The original D&C section (1833 7) (1835 34) (1844 34) (LDS 8) (RLDS 8) in the 1833 Book of Commandments (which was later renamed to Doctrine and Covenants when the Lectures on Faith were added), has the phrase “rod of nature”. Most people don’t know that phrase was there, and those who do know it was there don’t really know what to do with it.

It does not help that in the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants someone changed the phrase from “rod of nature” in 1833 Book of Commandments to “gift of Aaron”. I do not believe this change was malicious in purpose. I believe it was an erroneous attempt by someone to try to make the text more clear. Without knowing symbolism or how ideas have multiple names for them, it would be easy to mistake the phrase “rod of nature” for Aaron’s rod that blossomed. Because Aaron’s rod budded with flowers and produced almonds [blessings] as a stick from nature would do, see the C stanzas of which are Numbers 17:5 and Numbers 17:8-9.

Numbers 17
AAAA 1 And the Lord [YHWH] spake
AAAB unto Moses, saying,
AABA 2 Speak
AABB unto the children [follower] of Israel [wrestle],
ABA and take of every one
AB-B of them a rod [word]
AB–C according to the house [people] of their fathers [leaders],
AB–C of all their princes [leaders]
AB-B according to the house [people] of their fathers [leaders] twelve [governance] rods [word]:
ABA write thou every man’s name [character] upon his rod [word].
-BAAA 3 And thou shalt write Aaron’s [priesthood’s] name [character]
-BAAB upon the rod [word] of Levi [priesthood]:
-BABA for one rod [word] shall be for the head [leader]
-BABB of the house [people] of their fathers [leaders].
-BBA 4 And thou shalt lay them up [test]
-BB-B in the tabernacle [kingdom] of the congregation [people]
-BB-B before the testimony [Torah in the ark in the Holy of Holies / Celestial],
-BBA where I [YHWH] will meet with you [Moses].
–CA 5 And it shall come to pass,
–C-B that the man’s rod [word],
–C–C whom I [YHWH] shall choose,
–C—D shall blossom [Torah]:
–C—D and I [YHWH] will make
–C–C to cease from Me [YHWH] the murmurings
–C-B of the children [follower] of Israel [wrestle],
–CA whereby they murmur against you [Moses].
—DAA 6 And Moses spake
—DAB unto the children [follower] of Israel [wrestle],
—D-B and every one of their princes [leaders]
—D–C gave him a rod [word] apiece,
—D—D for each prince [leader] one,
—D—-E according to their fathers’ [leaders’] houses [people],
—D—D even twelve [governance] rods [words]:
—D–C and the rod [word] of Aaron [priesthood] was among their rods [words].
—D-B 7 And Moses laid up the rods
—DAA before the Lord [YHWH]
—DAB in the tabernacle [kingdom] of witness [Torah].
–CA 8 And it came to pass,
–C-B that on the morrow [start of day] Moses
–C–C went into the tabernacle [kingdom] of witness [Torah];
–C—D and, behold, the rod [word] of Aaron [priesthood]
–C—-E for the house [people] of Levi [priesthood]
–C—–F was budded [Torah],
–C——G and brought forth buds [Torah],
–C——G and bloomed [Torah] blossoms [Torah],
–C—–F and yielded almonds [blessings].
–C—-E 9 And Moses brought out all the rods [words]
–C—D from before the Lord [YHWH]
–C–C unto all the children [followers] of Israel [wrestle]:
–C-B and they looked,
–CA and took every man his rod [word].
-BAA 10 And the Lord [YHWH] said unto Moses,
-BAB Bring Aaron’s [priesthood’s] rod [word] again
-BAC before the testimony [Torah in the ark in the Holy of Holies / Celestial],
-BBA to be kept for a token [witness] against the rebels [wicked];
-BB-B and thou shalt quite [will] take away
-BB-B their murmurings from Me [YHWH],
-BBA that they die [sin] not.
AAA 11 And Moses did so:
AA-B as the Lord [YHWH] commanded him [Moses],
AA–C so did he [Moses].
AA-B 12 And the children [followers] of Israel [wrestle]
AAA spake unto Moses, saying,
ABAA Behold, we [unbelievers] die [sin],
ABA-B we [unbelievers] perish [sin],
ABAA we [unbelievers] all perish [sin].
AB-BA 13 Whosoever [sinners] cometh any thing near
AB-BB unto the tabernacle [kingdom] of the Lord [YHWH]
ABAA shall die [sin]:
ABA-B shall we [wicked] be consumed [disappear from YHWH]
ABAA with [because] dying [sin]?

One symbolic meaning of rod is the word and in the case of D&C (1833 7) (1835 34) (1844 34) (LDS 8) (RLDS 8) it means the word of YHWH. The word of YHWH is Torah, because Torah is all the word of Yah that we are to live by, which is all of YHWH’s word except the prescribed punishments. If punishments had to be eternal, I could not go to be with Yeshua in Heaven because of my sins. (Learn the difference between Torah and Law of Moses at Law of Moses.)

Psalm 2:9-10
A 9 Thou shalt break them
-B with a rod of iron;
–C thou shalt dash them in pieces
—D like a potter’s vessel.
—D 10 Be wise now therefore,
–C O ye kings:
-B be instructed,
A ye judges of the earth.

Psalm 23
AA 1 The Lord [YHWH] is my shepherd;
AB I shall not want.
-BA 2 He [YHWH] maketh me to lie down
-BB in green pastures:
–CA He [YHWH] leadeth me
–CB beside the still waters.
—DA 3 He [YHWH] restoreth my soul:
—DB He [YHWH] leadeth me
—-EAA in the paths of righteousness [Torah]
—-EAB for his name’s [authority] sake.
—-EBA 4 Yea, though I walk through
—-EBB the valley of the shadow of death,
—-EBC I will fear no evil:
—-EAA for Thou [YHWH] art with me;
—-EA-BA Thy [YHWH] rod [word]
—-EA-BB and Thy [YHWH] staff [authority]
—-EA they comfort me.
—-EBA 5 Thou preparest a table
—-EBB before me
—-EBC in the presence of mine enemies:
—DA Thou [YHWH] anointest my head with oil [Torah];
—DB my cup runneth over.
–CA 6 Surely goodness and mercy
–CB shall follow me
-BA all the days of my life:
-BB and I will dwell
AA in the house of the Lord [YHWH]
AB for ever.

