central, “What Does It Really Mean to Have Charity? (Moroni 7:45),” KnoWhy 361 (September 5, 2017).
Sharon Anderson, “Open Hand,” in Glory of the Son (Orem, UT: Time-Lines Etc., 2019), 91.
D&C 12:9
Book of Mormon Central, “What Can We Learn from the Savior’s First Words at Bountiful? (3 Nephi 11:10-11),” KnoWhy 341 (July 19, 2017).
Doctrine and Covenants 13
Steven C. Harper, “Section 13,” Doctrine and Covenants Contexts (Springville, UT: Book of Mormon Central, 2021), 23–24.
Jeffrey G. Cannon, “Oliver Cowdery's Gift,” Revelations in Context: The Stories Behind the Sections of the Doctrine and Covenants. Salt Lake City, UT: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2016.
“Fellow Servants,” Saints, Volume 1: The Standard of Truth (Salt Lake City, UT: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2018), 1:65–68.
“Restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood,” Church History Topics.
“Restoration of the Melchizedek Priesthood,” Church History Topics.
Video: “Restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood,” BYU Religious Studies Center (December 7, 2020).
Video: “Restoration of the Melchizedek Priesthood,” BYU Religious Studies Center (December 14, 2020).
Mark L. Staker, “’Commissioned of Jesus Christ’: Oliver Cowdery and D&C 13,” in You Shall Have My Word: Exploring the Text of the Doctrine and Covenants, ed. Scott C. Esplin, Richard O. Cowan, and Rachel Cope (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center; Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2012), 50–63.
Steven C. Harper, “Oliver Cowdery as Second Witness of Priesthood Restoration,” in Days Never to Be Forgotten: Oliver Cowdery, ed. Alexander L. Baugh (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 2009), 73–89.
Jeffrey M. Bradshaw and Matthew L. Bowen, “’By the Blood Ye Are Sanctified’: The Symbolic, Salvific, Interrelated, Additive, Retrospective, and Anticipatory Nature of the Ordinances of Spiritual Rebirth in John 3 and Moses 6,” Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship 24 (2017): 123-316.
Book of Mormon Central. “Why Did Joseph and Oliver Seek Authority to Baptize? (3 Nephi 11:24–25).” KnoWhy 279.
Book of Mormon Central, “What Does Mormon Teach Us about Ministering as Angels? (Moroni 7:29),” KnoWhy 425 (April 17, 2018).
Sharon Anderson, “Near Harmony,” in Praising the Prophet: Joseph Smith and the Restoration in History and Verse (Orem, UT: Time-Lines Etc., 2005), 24–26.
Sharon Anderson, “Deserts and Dromedaries,” in Glory of the Son (Orem, UT: Time-Lines Etc., 2019), 37.
Doctrine and Covenants 14
Steven C. Harper, “Section 14–16,” Doctrine and Covenants Contexts (Springville, UT: Book of Mormon Central, 2021), 28–29.
Susan Easton Black, “David Whitmer,” Restoration Voices Volume 1: People of the Doctrine and Covenants (Springville, UT: Book of Mormon Central, 2021).
Larry E. Morris, “The Knight and Whitmer Families,” Revelations in Context: The Stories Behind the Sections of the Doctrine and Covenants. Salt Lake City, UT: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2016.
“Early Missionaries,” Church History Topics.
Book of Mormon Central, “Why Is David Whitmer’s Witness of the Book of Mormon So Compelling? (Alma 27:27),” KnoWhy 395 (January 2, 2018).
Book of Mormon Central, “The Simple Miracle That Helped the Whitmers Further the Book of Mormon (Alma 37:6),” KnoWhy 488 (November 27, 2018).
Book of Mormon Central. “Who Are the "Few" Who Were Permitted to See the Plates? (2 Nephi 27:12–13).” KnoWhy 54 (March 15, 2016).
D&C 14:3
Sharon Anderson, “The Next Two Year,” in Glory of the Son (Orem, UT: Time-Lines Etc., 2019), 102.
D&C 14:6
Sharon Anderson, “Establishing Zion,” in Glory of the Son (Orem, UT: Time-Lines Etc., 2019), 87.
D&C 14:9
Book of Mormon Central, “Why Did Benjamin Give Multiple Names for Jesus at the Coronation of his Son Mosiah? (Mosiah 3:8),” KnoWhy 536 (October 17, 2019).
D&C 14:10
Book of Mormon Central, “Why Did Nephi Say That All Are Alike Unto God? (2 Nephi 26:33),” KnoWhy 278 (February 22, 2017).
