A Marvelous Work

Many of the early sections of the Doctrine and Covenants have phrases that are repeated multiple times. One example is this declaration of the Lord given first in February 1829: “Now behold, a marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men” (Doctrine and Covenants 4:1). Two months later the Lord similarly said this: “A great and marvelous work is about to come forth unto the children of men” (Doctrine and Covenants 6:1). The next month the Lord also said to Hyrum Smith: “A great and marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men” (Doctrine and Covenants 11:1). He repeated it the same month (May 1829) in another revelation, “A great and marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men” (Doctrine and Covenants 12:1). In June He said again, “A great and marvelous work is about to come forth unto the children of men” (Doctrine and Covenants 14:1). This was the last time that the Lord used this language in all the revelations of the Doctrine and Covenants. So, what was the “marvelous work” that was about to come forth?

               In the past I have interpreted this prophecy to mean the whole work of the Restoration. In other words, I saw the Lord’s words as anticipating the scriptures, priesthood, covenants, temples, gathering of Israel, etc. that was about to begin with the establishment of His church once again on the earth. But I wonder if the Lord wasn’t referring to something much more specific: the Book of Mormon. That was indeed a marvelous work that came forth among the children of men shortly after all these statements. In fact, the translation of the Book of Mormon was completed likely the last week in June 1829, right after the final scriptural statement from the Lord that a marvelous work was about to come forth. The next year it was published in print in order to go forth among all the children of men. It may be that He never used the phrase again because the marvelous work had indeed come forth—the book was complete.  

In 2 Nephi 27 in the Book of Mormon itself we have the words of the Lord prophesying of its coming forth. Part of that description includes the account of the learned man who would reject the book, with this reply from the Lord: “The learned shall not read them, for they have rejected them, and I am able to do mine own work; wherefore thou shalt read the words which I shall give unto thee.” The chapter also says, “And again it shall come to pass that the Lord shall say unto him that shall read the words that shall be delivered him: Forasmuch as this people draw near unto me with their mouth, and with their lips do honor me, but have removed their hearts far from me, and their fear towards me is taught by the precepts of men—Therefore, I will proceed to do a marvelous work among this people, yea, a marvelous work and a wonder, for the wisdom of their wise and learned shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent shall be hid” (2 Nephi 27:20, 24-26). So, after describing how the learned would not help to bring forth the book, the Lord declared that he would give us the words of the Book of Mormon and then said: “I will proceed to do a marvelous work among the people.” Given that context, I believe He was referring directly to how He would bring forth the Book of Mormon. That was the marvelous work, and then He used the same language in this dispensation to anticipate the translation of the book.

The Three Witnesses, who saw the plates and heard the voice of the Lord, said this: “we declare with words of soberness, that an angel of God came down from heaven, and he brought and laid before our eyes, that we beheld and saw the plates, and the engravings thereon; and we know that it is by the grace of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, that we beheld and bear record that these things are true. And it is marvelous in our eyes.” It was marvelous for them, and the book should be marvelous for each of us if we study sincerely the words of these ancient prophets written for our day.