Psalm 89:32
AA Then will I [YHWH] visit their transgression [small sins]
AB with the rod [word] [calling repentance],
BA and their iniquity [big sins]
BB with stripes [chasten / punishment].

Isaiah 11:4
AA But with righteousness [Torah] shall
AB He [Yeshua] judge the poor [heart],
-BA and reprove with equity
-B for the meek of the earth:
–CA and He [Yeshua] shall
–CB smite the earth
–CA with the rod [word]
–CB of His [Yeshua] mouth,
–BA and with the breath [Torah]
–BB of His [Yeshua] lips
AA shall He [Yeshua]
AB slay the wicked.

Ezekiel 20:37
AA And I [YHWH] will cause you
AB to pass under the rod [word / Torah],
BA and I [YHWH] will bring you
BB into the bond of the covenant [Torah]:

1 Nephi (LDS 11:25) (RLDS 3:68-69)
AAA 25 And it came to pass that I beheld
AAB that the rod of iron,
ABA which my father had seen,
ABB was the word of God [Elohim],
-BA which led to the fountain of living waters [Yeshua],
-BB or to the tree of life [Yeshua];
AAA which waters [Yeshua] are a representation
AAB of the love of God [Elohim];
ABA and I also beheld that the tree of life [Yeshua]
ABB was a representation of the love of God [Elohim].

1 Nephi (LDS 15:23-25) (RLDS 4:38-42)
AA 23 And they [wicked] said unto me [righteous]:
A-B What meaneth the rod of iron [word]
A-B which our father [leader] saw [shared],
AA that led to the tree [tree of life / Yeshua]?
-BA 24 And I [righteous] said unto them [wicked]
-B-B that it [rod / word] was the word of God [Elohim];
-B–CA and whoso would hearken
-B–CB unto the word [Torah] of God [Elohim],
-B-B and would hold fast [firm, close, quick] unto it [rod / word],
-BA they [wicked] would never perish [die because of sin];
–CA neither could the temptations [sin]
–C-B and the fiery [judgement] darts [sin]
–C–C of the adversary [accuser]
–C-B overpower them unto blindness [sin],
–CA to lead them away to destruction [sin].
–CA 25 Wherefore, I [righteous], Nephi,
–C-B did exhort them
–C-B to give heed
–CA unto the word of the Lord [YHWH];
-BA yea, I did exhort them
-B-B with all the energies of my soul,
-B-B and with all the faculty
-BA which I possessed,
AA that they would give heed
A-B to the word of God [Elohim]
A–C and remember
A-B to keep His [YHWH] commandments always
AA in all things [Torah].

1828 Webster’s Dictionary, FAST:
adjective)
1) Literally, set, stopped, fixed, or pressed close. Hence, close; tight; as, make fast the door; take fast hold.
2) Firm; immovable.
3) Close; strong.
4) Firmly fixed; closely adhering; as, to stick fast in more; to make fast a rope.
5) Close, as sleep; deep; sound; as a fast sleep.
6) Firm in adherence; as a fast friend.
adverb) Firmly; immovably.
adjective) Swift; moving rapidly; quick in motion; as a fast horse.
adverb) Swiftly; rapidly; with quick steps or progression; as, to run fast; to move fast through the water, as a ship; the work goes on fast

D&C (LDS 19:15) (RLDS 18) (1833 16) (1835 44) (1844 44)
AA Therefore I [YHWH] command you to repent—
AB repent, lest I [YHWH] smite you
AC by the rod [word] of my mouth,
BA and by my wrath,
BB and by my anger,
BC and your sufferings be sore—
CA how sore you know not,
CB how exquisite you know not,
CC yea, how hard to bear you know not.

Another issue we need to be aware of, is how the Revelation Book 1 manuscripts has the word “sprout” instead of “rod”, see D&C (1833 7) (1835 34) (1844 34) (LDS 8) (RLDS 8), Revelation Book 1, Joseph Smith Papers shown below.

D&C (1833 7) (1835 34) (1844 34) (LDS 8) (RLDS 8), Revelation Book 1, Joseph Smith Papers

Sprout is the start of a branch which is a stick.

1828 Webster’s Dictionary, SPROUT:
verb intransitive)
1) To shoot, as the seed of a plant; to germinate; to push out new shoots. A grain that sprouts in ordinary temperature in ten days, may by an augmentation of heat be made to sprout in forty eight hours. The stumps of trees often sprout and produce a new forest. Potatoes will sprout and produce a crop, although pared and deprived all their buds or eyes.
2) To shoot into ramifications.
3) To grow, like shoots of plants.
noun)
1) The shoot of a plant; a shoot from the seed or from the stump or from the root of a plant or tree. 
2) A shoot from the end of a branch. The young shoots of shrubs are called sprouts, and in the forest often furnish browse of cattle.

One symbolism of sticks is scriptures, which is the word of Elohim / God. One example of this is Ezekiel 37:15-20. Ezekiel 37:15-20 is highly debated on what it means, which is the case for many passages of scripture. For those who believe in the restoration through Joseph Smith, Ezekiel 37:15-20 is validation of the Book of Mormon. Today, those who don’t believe in the restoration state that stick in this passage means people. A stick is part of a tree, and trees are symbolic of people. According to the Targum Jonathan Ezekiel 37:15-20, both groups are correct. Targums are a mixture of scriptures with commentary to help people better understand what the scriptures are saying. It is believed that Targum Jonathan was done by a student of Hillel the Elder, see Targum Jonathan – Wikipedia. Hillel the Elder died around 10 AD, see Hillel the Elder – Wikipedia. Targum Jonathan uses the word plates instead of stick in Ezekiel 37:16-17,20. And although sticks can be symbolic of people, plates are not. In Ezekiel 37:19-20 the Targum Jonathan uses ideas for stick that states people.

