We’ll discuss changes in revelations for the Doctrine & Covenants and JST. Joseph Smith got a revelation to get a Canadian copyright for the Book of Mormon. It didn’t succeed. Is this a failed revelation? David Hocking weighs in on that uncanonized revelation in his new book “The Revelations of Joseph Smith.” Check out our conversation..
Don’t miss our other conversations with David Hocking: http://gospeltangents.com/people/david-hocking
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Gospel Tangents
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0:00 Book of Mormon Canadian Copyright
12:45 Changes in Revelations
16:47 JST Bible
What You’ll Find in “The Revelations of Joseph Smith”
Hocking’s primary focus in this book is on Joseph Smith’s personal revelations and history, as published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints between 1902 and 1912, chosen specifically because it is in the public domain. He intentionally does not include revelations attributed to later church leaders like Brigham Young or Joseph F. Smith, nor does he include the official declarations (OD 1 & 2) or the section about the martyrdom, as these were not Joseph Smith’s revelations.
Key features and inclusions in the book:
- Uncanonized Revelations: The book features revelations that are not part of the standard Doctrine and Covenants. A notable example is the revelation concerning the Canadian copyright for the Book of Mormon, which, although controversial because the attempt to secure the copyright was unsuccessful, is included as it is part of Joseph Smith’s history.
- Color-Coded Text for Voices: To enhance understanding, Hocking uses a unique color-coding system for different voices:
◦ Red text signifies direct speech from God (Heavenly Father, Holy Spirit, or Jesus Christ). For instance, the Canadian copyright revelation is shown in red, indicating it’s the voice of Heavenly Father.
◦ Blue text is used for words spoken by angels.Blue text also indicates quoted scripture, such as sections where the Lord quotes Isaiah, helping readers identify the source of the text.
- Multiple First Vision Accounts: The book compiles various versions of Joseph Smith’s First Vision accounts, including the 1832, 1835, and the 1842 Wentworth letter version, offering a comprehensive view of these foundational spiritual experiences.
- Patriarchal Blessings: Hocking includes patriarchal blessings given to Joseph Smith and Emma Smith. This includes Joseph Sr.’s blessing to his son, Joseph Jr., where Joseph of Egypt is quoted, highlighted in blue to denote quoted scripture and structured poetically for readability. Emma Smith’s patriarchal blessing is also included, rendered in red text, indicating it as a revelation from the Lord’s voice.
- Oliver Cowdery’s Revelation to Joseph: A particularly moving inclusion is a blessing given by Oliver Cowdery to Joseph Smith, which Oliver received as a revelation.
- The Book of Mormon Printing Miracle: Hocking delves into the intricate process and efforts required to publish the Book of Mormon, detailing the “mechanism” and “lot of work that went into it.”
- Correlation between Joseph Smith and Enoch: The book explores the connections and correlations between Joseph Smith’s experiences and the biblical figure of Enoch.
The Joseph Smith Translation (JST) of the Bible
Hocking has also published a book on the Joseph Smith Translation (JST), also known as the Inspired Version of the Bible. Joseph Smith viewed this work as a direct commandment from God, a “branch of his calling,” to make “updates or corrections” to the Old and New Testaments.
Key aspects of Hocking’s JST book:
- Revelation-Driven Process: The JST process began with revelations like the Vision of Moses (a prologue to Genesis) and the Prophecy of Enoch, which significantly expand on what’s found in traditional Old Testament.
- Divine Command to Publish: Joseph Smith was explicitly commanded to publish his new translation of the “holy word” in 1841, though he lacked the resources at the time. The publication eventually happened through his son, Joseph III, and Emma.
- Enhanced Readability with Visual Aids: Recognizing that biblical texts, especially genealogies and historical accounts like those in the Book of Kings or Book of Ruth, can be challenging to follow, Hocking incorporates flowcharts and charts. These visual aids help readers track genealogies and relationships, such as the lineage from Abraham through Judah to Jesus Christ, including figures like Ruth the Moabitess.
- Validation of Inspirations: The introduction to Hocking’s JST book explains how he includes parenthetical references to other ancient texts like First, Second, or Third Enoch, or the Book of Jasher, where Joseph Smith’s received inspirations have “been validated.”
Changes in Revelations
Hocking emphasizes that his work is designed for the “masses,” making complex spiritual and historical content more accessible and engaging. He notes that his books have achieved significant sales compared to academic publications, suggesting their broad appeal. His goal is to share what he learns in a “digestible” and organized manner, rather than engaging in a scholarly academic exercise that would involve detailing every textual change Joseph Smith made across different versions.
The positive reception to his books is highlighted by an anecdote from a reader who found the Book of Mormon so engrossing in Hocking’s format that she repeatedly lost track of time, making her late for work. This speaks to the immersive and spiritual experience his unique presentation fosters.
Hocking is continually working, having produced a book every year. While current efforts focus on the Joseph Smith Translation, he has plans for smaller, more flexible versions of his books in the future, including potentially for the Book of Mormon and the entire Triple Combination, pending financial considerations. He also notes his perspective that Section 132 of the Doctrine and Covenants, like Sections 107 and 42, may be a hybridization of “two separate revelations.”
David Hocking’s dedication to illuminating sacred texts offers a fresh and accessible way for readers to engage with foundational texts and revelations from Joseph Smith’s life and work.
Copyright © 2025
Gospel Tangents
All Rights Reserved
Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission.
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