Writing Revelations

When Joseph Smith and the guys decided to publish his revelations, a number of the guys got to talking about how Joseph Smith wrote them pretty rough and jumbled and maybe they could do better.

In D&C 67, the Lord says, in effect, “you know Joseph Smith and you know he hasn’t really hit his stride as a writer yet.  Pick your best guy and have him try to write a revelation.  If he does better than Joseph Smith, then you can say he’s just making it up.  If not then either you bear testimony of the revelations or you are condemned.”

Interesting stuff.  As it turns out, I think the early revelations were rough and jumbled and I think I’m a better writer than Joseph Smith was at that point in his life*  and I think I could do a better job.   So what if I were one of the gang and they decided I was the wisest?  Well, first, I’m probably wise enough to turn down the opportunity.  Getting crosswise with the Lord and his prophet is no way to carry on.  But supposing I decided to because I thought the Lord was really ok with it, he really did want the testimony that the revelations were from him.  What would happen?  I will tell you what would happen.  The Lord would cheat.  The Lord would withdraw the Holy Ghost in whatever measure would be needed so that I would completely fall apart as a writer.  I would write like shambles.

*Some of his stuff later on, D&C 121 and 122, pure poetry.