KJV Ezekiel 37:15-20
AA 15 The word of the Lord [YHWH]
A-B came again unto me [Ezekiel], saying,
AA 16 Moreover [also], thou son of man,
BAAA take thee one stick [book / plates / scriptures],
BAA-B and write upon it,
BAA-B For Judah,
BAAA and for the children [followers] of Israel his companions:
BABA then take another stick [book / plates / scriptures],
BAB-B and write upon it,
BAB-B For Joseph, the stick [book / plates / scriptures] of Ephraim,
BABA and for all the house of Israel his companions:
B-BA 17 And join them one to another into one stick [book / plates / scriptures];
B-BB and they shall become one in thine hand.
B–CA 18 And when the children [followers] of Thy [YHWH] people
B–CB shall speak unto Thee [YHWH], saying,
B—D Wilt thou not shew us
B—D what thou meanest by these?
B–CA 19 Say unto them [repentant],
B–CB Thus saith the Lord [YHWH] God [Elohim];
B-BA Behold, I [YHWH] will take the stick [book / plates / scriptures] of Joseph,
B-BB which is in the hand [works] of Ephraim,
BAA and the tribes [Lehi / Manasseh; Levi / Zoram; Ishmael / Ephraim; Mulekites / Judah ] of Israel his fellows,
BA-B and will put [give] them [book / plates / scriptures] with him [Ephraim],
BA–C even [and] with the stick [book / plates / scriptures] of Judah,
BA—D and make them one stick [book / plates / scriptures],
BA–C and they [books / plates / scriptures] shall be one in Mine [YHWH] hand [works].
BA-B 20 And the sticks [book / plates / scriptures] whereon thou writest
BAA shall be in thine [repentant] hand [works] before their [repentant] eyes [desires].

Targum Jonathan Ezekiel 37:15-20
AA 15 And it came to pass a sentence
A-B came upon me [Ezekiel]
A-B from before YHWH saying:
AA 16 And you son of man,
BAAA take you one plate
BAA-B and write upon it
BAA-B for the tribes of Judah,
BAAA and to the sons of Israel, their brothers.
BABA And take one plate
BAB-B and write upon it
BAB–C for the tribe of Joseph
BAB-B which is the tribe of Ephraim,
BABA and all the House of Israel their brothers.
B-BA 17 And join the plates one to another,
B-BB and they shall become one in your hand.
B–CA 18 And when the children of your people
B–CB shall speak to you saying:
B—D “Will you not show us
B—D what these are?”
B–CA 19 I prophesied to them
B–CB thus says YHWH Elohim,
B-BA behold I shall join the tribe of Joseph
B-BB which is the tribe of Ephraim,
BAA and the tribes of Israel their brothers,
BA-B and I will cause them to have fellowship
BA–C with the tribe of Judah
BA—D and I will make them one people
BA–C and they shall be one before me.
BA-B 20 And the plates which were written upon
BAA will be in your hand to their eyes.

Acts 28:3
A And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks [scriptures],
-B and laid them on the fire [purification],
-B there came a viper [snake, Satan] out of the heat [hell],
A and fastened [tried to stop] on his hand [work].

D&C (LDS 27:5) (RLDS 26) (1833 28) (1835 50) (1844 50)
A wherefore, marvel not,
-B for the hour [first and last half hour] [second coming] cometh
–C that I [YHWH] will drink of the fruit of the vine [WINE / Atonement]
—D with you on the earth,
—-E and with Moroni [righteous],
—D whom I have sent unto you to reveal the Book of Mormon [from the earth],
–C containing the fulness of My [YHWH] everlasting gospel,
-B to whom I have committed the keys
A of the record of the stick [scriptures] of Ephraim;

A sprout is a stick that is just starting to grow. It is interesting that D&C (1833 7) (1835 34) (1844 34) (LDS 8) (RLDS 8) was received while the Book of Mormon was being translated, and was in a sense growing. I also wonder if it is related to how we will receive more from what is termed the small plates after Omni, see The JST / Inspired Version and Only a Part.

In addition, a careful read of D&C (LDS 10:39-46) (RLDS 3) (1833 9) (1835 36) (1844 36) will reveale that we do not all of the small plates of Nephi. The first words that suggest this is the case are the words “down even till you come to the reign of king Benjamin” in D&C (LDS 10:39-41) (RLDS 3) (1833 9) (1835 36) (1844 36) in the first -BA stanza . Why say that if that was at the end of the record? Why not simply say translate the record? What really brings this out for me is in the second -BA stanza in D&C (LDS 10:45) (RLDS 3) (1833 9) (1835 36) (1844 36) when YHWH states “first part” in connection to “the engravings of Nephi”. If there is a first part, that implies there is atleast as second part if not more parts. In 1 Nephi (LDS 19:5-6) (RLDS 5:227-231) Nephi brings out the second set of records he was commanded to do was to be the “MORE SACRED THINGS” which goes along with YHWH’s words “more particular [special]” in D&C (LDS 10:39-46) (RLDS 3) (1833 9) (1835 36) (1844 36). Multiple Nephite records is also mentioned by the angel of YHWH in 1 Nephi (LDS 13:41) (RLDS 3:194-197) in stanza FB. It is interesting to note how YHWH brings out how Joseph Smith retained [didn’t lose] some of the translation in verse 41.

