LDS Priesthood Unveiled Appendix 1The next morning (April 20), Oliver was up before Joseph reading what he had
transcribed the previous night.
“It is authority!” Oliver yelled, waking Joseph up out of a dead sleep. From what
they had translated, Oliver discovered that the “holy order of God” was indeed
associated with the “priesthood.”
The book of Alma contains most of what is written about the “holy order of God.”
Besides the first mention by Jacob, the only other citation is given twice by Mormon in
summing up the way missionaries were called,^92 and once more by Moroni in describing
how “they of old were called after the holy order of God.”^93
Joseph spent the better part of a day attempting to explain to Oliver that they should
not speculate on such matters until after they had completed the translation. Joseph pointed
out the “deadness of the law [of Moses]” and that it “ought to be done away”^94 when
Christ’s prophesied visit to the descendants of Nephi occurred in the future. This visit by
Christ had been prophesied throughout the record that they had translated up to that point,
but they had not gotten to the actual event yet in the translation.^95
Joseph cautioned Oliver about being patient. Oliver did not listen. With great desire
and anxiety, Oliver pestered Joseph about the “holy order of God” that authorized the
servants of God to teach the people. Joseph reviewed the dictation of the translation with
Oliver, pointing out that the “holy order” was an order by which the people lived, and had
nothing to do with priesthood authority.^96 Joseph again pleaded with Oliver to be patient
and forget about worrying about specific doctrines and principles until the translation was
complete and they had a better understanding of the overall message of the record.
In frustration, Joseph lost his temper with Oliver and rebuked him, saying, “If you
think you have the power to translate the plates, then let it fall on you to do so.” An intense
argument ensued between Joseph and Oliver. Samuel Smith, Joseph’s younger brother, who
was staying with Joseph at the time to help with the farm duties, got between the two and
attempted to solve the dilemma. He was unsuccessful in calming Joseph. Joseph did not
appreciate Oliver questioning his authority to do the job he was commissioned to do.
Oliver exploded, “There’s a strong difference between what God has told you to do
and what you want to do of your own accord!” At this point, Joseph realized what it would
take to bring Oliver under control—the same thing that would always bring those who
questioned him under control—a revelation from God. That night, Joseph gave Oliver what
he wanted.^97 Joseph learned then how easily Oliver was controlled by a “revelation from
God.” Every time Oliver would get out of line, Joseph would give him another revelation.^98
Proper Baptism
Once Oliver felt like the Lord was aware of him and his “specialness” to the work,
owing to the revelations from “the Lord” where he was personally mentioned, Oliver
became submissive to Joseph and continued the translation without interruption. On May
10, 1829, Joseph and Oliver finally translated and transcribed what would become the bulk
of 3 Nephi—the visitation of the Savior to the Nephite and Lamanite people.
Finally, Joseph understood what was meant over five years earlier when “the angel
Moroni” had mentioned “the fullness of the everlasting Gospel was contained in it, as
delivered by the Savior to the ancient inhabitants.”^99 The most important part of the record
was now translated! Upon a review of what the Savior told the people, Oliver noticed that