Doctrine and Covenants 33

Northrop Sweet was baptized a member of the Church by Parley P. Pratt in October 1830, in Palmyra, New York. He was appointed to serve a mission in October 1830 (see D&C 33). He had moved to Kirtland, Ohio, by June 1831, where he was ordained an elder; however, he left the Church shortly thereafter and attempted to form another church, claiming that Joseph Smith was a false prophet.

Doctrine and Covenants 33:1

Ezra Thayre:

“When Hyrum began to speak, every word touched me to the inmost soul. I thought every word was pointed to me. God punished me and riveted me to the spot. I could not help myself. The tears rolled down my cheeks, I was very proud and stubborn. There were many there who knew me, I dare not look up. I sat until I recovered myself before I dare look up. They sung some hymns and that filled me with the Spirit. When Hyrum got through, he picked up a book and said, ‘here is the Book of Mormon.’ I said, let me see it. I then opened the book, and I received a shock with such exquisite joy that no pen can write and no tongue can express. I shut the book and said, what is the price of it? ‘Fourteen shillings’ was the reply. I said, I’ll take the book. I opened it again, and I felt a double portion of the Spirit, that I did not know whether I was in the world or not. I felt as though I was truly in heaven.

“Martin Harris rushed to me to tell me that the book was true. I told him that he need not tell me that, for I knew that it is true as well as he” (in Lyndon W. Cook, The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants [1985], 47–48).

Doctrine and Covenants 33:9

Elder David A. Bednar:

“The sheaves in this analogy represent newly baptized members of the Church. The garners are the holy temples. Elder Neal A. Maxwell explained: ‘Clearly, when we baptize, our eyes should gaze beyond the baptismal font to the holy temple. The great garner into which the sheaves should be gathered is the holy temple’ (in John L. Hart, ‘Make Calling Focus of Your Mission,’ Church News, Sept. 17, 1994, 4). This instruction clarifies and emphasizes the importance of sacred temple ordinances and covenants—that the sheaves may not be wasted” (“Honorably Hold a Name and Standing,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2009, 97).

Doctrine and Covenants 34:1

Orson Pratt:

“From the age of ten to nineteen I saw much of the world, and was tossed about without any permanent abiding place; but through the grace of God, I was kept from many of the evils to which young people are exposed; the early impressions of morality and religion, instilled into my mind by my parents, always remained with me; and I often felt a great anxiety to be prepared for a future state; but never commenced, in real earnest, to seek after the Lord, until the autumn of 1829. I then began to pray very fervently, repenting of every sin. In the silent shades of night, while others were slumbering upon their pillows, I often retired to some secret place in the lonely fields or solitary wilderness, and bowed before the Lord, and prayed for hours with a broken heart and contrite spirit; this was my comfort and delight. The greatest desire of my heart was for the Lord to manifest His will concerning me” (in The Orson Pratt Journals, comp. Elden J. Watson [1975], 8–9).

Doctrine and Covenants 34:10

In obedience to the Lord’s command recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 34:10, Orson Pratt lifted up his voice to share the gospel. Shortly after receiving this revelation, Orson Pratt embarked on a mission to Colesville, New York. On another mission a few years later, Orson traveled “on foot near 4000 miles, attended 207 meetings, … baptized 104 persons, and organized several new Branches of the Church” (Orson Pratt, “History of Orson Pratt,” Millennial Star,Feb. 4, 1865, 72). In his lifetime of service, “he crossed the ocean sixteen times, on missions of salvation” (“Orson Pratt,” Contributor, Nov. 1881, 61).

Doctrine and Covenants 35:1–3

Elder Neal A. Maxwell:

“I testify to you that God has known you individually … for a long, long time (see D&C 93:23). He has loved you for a long, long time. … He knows your names and all your heartaches and your joys!” (“Remember How Merciful the Lord Hath Been,”Ensign or Liahona, May 2004, 46).

Doctrine and Covenants 35:3–4

President Dallin H. Oaks:

“Faith and trust in the Lord give us the strength to accept and persist, whatever happens in our lives. …

“… Do not rely on planning every event of your life—even every important event. Stand ready to accept the Lord’s planning and the agency of others in matters that inevitably affect you. Plan, of course, but fix your planning on personal commitments that will carry you through no matter what happens. Anchor your life to eternal principles, and act upon those principles whatever the circumstances and whatever the actions of others. Then you can await the Lord’s timing and be sure of the outcome in eternity” (“Timing,” Ensign, Oct. 2003, 17).

Doctrine and Covenants 35:13–14

President Boyd K. Packer:

“The Church has no professional clergy. The call to leadership positions worldwide is drawn from the congregation. …

“Everything that is done in the Church—the leading, the teaching, the calling, the ordaining, the praying, the singing, the preparation of the sacrament, the counseling, and everything else—is done by ordinary members, the ‘weak things of the world’” (“The Weak and the Simple of the Church,” Ensignor Liahona, Nov. 2007, 6–7).

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin:

“For you members of the Church who hold back because of feelings of inadequacy, I plead with you to step forward, put your shoulder to the wheel, and push. Even when you feel that your strength can add little, the Church needs you. The Lord needs you. Remember that the Lord often chooses ‘the weak things of the world’ to accomplish His purposes. [D&C 1:19.]

“To all who are weary, let the comforting words of the Savior console you: ‘Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.’ [Matthew 11:28.] Let us rely on that promise. The power of God can infuse our spirits and bodies with energy and vigor. I urge you to seek this blessing from the Lord.

“Draw near to Him, and He will draw near to you, for He has promised that ‘they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.’ [Isaiah 40:31.] …

“Remember, sometimes those who start out the slowest end up going the farthest” (“Concern for the One,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2008, 19).

President Thomas S. Monson:

“Some of you may be shy by nature or consider yourselves inadequate to respond affirmatively to a calling. Remember that this work is not yours and mine alone. It is the Lord’s work, and when we are on the Lord’s errand, we are entitled to the Lord’s help. Remember that the Lord will shape the back to bear the burden placed upon it” (“To Learn, to Do, to Be,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2008, 62).

Doctrine and Covenants 35:19, 22

The Lord commanded Sidney Rigdon to “watch over [Joseph Smith],” to “tarry with him,” and to “forsake him not” (D&C 35:19, 22). Although Sidney dissented from the Church after Joseph Smith’s martyrdom, he was always faithful when the Prophet was alive. He was a diligent and loyal Church leader, the only counselor in the First Presidency who served during Joseph Smith’s entire administration as President of the Church. Sidney suffered terrible adversity at the Prophet’s side, and he enjoyed great spiritual manifestations with the Prophet.

Doctrine and Covenants 35:20

“The scriptures shall be given, even as they are in mine own bosom” (D&C 35:20). This passage implies that Joseph Smith’s work on the inspired translation of the Bible was to go beyond simply restoring the original texts of the Bible. Rather, the biblical text was to communicate the message the Lord Himself intended it to convey. As a result, Joseph not only corrected or revised the biblical text, but he was also inspired to add to what had originally been included, giving us a more complete understanding of the truths the Lord desires for us to understand.

Doctrine and Covenants 35:23

Sidney Rigdon was an experienced preacher with a good knowledge of the Bible. The Lord charged him to use these gifts to preach the restored gospel and to use the teachings of biblical prophets to support Joseph’s words.