When the Lord called Joseph Smith as His Prophet for this
Last Dispensation, and formed His Church, the new organization needed steadfast
and unwavering leaders who had been trained in the ways of the Lord. One such
leader was Oliver Cowdery, a capable young man eager to do the work of God.
Among his many worthwhile characteristics, he had one major
flaw and that was the fact he was not content merely to assist in the work of
translating by serving as Joseph’s scribe—he wanted to translate just like
Joseph. However, the Lord’s desire was for Oliver to continue to serve as
scribe and then seek for greater gifts (D&C 9:2-3). But like many of us who
are not satisfied with a lesser role, Oliver was impatient to move beyond the
mundane. So the Lord gave him the opportunity in the form of a teaching lesson.
The fact that he failed and why is well documented in
Section 9. President Joseph Fielding Smith pointed out that “it seems probable
that Oliver Cowdery desired to translate out of curiosity, and the Lord taught
him his place by showing him that translating was not the easy thing he had
thought it to be. In a subsequent revelation (Sec. 9), the explanation was made
that Oliver’s failure came because he did not continue as he commenced, and the
task being a difficult one, his faith deserted him. The lesson he learned was
very necessary, for he was shown that his place was to act as scribe for Joseph
Smith and that it was the latter who was called and appointed by command of the
Lord to do the translating. There must have been some desire on the part of
Oliver Cowdery to be equal with the Prophet and some impatience in having to
sit and act as scribe, but when he failed to master the gift of translating, he
was then willing to accept the will of the Lord” (Church History and Modern Revelation, 1:50–51.)
The Lord assigned Oliver’s failure to translate to the fact
that he did not translate according to that which he desired of the Lord
(D&C 9:1). Evidently, Oliver needed to learn that translating as Joseph
Smith was doing was by the gift and power of God. It seems that Oliver had
received sufficient instruction, but instead when given the chance, went his
own way, using his own wisdom and did not rely on the Lord, who told him:
“Because you did not continue as you commenced, when you began to translate…”
(D&C 9:5). The Lord’s Will was for Joseph to translate and Oliver to scribe
(D&C 9:4) and stopped Oliver from translating. After all, there was much
for Oliver to learn, though the assertive young man did not realize it at the
time.
Still, the Lord was not displeased with his zeal. He said to
Oliver through Joseph Smith, “Be patient, my son, for it is wisdom in
me, and it is not expedient that you should translate at this present time…do
not murmur, my son, for it is wisdom in me that I have dealt with you after
this manner” (D&C 9:6). Like all of us, we are here to serve the Lord, not
make demands of him, nor try to run faster than we can walk. It is a learning
experience for us all, and Oliver shows us exactly why we are not given
callings or assignments we may want, but are beyond our ability at the moment.
The Lord told Oliver “Other records have I, that I will give
unto you power that you may assist to translate” (D&C 9:2), and the Book of
Mormon teaches us that there are many records of God’s dealings with His
children yet to come forth (2 Nephi 27:7-8; 3 Nephi 26:6-11; Ether 3:22;
4:5-7). As an example, several years after this revelation was given, the
records from which the book of Abraham was translated fell into Joseph Smith’s
hands. Perhaps this was one of those other records which the Lord had in mind.
It should also be remembered that a portion of the gold plates was sealed.
These too shall come forth some time in the future and may have been among
those referred to in this statement by the Lord.
President Joseph Fielding Smith indicated how both Oliver
Cowdery and the general Church membership contributed to the failure of the
Saints to have these records today: “It
is possible that some of them might have been translated had the people
received the Book of Mormon with full purpose of heart and had been faithful to
its teachings. This was the promise the Lord made through Mormon. He said he
would try the faith of the people and if they were willing to accept the lesser
things (i.e., the Book of Mormon) then he would make known to them the greater
things.”
