“That They May Know the Covenants of the Lord”: A Response to Jonathan Neville Regarding the Book of Mormon and Missionary Work

Jonathan Neville, critic of the Church, recently took part in an interview with Mormon Book Reviews, published in two parts. This YouTube channel is hosted by an Evangelical Christian who surely meant well, but unwittingly gave a critic of the Church a platform to offer his insights – not the person you’d want to talk about Latter-day Saint theology and practice. I have responded at length to some of Neville’s claims regarding the translation of the Book of Mormon earlier this week (which I recommend you read) as well as three other responses I have offered to Neville and other critics of the Church in his cabal.

This is a response to more claims made by Neville in that interview, in which he briefly discussed the role of The Book of Mormon in missionary work and why that’s a bad idea, at least in his mind.

Around the 21-minute mark in the second interview, Neville says:

For Christians in general they’ve kind of tended to see the Book of Mormon as separate from the Bible… I see it as sort of a fulfillment of the Bible, and something that was anticipated actually by people such as Jonathan Edwards, who talked about the future, glorious state of the Church, and he talked about how the word of the Lord would be prevailed [sic] throughout the world… The problem is, I think… it’s devolved to the point today where we use the Book of Mormon as a missionary tool, and that turns Christians off. Because if you go to a Christian and say “If you read this book and believe it’s true, you have to join our church,” they’re not going to read the book, or they’re going to look for ways to attack it. 

I had an experience with a Christian, really great guy, we’ve become really good friends, and he said, “Yeah, I know the missionaries always told me to pray about this, and I’d get a good feeling about it, but of course I would because it contains so much of the Bible!” [chuckles]. He says, “That tells me that the Bible parts of the Book of Mormon are true, I have a spiritual witness of that, but it doesn’t say anything about the rest of the Book of Mormon.”

And then, so that’s an example of poor apologetics, I think, this whole idea that if you pray about the Book of Mormon, and you get a strong feeling that it’s true, you have to join the Church. I don’t think that was ever the intent. In fact, even in the Title Page it doesn’t say that. It says nothing about joining any church, it says to bring people to Christ.

Immediately after which, this exchange took place between Neville and the interviewer:

Interviewer: And the Church wasn’t even founded yet…

Neville: [Chuckles] For sure.

Interviewer: …so that kind of tells you the priority of it.

Neville: Right.

There are more than a few problems we will discuss relating to this latest barrage of criticisms leveled against the Church by Jonathan Neville.

While I am not familiar with much of Jonathan Edwards’ teachings other than a few of his most famous sermons, I cannot say for certain whether or not the hypothesis that Edwards anticipated a complete restoration of the apostolic keys and church as did other religious teachers contemporary to him did, so I cannot offer any thoughts on the matter. However, the following points I can offer a rebuttal to:

First, are Christians automatically turned off by additional scripture?

Second, Does Neville’s experience with a Christian who didn’t feel convinced the Book of Mormon was true beyond the (minimal) parts quoting the Bible even prove anything?

Third, is the idea of praying to know the Book of Mormon is true and joining the Church supported by the Book of Mormon and prophetic counsel given in our times?

Naturally, Neville is wrong on all of these points.

"A Bible! A Bible!"

It is true that most mainline Protestant Christian churches do take the Bible to mean the only word of God, taking a rather fundamentalist approach to the closing verses of Revelation. However, while various churches teach that, nothing can be said about the individual members of those churches.

On my Mission in Texas, the belt buckle of the Bible Belt as I have heard it called on occasion, I met a lot of Christians who felt the Bible was perfect and complete just the way it was. No “fulfillment” to the Bible was needed, as Neville claims, and no additional scripture seems to make sense – however, this latter claim was often largely built on misconceptions on how we view the Book of Mormon. While I will not attempt to use my experiences to try and deal with all Christians as Neville does, I will use it as an example of what a good portion of Protestant Christians have exhibited towards me personally.

A Fulfillment to the Bible?

First, the Christians I have met and taught believe that the Bible does not need a fulfillment – and I do find myself in agreement with that in many ways. The Bible, though it has demonstrably been edited and redacted by various scribes throughout history as the latest scholarship has shown (and as was shown to Nephi in the Book of Mormon), it is still its own collection of sacred writ from the House of Judah. No “fulfillment” is needed, but a “restoration” of the plain and precious truths removed was needed, hence Joseph Smith began a sacred revision of the biblical text.

