Joseph and the leaders of the church had been inspired to publish the revelations and had made the decision that they would be published in Missouri as the Book of Commandments. The Lord then gave the revelation which is Section 1 and is the preface to the book. I think Section 1 is one of the greatest revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants. After Joseph received Section 1, the publishing of the Book of Commandments was put to a sustaining vote. Joseph then asked the brethren if they were willing to bear testimony to the truth of the revelations. All of them were except a small group who said the language was not sufficiently intelligent. Joseph then received this revelation(Section 67) in which the Lord said to choose the wisest person in this group to write a revelation and see if it equaled what they felt was the least of the revelations received so far. William E. McLellin thought he was the most educated person in the group and said that he could. Joseph, who said McLellin had more learning than sense, invited him to write a commandment. He tried and failed miserably.
What some people don't realize about the revelations that Joseph received is, the Lord put the ideas into Joseph's head and Joseph had to put them into words. This was difficult, just like trying to put the visions he had received into words was. This is different than the Book of Mormon where specific words were given. I think these brethren thought the language should be like that found in the Book of Mormon and Bible.McLellin tried to write a revelation, but while he formulated words, the spirit of revelation, or the Holy Ghost, wasn't there. Without the Spirit, there was no life in the words. That is why he failed. It's the same principle we saw in Section 42 where the Lord said that without the Spirit, you can't teach the gospel. One of the reasons I enjoy the Doctrine and Covenants so much is that you can get a sense of Joseph Smith in them.
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