Oliver Cowdery and the "rod of nature" - Revision history

SpencerMarsh at 13:58, 24 June 2026

2026-06-24T13:58:01Z

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	\| title = ''Revelations in Context'' on history.~~lds~~.org: "Cowdery was among those who believed in and used a divining rod"		\| title = ''Revelations in Context'' on history.churchofjesuschrist.org: "Cowdery was among those who believed in and used a divining rod"
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SpencerMarsh at 13:57, 24 June 2026

2026-06-24T13:57:43Z

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	\| title ~~= ==~~=''Revelations in Context'' on history.lds.org: "Cowdery was among those who believed in and used a divining rod"~~===~~		\| title = ''Revelations in Context'' on history.lds.org: "Cowdery was among those who believed in and used a divining rod"
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	''Revelations in Context'' on history.~~lds~~.org:		''Revelations in Context'' on history.churchofjesuschrist.org:
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	Oliver Cowdery lived in a culture steeped in biblical ideas, language and practices. The revelation’s reference to Moses likely resonated with him. The Old Testament account of Moses and his brother Aaron recounted several instances of using rods to manifest God’s will (see Ex. 7:9-12; Num. 17:8). Many Christians in Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery's day similarly believed in divining rods as an instrument for revelation. Cowdery was among those who believed in and used a divining rod.<ref>Jeffrey G. Cannon, [http://history.lds.org/article/doctrine-and-covenants-oliver-cowdery?lang=eng "Oliver Cowdery's Gift,"] ''Revelations in Context'' on history.lds.org</ref>		Oliver Cowdery lived in a culture steeped in biblical ideas, language and practices. The revelation’s reference to Moses likely resonated with him. The Old Testament account of Moses and his brother Aaron recounted several instances of using rods to manifest God’s will (see Ex. 7:9-12; Num. 17:8). Many Christians in Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery's day similarly believed in divining rods as an instrument for revelation. Cowdery was among those who believed in and used a divining rod.<ref>Jeffrey G. Cannon, [http://history.lds.org/article/doctrine-and-covenants-oliver-cowdery?lang=eng "Oliver Cowdery's Gift,"] ''Revelations in Context'' on history.lds.org</ref>

SpencerMarsh at 13:56, 24 June 2026

2026-06-24T13:56:18Z

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	<small>[[Doctrine and Covenants]] \| <span style="color:#7BB375>Oliver Cowdery's "Rod of Nature"</span></small>		<small>[[Doctrine and Covenants]] \| <span style="color:#7BB375>Oliver Cowdery's "Rod of Nature"</span></small>
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	<h1><b>Oliver Cowdery and the "Rod of Nature"</b></h1>		<h1><b>Oliver Cowdery and the "Rod of Nature"</b></h1>
	{{Summary1}} Early versions of Doctrine and Covenants 8 referred to Oliver Cowdery's "rod of nature," while later editions use the phrase "gift of Aaron." The original wording likely referred to a divining rod, a tool some people in the early nineteenth century believed could help them receive divine guidance or locate hidden objects. Historical evidence suggests that Oliver Cowdery may have used such a rod before joining the Church. The revelation did not condemn Oliver's beliefs but instead taught that God could communicate with him through means he already understood. Later wording changes were made to avoid confusion as the Church moved away from the cultural practices associated with divining rods.		{{Summary1}} Early versions of Doctrine and Covenants 8 referred to Oliver Cowdery's "rod of nature," while later editions use the phrase "gift of Aaron." The original wording likely referred to a divining rod, a tool some people in the early nineteenth century believed could help them receive divine guidance or locate hidden objects. Historical evidence suggests that Oliver Cowdery may have used such a rod before joining the Church. The revelation did not condemn Oliver's beliefs but instead taught that God could communicate with him through means he already understood. Later wording changes were made to avoid confusion as the Church moved away from the cultural practices associated with divining rods.

SpencerMarsh at 13:56, 24 June 2026

2026-06-24T13:56:03Z

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GregSmith at 19:54, 27 April 2024

2024-04-27T19:54:42Z

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	{{:Dallin H. Oaks (1987): "It should be recognized that such tools as the Urim and Thummim, the Liahona, seerstones, and other articles have been used appropriately in biblical, Book of Mormon, and modern times"}}		{{:Dallin H. Oaks (1987): "It should be recognized that such tools as the Urim and Thummim, the Liahona, seerstones, and other articles have been used appropriately in biblical, Book of Mormon, and modern times"}}
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DavidSmith: header

