July 20, 1831 - D&C 57 was received

[Hemidakota]

July 20, 1831— Jackson County, Missouri. Joseph Smith received D&C 57, a revelation concerning the building up of Zion in Independence, Missouri. (Daily Events in the Life of Joseph Smith)

Historical Setting:

George Q. Cannon

As rapidly as possible they [the Prophet and his party] journeyed by wagon and stage and occasionally by canal boat to Cincinnati, Ohio. From the latter point they went to Louisville, Kentucky, by steamer, . . . they reached St. Louis by steamer, and there made a brief pause. From this city on the Mississippi, the Prophet of God walked across the entire state of Missouri to Independence, Jackson County, a distance of nearly three hundred miles as traveled. This journey through the blazing heat of June and July [1831] was sweet to Joseph. There was a charm about it which lightened toil. The pains and burdens were unworthy of notice in the delightful anticipation of seeing the land for which the Lord, as had been shown to him by vision and prophecy [sec. 57:1-3 commentary], had reserved so glorious a future. It was about the middle of July when the Prophet and his party reached Independence. During the month of their journey Joseph had taught the gospel, in the cities, the villages and the country places, in vigor and simplicity. (Life of Joseph Smith, 1907, pp. 96-97)

Joseph Smith, Jun. - The meeting of our brethren, [in Missouri] who had long awaited our arrival, was a glorious one, and moistened with many tears. It seemed good and pleasant for brethren to meet together in unity. But our reflections were many, coming as we had from a highly cultivated state of society in the east, and standing now upon the confines or western limits of the United States, and looking into the vast wilderness of those that sat in darkness; how natural it was to observe the degradation, leanness of intellect, ferocity, and jealousy of a people that were nearly a century behind the times, and to feel for those who roamed about without the benefit of civilization, refinement, or religion; yea, and exclaim in the language of the Prophets: "When will the wilderness blossom as the rose? When will Zion be built up in her glory, and where will Thy temple stand, unto which all nations shall come in the last days?" Our anxiety was soon relieved by receiving the following . . . (HC, Vol. 1, p. 189)

Background Narration:

Joseph Fielding Smith

“. . . When the Prophet Joseph and his brethren arrived in Jackson County they were all anxious for the Lord to make known to them the location for the city of Zion—New Jerusalem. In answer to their pleading they received the revelation (Sec. 57). . .” (CHMR, Vol. 1, p. 188)

Steven Harper

Doctrine and Covenants 57 is the first revelation Joseph received in Missouri. After receiving the commandment in section 52 to travel to Missouri from Ohio, Joseph spent two weeks preparing and a month in making the long journey. He told the story in an 1835 church newspaper editorial:

"Having received, by an heavenly vision a commandment [D&C 52], in June [1831] . . . , to take my journey to the western boundaries of the State of Missouri, and there designate the very spot, which was to be the central spot, for the commencement of the gathering together of those who embrace the fulness of the everlasting gospel—I accordingly undertook the journey with certain ones of my brethren, and, after a long and tedious journey, suffering many privations and hardships, I arrived in Jackson county Missouri."

Mindful of the prophecies of Isaiah, Joseph asked the Lord for details concerning their fulfillment: "When will the wilderness blossom as the rose; when will Zion be built up in her glory, and where will thy Temple stand unto which all nations shall come in the last days?" Joseph described how the Lord answered with section 57 to have, among other Zion-building initiatives, Bishop Edward Partridge and Sidney Gilbert purchase land: "After viewing the country, seeking diligently at the hand of God, he manifested himself unto me, and designated to me and others, the very spot upon which he designed to commence the work of the gathering, and the upbuilding of an holy city, which should be called Zion:—Zion because it is to be a place of righteousness, and all who build thereon, are to worship the true and living God—and all believe in one doctrine even the doctrine of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

The Lord identifies Independence, Missouri, as the site for the city of Zion, the land he has appointed and consecrated for the gathering of the Saints in Doctrine and Covenants 57 . It is the promised land. Indeed, the Lord specifies the very place he has chosen for the temple, directing Joseph to a spot just a few blocks west of the courthouse. He urges the Saints to purchase that land and every other tract they can in Independence and what is now Kansas City, Missouri, all the way to the territory created for Native Americans in 1831.

