Assemble Together at the Ohio
Reflections and Commentary on Doctrine and Covenants 37
As explained in the previous post, Doctrine and Covenants 37 is the Lord’s revelation to the Prophet Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon, near Fayette, New York, in December 1830. It is the Lord’s first commandment concerning the gathering in this dispensation. In this revelation, the Lord called His people to gather at the Ohio:
Behold, I say unto you that it is not expedient in me that ye should translate any more until ye shall go to the Ohio, and this because of the enemy and for your sakes.
And again, I say unto you that ye shall not go until ye have preached my gospel in those parts, and have strengthened up the church whithersoever it is found, and more especially in Colesville; for, behold, they pray unto me in much faith.
And again, a commandment I give unto the church, that it is expedient in me that they should assemble together at the Ohio, against the time that my servant Oliver Cowdery shall return unto them.
Behold, here is wisdom, and let every man choose for himself until I come. Even so. Amen. (D&C 37:1-4)
The scriptures are in the Lord’s own bosom, and He revealed them through the Prophet Joseph Smith, with Sidney Rigdon acting as scribe, for the salvation of His elect. The Lord guided His servant Joseph Smith and the Saints to the Ohio in order to bless them and protect them, and this migration required a temporary hiatus in the inspired translation of the Bible. The Lord commanded Joseph Smith and his friends to preach the Gospel along the way, and especially to strengthen the members of the Colesville branch of the Church because of their great faith and prayers.
It was expedient, or necessary (notice that the phrase that the Lord uses twice is “expedient in me”), for Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon to temporarily postpone their inspired translation of the Bible because it was expedient, or necessary for the Lord’s Church to assemble at the Ohio. Oliver Cowdery at this time was still on his mission to the Lamanites during the time of this revelation.
This commandment to gather at the Ohio was done in the Lord’s wisdom, and the Lord allowed the Saints to choose for themselves to follow the commandment. Notice that the Lord not only allowed for agency but He also foreshadowed His coming to them in Kirtland: “let every man choose for himself until I come.” (D&C 37:4, my emphasis)
What do Smith and Sjodahl add to our understanding in their commentary on this section? A lot.
Before the close of this year, the first of the existence of the Church, the Prophet Joseph commenced preparing a new English version of the Bible. It is referred to as an inspired “translation,” although that term, in its generally accepted meaning of rendition of the spoken, or written, word from one language into another, hardly gives a correct idea of the character of that work. But if by “translate” we mean, to render sentences which are obscure and difficult to understand, into language more easy of comprehension, and free from ambiguity and contradiction, then the attempted revision is a translation. For that is what the Prophet aimed at, by the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Sidney Rigdon aided him as secretary. On the 2nd of February, 1833, the New Testament was completed, and on the 2nd of July, the same year, the Old Testament, was completed, as far as the Prophet was directed to revise these records up to that time. This work of revision was never completed fully, and the Prophet intended to take up this work in Nauvoo, but persection and difficulties prevented him from finishing this work.
Regarding the publication of this work, the Prophet, in a letter to W. W. Phelps, dated June 25th, 1833, wrote: “In regard to the printing of the New Translation: It cannot be done until we can attend to it ourselves, and this we will do, as soon as the Lord permits” (History of the Church, Vol. I., p. 365). From this it is clear that the publication of this version is not authorized. “It cannot be done until we can attend to it ourselves.”
The prophet expected some indication from the Lord that the time for publication had come. But, during the later years of his life, events crowded upon him so fast that it became a physical impossibility for him to give his personal attention to everything that seemed to be necessary. The publication of the New Translation would, no doubt, have involved a final revision by himself; that no one else could do; and he did not do it; the Lord did not command him to put the finishing touch to the work, and, therefore, it remained in manuscript, unpublished.
But we must not suppose that the patient labor spent on the study of the Old and New Testament was lost. It was while Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon were engaged in this work that they received the wonderful Revelation on the resurrection, recorded in Section 76; also the Key to John’s Revelation, recorded in Section 77. It was during the same time that the Prophet received the Revelation explaining I. Cor. 7:14. There can be no doubt that the close study of the Scriptures, such as that in which the Prophet engaged during these years particularly - for he was always a Bible student - was one of the means by which the Holy Spirit revealed to him the grand and glorious truths concerning the salvation of the children of men, before he sealed his testimony with his blood.
