June 16,1831 - D&C 55 was received

[Hemidakota]

June 16,1831— Kirtland, Ohio. Joseph Smith received D&C 55, a revelation calling William W. Phelps to preach the gospel and to assist in making books of instruction for the children of the Church. (History of the Church, 1:180–81)

Historical Setting: Sometime during or slightly before the end of the conference on 6 June 1831, a nonmember named William Wines Phelps arrived in Kirtland with his family from Canandaigua, New York, and presented himself to the Prophet Joseph "to do the will of the Lord. "W. W. Phelps had earlier purchased a copy of the Book of Mormon from Parley P. Pratt and had in the meantime become convinced of the truth of the Restoration. Before moving to Kirtland, William Phelps had been a newspaper editor and publisher. When Joseph inquired the will of the Lord concerning Brother Phelps, he received the answer now recorded as Doctrine and Covenants 55.

W. W. Phelps brought great talent to the early Saints. His experience as a writer, editor, and publisher qualified him for the call issued here and helped him in his subsequent calling as publisher of the Church's first newspaper, The Evening and the Morning Star, in Missouri. Brother Phelps also wrote the lyrics to many favorite LDS hymns, including "Gently Raise the Sacred Strain," "Praise to the Man," and "The Spirit of God."

According to the Far West Record, W. W. Phelps (see D&C 55:2) and A. Sidney Gilbert (see D&C 53:3) were ordained elders by Joseph Smith on 6 June 1831, together with several others. It follows that sections 53 and 55, which accompanied those ordinations, ought to be dated together sometime on or before 6 June. Since Doctrine and Covenants 54 deals with events that probably took place after 6 June, it is likely that Doctrine and Covenants 55 is out of its correct chronological order, belonging properly with section 53 and prior to section 54. (A Commentary on the Doctrine and Covenants, Vol. 2 by H. Dean Garrett, Stephen E. Robinson)

Joseph Smith, Jun. - About the middle of June, while we were preparing for our journey to Missouri, William W. Phelps and his family arrived among us—"to do the will of the Lord," he said: so I inquired of the Lord concerning him and received the following. . . (HC, Vol. 1, pp. 184-185)

Background Narration:

Hyrum M. Smith and Janne M. Sjodahl - About the middle of June, 1831, William W. Phelps with his family, arrived in Kirtland. He was born at Hanover, Morris County, N.J., February 17th, 1792. In the State of New York he had edited a newspaper and taken an active part in politics. In Missouri, whither he went in company with the Prophet Joseph, he founded The Evening and Morning Star, a monthly magazine devoted to the interests of the Church, and published by the Church. Its first number appeared at Independence, June, 1832. The printing office was destroyed by a mob in July, 1833, but in the following December another printing office was established at Kirtland, and the publication of the Star was resumed there. Phelps, in 1837, was appointed to act, with David and John Whitmer, as a President of the Church in Zion. In 1848 he came to Utah, where he attained some prominence. He assisted in the drafting of the Constitution of Deseret, and became preceptor in the University. He died in Salt Lake City, March 7th, 1872, eighty years of age. Many inspiring hymns, popular among the Latter-day Saints, were composed by him. (DCC, p. 317)

Andrew Jenson: - At a meeting held in Far West, Missouri, Feb. 6, 1838, Wm. W. Phelps and his co-laborers in the presidency were rejected by the saints in the Carter settlement, Missouri. Other branches of the Church subsequently voted the same way. During the sessions of the court of inquiry held at Richmond, Mo., in November, 1838, Wm. W. Phelps, who had become bitter in his feelings, was among those who testified against the Church leaders. He was finally excommunicated from the Church at a conference held at Quincy, Illinois, March 17, 1839, but early in 1841 he was received back into fellowship in the Church . . . (LDSBE, Vol. 3, p. 695)

Section Header Notes: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to William W. Phelps, at Kirtland, Ohio, June 1831. HC 1: 184–186. William W. Phelps, a printer, and his family had just arrived at Kirtland, and the Prophet sought the Lord for information concerning him.

1–3, W. W. Phelps is called and chosen to be baptized, ordained an elder, and preach the gospel; 4, He is also to write books for children in church schools; 5–6, He is to travel to Missouri, which will be the area of his labors.

