The Lord Will Hasten the City in Its Time
Historical Background and Reflections on Doctrine and Covenants 52
In Lyndon W. Cook’s book The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith, we learn more about the historical background for Doctrine and Covenants 52:
Date. 7 June 1831 (6 June).
The Manuscript History of the Church notes that in 1831 the June priesthood conference was convened on 6 June. However, B.H. Roberts points out that the conference minutes (recorded in the “Far West Record”) affirm that it commenced on Friday, 3 June. In his history John Whitmer states that the meeting convened on 3 June and continued until Sunday, 5 June, and that section 52 was received the following day (Monday, 6 June). Levi Hancock recorded that the revelation was received in the evening of 6 June 1831. Another source pointing to 6 June 1831 as the date of reception is the journal of John Smith (not the Prophet’s uncle). He recorded the following:
firday June 3th went to Kirtland to attend conference but did no reatch there till sat 4th & conference was over & I continued there untill 6th & after the commandments had come forth for the Elders to go to the Missura I returned & reached my home in Northampton on ts 7th & went to labour.
Place. Kirtland, Geauga County, Ohio.
Historical Note. In accord with the instructions of section 44, a three-day priesthood conference was convened in Kirtland, Ohio, 3-5 June 1831. Section 52 was received at the close of these meetings. The minutes of the first day of conference (recorded in the “Far West Record”) list sixty-two present and reveal that the time was spent in ordaining and “giving exhortation.”
Jospeh Smith and twenty-two other elders were ordained to the High Priesthood on the first day of the conference, marking the first occasion on which any were ordained to that office in this dispensation.
The revelation directed fourteen pairs of elders, including Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon, to travel to Independence, Missouri. The missionaries were to “preach by the way” and to hold a conference upon their arrival. There was great interest in the Missouri mission since the New Jerusalem was to be identified. Joseph Smith and those traveling with him left Kirtland on 19 June 1831 and arrived in Independence in mid-July.
Whereas twenty-eight elders were to travel west, Joseph H. Wakefield and Solomon Humphrey were to travel to the “easter countries;” and Jared Carter and George James were to be ordained priests.
The mission calls in verse 22 and 32 were later revoked.
Publication Note. Section 52 was first published as chapter 54 in the Book of Commandments in 1833. (pp. 71-83)
Cook also provides helpful biographical notes on Wheeler Baldwin, Heman Bassett, Ezra Booth, Reynolds Cahoon, Jared Carter, Simeon Carter, William Carter, Zebedee Coltrin, Edson Fuller, Selah J. Griffin, Levi Ward Hancock, Solomon Hancock, Solomon Humphrey, George Fitch James, Newel Knight, Isaac Morley, John Murdock, Simonds Ryder, Jacob Scott, Harvey G. Whitlock, and Lyman Wight.
In their book Joseph Smith and the Doctrine and Covenants, Milton V. Backman, Jr. and Richard O. Cowan preface this revelation as follows:
After a special conference at Kirtland early in June 1831, the Lord directed the elders to hold their next conference in the consecrated land of Missouri, where he would reveal the location of the inheritances (D&C 52:2, 5). The next four revelations, Doctrine and Covenants 53 through 56, given during that same month, directed other Saints to go to Missouri. Joseph Smith and those traveling with him arrived there in July. During the next few weeks in Missouri, the Prophet received six revelations (D&C 57-62), all related in one way or another to establishing Zion in that land. (p. 59)
Bruce R. McConkie, in his section heading, describes the historical background for this revelation as follows:
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to the elders of the Church, at Kirtland, Ohio, June 6, 1831. A conference had been held at Kirtland, beginning on the 3rd and closing on the 6th of June. At this conference the first distinctive ordinations to the office of high priest were made, and certain manifestations of false and deceiving spirits were discerned and rebuked.
(See also Revelations in Context, “The Center Place.”)
With the Lord’s help, the guidance of the Holy Ghost, and Smith’s and Sjodahl’s supplementary commentary, let us, a piece at a time, study, search, and seek to implement the Lord’s teachings in this revelation:
Behold, thus saith the Lord unto the elders whom he hath called and chosen in these last days, by the voice of his Spirit—
Saying: I, the Lord, will make known unto you what I will that ye shall do from this time until the next conference, which shall be held in Missouri, upon the land which I will consecrate unto my people, which are a remnant of Jacob, and those who are heirs according to the covenant. (D&C 52:1-2)
The Lord was intimately involved in the lives of the Saints and He communicated His precise plan for the gathering of His people through His servant the Prophet Joseph Smith. He called Joseph Smith, the Elders of His Church, and the early Saints by the voice of his Spirit to assist Him in His work, and in this revelation the Lord revealed His course of action for His people until the next conference of the Church that would be held in Missouri.