Additionally, the Book of Mormon never claims to be a “fulfillment” of the Bible (whatever that even means), just an additional witness of Christ from another nation besides the Jews in Israel. As recorded in 2 Nephi 29:7-8 and 12-13:

Know ye not that there are more nations than one? Know ye not that I, the Lord your God, have created all men, and that I remember those who are upon the isles of the sea; and that I rule in the heavens above and in the earth beneath; and I bring forth my word unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nations of the earth? … Wherefore, I speak the same words unto one nation like unto another. And when the two nations shall run together the testimony of the two nations shall run together also.

…

For behold, I shall speak unto the Jews and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto the Nephites and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto the other tribes of the house of Israel, which I have led away, and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto all nations of the earth and they shall write it. And it shall come to pass that the Jews shall have the words of the Nephites, and the Nephites shall have the words of the Jews; and the Nephites and the Jews shall have the words of the lost tribes of Israel; and the lost tribes of Israel shall have the words of the Nephites and the Jews.

The Lord clearly describes the Book of Mormon not as the fulfillment of the Bible, neither does he declare future revelations to be the fulfillment of the Book of Mormon. Rather, they each contain the same Gospel, the same message of Christ’s atoning sacrifice, and these testimonies work in harmony together, not in fulfillment of one another.

Mormon similarly spoke to his future audience in these same terms: “For behold, [The Book of Mormon] is written for the intent that ye may believe [the Bible]; and if ye believe [the Bible] ye will believe [The Book of Mormon] also” (Mormon 7:9). The compiler of the sacred Nephite history did not see the Book of Mormon fulfilling anything other than prophecies relating to it – it’s relation with the Bible, however, was in Mormon’s mind a relationship of working together to edify faith.

In fact, I believe the only true fulfillment to any book of scripture can absolutely be found in the person of Jesus Christ, of whom all the scriptures prophesy of and point us toward. He is the ultimate end to which all prophecy was given, that we might know Him perfectly and completely.

Additional Scripture?

Next, the main bulk of Neville’s claim that Christians are turned off by the thought of additional scripture causing one to join another faith. This is demonstrably untrue – what Christian wouldn’t be overjoyed at a Hindu, Buddhist, Jew, Muslim, or person belonging to any other faith accepting the New Testament and joining their congregation? The fact is, additional scripture exclusive to one particular faith or another is not a new story in the history of modern religion, and it seems disingenuous to imply otherwise.

Most Protestant Christians would likewise be shocked to find out that Protestant Bibles actually contain the least amount of sacred writ than other Christian traditions. Catholic and Orthodox traditions accept the Deuterocanonical/Apocryphal books (either in full or in part), and often rely on other early Christian writings such as the Didache for clarification on some doctrines as well as oral tradition. Some Ethiopian traditions include additional books as well, such as 1 Enoch or the three books of Meqabyan (not to be confused with Maccabees). To believe that tradition of Christian belief, you would accept books not included in a Protestant Bible.

Some of the people I taught in Texas likewise believed that pseudepigraphal books such as the books of Enoch and Jubilees were sacred and should be included in modern Bibles – a minority, to be sure, when compared to other Protestants, but the idea that other Christians would reject another book of scripture en masse is simply untrue.

Still others were open to hearing about a book of scripture they have not heard about before, yet skeptical that it would hold up to be all it claimed to be. Others rejected the idea wholesale, but then later came around to the possibility that God would speak to people on another continent than ancient Israel. One man I met while on splits actually rejoiced, saying that they always believed Jesus wouldn’t have left the Native Americans alone, but that He had indeed visited them throughout the Americas.

Others quickly gained a testimony of the Book of Mormon and immediately desired to be baptized – one memorable man I had the sacred privilege of teaching had read the Book of Mormon five times between the time we had given it to him and our next appointment a week later, and when he saw the baptismal font requested it to be filled right at that moment.

