Joseph Smith received a number of revelations during the time he was translating the Book of Mormon. Four of those revelations, all of which he received on behalf of other people, have nearly identical openings. These revelations are:
- Doctrine and Covenants 6: to Oliver Cowdery
- Doctrine and Covenants 11: to Hyrum Smith
- Doctrine and Covenants 12: to Joseph Knight, Sr.
- Doctrine and Covenants 14: to David Whitmer
These common introductions also share a lot of content with a revelation Joseph received earlier in the year, addressed to his father, Joseph Smith, Sr. (See Doctrine and Covenants 4.)
The repeated preface consists of four parts, all of which are derived from biblical passages and all of which appear in some form in the Book of Mormon:
| Preface Text | Bible | Book of Mormon |
|---|---|---|
| “A great and marvelous work is about to come forth unto the children of men.” | “I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder” (Isaiah 29:14). | Isaiah passage quoted in 2 Nephi 27:26. “Great and marvelous work” appears in 10 other passages. |
| “Behold, I am God; give heed to my word, which is quick and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword, to the dividing asunder of both joints and marrow; therefore give heed unto my word.” | “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow” (Hebrews 4:12). | “We see that whosoever will may lay hold upon the word of God, which is quick and powerful, which shall divide asunder all the cunning and the snares and the wiles of the devil” (Helaman 3:29). “Therefore give heed to my words” (3 Nephi 23:4). |
| “Behold, the field is white already to harvest; therefore, whoso desireth to reap let him thrust in his sickle with his might, and reap while the day lasts, that he may treasure up for his soul everlasting salvation in the kingdom of God. “Yea, whosoever will thrust in his sickle and reap, the same is called of God.” | “I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest” (John 4:35). “And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. “And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped” (Revelation 14:16). | “Behold, the field was ripe, and blessed are ye, for ye did thrust in the sickle, and did reap with your might, yea, all the day long did ye labor; and behold the number of your sheaves!” (Alma 26:5). |
| “Therefore, if you will ask of me you shall receive; if you will knock it shall be opened unto you.” | “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: “For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened” (Matthew 7:7-8; Luke 11:9-10). | This passage from the Sermon on the Mount appears in 3 Nephi 14:7-8. The promise also appears in 1 Nephi 15:11, 2 Nephi 9:42, Enos 1:15, Mosiah 4:21, 3 Nephi 18:20, 3 Nephi 27:29, and Moroni 7:26. |
Joseph Smith received other revelations during this time which did not begin with this same introductory text, but the fact that the Lord repeated this introduction multiple times to different people indicates its broad applicability.
Additionally, as a synthesis of passages from the Bible and the Book of Mormon, it emphasizes the unity of prophetic messages and the importance of understanding their combined meaning.
Here’s how I would paraphrase the Lord’s message in this recurring preface:
Big things are about to happen, so pay close attention to what I’m about to say: People are ready to hear the gospel and if you work hard, you will find success in sharing it. I will answer your prayers, so ask me for help.
Today, I will do God’s work prayerfully and diligently. I will be grateful for the privilege of contributing to the growth and development of His children, and I will listen to His word, which teaches me how to do it.
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