Revelation Date: January 19, 1841

Revelation Place: Nauvoo, Illinois

Section 124 - Historical Background: It had been 2 years since receiving the prior revelation and much had happened during that time:

- Joseph had finally been freed from Liberty jail by a sympathetic sheriff (who was then killed by the angry mob for allowing Joseph to escape).

- Joseph fled to Illinois and the saints purchased thousands of acres of unimproved land in Commerce, Illinois for settlements. It was a swampy and mosquito infested wilderness. Many saints suffered from malaria as they drained the swamps and worked the land.

- Two notable deaths had occurred – Bishop Edward Partridge (resulting from persecution injuries) and Joseph Smith, Sr.

- Joseph had gone to Washington DC to seek redress from President Martin Van Buren, who refused to help them. In his own words, Van Buran’s refusal was made for his own personal, political gain.

- The Governor of Illinois signed charters allowing the Saint's new city to be established, self-governed and allowed an independent military body formed from within to protect itself. Hence the city Commerce is renamed Nauvoo, a Hebrew word meaning a place of rest and beauty, and a militia, called the “Nauvoo Legion,” is organized. 

Joseph felt a great sense of urgency in completing the Lord's and fulfilling his calling. Joseph receives this revelation as a result of his pleadings, which is the longest revelation in the Doctrine and Covenants.