Joseph Smith's first recorded revelation (1828)

The following is Joseph Smith's first recorded revelation. This revelation is believed to have been given through the seer stone that Joseph Smith had in his possession. Smith was 22 years old at this time.

Revelation received at Harmony [now Oakland], Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, in July [1-31] 1828 for Joseph Smith Jr., regarding the lost manuscript pages of the forepart of the Book of Mormon

From Book of Commandments and Revelations, 1-2, Church History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah

July one Thousand Eight hundred & Twenty Eight Given to Joseph the Seer after he had lost certa[i]n writings which he had Translated by the gift & Power of God Saying

the works & the designs & the Purposes of God cannot be frustrated neither can they come to naught for God doth not walk in crooked Paths neither doth he turn to the right hand nor to the left neither doth he vary from that which he hath said therefore his paths are strait & his course is one eternal round

Remember Remember that it is not the work of God that is frustrated but the work of men for although a man may have many Revelations & have power to do many Mighty works yet if he boast in his own strength & sets at naught the councils [counsels] of God & follows after the dictates of his own will & carnal desires he must fall and incur the vengeance of a Just God upon him

behold you have been intrusted with those things but how strict were your commandments & Remember also the Promises which were made to you if you did not transgress them & behold how oft you have transgressed these commandments and the laws of God & have gone on in the Persuasions of men for behold you should not have feared man more than God although men set at naught the councils [counsels] of God & despise his words yet you should have been faithful & he would have extended his arm & supported you against all the firey [fiery] darts of the advisary [adversary] & he would have been with you in ev[e]ry time of trouble

behold thou art Joseph, and thou wast chosen to do the work of the Lord but because of transgression if thou art not aware thou wilt fall but remember God is merciful therefore repent of that which thou hast done & he will only cause thee to be afflicted for a season & thou art still chosen & will again be called to the work & except Thou do this thou shalt be delivered up & become as other men & have no more gift.

& when thou deliveredst up that Which God had given thee sight and power to Translate thou deliveredest up that which was Sacred into the hands of a wicked man who has Set at naught the Councils [Counsels] of God & hath broken the most Sacred promises which were made before God & hath depended upon his own Judgement & boasted in his own wisdom & this is the reason that thou hast lost thy Privileges for a Season for thou hast suffered the council [counsel] of thy director to be trampled upon from the begin[n]ing

nevertheless my work shall go forth & accomplish my purposes for as the knowledge of a Saveiour [Savior] hath come into the world even so shall the knowledge of my People the Nephities [Nephites] & the Jacobites & the Josephites & the Zorumites [Zoramites] come to the knowledge of the Lamanites & the Lemuelites & the Ishmaelites which dwindled in unbelief because of the iniquities of their Fathers who hath been suffered to destroy their Brethren because of their iniquities & their Abominations & for this very Purpose are these Plates preserved which contain these Records that the Promises of the Lord might be fulfilled which he made to his People & that the Lamanites might come to the knowledge of their Fathers & that they might know the Promises of the Lord & that they may believe the Gospel & rely upon the merits of Jesus Christ & be glorified through faith on his name & that they might repent & be Saved Amen

Received in Harmony Susquehannah [Susquehanna County] Penn[sylvania]


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