Other people I met did actually have a testimony that the Book of Mormon was true scripture, but did not yet feel the witness that they should join the Church. And I honestly believe them when they say that. To be sure, I believe that belief in the Book of Mormon is essential to be a member of the Church – it is, as Joseph Smith called it, the cornerstone of our faith – but not everyone who believes in the Book of Mormon is automatically required to join the Church (though it inevitably will lead to that conclusion). Just because one man’s faith journey looks different than yours does not mean that they are rejecting the Spirit’s promptings. As Orson F. Whitney taught:

Perhaps the Lord needs such men on the outside of his Church, to help it along. They are among its auxiliaries, and can do more good for the cause where the Lord has placed them, than anywhere else. And the same is true of the priesthood and its auxiliaries inside the Church. Hence, some are drawn into the fold and receive a testimony of the Truth; while others remain unconverted—for the present; the beauties and glories of the gospel being veiled temporarily from their view, for a wise purpose. The Lord will open their eyes in his own due time.[1]

Yes, a great deal of effort is used in missionary efforts both by missionaries and members as a whole to show people who gain this testimony that if the Book of Mormon is true, Joseph Smith had Priesthood authority and was called of God, and as such we need to make covenants with God through priesthood ordinances such as baptism by someone who holds that authority to baptize. As well they should, too; that is exactly true, and exactly what we as a Church must do. We alone have that Priesthood authority to bless the world.

However, we need not condemn anyone (though I do not know of any good missionary who would) for not yet feeling the prompting to be baptized, or someone who has not yet even felt the Book of Mormon is true. God knows His children perfectly, and will help them accept this additional book of scripture in His own time according to their needs, just as He helps others who are not Christian to accept the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. In a similar manner, He will aid His children come to the knowledge that they must also be baptized by that Priesthood authority in the same manner. Whether in this life or the next, all will be able to gain that testimony through God’s love and grace, and through the Restoration, the ability to make covenants through sacred ordinances is available to all of God’s children.

This is not to be confused with what Neville paints it to be, however – an ability to believe many aspects of the restoration while not asking to join the Church. The Church has been restored, and the Book of Mormon is a critical tool to gather the children of Israel, as will be discussed below.

Survey Says... An Anecdotal Fallacy Was Used!

In the second point above, Neville uses an experience he had with a Christian as if to prove his thesis is correct – the Book of Mormon should not be used in missionary efforts because not all people who pray about it see the need to join a new church. This is an anecdotal fallacy – Neville is using a personal experience to prove his point, rather than using a sound argument. Some arguments could include statistics from Church Statistical Reports released every April, scriptures from the Book of Mormon saying “don’t join any church based on the contents of this book!” or prophets and apostles saying the same thing, or how Christians of different faiths treat additional scripture. No such argument exists because no scripture or prophetic statement exist, contrary to Neville’s claim.

The only thing that the experience Neville draws upon proves is the experience that one man had regarding the Book of Mormon (though of the millions of people to read the Book of Mormon, others surely had similar experiences, but not all). That is all – no long-lasting truth regarding every Christian investigator can be drawn upon from this isolated experience. While I hope that this man does come to have that experience that I have had in regard to the Book of Mormon sooner rather than later, it does no favor for Neville’s argument to include it.

I have met a diverse crowd of Christians and non-Christians alike who have accepted the Book of Mormon or rejected it – yet I will not claim that any one experience is proof for any particular thesis regarding how the Book of Mormon ought to be used in missionary work, because that would be disingenuous and mean-spirited.

A Restored Church, With Restored Scripture and Restored Priesthood Authority

Finally, for the third point – does the Book of Mormon and quotes from modern prophets support the idea of using the Book of Mormon to guide people to the restored Church?

The answer, of course, is yes.

The Book of Mormon looks at great length towards a restored church and its role in the gathering of Israel. While the word “church” may not always be used, the gathering of Israel is one of the largest roles the Book of Mormon lays claim to. This gathering includes Priesthood ordinances and covenants, linking all of the children of God together, gathered in one, found within the restored church.

The Book of Mormon's Prophesied Gathering

The Book of Mormon is filled with prophecies of a future gathering of Israel, of which the Book of Mormon will play an important role. As the Title Page of the Book of Mormon itself says about it’s role, it was written

to show unto the remnant of the house of Israel what great things the Lord hath done for their fathers; and that they may know the covenants of the Lord, that they are not cast off forever—And also to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations (emphasis added).

Neville was right when he said that the Title Page talks about coming to Christ being taught in the Book of Mormon; however, Neville also uses a proof texting fallacy – the art of taking an isolated scripture, robbing it of context of the greater whole, and presenting it as absolute truth.