D&C (LDS 10:39-46) (RLDS 3) (1833 9) (1835 36) (1844 36)
AAAA 39 Yea, and you [Joseph] remember it was said in those writings [116 pages]
AAAB that a more particular [special] account [history]
AA-BA was given of these things upon the [small] plates of Nephi.
AA-BB 40 And now, because the account [history]
AAAA which is engraven upon the [small] plates of Nephi
AAAB is more particular [special] concerning the things which,
ABA in My [YHWH] wisdom,
ABB I [YHWH] would bring to the knowledge
ABC of the people in this account [history]—
-BAA 41 Therefore, you [Joseph] shall translate the engravings
-BAB which are on the [small] plates of Nephi,
-BAC down even till you come to the reign of king Benjamin [first part],
-BBA or until you come to that which you [Joseph] have translated [before],
-BBB which you [Joseph] have retained [didn’t lose];
–CA 42 And behold, you [Joseph] shall publish it as the record of Nephi;
–C-B and thus I [YHWH] will confound those who have altered My [YHWH] words.
–C-B 44 Behold, they [wicked ones] have only got a part [116 pages],
–CA or an abridgment of the account [history] of [large plates] Nephi.
-BAA 45 Behold, there are many things engraven upon the [small] plates of Nephi
-BA-B which do throw greater views upon My [YHWH] gospel;
-BA-B therefore, it is wisdom in Me [YHWH] that you [Joseph] should translate
-BAA this first part [king Benjamin] of the engravings of Nephi,
-BB and send forth in this work [BoM].
AAA 46 And, behold, all the remainder of this work [small plates of Nephi]
AAB does contain all those parts of My [YHWH] gospel
ABA which My [YHWH] holy prophets,
ABB yea, and also My [YHWH] disciples,
ABC desired in their prayers should come forth unto this people.

The JST / Inspired Version and Only a Part

Another reason I don’t believe the change of “rod”, which came from “sprout”, to “gift of Aaron” with the 1835 edition of D&C (1833 7) (1835 34) (1844 34) (LDS 8) (RLDS 8) was malicious, is because the rod of Aaron from Numbers 17, budded and buds, which is stanza second C in first sub stanzas F and G, which goes along with sprout from the Revelation Book 1 manuscript.

I am saddened that YHWH’s holy word in D&C (1833 7) (1835 34) (1844 34) (LDS 8) (RLDS 8) has been modified from what YHWH originally said. Because it makes it harder to see what YHWH’s intent is in what He said. This problem is not unique to the Book of Commandments / Doctrine and Covenants. This also is a problem with the Bible. Don’t get me wrong, I believe in the Bible, and as Joseph Smith did, I believe it as it came from the pen of the author, not nessarily how the text is now. I believe that even for the Book of Mormon because honest mistakes were made with the creation of the printer’s manuscript (I believe Joseph Smith wanted this done because of what happened with the 116 pages), and then E B Grandin made mistakes in printing including looking at his Bible instead of the manuscript he was given such that he did not have to figure out the punctuation. Textual criticism is a good thing to know about for the Bible, D&C and Book of Mormon. Although I do agree with some information and ideas that come from it, I don’t agree with everything that comes from this field. The article When a marginal note becomes the text brings out an example of when a scribe’s notes to clarify what is being said has become part of the original text because of an incompetent scribe. Another example is Mark 16:9-20, where it is widely believed to have been added by a scribe later to clear up perceived inconsistencies in the message of that gospel with the others. I talk about these issues and give other examples in The JST / Inspired Version and Only a Part.

I believe the Bible as it read when it came from the pen of the original writers. Ignorant translators, careless transcribers, or designing and corrupt priests have committed many errors.
Joseph Smith, Words of Joseph Smith, Kindle Locations 13179-13181
Joseph Fielding Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1958, p. 327. 2 Joseph Smith, Journal of Discourses, Liverpool: F.D. Richards, vol. 6 (1844), pp. 4-6. 3 Joseph Smith, History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ed., B.H. Roberts, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, vol. 6, 1976 p. 475.
History of the Church, 6:57–58; paragraph divisions altered; from a discourse given by Joseph Smith on Oct. 15, 1843, in Nauvoo, Illinois; reported by Willard Richards; see also appendix, page 562, item 3.

Joseph Smith did not change the text of D&C (1833 7) (1835 34) (1844 34) (LDS 8) (RLDS 8) revelation from “sprout” in Revelation Book 1 to “rod” in the 1833 Book of Commandments, that was Sidney Ridgon. We don’t know who changed the text from “rod of nature” to “gift of Aaron” for the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants, but I don’t believe it was Joseph Smith, because he was busy working on getting the Lectures on Faith ready for publication for the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants, which is the doctrine portion of the book see 1835 Doctrine and Covenants Preface: To the Members. (Joseph Smith stated that he would be held responsible for what is taught in the Lectures on Faith in the same preface to the 1835 D&C.)

It was for this school [the School of the Prophets] that the lectures on Faith were prepared and which were delivered to the Elders. The idea has been expressed that Sidney Rigdon wrote these lectures, but they were compiled by a number of the brethren and the Prophet himself had the final revision of them. They contain a great deal of excellent teaching on the principle of faith.
Joseph Fielding Smith, Church History and Modern Revelation, 2:137

These statements that I now read [from the Lectures on Faith] were in part written by the Prophet and in whole approved by him and taught by him in the School of the Prophets.
Bruce R McConike, Sermons and Writings of Bruce R. McConkie, p. 21

During the month of January, I [Joseph] was engaged in the school of the Elders, and in preparing the lectures on theology for publication in the book of Doctrine and Covenants, which the committee appointed last September were now compiling.
Joseph Smith, Documentary History of the Church (DHC), Vol. 2:180

The first part [Lectures on Faith] of the book [1835 Doctrine and Covenants] will be found to contain a series of Lectures [on Faith] as delivered before a Theological class in this place, and in consequence of their embracing the important doctrine of salvation, we have arranged them into the following work.
1835 Doctrine and Covenants Preface: To the Members

We do not present this little volume with any other expectation than that we are to be called to answer to every principle advanced, in that day when the secrets of all hearts will be revealed, and the reward of every man’s labor be given him.
1835 Doctrine and Covenants Preface: To the Members

I want to look into the word nature, from the Revelation Book 1 manuscript and also in the 1833 version of D&C (1833 7) (1835 34) (1844 34) (LDS 8) (RLDS 8), more.