Pay special attention to how the Lord describes Missouri, namely as “the land which I will consecrate unto my people, which are a remnant of Jacob…” As I understand it, the Lord spoke specifically of the seed of Lehi, the remnant of Jacob, because He covenanted with Lehi to bless him and his posterity in the Promised Land that became America, just as He had promised Canaan to Abraham. This Promised Land, the center place of which is in Missouri, is also consecrated to “those who are heirs according to the covenant,” or in other words, all those who repent, come unto Christ, are baptized, receive the Holy Ghost, and endure to the end in faith. Lehi’s seed are the primary inheritors of this covenant land, but all those who repent and follow Jesus Christ will be blessed to join with Lehi’s seed to build the New Jerusalem.
Smith and Sjodahl add the following commentary to our understanding:
Next Conference.
Next Conference] The next General Conference was to be held in Missouri, upon ground that would be consecrated for the people of God, both Lamanites and Gentiles (See Sec. 49:24, 25). The time was drawing near for the promised Revelation of the place where the City of Zion, the New Jerusalem, should be built. (See Sec. 42:62)
Can you imagine how excited the early Saints must have been? They were anticipating a revelation about the great gathering place, the Holy City that had fired the imaginations of prophets and Saints from ages immemorial. Why do we no longer seek for and anticipate such revelations? Why do we behave as though the New Jerusalem no longer matters or that the Lord has changed His mind about Zion? Why are we content with the scattered and dismal condition of those who call themselves members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? Have we been lulled into carnal security? Do we suppose that all is well in Zion? Why do we covenant to consecrate our time, talents, and everything we have or may have to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, for the building up of the Kingdom of God upon the earth and the establishment of Zion if we no longer take seriously the Kingdom of God upon the earth and Zion?
Read the following prophecy by Nephi of old and sincerely consider where our true allegiance lies:
And the Gentiles are lifted up in the pride of their eyes, and have stumbled, because of the greatness of their stumbling block, that they have built up many churches; nevertheless, they put down the power and miracles of God, and preach up unto themselves their own wisdom and their own learning, that they may get gain and grind upon the face of the poor.
And there are many churches built up which cause envyings, and strifes, and malice.
And there are also secret combinations, even as in times of old, according to the combinations of the devil, for he is the founder of all these things; yea, the founder of murder, and works of darkness; yea, and he leadeth them by the neck with a flaxen cord, until he bindeth them with his strong cords forever.
For behold, my beloved brethren, I say unto you that the Lord God worketh not in darkness.
He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him. Wherefore, he commandeth none that they shall not partake of his salvation.
Behold, doth he cry unto any, saying: Depart from me? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; but he saith: Come unto me all ye ends of the earth, buy milk and honey, without money and without price.
Behold, hath he commanded any that they should depart out of the synagogues, or out of the houses of worship? Behold, I say unto you, Nay.
Hath he commanded any that they should not partake of his salvation? Behold I say unto you, Nay; but he hath given it free for all men; and he hath commanded his people that they should persuade all men to repentance.
Behold, hath the Lord commanded any that they should not partake of his goodness? Behold I say unto you, Nay; but all men are privileged the one like unto the other, and none are forbidden.
He commandeth that there shall be no priestcrafts; for, behold, priestcrafts are that men preach and set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world; but they seek not the welfare of Zion.
Behold, the Lord hath forbidden this thing; wherefore, the Lord God hath given a commandment that all men should have charity, which charity is love. And except they should have charity they were nothing. Wherefore, if they should have charity they would not suffer the laborer in Zion to perish.
But the laborer in Zion shall labor for Zion; for if they labor for money they shall perish. (2 Nephi 26:20-31)
Who truly seeks the welfare of Zion as Joseph Smith and these early Saints did? Who truly persuades all men to repentance? Who is truly consecrated to the Kingdom of God and Zion instead of the practicing priestcrafts? Who doesn’t preach and set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world? Gain and the praise of the world seem to be the driving force behind almost every institution that I can think of, including religion, education, business, medicine, government, and everything else.
