Introduction
to D&C 18 (2013):
Revelation to Joseph Smith the Prophet, Oliver Cowdery, and David
Whitmer, given at Fayette, New York, June 1829. According to the Prophet, this
revelation made known “the calling of twelve apostles in these last days, and
also instructions relative to building up the Church.”
Introduction
to D&C 18 (1981):
Revelation to Joseph Smith the Prophet, Oliver Cowdery, and David
Whitmer, given at Fayette, New York, June 1829. HC 1: 60—64. When the Aaronic
Priesthood was conferred, the bestowal of the Melchizedek Priesthood was
promised. See heading to Section 13. In response to supplication for knowledge
on the matter, the Lord gave this revelation.
Section
13 (1981) reads:
Ordination of Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery to the Aaronic
Priesthood along the bank of the Susquehanna River, near Harmony, Pennsylvania,
May 15, 1829. HC 1: 39—42. The ordination was done by the hands of an angel,
who announced himself as John, the same that is called John the Baptist in the
New Testament. The angel explained that he was acting under the direction of
Peter, James, and John, the ancient apostles, who held the keys of the higher
priesthood, which was called the Priesthood of Melchizedek. The promise was
given to Joseph and Oliver that in due time the Priesthood of Melchizedek would
be conferred upon them. See also Section 27: 7, 8, 12.
Note: The uncanonized
historical introduction to D&C 18 in the current 1981 edition of the Doctrine
& Covenants is probably incorrect. The historical sources, including History
of the Church 1:60-61, identify the response to the request for knowledge
about John the Baptist’s promise as the revelation received in the chamber of Peter
Whitmer’s Sr.’s home, not D&C 18. And while those sources do state that D&C
18 “will further illustrate the nature of our calling to this [Melchizedek]
Priesthood,” they do not state D&C 18 is itself the response to that
particular inquiry, nor even that it sheds light on the response to that
inquiry. (Kurt Elieson, Historical Context of the Doctrine and
Covenants and Other Modern Scriptures [2011], 1:111)
On the chamber of Peter Whitmer Sr., see:
M Hubbard MacKay, Event or Process?
How “the Chamber of Old Father Whitmer” Helps Us Understand Priesthood
Restoration