Doctrine and Covenants Commentary - Section 7

by Don R. Hender

Scriptural Text [& Editorial]
Commentary & Explanation
Footnotes ~ References ~ JST
           SECTION 7

Revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet and Oliver Cowdery, at Harmony, Pennsylvania, April 1829, when they inquired through the Urim and Thummim as to whether John, the beloved disciple, tarried in the flesh or had died. The revelation is a translated version of the record made on parchment by John and hidden by himself. HC 1:35-36.

    1—3, John the Beloved shall live until the Lord comes;
    4—8; Peter, James and John hold gospel keys.
D&C 7:1 And the Lord said unto me: John, my abeloved, what bdesireth thou? For if you shall ask what you will, it shall be granted unto you.
D&C 7:2 And I said unto him: Lord, give unto me apower over bdeath, that I may live and bring souls unto thee.
D&C 7:3 And the Lord said unto me: Verily, verily, I say unto thee, because thou desirest this thou shalt atarry until I come in my bglory, and shalt cprophesy before nations, kindreds, tongues and people.

D&C 7:4 And for this cause the Lord said unto Peter: If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? For he desired of me that he might bring asouls unto me, but thou desiredst that thou mightest speedily come unto me in my bkingdom.
D&C 7:5 I say unto thee, Peter, this was a good desire; but my beloved has desired that he might do more, or a greater awork yet among men than what he has before done.
D&C 7:6 Yea, he has undertaken a greater work; therefore I will make him as flaming fire and a aministering angel; he shall minister for those who shall be bheirs of salvation who dwell on the earth.

D&C 7:7 And I will make thee to minister for him and for thy brother Jamesa; and unto you three I will agive this power and the bkeys of this ministry until I come.
D&C 7:8 Verily I say unto you, ye shall both have according to your desires, for ye both ajoy in that which ye have desired.

 7a I will make thee [John] to minister for him [Peter] and for thy brother James Consituting the First Presidency, Peter, James and John were given the keys of the ministry of the Church. Under their direction John the Baptist came to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery and ordained them to the Aaronic Priesthood (See D&C 13). And when clearly read and understood, John, who was left as a living being on this earth, would minister as a 'ministering angel' to those who should be heirs of salvation on this earth in behalf of Peter and James his [John's} brother, who would have been take to and operating from Christ's Kingdom in heaven. Verses 1-3 is John speaking in the first person. Verses 4-6 is John telling what the Savior spoke to Peter. In verse 7 the Lord is obviously speaking to John, as it is John who is the brother of James, not Peter.