Who truly obeys the Lord’s great commandment to have charity and love? Who truly labors for Zion, and not for money, and refuses to let the laborer in Zion perish?
The revelation in D&C 52 continues:
Wherefore, verily I say unto you, let my servants Joseph Smith, Jun., and Sidney Rigdon take their journey as soon as preparations can be made to leave their homes, and journey to the land of Missouri.
And inasmuch as they are faithful unto me, it shall be made known unto them what they shall do;
And it shall also, inasmuch as they are faithful, be made known unto them the land of your inheritance.
And inasmuch as they are not faithful, they shall be cut off, even as I will, as seemeth me good. (D&C 52:3-6)
This is amazing. Joseph and Sidney were like Moses and Aaron who led the children of Israel out of Egypt toward the Promised Land. They put their trust in God and went forth not knowing beforehand what the next steps would be. They were led by the Spirit. But they had hope in the promises of the Lord, including His covenant of a land of inheritance. All of the promised blessings were based on their faithfulness.
Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon to Go to Missouri.
As soon as preparations can be made] A journey of a thousand miles, from Kirtland to Independence, during those early days was quite an undertaking.
-5. But if they would be faithful in the performance of that duty, the Lord would reveal to them what to do, from time to time, and also make known to them the location of the land of their inheritance.
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Inasmuch as they are not faithful, they shall be cut off] In the service of God everything depends on faith and faithfulness. Strong faith enables us to remain faithful under all circumstances. (p. 304)
The revelation in D&C 52 continues:
And again, verily I say unto you, let my servant Lyman Wight and my servant John Corrill take their journey speedily;
And also my servant John Murdock, and my servant Hyrum Smith, take their journey unto the same place by the way of Detroit.
And let them journey from thence preaching the word by the way, saying none other things than that which the prophets and apostles have written, and that which is taught them by the Comforter through the prayer of faith.
Let them go two by two, and thus let them preach by the way in every congregation, baptizing by water, and the laying on of the hands by the water’s side.
For thus saith the Lord, I will cut my work short in righteousness, for the days come that I will send forth judgment unto victory.
And let my servant Lyman Wight beware, for Satan desireth to sift him as chaff.
And behold, he that is faithful shall be made ruler over many things. (D&C 52:7-13)
With Joseph and Sidney leading the way, after the pioneering efforts of the first missionaries to the Lamanites, the migration to the center place had begun. If we consider these events in light of the entire history of the Book of Mormon, it makes more sense. Each of the Book of Mormon prophets prayed and looked forward to the time when the Lamanites would receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Their centuries of prayers were finally answered through the Gentiles, through the Prophet Joseph Smith and his associates. The Lord had prepared a way to bless the seed of Lehi through the Gentiles, as Isaiah and other prophets had prophesied. As the early Saints embarked on their journey to the center place, how many of them understood what the Prophet Joseph Smith clearly understood, namely, that they were the instruments of salvation for which generations of Nephite prophets, from Lehi to Moroni had prayed.
These missionary Saints, journeying two by two, preached the word of God along the way. What did the Lord command them to teach? They didn’t preach their own wisdom or promulgate their own theories. They didn’t preach the philosophies of men or the philosophies of men mingled with scripture. They taught nothing other than that which the prophets and apostles wrote, and that which was taught them by the Comforter through the prayer of faith. Joseph Smith and his friends didn’t invent these things or concoct their own religion. They preached the gospel of Jesus Christ in its purity, baptizing and confirming those who believed, in the same pattern of Jesus Christ’s original disciples.
What does it mean that the Lord will cut His work short in righteousness?
Paul, expounding upon Isaiah, taught the same thing to the Romans:
Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:
For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth. (Romans 9:27-28)
The Lord also gave specific warnings and promised specific blessings to the faithful, and in their commentary Smith and Sjodahl shed more light on this topic:
Appointment for the Mission to Missouri.
Saying none other thing, etc.] The Elders mentioned (vv. 7 and 8) were to depart speedily and preach along the route, from the things that were written and which were taught them by the Holy Spirit, through the prayer of faith.
