Joseph Smith Seer Stones: Doctrine and Covenants 6-9 Insights (Part 4)

Section 7 is unique because it emerged from a discussion—some might say a disagreement—between Joseph and Oliver about John chapter 21, verse 22. If you look back at section 6, verse 26, the Lord informed them: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, that there are records which contain much of my gospel, which have been kept back because of the wickedness of the people.” It’s fascinating that the very next section reveals just a small fragment—a parchment written by John the Beloved, John the Revelator, the brother of James—one of the three pillars of the Church (Peter, James, and John).

The central question that sparked their discussion: Did John actually die, or was he translated and remain alive today? The disagreement became serious enough that they decided to ask God directly. In the vision that followed, they saw this parchment, and then with the aid of the Urim and Thummim—the seer stones—they were able to translate it.

Understanding Translation in Joseph’s Time

Notice the cross-reference to John chapter 21, verse 22, which is ambiguous in the King James Version regarding John’s translated state. John wrote his gospel and writings in Greek. We have no record of Joseph ever studying Greek at this time in 1829, yet he’s translating.

This is where we must clarify what “translation” really means. Today, we usually think of a translator as someone fluent in two languages—reading or hearing something in one language and rendering it into another they know fluently. What makes Joseph’s work so remarkable is that he technically wasn’t fluent, or particularly articulate at this stage, in any language. Even Emma, his wife, said: “He could hardly dictate a coherent letter when I first married him.” She reflected on this later in life while considering the translation process, noting that he struggled to write well or speak well.

The gift and power of God made it so that Joseph didn’t need to know Greek—because God knows Greek perfectly and knows exactly what John wrote, even though that text was lost to the world. Through the Urim and Thummim and the seer stones, Joseph was able to take it and render it in English for us, making it accessible to all the other languages of the world. You’re seeing a lost portion of John’s writings restored through divine means.

The Theme of Desire

One powerful word appears repeatedly throughout this section: “desire.” Look at verse 4: “And for this cause the Lord said unto Peter: If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? For he desired of me that he might bring souls unto me, but thou desirest that thou mightest speedily come unto me in my kingdom.” Both got what you desired—so why the struggle, Peter?

Verse 5 continues: “I say unto thee, Peter, this was a good desire; but my beloved has desired that he might do more, or a greater work yet among men than what he has before done.”

Jesus, in this segment no longer preserved in our Bible, teaches an essential concept: stop comparing yourself to others. Don’t look at what someone else has and say “I want that too.” Any comparison should be with God and the Savior, not horizontally with your neighbor. Peter, you got exactly what you desired. John is getting what he desired. There’s no conflict here.

Verse 8 says it plainly: “Verily I say unto you, ye shall both have according to your desires, for ye both joy in that which ye have desired.”

The lesson is profound: What does your heart desire? I hope it’s not the things people around you have. I hope your deepest desires align with what the Lord Jesus Christ offers you. We’re told repeatedly in these sections: “Ask, and you shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” Section 7 proves this is true. We don’t need to compare ourselves and judge who’s better or less than—we can find joy in fulfilling righteous desires. Let your heart be full of righteous desires and pursue them, letting God work out great good in your life.

Priesthood Keys and the Restored Church

There’s something significant in verse 7 that’s easy to miss: “I will make thee to minister for him and for thy brother James; and unto you three I will give this power and the keys of this ministry until I come.”

In Joseph Smith’s day, the Protestant Reformation had swept Europe and come to America. All these Christian denominations based their faith on scripture. There’s a Latin phrase—sola scriptura—meaning our faith is centered in the word of God. It’s a powerful, beautiful doctrine, but on its own, it is insufficient. The scriptures cannot save us by themselves.

What God is laying out here is profound: the Priesthood will be revealed, and the power of God must be on earth for salvation to be accessible. Yes, we love the scriptures. But the keys of the Priesthood unlock the power of salvation in our lives. In the sections to come and in Joseph’s life ahead, you’ll see the Priesthood revealed through the translation work with seer stones. The keys of God’s power were redelivered to the earth, unlocking the Restoration. Now the ordinances of God are available to all who put their faith in Jesus Christ and come unto him for salvation.

That’s a remarkably powerful concept in our age when we’re told you don’t really need a church, you don’t need prophets, we’re enlightened now. But look at the effort God invested in establishing His church and priesthood keys that unlock doors and seal things on earth and in heaven. It’s vitally important that we recognize more than just knowledge is required for progression on the covenant path. We need God’s prophets. We need ordinances and the keys that hold them to help us progress and receive the infinite Atonement of Jesus Christ more fully.

Section 8: Jesus Christ as Your Savior and Redeemer

Now shift to section 8, where He calls Oliver by name: “Oliver Cowdery, verily, verily, I say unto you, that assuredly as the Lord liveth, who is your God and your Redeemer…”

This connects to one of my favorite recent changes in the temple recommend questions. Question number 2 now asks: “Do you have a testimony of the atonement of Jesus Christ and of his role as your Savior and Redeemer?” I love that addition—it’s not just as the Savior and Redeemer in general, but as your Savior and Redeemer personally.

Notice what He says next: “you will receive a knowledge of whatsoever things you shall ask in faith, with an honest heart, believing that you shall receive…”

Then comes one of the most powerful verses on revelation: verse 2: “Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart…”

Who is the “I” here? It’s Jesus Christ telling us. We’re told repeatedly, especially by President Nelson: “Hear Him!” We’re listening for the words of Jesus Christ. Heavenly Father has delegated the kingdom into the hands of Jesus Christ. He’s the one speaking here in section 8, and throughout most of the Doctrine and Covenants—speaking not just to Joseph, Oliver, Martin, and Joseph Senior, but speaking to you and to me and to all of us today.

“I will tell you in your mind and in your heart…”

What might be the most important word in this entire verse? For me, it’s a word most people overlook. Years ago, a good friend and colleague, Randy Bott, pointed out that the most important word is “and.” Not “or”—“and.” Revelation flows to the mind and the heart. Christ combines. It’s the devil who loves dividing and creating separations.

“I will tell you in your mind and in your heart by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart.” The thoughts can be so clear they can even be written down. Elder Richard G. Scott spoke about revelation many times—how you have feelings and impressions, gentle tugs in certain directions, and then thoughts come very specifically. Other times it’s just a flash across your mind.

Many people ask over and over: was that just me, or was that the Holy Ghost? Here’s what I love: if it’s a good thing, if it persuades you to believe in God, to come unto Him, to serve people, to love God’s children—then you can be assured it’s good. You can spend less time worrying “was that me or the Holy Ghost?” and more time recognizing that the Holy Ghost works with what you have. He uses your resources to communicate with you through those channels. The Holy Ghost is often speaking to you through your own thoughts—it is Jesus Christ speaking through the Holy Ghost in those simple, personal ways.

About Dr. Tyler Griffin, Source Expert

Dr. Tyler Griffin spent six years teaching seminary in Brigham City, Utah, followed by seven years instructing at the Logan LDS Institute adjacent to Utah State University. He led the Seminary Preservice program and supervised the online seminary program’s implementation. Dr. Griffin has been an educator at BYU for well over a decade and holds a co-founding position in the BYU Virtual Scriptures Group. His undergraduate degree is in Electrical Engineering, and both his master’s and doctorate degrees focus on Instructional Technology. Dr. Griffin is the sole author of “When Heaven Appears Distant,” co-author of “Come Unto Me: Illuminating the Savior’s Life, Mission, Parables, and Miracles,” and co-editor of “Millions Shall Rediscover Brother Joseph.”