“The Thing Which You . . . Have Desired to Know”
Doctrine and Covenants 18:1–4
1 Now, behold, because of the thing which you, my servant Oliver Cowdery, have desired to know of me, I give unto you these words:
2 Behold, I have manifested unto you, by my Spirit in many instances, that the things which you have written are true; wherefore you know that they are true.
3 And if you know that they are true, behold, I give unto you a commandment, that you rely upon the things which are written;
4 For in them are all things written concerning the foundation of my church, my gospel, and my rock.
Elder Hyrum M. Smith and Janne M. Sjödahl wrote:
“Oliver Cowdery desired special instructions concerning the building up of the Church. In [Doctrine and Covenants 18:2–4] the answer to his prayers on this subject is given. It was, in substance: You have received a testimony that the Book of Mormon is true; rely on that truth. In that volume all things are written concerning the foundation of the Church. No further revelations, covering the same ground, were needed. Where the written word is sufficient, no special revelation may be expected.”
(The Doctrine and Covenants Commentary, rev. ed. [1951], 82.)