D&C (1833 7) (1835 34) (1844 34) (LDS 8) (RLDS 8), Revelation Book 1, Joseph Smith Papers

One thing I have found helpful is looking at the definitions of words in the 1828 Webster’s Dictionary, because this is best dictionary I know of for the definition of words during the time of the publications of the Book of Mormon along with the Book of Commandments / Doctrine and Covenants. We need to know the definition of words when these important works were published because the meaning of words change through time. In addition it is easy to only think of the main definition of a word as we use it today, instead of looking at all the definitions a word has.

1828 Webster’s Dictionary, NATURE:
noun)
1) a word that comprehends all the works of God
2) By a metonymy of the effect for the cause, nature is used for the agent, creator, author, producer of things, or for the powers that produce them.
3) The essence, essential qualities or attributes of a thing, which constitute it what it is; as the nature of the soul; the nature of blood; the nature of a fluid; the nature of plants, or of a metal; the nature of a circle or an angle.
4) The established or regular course of things
5) A law or principle of action or motion in a natural body.
6) Constitution aggregate powers of a body, especially a living one.
7) The constitution and appearances of things.
8) Natural affection or reverence.
9) System of created things.
10) Sort; species; kind; particular character.
11) Sentiments or images conformed to nature or to truth and reality.
12) Birth. No man is noble by nature
verb transitive) To endow with natural qualities.

Another peice of the puzzle is the work that Oliver was gifted / called to do. Oliver was gifted / called to be the scribe of the Book of Mormon. (When we look at D&C (1833 7) (1835 34) (1844 34) (LDS 8) (RLDS 8) [1833 version], please take note that D&C (LDS 24:1) (RLDS 23) (1833 25) (1835 9) (1844 9) is reiterating the two gifts Oliver has.)

D&C (LDS 9:1-4) (RLDS 9) (1833 8) (1835 35) (1844 35)
…
-BA and did commence again to write [transcribe]
-B-B for My [YHWH] servant, Joseph Smith, Jun.,
-B–CA even so I [YHWH] would that ye should continue
-B–CB until you have finished this record [Book of Mormon],
-B—DA which I [YHWH] have entrusted
-B—DB unto him [Joseph].
-B—DC 2 And then, behold,
-B—-E other records [scriptures] have I [YHWH],
-B—–F that I [YHWH] will give unto you [Oliver]
-B—-E power that you may assist to translate.
-B—DA 3 Be patient,
-B—DB My [YHWH] son [follower],
-B—DC for it is wisdom in Me [YHWH],
-B–CA and it is not expedient that you [Oliver]
-B–CB should translate at this present time.
-B-B 4 Behold, the work which you are called to do
-BA is to write [transcribe] for My [YHWH] servant Joseph.

D&C (LDS 24:1) (RLDS 23) (1833 25) (1835 9) (1844 9) Behold, thou wast called and chosen to write the Book of Mormon, and to my ministry; and I have lifted thee up out of thine afflictions, and have counseled thee, that thou hast been delivered from all thine enemies, and thou hast been delivered from the powers of Satan and from darkness!

We need to keep in mind that Oliver was commanded by YHWH to learn from what he wrote. Oliver also learned from what he wrote, namely the Book of Mormon, before this commandment was recorded in the D&C.

D&C (LDS 18:1-4,45-47) (RLDS 16) (1833 15) (1835 43) (1844 43)
AA 1 Now, behold,
A-B because of the thing which you [Oliver],
A–C My [YHWH] servant Oliver Cowdery,
A-B have desired to know of Me [YHWH],
AA I [YHWH] give unto you these words:
-BA 2 Behold, I [YHWH] have manifested unto you [Oliver],
-B-B by My [YHWH] Spirit in many instances,
-B–CA that the things which you have written [Book of Mormon / scriptures] are true;
-B–CB wherefore you [Oliver] know that they [Book of Mormon / scriptures] are true.
-B–CC 3 And if you [everyone] know that they [Book of Mormon / scriptures] are true,
-B-B behold, I [YHWH] give unto you [everyone] a commandment,
-BA that you [everyone] rely upon the things [words] which are written [Book of Mormon / scriptures];
–CA 4 For in them [scriptures] are all things [Torah] written
–CB concerning the foundation of
–CCA My [YHWH] church,
–CCB My [YHWH] gospel,
–CCC and My [YHWH] rock.
…
–CA 45 Wherefore, the blessings
–C-B which I [YHWH] give unto you [everyone]
–CA are above [more] [even] all things [Torah].
-BA 46 And after that you have received this,
-B-B if you keep not my commandments
-B-B you cannot be saved [receive]
-BA in the kingdom of my Father [Celestial Glory].
AA 47 Behold,
A-B I [YHWH], Jesus [Yeshua] Christ [Messiah],
A–CA your Lord [YHWH]
A–CB and your God [Elohim],
A–CC and your Redeemer,
A-B by the power of My [YHWH] Spirit [behavior / Torah]
AA have spoken it. Amen.

We also need to keep in mind that Oliver was not able to write words which were sacred except it came from YHWH. And how writing is a work / labor done with our hands.

D&C (LDS 9:9) (RLDS 9) (1833 8) (1835 35) (1844 35)
…
A therefore, you [Oliver]
B cannot write that which is sacred
C save it be given you [Oliver] from Me [YHWH].

The principle “by the gift and power of God [Elohim]” is an additional point for us to remember as we are figuring out the meaning of the passage with the phrase “rod of nature”.

1 Nephi (LDS 13:35) (RLDS 3:184-185)
… behold, these things [Book of Mormon] shall be hid up, to come forth unto the Gentiles, by the gift and power of the Lamb [Yeshua / God].

To come forth by the gift and power of God unto the interpretation thereof-
…
The interpretation thereof by the gift of God.
-Title Page of the Book of Mormon from the Gold Plates translated by Joseph Smith Jr

And we also know that they have been translated by the gift and power of God, for his voice hath declared it unto us; wherefore we know of a surety that the work is true.
Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, Martin Harris – The Testimony of the THree Witnesses

The ancient record thus brought forth from the earth as the voice of a people speaking from the dust, and translated into modern speech by the gift and power of God as attested by Divine affirmation, was first published to the world in the year 1830 as The Book of Mormon.
Testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith

… through the medium of the Urim and Thummim … by the gift and power of God.
Joseph Smith, John Wentworth Letter

Last is to look at the context around the word nature. We need to keep in mind that Oliver was in the middle of being a scribe for the translation of the Book of Mormon when this revelation from YHWH was received.

