Saturday, November 25, 2023

Van Hale on D&C 59:13

  

D&C 59:13 textual variant

 

Speaking of “the Lord’s day” (Sunday), D&C 59:13 states that “on this day thou shalt do none other thing, only let thy food be prepared with singleness of heart . . .” This revelation was first printed in the Evening and Morning Star (July, 1832) at Independence. This is the reading found in the EMS, as well as all editions of the D&C, the manuscript of the history of the Church and all published versions, and also an early manuscript of the revelation in “Revelations Collection” (HDC). There is, however, evidence that this probably was not the original reading of the passage. The 14 numbers of the EMS printed at Independence (June 1832-Juliy 1833) were reprinted at Kirtland in 1834 with Oliver Cowdery as editor. There were several variant readings in this printing of D&C 59, one of which was this verse, which reads: “on the day thou shalt do not one other work . . .” This is probably the original reading, which was altered due to an early transcription error.

 

In the “Prospectus” for the reprint Oliver Cowdery stated “that in the first 14 numbers, in the Revelations, there are many errors, typographical, and others, occasioned by transcribing manuscripts; but as we shall have access to originals, we shall endeavor to make proper corrections.” Again (on p. 16 of the reprint), he wrote:

 

On the revelations we merely say, that we were not a little surprised to find the previous print so different from the original. We have given them a careful comparison, assisted by individuals whose known integrity and ability is uncensurable . . . We believe they are now correct. If not in every word, at least in principle.

 

There is an early manuscript of D&C 59 in the Newel K. Whitney collection (BYU Special Collections) which was probably the immediate source of the EMS printing of the revelation. Whitney was the bishop at Independence during the printing of the EMS. His collection of papers, acquired at BYU, is sizeable, and contains copies of a number of other revelations. This manuscript of D&C 59 contains a coon copyist error. One word was left out at the end of a line as follows:

 

. . . and on this day thou shalt do none other <thing>

 

“Thing” was written above the line in a different hand. “Work” also fits the context of the passage better. The intent seems to be to rest from daily labors on Sunday (“do none other work”), rather than “do none other thing.” The significance of the two readings depends on whether or not “work” and “thing” are interpreted as being synonymous. “None other thing” seems to be more restrictive than “none other work.” (Van Hale, Mormon Miscellaneous Notecards, 3 vols. [Sandy, Utah: Mormon Miscellaneous, 1985], 2:19)