Original 1835 Doctrine and Covenants Revelation with code names.
Current Section 82 Revelation with actual names substituted
Letter from Orson Pratt to Brigham Young describing how Joseph used fake names in order to avoid the fiscal accountability enforceable by law which would normally accompany such arrangements (AKA fraud / corruption)
“Charles B. Thompson is publishing a monthly paper in which many revelation are printed, purporting to be revealed by an unknown personage, calling himself “Baneemy” which you will at once recognize as one of the fictitious names, which Joseph substituted for the real names in certain revelations in the Book of Covenants. Thompson is sending out his teachers and they have already introduced many scores, in different parts, into their organization. Their committee, consisting of William Marks and others, have, I understand, located their place of gathering near Kanesville.
When the Kirtland edition of the Book of Cov. was arranged for the printer, it was considered best to substitute fictitious names to for the real names contained in certain revelations relative to a stewardship on firm; and this was done that their creditors in Cainhannoch (New York) should not take advantage of the church firm; But now, as the firm no longer exists, and the members of it are mostly dead either temporally or spiritually, Would it not be wisdom to publish in our next edition the real names of places, things and persons as they are contained in the original manuscripts?”
(Orson Pratt to Brigham Young Nov 20, 1852 archive.org)
Learn more from
- BYU Studies article byu.org
- Salt Lake Messenger #120 UTLM.org
- History of the Church Vol 1. Ch 18 BOAP.org
- Book here