D&C (1833 7:3) (1835 34) (1844 34) (LDS 8) (RLDS 8) [1833 version]
…
—DA Now this is not all,
—D-B for you have another gift,
—D–C which is the gift of working [labor / transcribe] with the rod [manuscript: sprout] [word, Book of Mormon]:
—D—DA behold it [word, Book of Mormon] has told [taught] you things:
—D—DB behold there is no other power
—D—DC save God [Elohim],
—D–C that can cause this rod [manuscript: thing] [word, Book of Mormon] of nature [author / Elohim],
—D-B to work [labor / transcribe] in your hands,
—DA for it is the work of God [Elohim];

Keeping in mid that rod is symbolic for word, how Oliver learned things while transcribing the Book of Mormon, and how the translation process could only happen with the the power of God [Elohim], and Oliver could not write anything sacred unless it came from YHWH, the second definition of nature is the best fit, which is author. In this case the author would be Elohim / God. The phrase “rod of nature” is another way of saying “word of God [Elohim]”.

Without any further ado, here is D&C (1833 7) (1835 34) (1844 34) (LDS 8) (RLDS 8) [1833 version] reformatted in a chiasmus.

D&C (1833 7) (1835 34) (1844 34) (LDS 8) (RLDS 8) [1833 version]
A YHWH lives and is the same from the beginning
BA Ask YHWH with faith and an honest heart
BB Ancient Records
C Spirit of Revelation
D Oliver’s gifts
E Remember and keep Torah

D&C (1833 7) (1835 34) (1844 34) (LDS 8) (RLDS 8) [1833 version]
AA 1 OLIVER, verily, verily I [YHWH] say unto you,
AB that assuredly as the Lord [YHWH] liveth,
AC which is your God [Elohim] and your Redeemer,
-BAA even so sure shall you receive a knowledge
-BA-B of whatsoever things you shall ask in faith [trust & diligence],
-BA-B with an honest heart [desire],
-BAA believing that you shall receive a knowledge
-BBA concerning the engravings [writings] of old records [scriptures],
-BB-B which are ancient,
-BB–C which contain those parts of
-BB–C My [YHWH] scripture
-BB-B of which have been spoken,
-BBA by [through] the manifestation [disclosing] of My [YHWH] Spirit [behavior / Torah];
–CAA yea, behold I [YHWH] will tell you in your mind [think]
–CAB and in your heart [belief] [Torah is to be written on our hearts]
–CAC by [agent, according] the Holy Ghost [Torah],
–C-B which shall come upon you
–C–C and which shall dwell [stay] in your heart [belief] [Torah is to be written on our hearts].
–C—D 2 Now, behold this is the Spirit of revelation:-
–C–C behold this is the Spirit [behavior]
–C-B by which Moses brought
–CAA the children of Israel
–CAB through the Red sea
–CAC on dry ground:
—DAA therefore, this is thy gift [revelation];
—DAB apply unto it [revelation]
—DAC and blessed art thou,
—D-BA for it [revelation] shall deliver you out
—D-BB of the hands [works] of your enemies,
—DAA when, if it were not so,
—DAB they [enemies] would slay [murder] you
—DAC and bring your soul to destruction [sin].
—-EA 3 O remember, these words
—-E-B and keep My [YHWH] commandments [Torah].
—-EA Remember this is your gift [revelation].
—DA Now this is not all,
—D-B for you have another gift,
—D–C which is the gift of working [labor / transcribe] with the rod [manuscript: sprout] [word, Book of Mormon]:
—D—DA behold it [word, Book of Mormon] has told [taught] you things:
—D—DB behold there is no other power
—D—DC save God [Elohim],
—D–C that can cause this rod [manuscript: thing] [word, Book of Mormon] of nature [author / Elohim],
—D-B to work [labor / transcribe] in your hands,
—DA for it is the work of God [Elohim];
–CA and therefore whatsoever you shall ask Me [YHWH]
–C-B to tell you by that means [revelation],
–C-B that will I [YHWH] grant unto you,
–CA that you shall know.
-BAA 4 Remember that without faith [trust & diligence]
-BA-B you can do nothing.
-BA–C Trifle not with these things [gifts & faith].
-BA—D Do not ask for that
-BA–C which you ought not [sinful].
-BA-B Ask that you may know
-BAA the mysteries of God [Elohim],
-BBAA and that you may translate
-BBAB all those ancient records,
-BB-B which have been hid up,
-BB-B which are sacred,
-BBAA and according to your faith [trust & diligence]
-BBAB shall it be done unto you.
AA 5 Behold it is I [YHWH] that have spoken it,
AB and I [YHWH] am the same
AC which spake unto you from the beginning:- Amen.

1828 Webster’s Dictionary, BY:
preposition)
3) Through, or with, denoting the agent, means, instrument or cause; as, ‘a city is destroyed by fire; ‘ ‘profit is made by commerce; ‘ ‘to take by force.’ This use answers to that of the Latin per, through, denoting a passing, acting, agency, or instrumentality.
7) According to; as, ‘this appears by his own account; ‘ ‘these are good rules to live by ‘

1828 Webster’s Dictionary, MANIFESTATION:
noun) The act of disclosing what is secret, unseen or obscure; discovery to the eye or to the understanding; the exhibition of any thing by clear evidence; display; as the manifestation of God’s power in creation, or of his benevolence in redemption.