The Lord commands Bishop Edward Partridge to continue carrying out his duties as outlined in Doctrine and Covenants 41, 42, and 51. The Lord appoints Sidney Gilbert as the bishop's real estate agent, directing him to establish a store and use the revenue to buy land. Gilbert is also to obtain a license from the Indian agents that would permit him to sell supplies to the Native Americans. The idea is that he would receive government subsidies for that purpose, providing employment and resources for the Saints and opening opportunities for preaching the gospel to the Native Americans.

The Lord appoints William Phelps as the Church's printer, commanding him to set up shop in Independence and use his skills to obtain as much money as he righteously can to build Zion. Oliver Cowdery is to assist him. The Lord commands these four men to become "planted" (D&C 57:14) in Independence as soon as possible, along with their families, to begin building Zion. They are to prepare for the gathering of the Saints and to provide inheritances for them as they arrive. The Lord promises to provide further directions to that end.

Sidney Rigdon dedicated the land of Zion on August 2, 1831, and Joseph dedicated its temple site the following day. Bishop Partridge bought the sixty-three acres that included this site and accumulated more than two thousand acres in the area. These he technically owned, but he deeded them as stewardships to Latter-day Saints for their inheritances as Doctrine and Covenants 51 and 57 instructed him to do. Sidney Gilbert established a store across the street from the courthouse the Lord mentioned, and William Phelps established a printing office just down the street. These men and their families went to work to build New Jerusalem.

When part of the printing office was destroyed two years later and Bishop Partridge dragged from his home to be tarred and feathered on the courthouse square, it was not because a few Mormons had created hard feelings among the Missourians. It was because the men named in section 57 and their families were doing exactly what the revelation commanded them to do: printing the Lord's revelations, legally buying the Lord's land to provide inheritances for his people, and operating a store to facilitate the gathering of Israel. Having violently attacked the Saints, a group of antagonistic citizens drafted a "Memorandum of agreement" between them. It stipulated that the Saints stop doing what section 57 commanded them to do: "Remove with their families out of this county . . . to advise and try all means in their power to stop any more of their sect from moving to this county. . . . Gilbert may sell out his merchandise now on hand, but is to make no new importation.

"The Star [the Church's newspaper in which revelations and news were published] is not again to be published nor a press set up by any of the society in this county."

The antagonistic Missourians hated Zion. No wonder the Lord had called them "enemies" (D&C 52:42). (Making Sense of the Doctrine and Covenants

by Steven C. Harper)

Section Header Notes: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, in Zion, Jackson County, Missouri, July 20, 1831. HC 1: 189–190. In compliance with the Lord’s command (Section 52), the elders had journeyed from Kirtland to Missouri with many varied experiences and some opposition. In contemplating the state of the Lamanites and the lack of civilization, refinement, and religion among the people generally, the Prophet exclaimed in yearning prayer: “When will the wilderness blossom as the rose? When will Zion be built up in her glory, and where will thy Temple stand, unto which all nations shall come in the last days?” Subsequently he received this revelation.

1–3, Independence, Missouri, is the place for the City of Zion and the temple; 4–7, The saints are to purchase lands and receive inheritances in that area; 8–16, Sidney Gilbert is to establish a store, W. W. Phelps is to be a printer, and Oliver Cowdery is to edit material for publication.

Versus amount: 16

Suggested link: D&C 36 & 52

Summary and Conclusion: When the Lord gave this revelation, He revealed two important facts pertaining to the establishment of Zion:

1. The location of the center place

2. The inclusion of a temple in the establishing of Zion

In addition to these two facts, the Lord counseled us to receive wisdom. (See D&C 57:3) What wisdom should we receive? Whether we are building the center place of Zion, or building up any of the stakes of Zion, or strengthening the family units in Zion, an essential truth prevails: There will only be a Zion place, organization, and people when there is a temple constructed and the Saints are endowed with the power of God therein. May we be wise enough to understand and receive the values of having access to the blessings of the temples in Zion. (Sacred Truths of the Doctrine and Covenants, vol. 1 by L. G. Otten, C. M. Caldwell):