It is not expedient in me] Not advisable. The Lord watched over the Prophet, and the Prophet was guided by Him in his labors. At this time God directed His servant to discontinue his work on the Bible translation for the time being, because of the enemy.
Until ye shall go to the Ohio] The Ohio valley. The work was resumed at Hiram, Portage Co., Ohio, during the forepart of October, 1831.
Strengthened the Church] Joseph and Sidney were to go to Ohio, but not hurriedly; they were to set the Church in order first; and especially the branch in Colesville; for, “behold, they pray unto me in much faith.” The prayer of faith is the secret of the strength of the Church. There is no progress without prayer.
Assemble together at the Ohio] This is the first revelation directing the Saints to gather at a central place. The doctrine of gathering was taught before (Sects. 10:65; 29:8); here a gathering-place is designated. When Oliver Cowdery returned from his mission to the Lamanites, the Saints were to meet him.
General Notes
This is the last of the nineteen revelations given in the year 1830. During the year 1829, the Prophet was engaged in translating and preparing the Book of Mormon for publication, and answering questions concerning the finding of the plates, the report having gone abroad and caused many inquirers to come to the Prophet to ascertain the truth for themselves, or to engage in controversy with him. During this year the foundations of the Church were laid by the Almighty Himself. Not only did He reveal the existence of the plates, and endow the Prophet with the gift of reading the contents, but He also made it possible for him to publish the sacred record, an achievement that would have been as much beyond the reach of the unlettered young man, without financial resources, as would the translation have been without the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. It was entirely the work of God. Martin Harris, notwithstanding his naturally suspicious disposition and vacillating character, came to the aid of the Prophet. Oliver Cowdery arrived just when his services were needed. The Whitmers opened their home when there were no other visible resources. Joseph Knight was on hand when provisions and the protecting hand of a friend were needed. And thus the Lord took care of the work and of his Prophet during the first development of the Church. It was just as much of a miracle as the maintenance of the Prophet Elijah by ravens at the brook Cherith, or in the house of the widow Zaraphath (I. Kings 17:1-16). During this year, also, the manifestations solemnly attested by the Witnesses were given.
During the year 1830, the Book of Mormon was published; a Revelation on Church government was given (Sec. 20); the Church was organized (Sec. 21); the duties of the Prophet Joseph, Oliver Cowdery, Hyrum Smith, Samual Smith, and Emma Smith were defined by divine Revelation, as were those of Thomas B. Marsh (Sec. 31), the Pratts (Sec. 32 and 34), Sidney Rigdon (Sec. 35) and Edward Partridge (Sec. 36). The Revelation to Emma Smith (Sec. 25) calling her to great prominence in the Church is particularly noteworthy, because it was given years before the women in the English speaking world had ever thought of an organized effort for “woman’s rights.” That Revelation is the very beginning of the emancipation movement in the world. During this year were also revealed the important doctrine of Common Consent, which is one of the cornerstones in the government of the Kingdom of God (Sec. 26); the propriety of using water instead of wine in the Sacrament (Sec. 27), which may be regarded as the beginning of the great Prohibition movement in the Christian world; and the doctrine of the gathering (Sec. 29). The first mission to the Lamanites was undertaken, and the first gathering-place of the Saints indicated (Sec. 37).
If we consider only the work accomplished during this one year; or study, in their practical bearing upon human affairs, the wonderful truths revealed, we are overwhelmed with the vastness of the vistas opened up before us. It is like trying to penetrate the infinite depths of space, where the handiworks of God bear witness of His majesty, wisdom, power, and love, and where each glistening spark of light, on close examination, turns out to be a world. (pp. 193-196)
Smith and Sjodah’s commentary on this section is helpful and contains an excellent review of everything that we have studied thus far concerning the foundations of the Church of Jesus Christ and the revelations contained in the Doctrine and Covenants.
The authors of the LDS Come Follow Me manual note that “the need to gather to Ohio has long since passed,” but that the cause of Zion continues. I wonder, however, if this section doesn’t contain inspiration and instruction for a future gathering of the Saints.
If the migration to the Ohio valley required the early Saints to make great sacrifices for the Kingdom of God, can you imagine what will be required of us and of future Saints in order to gather into one place, the place of the New Jerusalem, the City of Zion, in Independence, Missouri? D&C Section 37 may help us to prepare for the migration. Whatever the case, the Lord will let every man choose for himself until He comes again.