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Let my servant Lyman Wight beware] He had been ordained a High Priest at the Conference and had received a vision. He was a most zealous and successful missionary. He was fearless as a lion in the defense of the Saints, and he was a terror to the enemy. At the April Conference, 1841, he was appointed an Apostle. But, notwithstanding all, there was a flaw in his character which the Lord saw, and of which He warned him in this Revelation. In April, 1844, he was tried before the High Council a Far West for teaching false doctrine. He acknowledged his fault then and was forgiven. But, after the martyrdom of the Prophet, he declared that he would not turn his hand over to be one of the Twelve, and when the Saints went to the Rocky Mountains, as the Prophet Joseph had predicted they would do, he and George Miller led a small company to Texas. Wight died in that State, March 31, 1858. The Lord told him to “beware,” but the warning was forgotten in the hour of greatest danger. (pp. 304-305)
I am grateful to Smith and Sjodahl for their research and commentary, but I would like to learn more about the story of Lyman Wight. I’m not quite as sure as Smith and Sjodahl seem to be that the Saints were destined to settle in the Rocky Mountains and that anyone who followed a different path must have been misled. Wight suffered in prison with the Prophet Joseph Smith. He served several missions for the Lord. He recruited volunteers for and participated in the camp of Israel. He helped build the Nauvoo Temple. He was admitted to the Council of Fifty in May 1844, but later rejected from the council. He was excommunicated a few years after the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith, and he died on his way to Jackson County, Missouri from Texas. But consider the Lord’s promise to Lyman Wight in 1841:
And again, I say unto you that it is my will that my servant Lyman Wight should continue in preaching for Zion, in the spirit of meekness, confessing me before the world; and I will bear him up as on eagles’ wings; and he shall beget glory and honor to himself and unto my name.
That when he shall finish his work I may receive him unto myself, even as I did my servant David Patten, who is with me at this time, and also my servant Edward Partridge, and also my aged servant Joseph Smith, Sen., who sitteth with Abraham at his right hand, and blessed and holy is he, for he is mine. (D&C 124:18-19)
It would be difficult to find a greater promise and blessing than this in all of scripture. No wonder Satan wanted to sift him as chaff. He was a courageous, valiant, and steadfast servant of the Lord who accomplished a great work for the Lord. I wouldn’t be surprised if he now occupies a place on the right hand of God together with Joseph Smith, Senior, Edward Partridge, and others great servants of the Lord.
This is Hoyt W. Brewster, Jr.’s entry on Wight, Lyman in his Doctrine & Covenants Encyclopedia:
The name of Lyman Wight appears in three sections of the Doctrine and Covenants (D&C 52:7, 12; 103:30, 38; 124:18, 62, 70). He was baptized in 1830 and was one of the first to receive the office of high priest. At a conference in Kirtland in June 1831, he testified to seeing the Savior in vision. His faithfulness and courage in the early days of the Church seemingly knew no bounds. When others hesitated, he stepped forth to offer his all. During the persecution of the Saints in Missouri, he was described as “a dread to his enemies and a terror to evil doers.”
Wight shared the confines of Liberty Jail with Joseph and Hyrum Smith during their six months of incarceration and was every ready to defend his leader with his life. Once, when asked to betray the Prophet in order to save his own life, Wight responded: “Shoot and be damned!”
Although not polished and speech and sometimes rough in appearance, Lyman Wight could bear a powerful testimony. During amission to Cincinnati, he worked as a fisherman by day and preached by night. “One evening he went from the fish net to the court house, and stood on the top of a stove barefooted with his trousers rolled up to his knees, and his shirt sleeves up to his elbows, and preached two hours. Some of the people remarked, ‘He preaches the truth, though he does not look much like a preacher.’ “On April 9, 1841, he was called to join the select ranks of the Twelve Apostles, filling a vacancy created by the martyrdom of David W. Patten.
This “wild ram of the mountains” is how Joseph Smith referred to Lyman Wight (HC 7:435). He was one of those fearless men of great physical courage whose fidelity to the Prophet was unquestioned. Yet, as Joseph died on that fateful day in June 1844 and his physical body began the process of natural decay, in a similar fashion a spiritual decay began to take effect in Lyman Wight, for he found it impossible to transfer his loyalties from the man Joseph to the cause for which he stood.