Doctrine and Covenants 15
Steven C. Harper, “Section 14–16,” Doctrine and Covenants Contexts (Springville, UT: Book of Mormon Central, 2021), 28–29.
Susan Easton Black, “John Whitmer,” Restoration Voices Volume 1: People of the Doctrine and Covenants (Springville, UT: Book of Mormon Central, 2021).
Larry E. Morris, “The Knight and Whitmer Families,” Revelations in Context: The Stories Behind the Sections of the Doctrine and Covenants. Salt Lake City, UT: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2016.
“Early Missionaries,” Church History Topics.
Book of Mormon Central. “Who Are the "Few" Who Were Permitted to See the Plates? (2 Nephi 27:12–13).” KnoWhy 54 (March 15, 2016).
Doctrine and Covenants 16
Steven C. Harper, “Section 14–16,” Doctrine and Covenants Contexts (Springville, UT: Book of Mormon Central, 2021), 28–29.
Susan Easton Black, “Peter Whitmer Jr.,” Restoration Voices Volume 1: People of the Doctrine and Covenants (Springville, UT: Book of Mormon Central, 2021).
Susan Easton Black, “Peter Whitmer Sr.,” Restoration Voices Volume 1: People of the Doctrine and Covenants (Springville, UT: Book of Mormon Central, 2021).
Larry E. Morris, “The Knight and Whitmer Families,” Revelations in Context: The Stories Behind the Sections of the Doctrine and Covenants. Salt Lake City, UT: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2016.
“Early Missionaries,” Church History Topics.
Book of Mormon Central. “Who Are the "Few" Who Were Permitted to See the Plates? (2 Nephi 27:12–13).” KnoWhy 54 (March 15, 2016).
Book of Mormon Central, “The Simple Miracle That Helped the Whitmers Further the Book of Mormon (Alma 37:6),” KnoWhy 488 (November 27, 2018).
Doctrine and Covenants 17
Steven C. Harper, “Section 17,” Doctrine and Covenants Contexts (Springville, UT: Book of Mormon Central, 2021), 28–29.
Susan Easton Black, “Oliver Cowdery,” Restoration Voices Volume 1: People of the Doctrine and Covenants (Springville, UT: Book of Mormon Central, 2021).
Susan Easton Black, “Martin Harris,” Restoration Voices Volume 1: People of the Doctrine and Covenants (Springville, UT: Book of Mormon Central, 2021).
Susan Easton Black, “David Whitmer,” Restoration Voices Volume 1: People of the Doctrine and Covenants (Springville, UT: Book of Mormon Central, 2021).
Larry E. Morris, “The Experience of the Three Witnesses,” Revelations in Context: The Stories Behind the Sections of the Doctrine and Covenants. Salt Lake City, UT: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2016.
Larry E. Morris, “The Knight and Whitmer Families,” Revelations in Context: The Stories Behind the Sections of the Doctrine and Covenants. Salt Lake City, UT: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2016.
Matthew McBride, “The Contributions of Martin Harris,” Revelations in Context: The Stories Behind the Sections of the Doctrine and Covenants. Salt Lake City, UT: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2016.
“Fellow Servants,” Saints, Volume 1: The Standard of Truth (Salt Lake City, UT: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2018), 1:74–75.
“Witnesses of the Book of Mormon,” Church History Topics.
Robert T. Pack, “Mary Whitmer and Moroni: Experiences of an Artist in Creating a Historical Painting,” BYU Studies Quarterly 58, no. 4 (2019): 128–141.
Nathaniel Hinckley Wadsworth, “Securing the Book of Mormon Copyright in 1829,” in Sustaining the Law: Joseph Smith's Legal Encounters, eds. Madsen, Gordon A., Jeffrey N. Walker, and John W. Welch (Provo, UT: BYU Studies, 2014), 93–112.
John W. Welch, “Timing the Translation of the Book of Mormon: “Days [and Hours] Never to Be Forgotten,” BYU Studies Quarterly 57, no. 4 (2018): 10–50.
Mitchel K. Schaefer, “'The Testimony of Men': William E. McLellin and the Book of Mormon Witnesses,” BYU Studies Quarterly 50, no. 1 (2011): 99–110.
Michael Hubbard MacKay and Gerrit J. Dirkmaat, “Firsthand Witness Accounts of the Translation Process,” in The Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon: A Marvelous Work and a Wonder, edited by Dennis L. Largey, Andrew H. Hedges, John Hilton III, and Kerry Hull (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center; Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2015), 61–79.
A. Bryan Weston, “Witnesses-Those Who Assist to Bring Forth This Work,” the Religious Educator 11, no. 2 (2010): 31–35.
Book of Mormon Central. “Who Are the "Few" Who Were Permitted to See the Plates? (2 Nephi 27:12–13).” KnoWhy 54 (March 15, 2016).
