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Why is LdS Priesthood conspicuously absent from the 1833 Book of Commandments?

Please refer to this link http://www.2think.org/hundredsheep/boc/boc28.shtml

You will see the 1833 Book of Commandments chapter 28 contrasted against it's 1835 Doctrine & Covenants equivalent (D&C 27). As stated in the question, all references to LdS Priesthood is missing.

And this isn't true of JUST BoC 28 it's true of the entire volume. Which is why David Whittmer denounced it's inclusion with these words:

"You have CHANGED THE REVELATIONS from the way they were first given and as they are today in the Book of Commandments, to support the error of Brother Joseph in taking upon himself the office of Seer to the church. You have changed the revelations to support the error of high priests. You have changed the revelations to support the error of a President of the high priesthood, high counselors, etc. You have altered the revelations to support you in going beyond the plain teachings of Christ in the new covenant part of the Book of Mormon."
(An Address To All Believers In Christ, p. 49)

And elsewhere adds:

"This matter of 'Priesthood,' since the days of Sydney Rigdon, has been the great hobby and stumbling-block of the Latter Day Saints. Priesthood means authority; and authority is the word we should use. I do not think the word priesthood is mentioned in the New Covenant of the Book of Mormon. Authority is the word we used for the first two years in the church--until Sydney Rigdon's days in Ohio. This matter of the two orders of priesthood in the Church of Christ, and lineal priesthood of the old law being in the church, all originated in the mind of Sydney Rigdon. He explained these things to Brother Joseph in his way, out of the old Scriptures, and got Joseph to inquire, etc. He would inquire, and as mouthpiece speak out the revelations just as they had it fixed up in their hearts....according to the desires of the heart, the inspiration comes, but it may be the spirit of man that gives it.... DESCRIPTION TRUNCATED - SEE FULL TEXT BELOW

Answers. 1 helpful answer below.

  • WELL, AS SEEMS TO BE THE CASE SO OFTEN WITH THE NEW ANSWERBAG, MY DESCRIPTION GOT TRUNCATED. HERE IT IS IN IT'S ENTIRETY AND I WILL MARK IT AS A "GREAT ANSWER" SIMPLY TO BRING IT TO THE TOP OF THE DISCUSSION THREAD FOR QUICK AND EASY REFERENCE.

    Please refer to this link http://www.2think.org/hundredsheep/boc/boc28.shtml

    You will see the 1833 Book of Commandments chapter 28 contrasted against it's 1835 Doctrine & Covenants equivalent (D&C 27). As stated in the question, all references to LdS Priesthood is missing.

    And this isn't true of JUST BoC 28 it's true of the entire volume. Which is why David Whittmer denounced it's inclusion with these words:

    "You have CHANGED THE REVELATIONS from the way they were first given and as they are today in the Book of Commandments, to support the error of Brother Joseph in taking upon himself the office of Seer to the church. You have changed the revelations to support the error of high priests. You have changed the revelations to support the error of a President of the high priesthood, high counselors, etc. You have altered the revelations to support you in going beyond the plain teachings of Christ in the new covenant part of the Book of Mormon."
    (An Address To All Believers In Christ, p. 49)

    And elsewhere adds:

    "This matter of 'Priesthood,' since the days of Sydney Rigdon, has been the great hobby and stumbling-block of the Latter Day Saints. Priesthood means authority; and authority is the word we should use. I do not think the word priesthood is mentioned in the New Covenant of the Book of Mormon. Authority is the word we used for the first two years in the church--until Sydney Rigdon's days in Ohio. This matter of the two orders of priesthood in the Church of Christ, and lineal priesthood of the old law being in the church, all originated in the mind of Sydney Rigdon. He explained these things to Brother Joseph in his way, out of the old Scriptures, and got Joseph to inquire, etc. He would inquire, and as mouthpiece speak out the revelations just as they had it fixed up in their hearts....according to the desires of the heart, the inspiration comes, but it may be the spirit of man that gives it.... This is the way the High Priests and the 'priesthood' as you have it, was introduced into the Church of Christ almost two years after its beginning--and after we had baptized and confirmed about two thousand souls into the church."
    (An Address To All Believers In Christ, by David Whitmer p. 64)

    And modern LdS Scholar La Mar Peterson notes:

    "The important details that are missing from the 'full history' of 1834 are likewise missing from the Book of Commandments in 1833. The student would expect to find all the particulars of the Restoration in this first treasured set of 65 revelations, the dates of which encompassed the bestowals of the two Priesthoods, but they are conspicuously absent... The notable revelations on Priesthood in the Doctrine and Covenants before referred to, Sections 2 and 13, are missing, and Chapter 28 gives no hint of the Restoration which, if actual, had been known for four years. More than four hundred words were added to this revelation of August, 1829 in Section 27 of the Doctrine and Covenants, the additions made to include the names of heavenly visitors and two separate ordinations. The Book of Commandments gives the duties of Elders, Priests, Teachers, and Deacons and refers to Joseph's apostolic calling but there is no mention of Melchezedek Priesthood, High Priesthood, Seventies, High Priests, nor High Councilors. These words were later inserted into the revelation on Church organization and government of April, 1830, making it appear that they were known at that date, but they do not appear in the original, Chapter 24 of the Book of Commandments three years later. Similar interpolations were made in the revelations known as Sections 42 and 68."
    (Problems in Mormon Text, by La Mar Petersen, pp. 7-8)

    additional resources = http://www.lds-mormon.com/mph.shtml

    So why is it missing if Priesthood authority is so essential to the purpose and nature of the LdS Church?

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