1828 Webster’s Dictionary, SPIRIT:
4) Temper; disposition of mind, habitual or temporary; as a man of a generous spirit or of a revengeful spirit; the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit Let us go to the house of God in the spirit of prayer.
8) Turn of mind; temper; occasions; state of the mind. A perfect judge will read each work of wit, with the same spirit that its author writ.
14) Excitement of mind; animation; cheerfulness; usually in the plural. We found our friend in very good spirits. He has a great flow of spirits. -To sing thy praise, would heaven my breath prolong, Infusing spirits worthy such a song.
20) The renewed nature of man. Matthew 26:41. Galatians 5:5.

1828 Webster’s Dictionary, WORK:
verb intransitive)
1) In a general sense, to move, or to move one way and the other; to perform;
2) To labor; to be occupied in performing manual labor, whether severe or moderate.
3) To be in action or motion;
10) To labor; to strain; to move heavily;
verb transitive)
1) To move;
2) To form by labor; to mold, shape or manufacture;
3) To bring into any state by action.
5) To make by action
6) To produce by action, labor or exertion.
noun)
1) Labor; employment; exertion of strength; particularly in man, manual labor.
2) State of labor;
4) That which is made or done;
7) The matter on which one is at work
8) Action; deed; feat; achievement;
12) That which is produced by mental labor; a composition; a book; as the works of Addison.

There has never been a historical record that has ever been brought forth showing that Oliver has ever used a divining rod. There are scholars, intelectuals, false teachers and new age / occult teachers claiming that Oliver used a divining rod because of not understanding or twisting of YHWH’s holy words. The context of D&C (1833 7) (1835 34) (1844 34) (LDS 8) (RLDS 8) and additional words from YHWH and others show that, the “rod / sprout of nature” is another way of saying “word of Elohim”.

I also want to deal breifly with the gift of revelation that Oliver was given. Both D&C (1833 7) (1835 34) (1844 34) (LDS 8) (RLDS 8) and D&C (LDS 9) (RLDS 9) (1833 8) (1835 35) (1844 35) state that while we are working on figuring out the ways of YHWH we need to use our mind, true beliefs, along with checking with the established word of YHWH just as Joseph Smith taught also. (With regards to Joseph Smith’s statement that contains “the “COLOR OF HIS HAIR” please see My Patriarchal Blessing for an explanation.)

D&C (1833 7) (1835 34) (1844 34) (LDS 8) (RLDS 8)
–CAA yea, behold I [YHWH] will tell you in your mind [think]
–CAB and in your heart [belief] [Torah is to be written on our hearts]
–CAC by [agent, according] the Holy Ghost [Torah],
–C-B which shall come upon you
–C–C and which shall dwell [stay] in your heart [belief] [Torah is to be written on our hearts].
–C—D 2 Now, behold this is the Spirit of revelation:-
–C–C behold this is the Spirit [behavior]
–C-B by which Moses brought
–CAA the children of Israel
–CAB through the Red sea
–CAC on dry ground:

D&C (LDS 9:7-9) (RLDS 9) (1833 8) (1835 35) (1844 35)
—-EA 7 Behold, you have not understood;
—-E-B you [follower] have supposed
—-E–C that I [YHWH] would give it unto you [follower],
—-E-B when you [follower] took no thought [mind]
—-EA save it was to ask Me [YHWH].
—–FA 8 But, behold, I [YHWH] say unto you [follower],
—–F-B that you [follower] must study [think] it out in your mind [thoughts];
—–F–C then you [follower] must ask Me [YHWH] if it be right,
—–F—D and if it is right
—–F–C I [YHWH] will cause that
—–F-B your [follower] bosom [heart / beliefs] shall burn [cleanse] within you;
—–FA therefore, you [follower] shall feel [perceive mentally] that it is right.
—–FAA 9 But if it be not right
—–FAB you [follower] shall have no
—–FAC such feelings [perceive mentally],
—–F-BA but you [follower] shall have a stupor of thought [mind]
—–F-BB that shall cause you [follower] to forget [mind]
—–F-BC the thing which is wrong;
—–FAA therefore, you [Oliver] cannot write
—–FAB that which is sacred
—–FAC save it be given you [Oliver] from Me [YHWH].

1828 Webster’s Dictionary, FEEL:
verb transitive preterit tense)
4) To be affected by; to perceive mentally; as, to feel grief or woe.
verb intransitive)
4) To have perception mentally; as, to feel hurt; to feel grieved; to feel unwilling.

Below is a quote from Joseph Smith that also brings how what is taught should not contradict the scriptures or in other words a previous revelation. Generally people don’t like to quote this one in full and usually put in … in the parts they don’t understand. To full understand this quote from Joseph Smith, we need to understand that Joseph Smith is using Hebrew idioms and imagery in it. Hair is symbolic of authority, color deals with behaviour. It is also helpful to know about the parable of the rock and the sand at the end of the Sermon on Torah as I like to call it, which is more known as Sermon on the Mount and Sermon at the Temple. The phrase “color of his hair” deals with the type of authority the angel has, and how he exersises it. Sandy in “sandy colored hair” is from the parable in the Sermon on Torah, in that it is the wicked who will not want you to be on the rock. Another mystery with the sand deals with in how Satan operates. Satan takes pieces of YHWH Elohim’s revaltions aka the rock, and chips pieces off, aka sand, from the whole, getting you to focus on just one or two parts instead of the whole, just as the demon Joseph Smith is talking about in the quote is doing. Making such that you are not standing on a firm foundation but sandy one and will fall when the heat of others persecutions comes.
My Patriarchal Blessing

There have also been ministering angels in the church which were of satan appearing as an angel of light:— A sister in the State of New York had a vision who said it was told her that if she would go to a certain place in the woods an angel would appear to her,— she went at the appointed time and saw a glorious personage descending arrayed in white, with SANDY COLORED HAIR; he commenced and told her to fear God and said that her husband was called to do great things, but that he must not go more than one hundred miles from home or he would not return; whereas God had called him to go to the ends of the earth; and he has since been more than one thousand miles from home, and is yet alive. Many true things were spoken by this personage and many things that were false.—How it may be asked was this known to be a bad angel? By the COLOR OF HIS HAIR; that is one of the signs that he can be known by, and BY HIS CONTRADICTING A FORMER REVELATION.
Joseph Smith, Times and Seasons 1, April 1, 1842, 747; Words of Joseph Smith – Deluxe Study Edition, Kindle Locations 11465-11471, Joseph Smith Papers