Book of Mormon Central. “Why Was a Stone Used as an Aid in Translating the Book of Mormon? (Alma 37:23).” KnoWhy 145 (July 18, 2016).
Book of Mormon Central. “Why Were Three Key Witnesses Chosen to Testify of the Book of Mormon? (Ether 5:4).” KnoWhy 267 (January 27, 2017).
Book of Mormon Central. “How Did Martin Harris Help Bring Forth the Book of Mormon? (2 Nephi 27:15).” KnoWhy 251 (March 24, 2017).
Book of Mormon Central, “Why Is David Whitmer’s Witness of the Book of Mormon So Compelling? (Alma 27:27),” KnoWhy 395 (January 2, 2018).
Book of Mormon Central, “Did the Book of Mormon Witnesses Really See What They Claimed? (3 Nephi 28:15),” KnoWhy 521 (June 20, 2019).
D&C 17:1
Book of Mormon Central, “Why Were the Plates Present During the Translation of the Book of Mormon? (Mosiah 1:6),” KnoWhy 366 (September 21, 2017).
Book of Mormon Central, “Were Joseph Smith’s Translation Instruments Like the Israelite Urim and Thummim? (Alma 37:24),” KnoWhy 417 (March 20, 2018).
Book of Mormon Central, “Did a “Magic World View” Influence the Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon? (2 Nephi 27:26; Isaiah 29:14),” KnoWhy 538 (October 31, 2019).
Book of Mormon Central, “Why Did the Nephites Preserve Some Items as “National Treasures”? (Mosiah 1:16),” KnoWhy 557 (April 14, 2020).
Book of Mormon Central, “Is the Book of Mormon Like Other Ancient Metal Documents? (Jacob 4:2),” KnoWhy 512 (April 25, 2019).
Book of Mormon Central, “Why Is the Timing of the Book of Mormon’s Translation So “Marvelous”? (2 Nephi 27:26),” KnoWhy 506 (March 15, 2019).
Book of Mormon Central, “Why Was the Sword of Laban So Important to Nephite Leaders? (Words of Mormon 1:13),” KnoWhy 411 (February 27, 2018).
Book of Mormon Central, “Is There Evidence That Joseph Smith Possessed a Urim and Thummim and Breastplate? (Ether 4:5),” KnoWhy 409 (February 20, 2018).
Book of Mormon Central, “Are There Other Ancient Records Like the Book of Mormon? (Mormon 8:16),” KnoWhy 407 (February 13, 2018).
Book of Mormon Central, “Why Were the Three Witnesses Shown the Liahona? (Alma 37:38),” KnoWhy 405 (February 6, 2018).
Book of Mormon Central, “Are the Accounts of the Golden Plates Believable? (Testimony of the Eight Witnesses),” KnoWhy 403 (January 30, 2018).
Book of Mormon Central, “What Was the Sword of Laban Like? (1 Nephi 4:9),” KnoWhy 401 (January 23, 2018).
D&C 17:2–3
Book of Mormon Central, “What Can We All Learn about Repentance from the Tragic Loss of the 116 Book of Mormon Pages? (Helaman 12:23),” KnoWhy 504 (March 1, 2019).
Book of Mormon Central, “What Does the Book of Mormon Teach about Prophets? (Helaman 13:4),” KnoWhy 284 (March 8, 2017).
D&C 17:4
Book of Mormon Central, “Why Were the Three Witnesses Shown the Liahona? (Alma 37:38),” KnoWhy 405 (February 6, 2018).
D&C 17:8
Book of Mormon Central, “Why Does Nephi State that We Are Saved by Grace “After All We Can Do"? (2 Nephi 25:23),” KnoWhy 371 (October 10, 2017).
Joseph Smith–History 1:66–75
“Fellow Servants,” Saints, Volume 1: The Standard of Truth (Salt Lake City, UT: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2018), 1:65–68.
“Restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood,” Church History Topics.
“Restoration of the Melchizedek Priesthood,” Church History Topics.
Video: “Restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood,” BYU Religious Studies Center (December 7, 2020).
Video: “Restoration of the Melchizedek Priesthood,” BYU Religious Studies Center (December 14, 2020).
John W. Welch, “Timing the Translation of the Book of Mormon: “Days [and Hours] Never to Be Forgotten,” BYU Studies Quarterly 57, no. 4 (2018): 10–50.
Mark L. Staker, “’Commissioned of Jesus Christ’: Oliver Cowdery and D&C 13,” in You Shall Have My Word: Exploring the Text of the Doctrine and Covenants, ed. Scott C. Esplin, Richard O. Cowan, and Rachel Cope (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center; Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2012), 50–63.
