it still rolled on

D&C 9:12 For, do you not beold that I have given unto my servant Joseph sufficient strength, whereby it is made up? And neither of you have I condemned.

Oliver Cowdery needed to be reminded of this: for he was inclined, at least later, to regard himself as indispensable to the Church. President Brigham Young says:

“I have seen men who belonged to this kingdom, and who really thought that if they were not associated with it, it could not progress. One man especially, whom I now think of, was peculiarly gifted in self-reliance and general ability. He said as much to the Prophet Joseph, a number of times; as much as to say that if he left this kingdom, it could not progress any further. I speak of Oliver Cowdery. He forsook it, and it still rolled on and still triumphed over every opposing foe and bore off safely all those who clung to it” (Journal of Discourses, Vol. XI., p.252).

God does not need any one in particular. We need Him. Oliver Cowdery seems to have lacked humility until, after his experience outsie the Church, he returned to the fold. Then he was humble. To the special High Council that heard his case, in November, 1848, he said: “I am not a member of the Church, but I wish to become a member of it. I wish to come in at the door. I know the door. I have not come here to seek precedence. I come humbly and throw myself upon the decisions of this body, knowing as I do, that its decisions are right and should be obeyed” (Andrew Jenson, Historical Record, p.201).



Doctrine and Covenants Commentary by Hyrum M. Smith and Janne M. Sjodahl. Deseret Book. 1965. p.46, 47