Doctrine and Covenants 10 to 11 – “That You May Come Off Conqueror”

February 1, 2021 - February 7, 2021

In the summer of 1828, Joseph Smith received a revelation telling him to not retranslate the lost manuscript pages. After he received the plates back after having lost them, he continued to translate slowly, but when Oliver Cowdery arrived in April 1829, the translation moved forward quickly.  

“Doctrine and Covenants 10-11,”Historical Resources, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Find the background of D&C 10 and 11, along with a chronology, list of people and places, and links to Church history topics.   

Saints, Volume 1: The Standard of Truth, chapter 6
On April 5, 1829, Oliver Cowdery arrived at the home of Joseph and Emma Smith. The next day, April 6, Joseph contracted to purchase the home and property from Emma’s father.  Feeling more secure and with Oliver’s help, Joseph continued the translation of the Book of Mormon, now at a rapid pace. 

“Timing the Translation of the Book of Mormon: “Days [and Hours] Never to Be Forgotten,”John W. Welch, BYU Studies Quarterly 57, no. 4
Joseph Smith translated almost all of the Book of Mormon in the period beginning April 6 and ending June 30, 1829. This article suggests how that translation progressed through each day, coordinating with confirmed dates such as April 5 (the arrival of Oliver Cowdery) and May 15 (the visitation of John the Baptist).
When Joseph Smith began again to translate the Book of Mormon after the manuscript was lost, he most likely began in the book of Mosiah, not 1 Nephi. 

“When Pages Collide: Dissecting the Words of Mormon,” Jack M. Lyon and Kent R. Minson, BYU Studies Quarterly 51, no. 4
Looking closely at the Words of Mormon and the original manuscript, we can see that Joseph and Oliver working together probably began with Mosiah. 

“Sources behind the Doctrine and Covenants,” Joseph Smith Papers
Read the earliest extant handwritten manuscripts of Doctrine and Covenants sections, along with a historical introduction. 

“Agreement with Isaac Hale, 6 April 1829,” Joseph Smith Papers
This document shows an agreement for Joseph Smith to purchase the property and home in which he and Emma were living from Isaac Hale, her father. Oliver Cowdery likely contributed to the $64 handed to Isaac Hale that day.