Steven C. Harper, “Oliver Cowdery as Second Witness of Priesthood Restoration,” in Days Never to Be Forgotten: Oliver Cowdery, ed. Alexander L. Baugh (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 2009), 73–89.
Jeffrey M. Bradshaw and Matthew L. Bowen, “’By the Blood Ye Are Sanctified’: The Symbolic, Salvific, Interrelated, Additive, Retrospective, and Anticipatory Nature of the Ordinances of Spiritual Rebirth in John 3 and Moses 6,” Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship 24 (2017): 123-316.
JS—H 1:67–68
Book of Mormon Central. “Why Did the Book of Mormon Come Forth as a Miracle? (2 Nephi 27:23).” KnoWhy 273 (February 10, 2017).
Book of Mormon Central. “Why Did Joseph and Oliver Seek Authority to Baptize? (3 Nephi 11:24–25).” KnoWhy 279.
JS—H 1:68–71
Book of Mormon Central, “At Baptism, What Do We Covenant to Do? (Mosiah 18:10),” KnoWhy 97 (May 11, 2016).
JS–H 1:72
Book of Mormon Central, “Why Did Alma Talk about Melchizedek? (Alma 13:14),” KnoWhy 120 (June 13, 2016).
JS—H 1:73
Book of Mormon Central, “What Does It Mean to Be “Born Again?” (Mosiah 27:25),” KnoWhy 501 (February 7, 2019).
JS—H 1:75
Stanford Carmack, “How Joseph Smith’s Grammar Differed from Book of Mormon Grammar: Evidence from the 1832 History,” Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship 25 (2017): 239–259.
Book of Mormon Central. “How Important was Oliver Cowdery in Bringing Forth the Book of Mormon? (2 Nephi 27:9).” KnoWhy 270 (February 3, 2017).
Book of Mormon Central, “Why Is the Timing of the Book of Mormon’s Translation So “Marvelous”? (2 Nephi 27:26),” KnoWhy 506 (March 15, 2019).
Book of Mormon Central. “Why Did the Book of Mormon Come Forth as a Miracle? (2 Nephi 27:23).” KnoWhy 273 (February 10, 2017).
Voices of the Restoration: Lucy Mack Smith and the Three and Eight Witnesses
Amy Easton-Flake and Rachel Cope, “A Multiplicity of Witnesses: Women and the Translation Process,” in The Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon: A Marvelous Work and a Wonder, edited by Dennis L. Largey, Andrew H. Hedges, John Hilton III, and Kerry Hull (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center; Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2015), 133–53.
“Witnesses of the Book of Mormon,” Church History Topics.
Michael Hubbard MacKay and Gerrit J. Dirkmaat, “Firsthand Witness Accounts of the Translation Process,” in The Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon: A Marvelous Work and a Wonder, edited by Dennis L. Largey, Andrew H. Hedges, John Hilton III, and Kerry Hull (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center; Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2015), 61–79.
Book of Mormon Central. “How Did Martin Harris Help Bring Forth the Book of Mormon? (2 Nephi 27:15).” KnoWhy 251 (March 24, 2017).
Book of Mormon Central. “How Important was Oliver Cowdery in Bringing Forth the Book of Mormon? (2 Nephi 27:9).” KnoWhy 270 (February 3, 2017).
Book of Mormon Central, “Why Is David Whitmer’s Witness of the Book of Mormon So Compelling? (Alma 27:27),” KnoWhy 395 (January 2, 2018).
Book of Mormon Central. “Who Are the "Few" Who Were Permitted to See the Plates? (2 Nephi 27:12–13).” KnoWhy 54 (March 15, 2016).
Book of Mormon Central. “Why Were Three Key Witnesses Chosen to Testify of the Book of Mormon? (Ether 5:4).” KnoWhy 267 (January 27, 2017).
Book of Mormon Central, “How Can We Be Strengthened by Lucy Mack Smith's Testimony of the Book of Mormon? (2 Nephi 27:14),” KnoWhy 379 (November 7, 2017).
Book of Mormon Central, “Did Joseph Smith’s Mother Believe He Could Have Written the Book of Mormon? (Alma 32:21),” KnoWhy 555 (March 31, 2020).
Book of Mormon Central, “What Does Mary Whitmer Teach Us About Enduring Trials? (2 Nephi 27:14),” KnoWhy 455 (August 2, 2018).
Book of Mormon Central, “Did the Book of Mormon Witnesses Really See What They Claimed? (3 Nephi 28:15),” KnoWhy 521 (June 20, 2019).