Wight resisted the leadership of Brigham Young, stating he did not believe “the death of Joseph gave one of the twelve a supremacy over the others” (BYUS 17:109-110). “The day was when there was somebody to control me,” declared this errant Apostle, “but that day is past.” Unfortunately, this 1831 warning of the Lord was disregarded: “And let my servant Lyman Wight beware, for Satan desireth to sift him as chaff” (D&C 52:12). Contrary to counsel, Lyman led a colony to Texas and was excommunicated from the Church on December 3, 1848 (Jenson 1:93-96). He died on March 31, 1858. (pp. 636-37)
Why did Wight resist the leadership of Brigham Young? Is it possible that such a faithful, good, and even great man had good reasons for his resistance? I’m not convinced that if Joseph Smith had lived that Wight would have been excommunicated. Neither am I convinced that Wight was not true to Joseph Smith’s cause after he died. I appreciate and learn much from the commentaries of men like Smith, Sjodahl, Brewster, and others, but will they receive as great a reward as Lyman Wight? I think that there is much more to the story of Lyman Wight.
The revelation in D&C 52 continues:
And again, I will give unto you a pattern in all things, that ye may not be deceived; for Satan is abroad in the land, and he goeth forth deceiving the nations—
Wherefore he that prayeth, whose spirit is contrite, the same is accepted of me if he obey mine ordinances.
He that speaketh, whose spirit is contrite, whose language is meek and edifieth, the same is of God if he obey mine ordinances.
And again, he that trembleth under my power shall be made strong, and shall bring forth fruits of praise and wisdom, according to the revelations and truths which I have given you.
And again, he that is overcome and bringeth not forth fruits, even according to this pattern, is not of me.
Wherefore, by this pattern ye shall know the spirits in all cases under the whole heavens.
And the days have come; according to men’s faith it shall be done unto them.
Behold, this commandment is given unto all the elders whom I have chosen. (D&C 52:14-21)
I am grateful that our Lord has given us a pattern in all things to help us to avoid deception. The level of deception in the world is thicker than ever, and it is imperative now, more than ever, that we adhere to the Lord’s simple pattern: pray and speak edifyingly, with meekness and a contrite spirit, obey the Lord’s ordinances, and tremble under His power. Those who are enlightened by the Spirit of God also bring forth fruits of praise and wisdom.
Smith and Sjodahl add their commentary on these verses:
How to Discern Between False and True Spirits.
He that prayeth] Prayer offered by one who spirit is contrite; one who is humble enough to obey God’s ordinances, is accepted of God. “Contrite” means “humble.” “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise” (Psalm 51:17); a broken spirit and contrite heart are those in which the obstinacy of pride has been replaced by the humility of repentance, frequently brought about by sorrow and affliction.
He that speaketh] The hearers may know whether a speaker is from God, by the humility of the spirit and the effect of the words. Are they edifying? If not, they are not from God. Goes the speaker obey God’s ordinances? If not, he is not of God.
Ordinances] Abraham is said to have kept the commandments and ordinances of God (Gen. 26:5, LXX. version). The same is said of Jehoshaphat (II. Chron. 17:4)/ In Hebrews 9:1, “ordinances” means the requirements of the ceremonial law, as distinct from “Commandments,” which refers to moral precepts. The ordinances of the gospel are, more especially, baptism, the laying on of hands for the reception of the Holy Spirit, the sacrament, and the rules and regulations of the Church given by divine inspiration. He who is sent of God obeys God’s ordinances, as well as His commandments. Comp. Sec. 53:3, 6.
He that trembleth] This is another indication of the presence of the Lord, with which the elders of Israel are familiar; for they almost invariably have that experience when they stand before a congregation to address it. The promise is that he who feels his weakness under the power of God shall be made strong and be able to feed those who hear him, with “fruits of praise and wisdom.”
“Often, when I stand up here, I have the feelings of a person that is unable to convey his ideas, because I have not the advantages of language. However, I do not very frequently complain of that, but I rise to do the best I can and to give the people the best I have for them at the time” (Brigham Young, Jour. of Dis., Vol. V., p. 97)
He that is overcome *** is not of me] There were some in these early days who were not fully converted, and their spirits not being contrite they failed in their ministry, and did not follow the pattern of prayer, humility, and faith. Such was the case with James Covill. See Sections 39, 40. (pp. 305-306)
This commentary sounds a bit harsh toward James Covill, but I understand that there is a certain narrative that many LDS scholars and apologists want to uphold. I would much rather suspend judgment on the early Saints and even the investigators who apparently failed, because I’m not sure that we modern members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are, on the whole, doing much better. There are certainly many great and wonderful modern latter-day Saints, but my point is that we each have room for improvement and much to learn from those who laid the foundations for Zion. I agree with most of the rest of Smith’s and Sjodahl’s commentary on these verses, although it looks like they confused broken spirit with broken heart, and contrite heart with contrite spirit. A broken heart and a contrite spirit is the correct phrase. (except perhaps in the one instance in Psalm 51:17)
The revelation in D&C 52 continues:
And again, verily I say unto you, let my servant Thomas B. Marsh and my servant Ezra Thayre take their journey also, preaching the word by the way unto this same land.
