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Previous Next Doctrine & Covenants 69— Study Guide CFM Materials Doctrine & Covenants 69 — Preserving Revelation, Record, and Stewardship Overview Date of Revelation: November 11, 1831 Location: Hiram, Ohio Recipient(s): John Whitmer (also mentions Oliver Cowdery) Section Summary: This revelation assigns John Whitmer to accompany Oliver Cowdery to Missouri with sacred funds and the manuscript revelations destined for publication. The Lord instructs that sacred stewardships should not rest on one individual alone, but be shared by faithful companions. John Whitmer is also formally directed to continue his role as Church historian—traveling, recording, and preserving key events of the Church for current and future generations. Timeframe & Setting Received shortly after a special conference (Nov. 1–2, 1831) in which the decision was made to publish the Book of Commandments. Section 133, the “Appendix,” had just been added on November 3. This section is a practical directive about security, stewardship, and historical preservation during a formative moment for the Church. Key Circumstances Oliver Cowdery had been chosen to carry manuscripts and donated funds to Missouri. The Lord reveals it is not wise for him to go alone. John Whitmer is assigned to accompany him and gather records for the Church’s historical archive. Purpose of the Revelation To provide divine instruction for safeguarding both sacred funds and scripture manuscripts. To formally designate John Whitmer’s dual role as companion and Church historian. To establish a divine pattern of recordkeeping, companionship, and accountability. Significance Highlights the early Church’s emphasis on sacred records and eyewitness documentation. Reinforces the covenantal principle of stewardship by companionship. Sets a precedent for scriptural publication and historical preservation within Zion. Underlines the prophetic vision for Zion as an administrative and spiritual center. Doctrine & Covenants 69:1–2 — A Companion for Oliver Verses 1-2 1 Hearken unto me, saith the Lord your God, for my servant Oliver Cowdery’s sake. It is not wisdom in me that he should be entrusted with the commandments and the moneys which he shall carry unto the land of Zion, except one go with him who will be true and faithful. 2 Wherefore, I, the Lord, will that my servant, John Whitmer, should go with my servant Oliver Cowdery; Linguistic & Cultural Insights: “Hearken” (שָׁמַע shamaʿ ): To hear with intent to obey. This covenantal word frames divine instruction in both Old and New Testaments. Traveling in pairs aligns with Christ’s instructions in Luke 10:1 and the principle in Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 : “Two are better than one... for if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow.” Reflection Question: What principles of accountability and divine companionship do we learn from this command? D&C 69:3–4 — Commission to Record Sacred History Verses 3-4 3 And also that he shall continue in writing and making a history of all the important things which he shall observe and know concerning my church; 4 And also that he receive counsel and assistance from my servant Oliver Cowdery and others. Summary: John Whitmer is to begin compiling the Church’s history, aided by Oliver Cowdery and other Saints. This formalizes his call as Church historian first given in D&C 47:1–3 . Linguistic & Cultural Insights: “History” echoes the biblical command to remember and record God’s deeds: see Exodus 17:14 and Deuteronomy 6:6–9 . “Remember” in Hebrew is זָכַר zakar — not just to recall, but to act in loyal covenant memory. Reflection Question: How can personal or family record-keeping become a sacred act of remembrance? D&C 69:5–6 — Stewardship Reports Sent to Zion Verses 5–6 5 And also, my servants who are abroad in the earth should send forth the accounts of their stewardships to the land of Zion; 6 For the land of Zion shall be a seat and a place to receive and do all these things. Linguistic & Cultural Insights: “Stewardship” is closely tied to the Greek oikonomia (οἰκονομία), meaning household management or divine economy ( Luke 12:42–44 ; D&C 104:11–13 ). “Zion” here reflects more than a physical location — it represents a consecrated society ( D&C 45:66–67 ). Reflection Question: How do we define and fulfill our personal stewardships in modern Zion? D&C 69:7–8 — A Traveling Historian for Future Generations Verses 7-8 7 Nevertheless, let my servant John Whitmer travel many times from place to place, and from church to church, that he may the more easily obtain knowledge— 8 Preaching and expounding, writing, copying, selecting, and obtaining all things which shall be for the good of the church, and for the rising generations that shall grow up on the land of Zion, to possess it from generation to generation, forever and ever. Amen. Summary: John Whitmer’s mission involves gathering knowledge and preserving it for both the Church and future Saints. His record-keeping is apostolic in nature—meant to strengthen the Church across generations. Linguistic & Cultural Insights: “Rising generations” echoes Psalm 102:18 : “This shall be written for the generation to come.” “Expound” is from the Latin exponere —to set forth, explain, or interpret. Compare Luke 24:27 where Christ “expounded unto them” the scriptures. See also 1 Nephi 9:5–6 for Nephi’s role in sacred record preservation. Reflection Question: In what ways can we serve as faithful historians or witnesses for future generations?