As can be seen from the Title Page alone, covenants take a great deal of emphasis in the purpose of the Book of Mormon – the covenants made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, covenants of baptism, and other sacred covenants made in a Temple setting throughout the text. These covenants ensure that we are not cast off from the Lord’s presence; covenants are essential in order to perfectly come to know Jesus.

In Mosiah 18:13, the High Priest Alma baptizes people and establishes a Church. As he baptizes, he stresses the importance of both covenants and the Priesthood:

And when he had said these words, the Spirit of the Lord was upon him, and he said: Helam, I baptize thee, having authority from the Almighty God, as a testimony that ye have entered into a covenant to serve him until you are dead as to the mortal body; and may the Spirit of the Lord be poured out upon you; and may he grant unto you eternal life, through the redemption of Christ, whom he has prepared from the foundation of the world (emphasis added).

When Jesus Christ Himself visits the Nephites, He bestows on Twelve Disciples the authority to lead the Church and to baptize: “And the Lord said unto him: I give unto you power that ye shall baptize this people when I am again ascended into heaven” (3 Nephi 11:21, emphasis added).

In fact, it was while reading this very account that caused Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery to seek the authority by which they, too, could be baptized. According to Smith and Cowdery, they went down to the banks of the Susquehanna and, upon praying, were visited by John the Baptist. Quoting from Oliver’s history as found in the footnote and addendum to Joseph Smith–History:

After writing the account given of the Savior’s ministry to the remnant of the seed of Jacob, upon this continent, it was easy to be seen, as the prophet said it would be, that darkness covered the earth and gross darkness the minds of the people. On reflecting further it was as easy to be seen that amid the great strife and noise concerning religion, none had authority from God to administer the ordinances of the Gospel. For the question might be asked, have men authority to administer in the name of Christ, who deny revelations, when His testimony is no less than the spirit of prophecy, and His religion based, built, and sustained by immediate revelations, in all ages of the world when He has had a people on earth? If these facts were buried, and carefully concealed by men whose craft would have been in danger if once permitted to shine in the faces of men, they were no longer to us; and we only waited for the commandment to be given ‘Arise and be baptized.’

This was not long desired before it was realized. The Lord, who is rich in mercy, and ever willing to answer the consistent prayer of the humble, after we had called upon Him in a fervent manner, aside from the abodes of men, condescended to manifest to us His will. On a sudden, as from the midst of eternity, the voice of the Redeemer spake peace to us, while the veil was parted and the angel of God came down clothed with glory, and delivered the anxiously looked for message, and the keys of the Gospel of repentance. What joy! what wonder! what amazement! While the world was racked and distracted—while millions were groping as the blind for the wall, and while all men were resting upon uncertainty, as a general mass, our eyes beheld, our ears heard, as in the ‘blaze of day’; yes, more—above the glitter of the May sunbeam, which then shed its brilliancy over the face of nature! Then his voice, though mild, pierced to the center, and his words, ‘I am thy fellow-servant,’ dispelled every fear. We listened, we gazed, we admired! ’Twas the voice of an angel from glory, ’twas a message from the Most High! And as we heard we rejoiced, while His love enkindled upon our souls, and we were wrapped in the vision of the Almighty! Where was room for doubt? Nowhere; uncertainty had fled, doubt had sunk no more to rise, while fiction and deception had fled forever!

Make no mistake – reading the Book of Mormon made Joseph and Oliver desire baptism and the covenant it offers. No amount of preaching, no amount of Jonathan Edwards’ ideas (that as I pointed out in my former response, Joseph was not as familiar with as Neville would have us believe), could have caused such a reaction to the young Prophet and scribe. It was the Book of Mormon that caused this desire to be firmly planted in their hearts.

The Book of Mormon led to the desire to make covenants with Priesthood authority, and the only place  that authority is found is in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In addition to the role of covenants, the Book of Mormon teaches extensively that it will be used to gather Israel in the last days:

Yea, then will he remember the isles of the sea; yea, and all the people who are of the house of Israel, will I gather in, saith the Lord, according to the words of the prophet Zenos, from the four quarters of the earth (1 Nephi 19:16).

Yea, the work shall commence among all the dispersed of my people, with the Father to prepare the way whereby they may come unto me, that they may call on the Father in my name (3 Nephi 21:27).