And again, let my servant Isaac Morley and my servant Ezra Booth take their journey, also preaching the word by the way unto this same land.
And again, let my servants Edward Partridge and Martin Harris take their journey with my servants Sidney Rigdon and Joseph Smith, Jun.
Let my servants David Whitmer and Harvey Whitlock also take their journey, and preach by the way unto this same land.
And let my servants Parley P. Pratt and Orson Pratt take their journey, and preach by the way, even unto this same land.
And let my servants Solomon Hancock and Simeon Carter also take their journey unto this same land, and preach by the way.
Let my servants Edson Fuller and Jacob Scott also take their journey.
Let my servants Levi W. Hancock and Zebedee Coltrin also take their journey.
Let my servants Reynolds Cahoon and Samuel H. Smith also take their journey.
Let my servants Wheeler Baldwin and William Carter also take their journey.
And let my servants Newel Knight and Selah J. Griffin both be ordained, and also take their journey.
Yea, verily I say, let all these take their journey unto one place, in their several courses, and one man shall not build upon another’s foundation, neither journey in another’s track.
He that is faithful, the same shall be kept and blessed with much fruit. (D&C 52:22-34)
This was a major missionary blitz, combing through the land and effectively thrusting in the sickle to reap. There are many people mentioned in these verses, some of whom we have already begun to study, such as Thomas B. Marsh, Ezra Thayre (see also here), Isaac Morley, Ezra Booth, Edward Partridge, Martin Harris, Sidney Rigdon, Joseph Smith, Jun., David Whitmer, Parley P. Pratt, Orson Pratt, Samuel H. Smith, and Newel Knight. But who were Harvey Whitlock, Solomon Hancock, Simeon Carter, Edson Fuller, Jacob Scott, Levi W. Hancock, Zebedee Coltrin, Reynolds Cahoon, Wheeler Baldwin, William Carter, and Selah J. Griffin?
The brief biographical notes in Lyndon W. Cook’s book The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith are helpful, and the Joseph Smith Papers also contain brief biographical notes for most of these individuals. Smith and Sjodahl also include brief biographical sketches for each of these individuals. Their stories are fascinating and an important part of Church history. Again the Lord promised to bless His faithful servants with safety and with much fruit.
The revelation continues:
And again, I say unto you, let my servants Joseph Wakefield and Solomon Humphrey take their journey into the eastern lands;
Let them labor with their families, declaring none other things than the prophets and apostles, that which they have seen and heard and most assuredly believe, that the prophecies may be fulfilled. (D&C 52:35-36)
There are also brief biographies for Joseph Wakefield and Solomon Humphrey in the aforementioned resources.
The revelation continues:
In consequence of transgression, let that which was bestowed upon Heman Basset be taken from him, and placed upon the head of Simonds Ryder.
And again, verily I say unto you, let Jared Carter be ordained a priest, and also George James be ordained a priest.
Let the residue of the elders watch over the churches, and declare the word in the regions round about them; and let them labor with their own hands that there be no idolatry nor wickedness practiced.
And remember in all things the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted, for he that doeth not these things, the same is not my disciple.
And again, let my servants Joseph Smith, Jun., and Sidney Rigdon and Edward Partridge take with them a recommend from the church. And let there be one obtained for my servant Oliver Cowdery also.
And thus, even as I have said, if ye are faithful ye shall assemble yourselves together to rejoice upon the land of Missouri, which is the land of your inheritance, which is now the land of your enemies. (D&C 52:37-42)
Who were Heman Basset, Simonds Ryder, Jared Carter, and George James? Whomever they were, they had great names. The aforementioned sources contain brief biographies of each of these servants of the Lord.