Now taking it for granted that the scriptures say what they mean, and mean what they say, we have sufficient grounds to go on and prove from the Bible that the gospel has always been the same, and the officers to officiate, the same; and the signs and fruits resulting from the promises, the same …
Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 264

If any man preaches to you, doctrines contrary to the Bible [with JST / Inspired Version / New Translation], the Book of Mormon, or the [1835 ] Book of Doctrine & Covenants, set him down as an imposter…Try them by the principles contained in the acknowledged word of God; if they preach, or teach, or practice contrary to that, disfellowship them; cut them off from among you as useless and dangerous branches.
Joseph Smith, Times & Seasons

We have heard men who hold the priesthood remark that they would do anything they were told to do by those who preside over them (even) if they knew it was wrong; but such obedience as this is worse than folly to us; it is slavery in the extreme; and the man who would thus willingly degrade himself, should not claim a rank among intelligent beings, until he turns from his folly. A man of God would despise the idea. Others, in the extreme exercise of their almighty authority have taught that such obedience was necessary, and that no matter what the saints were told to do by their presidents, they should do it without any questions. When the Elders of Israel will so far indulge in these extreme notions of obedience as to teach them to the people, it is generally because they have it in their hearts to do wrong themselves.
Joseph Smith, Millennial Star, vol.14 #38, pp. 593-95

For those who are interested a group of us went over D&C (LDS 9) (RLDS 9) (1833 8) (1835 35) (1844 35) verse by verse, including the portions regarding prayer and receiving revelation, in Scripture Study 2024-12-29.

For your enjoyment, and for my addiction of bring out chiasmus, below is D&C (LDS 9) (RLDS 9) (1833 8) (1835 35) (1844 35) reformatted.

D&C (LDS 9) (RLDS 9) (1833 8) (1835 35) (1844 35)
AAA 1 Behold, I [YHWH] say unto you [Oliver],
AAB My [YHWH] son [follower],
ABA that because you [Oliver] did not translate
ABB according to that which you [Oliver] desired of Me [YHWH],
-BA and did commence again to write [transcribe]
-B-B for My [YHWH] servant, Joseph Smith, Jun.,
-B–CA even so I [YHWH] would that ye should continue
-B–CB until you have finished this record [Book of Mormon],
-B—DA which I [YHWH] have entrusted
-B—DB unto him [Joseph].
-B—DC 2 And then, behold,
-B—-E other records [scriptures] have I [YHWH],
-B—–F that I [YHWH] will give unto you [Oliver]
-B—-E power that you may assist to translate.
-B—DA 3 Be patient,
-B—DB My [YHWH] son [follower],
-B—DC for it is wisdom in Me [YHWH],
-B–CA and it is not expedient that you [Oliver]
-B–CB should translate at this present time.
-B-B 4 Behold, the work which you are called to do
-BA is to write [transcribe] for My [YHWH] servant Joseph.
–CA 5 And, behold, it is because that you [Oliver]
–C-B did not continue as you [Oliver] commenced,
–C-B when you [Oliver] began to translate,
–CA that I [YHWH] have taken away this privilege from you [Oliver].
—DA 6 Do not murmur,
—D-B My [YHWH] son [follower],
—D–C for it is wisdom in Me [YHWH]
—D-B that I [YHWH] have dealt with you [Oliver]
—DA after this manner.
—-EA 7 Behold, you have not understood;
—-E-B you [follower] have supposed
—-E–C that I [YHWH] would give it unto you [follower],
—-E-B when you took no thought [mind]
—-EA save it was to ask Me [YHWH].
—–FA 8 But, behold, I [YHWH] say unto you [follower],
—–F-B that you [follower] must study [think] it out in your mind [thoughts];
—–F–C then you must ask Me [YHWH] if it be right,
—–F—D and if it is right
—–F–C I [YHWH] will cause that
—–F-B your [follower] bosom [heart / beliefs] shall burn [cleanse] within you;
—–FA therefore, you [follower] shall feel [perceive mentally] that it is right.
—–FAA 9 But if it be not right
—–FAB you [follower] shall have no
—–FAC such feelings [perceive mentally],
—–F-BA but you [follower] shall have a stupor of thought [mind]
—–F-BB that shall cause you [follower] to forget [mind]
—–F-BC the thing which is wrong;
—–FAA therefore, you [Oliver] cannot write
—–FAB that which is sacred
—–FAC save it be given you [Oliver] from Me [YHWH].
—-EAA 10 Now, if you [Oliver] had known this
—-EAB you [Oliver] could have translated;
—-EBA nevertheless, it is not expedient
—-EBB that you [Oliver] should translate now.
—DA 11 Behold, it was expedient
—D-B when you [Oliver] commenced;
—D–C but you [Oliver] feared,
—D-B and the time is past,
—DA and it is not expedient now;
–CA 12 For, do you [Oliver] not behold
–C-B that I [YHWH] have given
–C–C unto My [YHWH] servant Joseph
–C–C sufficient strength,
–C-B whereby it is made up?
–CA And neither of you [Joseph & Oliver] have I [YHWH] condemned.
-BA 13 Do this thing [transcribe] which
-B-B I [YHWH] have commanded [Torah] you [follower],
-B–C and you [follower] shall prosper.
-B-B Be faithful [trust & diligence],
-BA and yield to no temptation [sin].
AA 14 Stand fast in the work
A-B wherewith I [YHWH] have called you [follower],
A–C and a hair [authority] of your [follower] head [leader / YHWH]
A–C shall not be lost,
A-B and you [follower] shall be lifted up
AA at the last day. Amen.

1828 Webster’s Dictionary, FEEL:
verb transitive preterit tense)
4) To be affected by; to perceive mentally; as, to feel grief or woe.
verb intransitive)
4) To have perception mentally; as, to feel hurt; to feel grieved; to feel unwilling.