And I command you that ye shall write these sayings after I am gone… that these sayings which ye shall write shall be kept and shall be manifested unto the Gentiles, that through the fulness of the Gentiles, the remnant of their seed, who shall be scattered forth upon the face of the earth because of their unbelief, may be brought in, or may be brought to a knowledge of me, their Redeemer. And then will I gather them in from the four quarters of the earth; and then will I fulfil the covenant which the Father hath made unto all the people of the house of Israel (3 Nephi 16:4-5).

Wherefore, I knowing that the Lord God was able to preserve our records, I cried unto him continually, for he had said unto me: Whatsoever thing ye shall ask in faith, believing that ye shall receive in the name of Christ, ye shall receive it. And I had faith, and I did cry unto God that he would preserve the records; and he covenanted with me that he would bring them forth unto the Lamanites in his own due time (Enos 1:15-16).

And of course who could forget Moroni’s great promise found in Moroni 10:3-5 – after receiving the Book of Mormon, pray to the Father in the name of the Son, and the Holy Ghost will reveal the truth to you? Praying with real intent, as Moroni asks, requires action – how will you allow the Book of Mormon to change your life, and what actions must you take so that you can make covenants with the Lord as did the Nephites?

This is only scratching the tip of the iceberg when it comes to prophetic promises of the Book of Mormon being used to gather Israel and lead people to desire the ordinances and covenants of the Priesthood.

One thing is clear – unlike Neville’s claim, the Book of Mormon absolutely sees itself as a missionary text to the House of Israel in the last days.

Modern Apostles Testify of the Book of Mormon's Use in Missionary Work

As Neville has done before, he places himself against what modern prophets and apostles have said on this matter.

Prophets and Apostles have repeatedly taught that successful missionary work includes a dependence on teaching from the Book of Mormon. As President Nelson taught the missionaries of South America (as reported by Church News):

Once a person has committed to reading the sacred book of scripture, suggest they don’t start at the beginning. Instead, open to 3 Nephi 11 where they can read Jesus Christ’s “important words” spoken to the Nephites — words that promote baptism, prayer, the doctrine of Christ, the sacrament and seeking the kingdom of God.

In other words – get investigators to read the Book of Mormon exactly where Joseph and Oliver came to desire baptism. There is a power in this chapter that touches the souls of those who read it – a power that causes one to desire baptism, prayer, and learning the doctrine of Christ, as President Nelson taught.

Elder Benjamin M. Z. Tai of the Seventy taught in the April 2020 General Conference:

The Savior has given us the Book of Mormon as a powerful tool to aid in conversion. The Book of Mormon provides spiritual nutrition, prescribes a plan of action, and connects us with the Holy Spirit. Written for us, it contains the word of God in plainness and tells us of our identity, purpose, and destiny. With the Bible, the Book of Mormon testifies of Jesus Christ11 and teaches how we can know truth and become like Him.

Elder D. Todd Christofferson similarly taught in the same conference:

While our invitations [to accept the Gospel message] are without compulsion, we hope people will find them compelling. For that to be so, I believe at least three things are required: first, your love; second, your example; and third, your use of the Book of Mormon.

Joseph Smith taught in 1843:

I translated the book of Mormon hierogliphics from hierogliphics; the knowledge of which was lost to the world. In which wonderful event, I stood alone, an unlearned youth, to combat the worldly wisdom and multiplied ignorance of eighteen centuries. with a new revelation; which, (if they would receive <​it​>) (the fulness of the everlasting gospel) would open the eyes of more than eight hundred millions of people, and make plain the “old paths,” wherein if a man walk in all the ordinances of God blameless, he shall inherit eternal life.[2]

The Book of Mormon is critical to understanding the doctrine of Christ, opens the eyes of those who read it with a sincere heart, and makes plain the path of ordinances one must walk to inherit eternal life. Prophets from Joseph Smith to Russell M. Nelson have stood united on this.

Early Use of the Book of Mormon in Conversion

Neville also claims that it was “never the intent” to use the Book of Mormon in conversion. This claim is demonstrably false – even before the Book of Mormon was published, it was being used as the missionary tool for Joseph Smith and his small group of followers to spread the Gospel.

How can this be, if (as the interviewer and Neville point out) the Book of Mormon was published before the Church was organized, and so is it improbable to believe that it is supposed to be a missionary tool (as is implied in the interview)?

