David was alarmed that Joseph would change the “word of the Lord” in the revelations:
1. Joseph was originally called to transcribe the Book of Mormon and nothing more. He had to change this revelation to avoid condemnation for doing more than he was called to do.
And you have a gift to translate the plates; and this is the first gift that I bestowed upon you; and I have commanded that you should pretend to no other gift until my purpose is fulfilled in this; for I will grant unto you no other gift until it is finished. (D&C 5:4 compared with Book of Commandments IV:2. Emphasized words were added later by Joseph.)
2. Joseph added the word ordain. Jesus never said that to him because Jesus never called him to start a church.
VERILY, I SAY unto you, that woe shall come unto the inhabitants of the earth if they will not hearken unto my words; For hereafter you shall be ordained and go forth and deliver my words unto the children of men. (D&C 5:5-6 compared with Book of Commandments IV:3. Emphasized words were added later by Joseph.)
And in addition to your testimony, the testimony of three of my servants, whom I shall call and ordain, unto whom I will show these things, and they shall go forth with my words that are given through you. (D&C 5:11 compared with Book of Commandments IV:4. Emphasized words were added later by Joseph.)
And to none else will I grant this power, to receive this same testimony among this generation, in this the beginning of the rising up and the coming forth of my church out of the wilderness — clear as the moon, and fair as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners. (D&C 5:14 compared with Book of Commandments IV:4. Emphasized words were added later by Joseph.)
And behold, whosoever believeth on my words, them will I visit with the manifestation of my Spirit; and they shall be born of me, even of water and of the Spirit — And you must wait yet a little while, for ye are not yet ordained — (D&C 5:16-17 compared with Book of Commandments IV:4. Emphasized words were added later by Joseph.)
And thus, if the people of this generation harden not their hearts, I will work a REFORMATION among them, and I will put down all lyings, and deceivings, and priestcrafts, and envyings, and strifes, and idolatries, and sorceries, and all manner of iniquities, and I will establish my church, like unto the church which was taught by my disciples in the days of old. And now if this generation do harden their hearts against my word, behold I will deliver them up unto Satan, for he reigneth and hath power at this time, for he hath got great hold upon the hearts of the people of this generation; and not far from the iniquities of Sodom and Gomorrah, do they come at this time: and behold the sword of justice hangeth over their heads, and if they persist in the hardness of their hearts, the time cometh that it must fall upon them. Behold I tell you these things even as I also told the people of the destruction of Jerusalem, and my word shall be verified at this time as it hath hitherto been verified. (D&C 5:20 compared with Book of Commandments IV:5. Emphasized words were later removed by Joseph.)
Because Joseph altered revelations, David did not trust the Doctrine and Covenants.