Doctrine and Covenants Contexts

Key points from the article:

• Threats and Turmoil: Joseph Smith faced threats from Doctor Philastus Hurlbut, who had vowed to kill him, and the Saints in Missouri were being forced from their lands. Despite this, missionary work around the Great Lakes was thriving.

• Mission to Pennsylvania and Canada: Amid these challenges, Joseph and Sidney Rigdon embarked on a mission through Pennsylvania, New York, and Ontario, Canada, following invitations from prospective converts and referrals.

• Personal Journal Entry: On October 12, 1833, Joseph made a rare personal journal entry, expressing peace but also concern for his family. That day, he received section 100, which addressed his worries about Zion and his family’s safety.

• Revelation’s Assurance: The Lord reassured Joseph and Sidney about their families, stating they were in His hands and under His care (Doctrine and Covenants 100:1). He also provided guidance for their mission, promising success if they faithfully spoke the thoughts He placed in their hearts and preached the gospel meekly.

• Mission-Specific Promises: The Lord promised that Joseph would receive a powerful testimony and Sidney the ability to expound scripture. Joseph would act as a revelator for Sidney, while Sidney would serve as Joseph’s spokesman.

• Message about Zion: Beginning in verse 13, the Lord spoke about Zion, promising protection and salvation for those Joseph had sent to Missouri and assuring that Zion would be redeemed after a period of chastening and purification.

• Joseph’s Commitment to Zion: Despite suggestions from Oliver Cowdery to abandon Missouri, Joseph remained determined to hold onto the land and continue the effort to build Zion. He reassured the Saints in Missouri to keep their land, promising that Zion would flourish eventually.

• Seeking Divine Understanding: Joseph prayed fervently and often about Zion’s struggles, even expressing frustration. Section 100 brought comfort, reinforcing his faith that Zion would ultimately be redeemed, though he did not know when or how. The Lord’s response was to be still and trust in His timing.

• Return and Gratitude: Upon returning from his mission, Joseph found his family safe and well, as the Lord had promised. He expressed gratitude for this blessing in his journal.

  Read this chapter for free at https://byustudies.byu.edu/online-book/doctrine-and-covenants-contexts/section-100

1. John Murdock’s Mission: The Lord called John Murdock to serve a mission to the eastern states, emphasizing the importance of preaching the gospel and gathering the elect.

2. Support for Missionaries: The revelation highlighted the need for the Saints to support missionaries like John Murdock, both spiritually and materially, to ensure the success of their missions.

3. Blessings for Obedience: The Lord promised blessings to those who faithfully fulfill their missionary duties, including protection, guidance, and the assurance of eternal life.

1. Prescription for Peace: The Lord provided guidance for the Saints amidst rising opposition and violence in Missouri, urging them to be comforted, rejoice, give thanks, and wait patiently for His intervention.

2. Law of Forbearance and Retaliation: The Lord outlined a law requiring the Saints to bear attacks patiently and not seek revenge. After enduring three offenses, they were to warn their attackers, and if the attacks continued, they were justified in defending themselves.

3. Emphasis on Constitutional Law and Freedom: The revelation emphasized the importance of upholding constitutional law and preserving freedom for all mankind, highlighting that freedom comes from God and should be protected by the Saints.

1. Command to Build a Temple: The Lord commanded the Saints in Zion to build a temple speedily by the tithing of the people. The temple was essential for the salvation of Zion and required the Saints to keep their covenants and obey the law of sacrifice.

2. Conditional Promises: The revelation is full of conditional statements, emphasizing that if the Saints obey the commandments to build the temple and keep it holy, Zion will prosper and become immovable. Conversely, if they fail to do so, Zion will face severe afflictions.

3. Parley P. Pratt’s Efforts: Parley P. Pratt described his efforts in ministering among the churches, organizing a school of Elders, and following the Lord’s instructions. Despite his dedication, the revelation notes that the Saints in Missouri were not unified in their commitment, leading to the fulfillment of the threatened judgments.

1. Acquisition of Land: The Saints strategized to acquire several farms in Kirtland, Ohio, including Peter French’s farm, to build a stake of Zion surrounding the House of the Lord.

2. Stewardship and Management: The Lord instructed that Newel Whitney, the bishop in Kirtland, should take charge of the French farm as a good steward, emphasizing that the Lord is the ultimate owner of the land.

3. United Firm’s Role: The revelation guided the division of the land among the Saints and the use of proceeds to fund the United Firm, which managed church properties and relieved poverty.

1. Chastisement and Love: The Lord chastised the Saints for not building the temple as commanded, emphasizing that His chastisement is a sign of His love and a means for their forgiveness.

2. Importance of the Temple: The temple was crucial for the Saints to receive an endowment of heavenly power, learn the Lord’s law, and come into His presence. The Lord stressed that the temple was the way out of darkness and a venue for receiving His Spirit.

3. Promise of Power: The Lord promised the Saints that if they kept His commandments, they would receive the power to build the temple. He highlighted the consequences of disobedience, stating that those who reject His commandments would walk in darkness.

Key points from this section:

• Command to Build: The Lord commands the Saints to build a house for the work of the Presidency and a printing house in Kirtland, Ohio.
• Specific Instructions: Detailed instructions are given for the dimensions and design of these buildings, emphasizing that they must be built according to the pattern provided by the Lord.
• Consecration and Purity: The buildings are to be dedicated to the Lord and kept holy, with a warning that His glory and presence will not dwell in them if they are defiled."

Read this chapter for free at https://byustudies.byu.edu/online-book/doctrine-and-covenants-contexts/section-94.

Key points from this section:

• Nature of God and Man: This section reveals important truths about the nature of God and man, emphasizing that all people were with God in the beginning and that the elements are eternal.
• Grace to Grace: It describes how Jesus Christ progressed from grace to grace until He received a fullness of the glory of the Father, and it teaches that individuals can also progress in this way by keeping the commandments.
• Glory of God is Intelligence: The revelation highlights that the glory of God is intelligence, or light and truth, and that individuals can receive a fullness of joy through obedience and gaining knowledge."

Read this chapter for free at https://byustudies.byu.edu/online-book/doctrine-and-covenants-contexts/section-93.

Key points from this section:

• Frederick G. Williams’ Role: The revelation instructs that Frederick G. Williams, who had recently been appointed as a counselor to Joseph Smith, should be received into the United Firm (also known as the United Order) and be an active member.
• Commandment to the United Firm: It emphasizes the importance of the United Firm in managing the Church’s business and welfare activities, ensuring that all members are faithful in keeping the commandments.
• Blessings for Faithfulness: The section promises that those who are faithful in their duties within the United Firm will be blessed forever."

Read this chapter for free at https://byustudies.byu.edu/online-book/doctrine-and-covenants-contexts/section-92.

Key points from this section:

• Nature of the Apocrypha: The revelation states that the Apocrypha contains many things that are true and is mostly translated correctly, but it also includes many interpolations by the hands of men that are not true.
• Guidance on Reading: It advises that those who read the Apocrypha should do so with the guidance of the Spirit, as the Spirit can help discern the truth from the falsehoods.
• No Need for Translation: The Lord indicates that it is not necessary to translate the Apocrypha, but those enlightened by the Spirit can still benefit from reading it."

Read this chapter for free at https://byustudies.byu.edu/online-book/doctrine-and-covenants-contexts/section-91.