Miscellaneous Instructions
Simonds Rider] Shortly after this, Rider joined Ezra Booth and the Johnson boys in inflicting the outrage upon the Prophet Joseph and Sidney Rigdon, at Hiram, on the 25th of MArch, 1832 (Andrew Jenson, Hist. Rec., p. 112)
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Labor with their own hands] It is an excellent rule in the Kingdom of God that those who labor in the ministry be independent. For the word of God does not always suit those who are rebuked by it, and if these hold the purse-strings, they are liable to draw them tight and strangle truth. Paul, in his farewell address to the Elders at Ephesus (Acts 20:34, 35), charged them to follow his example in this respect. “Ye yourselves know,” he said, “that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.” I have shown you, he added, that as I have labored to support the weak, so ye ought to labor, and to “remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Paul was a tent-maker, and int has been suggested that he and Philemon were partners in that business (See Philemon 17). It is not displeasing to God if the Saints share temporal blessings with those who minister to them in spiritual things, as long as it is voluntary and an expression of gratitude and love, but to preach for hire is, according to the gospel, to encourage “idolatry” and “wickedness.”
Remember *** the afflicted] This is mandatory upon the Elders as well as the members of the Church.
Let my servants *** take with them a recommend] Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, Edward Partridge, and Oliver Cowdery were appointed by Revelation, but they were also to have some proof that they were sustained by the Church. Some preach, and claim that God has authorized them to do so, because they have a desire to be preachers. The desire, they say, is from God. But even if this were true, they would not be fully qualified until the Church had sustained them, for the law of God is that of “common consent,” and He honors His own law
Land of your inheritance] Missouri is again so designated (See also v. 2) (pp. 310-11)
These verses along with Smith’s and Sjodahl’s commentary help us to better understand what it means to labor for Zion and to become true disciples of Jesus Christ. They also reveal that the Saints were in enemy territory, even though it was also the land of their inheritance.
The revelation in D&C 52 concludes:
And thus, even as I have said, if ye are faithful ye shall assemble yourselves together to rejoice upon the land of Missouri, which is the land of your inheritance, which is now the land of your enemies.
But, behold, I, the Lord, will hasten the city in its time, and will crown the faithful with joy and with rejoicing.
Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and I will lift them up at the last day. Even so. Amen. (D&C 52:42-44)
This is great news, and a prophesy that has yet to be fufilled. Smith and Sjodahl add this insightful commentary:
Christ’s Promise.
Will hasten the city] The Lord assured the Elders about to depart for Missouri, that He would hasten the time for the building of the New Jerusalem, and crown the faithful with joy. He is ready; whenever His people are ready, they may look for the redemption of Zion.
See Sec. 5:35.
General Notes
Lyman Wight was a peculiar character. At times his faith seemed strong enough to move mountains. After the Saints were driven out of Jackson County, into Clay County, volunteers were called for to go to Kirtland to report the situation to the Prophet. Several Elders excused themselves. Lyman Wight volunteered. Asked what the circumstances were in which his family would be placed, he told the Bishop that his wife had been placed by the side of a log in the woods, for shelter, and that she had the child three days old. They had provisions for three days. Under such circumstances he went on a mission to Kirtland, in company with Parley P. Pratt.
On one occasion he was offered any office in the State he would name, if he would swear to a testimony against Joseph Smith. If you do not do it, the tempter added, you will be shot tomorrow at 8 o’clock. Wight replied, “General, you are entirely mistaken in your man, both in regard to myself and Joseph Smith. Joseph Smith is not an enemy to mankind; he is not your enemy, and is as good a friend as you have got. Had it not been for him, you would have been in hell long ago, for I should have sent you there, and no othe r man than Joseph Smith could have prevented me, and you may thank him for your life. And now, if you will give me the boys I brought from Diahman yesterday, I will whip your whole army.” General Wilson said, “Wight, you are a strange man; but if you will not accept my proposal, you will be shot tomorrow morning at eight.” Wight only made the characteristic reply that has become famous, “Shoot and be damned.” (p. 311)
Perhaps leaving your wife by a log with the kids isn’t the best decision, but one can’t help but admire Wight’s courage in the face of persecution.
As I read through the biographies of the people mentioned in this revelation, I was reminded about the School of the Prophets in which several of these men participated. There is so much more to discover about Kirtland and the early history of the Church.