This parable emphasizes the importance of forgiveness by illustrating a servant who was forgiven a large debt but refused to forgive a smaller debt owed to him. Unforgiving Servant Matthew 18:21-35 ( INT ) This section is currently under construction and review; please check back for more information in the future. Additional Resources: Forgive Every One Their Trespasses: The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant Be Ye Therefore Perfect—Eventually by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Chapter Outlines List Doctrine & Covenants 98— Study Guide “Be Still and Know That I Am God” August 6, 1833 Kirtland, Ohio Read More Doctrine & Covenants 97— Study Guide “For the Salvation of Zion” August 2, 1833 Kirtland, Ohio Read More Doctrine & Covenants 96— Study Guide “For the Salvation of Zion” June 4, 1833 Kirtland, Ohio Read More Doctrine & Covenants 95— Study Guide “For the Salvation of Zion” June 1, 1833 Kirtland, Ohio Read More Doctrine & Covenants 94— Study Guide “For the Salvation of Zion” August 2, 1833 Kirtland, Ohio Read More Doctrine & Covenants 93— Study Guide May 6, 1833 Kirtland, Ohio Read More Doctrine & Covenants 89-92— Study Guide "A Principle with Promise" February 27, 1833 Kirtland, Ohio Read More Doctrine & Covenants Section 84b — Study Guide “The Power of Godliness” September 22–23, 1832 Newel K. Whitney home, Kirtland, Ohio Read More Doctrine & Covenants Section 84a — Study Guide “The Power of Godliness” September 22–23, 1832 Newel K. Whitney home, Kirtland, Ohio Read More Doctrine & Covenants 78 — Study Guide March 1, 1832 Kirtland, Ohio Read More Doctrine & Covenants 77b — Study Guide "I Will Lead You Along" March 1832 John Johnson home, Hiram, Ohio Read More Doctrine & Covenants 77a — Study Guide "I Will Lead You Along" March 1832 John Johnson home, Hiram, Ohio Read More Doctrine and Covenants 76b – Study Guide “Great Shall Be Their Reward and Eternal Shall Be Their Glory” February 16, 1832 John Johnson home, Hiram, Ohio Read More Doctrine and Covenants 76 – Study Guide “Great Shall Be Their Reward and Eternal Shall Be Their Glory” February 16, 1832 John Johnson home, Hiram, Ohio Read More Doctrine & Covenants 75 — Study Guide “No Weapon That Is Formed against You Shall Prosper” January 25, 1832 Amherst, Ohio Read More Doctrine & Covenants 74 — Study Guide “No Weapon That Is Formed against You Shall Prosper” 1830 Wayne County, New York Read More Doctrine & Covenants 73 — Study Guide “No Weapon That Is Formed against You Shall Prosper” January 10, 1832 Hiram, Ohio Read More Doctrine & Covenants 72— Study Guide “No Weapon That Is Formed against You Shall Prosper” December 4, 1831 Kirtland, Ohio Read More Doctrine & Covenants 71— Study Guide “No Weapon That Is Formed against You Shall Prosper” December 1, 1831 Hiram, Ohio Read More Doctrine & Covenants 70— Study Guide “Worth … the Riches of the Whole Earth” November 12, 1831 Hiram, Ohio Read More Doctrine & Covenants 69— Study Guide “Worth … the Riches of the Whole Earth” November 11, 1831 Hiram, Ohio Read More Doctrine & Covenants 68— Study Guide “Worth … the Riches of the Whole Earth” November 1, 1831 Hiram, Ohio Read More Doctrine & Covenants 67— Study Guide “Worth … the Riches of the Whole Earth” Early November 1831 Hiram, Ohio Read More Doctrine & Covenants Section 66 — Study Guide “The Lord Requireth the Heart and a Willing Mind” October 29, 1831 Orange, Ohio Read More Doctrine & Covenants Section 65 — Study Guide “The Lord Requireth the Heart and a Willing Mind” October 1831 Hiram, Ohio Read More Doctrine & Covenants 64 — Study Guide “The Lord Requireth the Heart and a Willing Mind” September 11, 1831 Kirtland, Ohio Read More Doctrine & Covenants 63 — Study Guide “I Am with the Faithful Always” August 30, 1831 Kirtland, Ohio Read More Doctrine & Covenants 62 — Study Guide “I Am with the Faithful Always” August 13, 1831 Banks of the Missouri River, near Chariton, Missouri Read More Doctrine & Covenants 61 — Study Guide “I Am with the Faithful Always” August 12, 1831 McIlwaine’s Bend, Missouri River Read More Doctrine & Covenants 60 — Study Guide “I Am with the Faithful Always” August 8, 1831 Independence, Missouri Read More Doctrine & Covenants 59 — Study Guide “Anxiously Engaged in a Good Cause” August 7, 1831 Jackson County, Missouri (Zion) Read More Doctrine & Covenants 58 — Study Guide “Anxiously Engaged in a Good Cause” August 1, 1831 Independence, Jackson County, Missouri Read More Doctrine & Covenants 57 — Study Guide “A Faithful, a Just, and a Wise Steward” July 20, 1832 Independence, Jackson County, Missouri Read More Doctrine & Covenants 56 — Study Guide “A Faithful, a Just, and a Wise Steward” June 1831 Kirtland, Ohio Read More Doctrine & Covenants 55 — Study Guide “A Faithful, a Just, and a Wise Steward” June 1831 Kirtland, Ohio Read More Doctrine & Covenants 54 — Study Guide “A Faithful, a Just, and a Wise Steward” June 1831 Kirtland, Ohio Read More Doctrine & Covenants 53 — Study Guide “A Faithful, a Just, and a Wise Steward” June 6, 1831 Kirtland, Ohio Read More Doctrine & Covenants 52 — Study Guide “A Faithful, a Just, and a Wise Steward” June 6, 1831 Kirtland, Ohio Read More Doctrine & Covenants 51 — Study Guide “A Faithful, a Just, and a Wise Steward” May 20, 1831 Thompson, Ohio Read More