No, it is not improbable.

The Book of Mormon was originally published on March 26, 1830, and the Church was organized on April 6, 1830. Only an eleven-day difference separated the two, and so it could just as easily be argued that once the Book of Mormon had been published, the Church was organized precisely because the missionary tool that they had sought for was no accessible to the world. The two dates – while different – are not as incompatible and distant as Neville would have you believe.

Every missionary from the beginning of the Church has used the Book of Mormon to invite others to be baptized. After all, if the Church is headed by a prophet and you know a prophet by their fruits (if the Bible is to be believed, and it is), then what better fruit would be used than the Book of Mormon?

Joseph Smith similarly testified, “Take away the Book of Mormon and the revelations, and where is our religion? We have none.” He then went on in that same sermon to say that if the Saints did not have a place to gather (the Church), they could not be saved, and not even their profession to the Bible would have sufficed.[3] The Book of Mormon was necessary for the Church to be established, and having become the cornerstone of the faith of the Latter-day Saints, leads people to the Church.

The "High Road to Apostacy"

In short, Neville’s claim is such: The Book of Mormon is a fulfilment of the Bible. It does not lead one to the Church, nor should it be seen as a tool of conversion.

This is not a new claim.

Perhaps the most recent fundamentalist sect to split off from the Church is headed by Denver Snuffer. His claims were simple – the gospel taught in the scriptures is separate from the Church organization, the Brethren had been barred access to the Priesthood for excommunicating him, and so he could lay claim to that Priesthood and gospel found outside the Church organization and head a group of like-minded believers.

Neville similarly paints the Book of Mormon in this light – it is not needed for missionary work because the gospel and Church are two separate entities – all can have access to the Gospel regardless of whether or not they are in the Church.

This isn’t the first time Heartlanders such as Neville have come against the Church in a Snuffer-like manner – David Hocking, one of the main editors for the Annotated Edition of the Book of Mormon (my review of that book is found here) has come against the Church on the issue of the Word of Wisdom and Plural Marriage, namely the fact that D&C 89 and 132 are canonized – two issues Snuffer preaches against as well. In addition, Kimberly W. Smith, Research Director for the Joseph Smith Foundation run by the Stoddards (another group of like-minded critics of the Church) has publicly announced her belief that the Church is “out of the way.”

As one friend pointed out to me, Neville’s argument is right in line with anyone who believes the Church is "out of the way," including Snufferites and polygamist apostate sects (which he accurately describes as cults – and not the scholarly, any religious experience definition of cult that can describe pretty much anything, but rather the type of cult you want to hide your children from). They all follow the same path of separating the Church from priesthood authority and/or the gospel. The Church becomes incidental and disposable, allowing them to claim to have the truth and to be leading true believers "into the wilderness" while the "corporate Church" rots in false doctrines and profit-driven enterprises.

This has all happened before. Repeatedly. Jacob called it "looking beyond the mark," and it does not lead to a positive end (Jacob 4:14). It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if Neville, the Stoddards, and other Heartlanders are heading in that direction as well. As Joseph Smith taught the Apostles in 1839:

That man who rises up to condemn others & finding fault with the Church saying that they are out of the way while he himself is righteous, then know assuredly that that man is in the high road to apostacy & if he does not repent will apostatize as God live[s].[4]

Neville has found fault with Church leaders before, especially following Elder Gong’s last two General Conference addresses, and has claimed in the past that since 2007, truth was being withheld from the pulpits of General Conference.

Other Heartlanders have fared no better, and time only tells to see if they will repent or continue down the “high road to apostacy” as they are now.

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[1] In Conference Report, April 1928.

[2] "Letter to James Arlington Bennet, 13 November 1843[b]," p. 1[b], The Joseph Smith Papers, accessed May 18, 2021, https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/letter-to-james-arlington-bennet-13-november-1843/2.

[3] "Minutes and Discourse, 21 April 1834," p. 44, The Joseph Smith Papers, accessed May 18, 2021, https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/minutes-and-discourse-21-april-1834/2.

[4] "Discourse, 2 July 1839, as Reported by Wilford Woodruff–A," p. [25], The Joseph Smith Papers, accessed May 17, 2021, https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/discourse-2-july-1839-as-reported-by-wilford-woodruff-a/5.