Versus amount: 6

Suggested link: D&C 53, 54

Summary and Conclusion: We have learned from this section that the most important thing in our life is to properly seek for and obtain a remission of sins through the atonement of Jesus Christ. Thus, we can be sanctified and stand approved of Him. (Sacred Truths of the Doctrine and Covenants , vol. 1, by L. G. Otten, C. M. Caldwell)

Edited June 16, 2010 by Hemidakota

[Hemidakota]

The Letter:

BROTHER JOSEPH:—I am alive, and with the help of God I mean to live still. I am as the prodigal son, though I never doubt or disbelieve the fulness of the Gospel. I have been greatly abused and humbled, and I blessed the God of Israel when I lately read your prophetic blessing on my head, as follows:

"The Lord will chasten him because he taketh honor to himself, and when his soul is greatly humbled he will forsake the evil. Then shall the light of the Lord break upon him as at noonday and in him shall be no darkness."

- I have seen the folly of my way, and I tremble at the gulf I have passed. So it is, and why I know not. I prayed and God answered, but what could I do? Says I, "I will repent and live, and ask my old brethren to forgive me, and though they chasten me to death, yet I will die with them, for their God is my God. The least place with them is enough for me, yea, it is bigger and better than all Babylon." Then I dreamed that I was in a large house with many mansions, with you and Hyrum and Sidney, and when it was said, "Supper must be made ready," by one of the cooks, I saw no meat, but you said there was plenty, and you showed me much, and as good as I ever saw; and while cutting to cook, your heart and mine beat within us, and we took each other's hand and cried for joy, and I awoke and took courage.

I know my situation, you know it, and God knows it, and I want to be saved if my friend will help me. Like the captain that was cast away on a desert island; when he got off he went to sea again, and made his fortune the next time, so let my lot be. I have done wrong and I am sorry. The beam is in my own eye. I have not walked along with my friends according to my holy anointing. I ask forgiveness in the name of Jesus Christ of all the Saints, for I will do right, God helping me. I want your fellowship; if you cannot grant that, grant me your peace and friendship, for we are brethren, and our communion used to be sweet, and whenever the Lord brings us together again, I will make all the satisfaction on every point that Saints or God can require. Amen. (HC, Vol. 4, pp. 141-142)

In response to the above letter, Joseph Smith wrote a letter to William W. Phelps. In his letter, the Prophet expressed his personal feelings regarding the petition he had received. We call attention to the manner in which the prophet of the living God represented the Savior in handling this case. The following is a copy of the letter of Joseph Smith dated July 22, 1840, written at Nauvoo, Illinois (Sacred Truths of the Doctrine and Covenants , vol. 1, by L. G. Otten, C. M. Caldwell):

Dear Brother Phelps:—I must say that it is with no ordinary feelings I endeavor to write a few lines to you in answer to yours of the 29th ultimo; at the same time I am rejoiced at the privilege granted me.

You may in some measure realize what my feelings as well as Elder Rigdon's and Brother Hyrum's were, when we read your letter—truly our hearts were melted into tenderness and compassion when we ascertained your resolves, etc. I can assure you I feel a disposition to act on your case in a manner that will meet the approbation of Jehovah, (whose servant I am), and agreeable to the principles of truth and righteousness which have been revealed; and inasmuch as long-suffering, patience, and mercy have ever characterized the dealing of our Heavenly Father towards the humble and penitent, I feel disposed to copy the example, cherish the same principles, and by so doing be a savior of my fellow men.

It is true, that we have suffered much in consequence of your behavior—the cup of gall, already full enough for mortals to drink, was indeed filled to overflowing when you turned against us. One with whom we had oft taken sweet counsel together, and enjoyed many refreshing seasons from the Lord—"had it been an enemy, we could have borne it." "In the day that thou stoodest on the other side, in the day when strangers carried away captive his forces, and foreigners entered into his gates, and cast lots upon [Far West], even thou wast as one of them; but thou shouldest not have looked on the day of thy brother, in the day that he became a stranger, neither shouldst thou have spoken proudly in the day of distress."

However, the cup has been drunk, the will of our Father has been done, and we are yet alive, for which we thank the Lord. And having been delivered from the hands of wicked men by the mercy of our God, we say it is your privilege to be delivered from the powers of the adversary, be brought into the liberty of God's dear children, and again take your stand among the Saints of the Most High, and by diligence, humility, and love unfeigned, commend yourself to our God, and your God, and to the Church of Jesus Christ.

Believing your confession to be real, and your repentance genuine, I shall be happy once again to give you the right hand of fellowship, and rejoice over the returning prodigal.

Your letter was read to the Saints last Sunday and an expression of their feeling was taken, when it was unanimously Resolved, that W.W. Phelps should be received into fellowship.

"Come on, dear brother, since the war is past,

For friends at first, are friends again at last."

Yours as ever,

Joseph Smith, Jun.(HC, Vol. 4, pp. 162-164)