2023-12-01T21:45:20Z

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	\|L=~~Doctrine and Covenants/~~Oliver Cowdery and the "rod of nature"		\|L=Oliver Cowdery and the "rod of nature"
	\|H=Oliver Cowdery and the "rod of nature"		\|H=Oliver Cowdery and the "rod of nature"
	\|S=It is claimed that a revelation received by Joseph praised Oliver Cowdery's gift of using divining talents. It is claimed that the revelation was published in the Book of Commandments in its original form, then subsequently modified in the Doctrine and Covenants in order to hide the reference to the "rod of nature." Therefore, it is claimed that Joseph attempted to "cover up" Oliver Cowdery's work with a divining rod by changing a revelation. Critics also claim that Oliver would ask questions of his divining rod in faith and it would move in response.		\|S=It is claimed that a revelation received by Joseph praised Oliver Cowdery's gift of using divining talents. It is claimed that the revelation was published in the Book of Commandments in its original form, then subsequently modified in the Doctrine and Covenants in order to hide the reference to the "rod of nature." Therefore, it is claimed that Joseph attempted to "cover up" Oliver Cowdery's work with a divining rod by changing a revelation. Critics also claim that Oliver would ask questions of his divining rod in faith and it would move in response.

DavidSmith: DavidSmith moved page Doctrine and Covenants/Oliver Cowdery and the "rod of nature" to Oliver Cowdery and the "rod of nature" over redirect: wiki update project

2023-12-01T21:44:54Z

DavidSmith moved page Doctrine and Covenants/Oliver Cowdery and the "rod of nature" to Oliver Cowdery and the "rod of nature" over redirect: wiki update project

← Older revision	Revision as of 21:44, 1 December 2023
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RogerNicholson at 20:44, 11 March 2019

2019-03-11T20:44:24Z

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	{{~~:Source~~:Revelations in Context on history.lds.org:~~Oliver Cowdery's Gift:~~Cowdery was among those who believed in and used a divining rod}}		{{:Revelations in Context on history.lds.org: "Cowdery was among those who believed in and used a divining rod"}}
	{{:Question: Was Oliver Cowdery a "treasure hunter and 'rodsman'?}}		{{:Question: Was Oliver Cowdery a "treasure hunter and 'rodsman'?}}
	{{:Question: What if the "rod of nature" was indeed a physical object such as a divining rod?}}		{{:Question: What if the "rod of nature" was indeed a physical object such as a divining rod?}}
	{{:Question: Did Joseph Smith attempt to "cover up" Oliver Cowdery's work with a divining rod by changing the wording of the revelation that became Doctrine and Covenants 8:6–8?}}		{{:Question: Did Joseph Smith attempt to "cover up" Oliver Cowdery's work with a divining rod by changing the wording of the revelation that became Doctrine and Covenants 8:6–8?}}
	{{:Question: How was the wording of the "rod of nature" revelation that became Doctrine and Covenants 8:6–8 altered over time?}}		{{:Question: How was the wording of the "rod of nature" revelation that became Doctrine and Covenants 8:6–8 altered over time?}}
	{{~~:Source~~:Gospel Topics:~~Book of Mormon Translation:~~the Bible mentions other physical instruments used to access God’s power: the rod of Aaron, a brass serpent, holy anointing oils, the Ark of the Covenant, and even dirt from the ground mixed with saliva}}		{{:Gospel Topics: "the Bible mentions other physical instruments used to access God’s power: the rod of Aaron, a brass serpent, holy anointing oils, the Ark of the Covenant, and even dirt from the ground mixed with saliva"}}
	{{:~~Source:~~Oaks~~:Recent Events Involving Church History and Forged Documents:Ensign:October~~ 1987:tools as the Urim and Thummim, the Liahona, seerstones, and other articles have been used appropriately}}		{{:Dallin H. Oaks (1987): "It should be recognized that such tools as the Urim and Thummim, the Liahona, seerstones, and other articles have been used appropriately in biblical, Book of Mormon, and modern times"}}
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	{{CriticalSources}}		{{CriticalSources}}

RogerNicholson at 04:37, 28 June 2017

2017-06-28T04:37:13Z

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	\|H=Oliver Cowdery and the "rod of nature"		\|H=Oliver Cowdery and the "rod of nature"
			\|S=It is claimed that a revelation received by Joseph praised Oliver Cowdery's gift of using divining talents. It is claimed that the revelation was published in the Book of Commandments in its original form, then subsequently modified in the Doctrine and Covenants in order to hide the reference to the "rod of nature." Therefore, it is claimed that Joseph attempted to "cover up" Oliver Cowdery's work with a divining rod by changing a revelation. Critics also claim that Oliver would ask questions of his divining rod in faith and it would move in response.
	\|L1=Revelations in Context on history.lds.org: "Cowdery was among those who believed in and used a divining rod"		\|L1=Revelations in Context on history.lds.org: "Cowdery was among those who believed in and used a divining rod"
	\|L2=Question: Was Oliver Cowdery a "treasure hunter and 'rodsman'?		\|L2=Question: Was Oliver Cowdery a "treasure hunter and 'rodsman'?