Except in the time of Enoch, it has always been thus that
man has not quite reached the level God had in mind for his people. When Moses
came down off the Mount the first time he had the New and Everlasting Covenant (JST
Exodus 34:1-2l; D&C 84:23-24); but Aaron and Israel wanted a golden calf to
worship and Moses smashed the plates and eventually went back up and received
the schooling Ten Commandments.
As Joseph Fielding Smith added, “That we have failed in this is very apparent, we have not accepted the
revelations in the Book of Mormon, neither in the Doctrine and Covenants, with
that faith and willingness to know the will of the Lord which would entitle us
to receive this greater information. Oliver Cowdery was a party to this failure
by turning away from the Church for a number of years when it needed his
service. He therefore lost his privilege to translate through his own
disobedience, and the people have lost the privilege of receiving the ‘greater
things’ spoken of by the Lord to Mormon (3 Nephi 26:8-11) until the day shall
come when they are willing to be obedient in all things and will exercise faith
such as was had by the brother of Jared. It should be remembered that such
faith has rarely been seen on the earth. It appears, therefore, that we must
wait until the reign of unrighteousness is at an end before the Lord will give
to the people these writings, containing ‘a revelation from God, from the
beginning of the world to the ending thereof.’ (2 Nephi 27:7)” (Church History and Modern Revelation,
1:52–53.)
Obviously, the Lord knew in 1829 that Oliver would
eventually leave the Church. Some have thought this was why the Lord said, “It
is wisdom in me that I have dealt with you after this manner” (D&C 9:6);
however, the Lord, does not punish people for sins they have not yet committed,
even though He knows that they will commit them sometime in the future. Oliver
had demonstrated by his present insufficient faith that it was better for him
to wait for a season before he translated. Also, Joseph needed a scribe, and
Oliver’s impatience at being only a scribe had been satisfied since he had
learned that translation was not nearly as simple a task as it first appeared.
It was therefore wisdom in God to have Oliver wait and Oliver was willing to do
so for now.
The important thing is to understand what mistake Oliver
made in attempting to translate. Since both spiritual and mental effort is
required in order to translate, Oliver was simply not prepared to do so any
more than many of us are not ready to receive the blessings we desire because
of the work and effort required first before we can receive what we desire.
Oliver Cowdery thought that all he needed to do in order to
translate was to ask the Lord, but here he is told that he must also ‘study it
out’ in his mind as well as to ask the Lord whether or not it is right. The
Lord also gives Oliver a key so that he will know when the translation is
right: his bosom shall burn within him” This was not instruction just for
Oliver, but for the entire Church membership.
If you desire to know something, “You must study it out in
your mind; then you must ask me if it be right” (D&C 9:8). Though the
principle of studying something out in one’s mind and seeking confirmation
through the burning of the bosom or a stupor of thought was given to Oliver
Cowdery to use in translating the Book of Mormon, this process of receiving
revelation can be of value to all Saints. President Joseph Fielding Smith explained
that “a similar privilege is given to any
member of the Church who seeks knowledge in the spirit of prayer and faith. The
Lord will cause the feeling of security and truth to take hold of the
individual and burn within the bosom, and there will be an overwhelming feeling
that the thing is right.
"Missionaries have felt the manifestation of this gift
while laboring in the field; when searching the scriptures; when speaking
before congregations on the streets and in public gatherings. When you have
been listening to some inspired speaker who has presented a new thought to you,
have you not felt that burning within and the satisfaction in your heart that
this new thought is true? On the other hand, have you experienced the feeling
of stupor, gloom, or uneasiness when some thought has been presented which was
in conflict with the revealed word of the Lord, and you have felt by this
manifestation of the Spirit that what was said is not true? It is a great gift,
which all may receive, to have this spirit of discernment, or revelation, for
it is the spirit of revelation.” (Church History and Modern Revelation,
1:51).
There is another reason why Oliver (and we) failed and that
was because, as the Lord told him, “you feared” (D&C 9:11). Fear is the
result of a lack of faith and an unwillingness to follow through. Had Oliver
continued as he commenced, the gift of translation would have been his. As it
was, he feared and consequently lost the proffered gift.
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