August 1, 1831 - D&C 58 was received

[Hemidakota]

August 1, 1831— Jackson County, Missouri. Joseph Smith received D&C 58, a revelation concerning the Saints in their new place of gathering. (History of the Church, 1:191–95)

Historical Setting:

B.H. Roberts - These promises to the Saints respecting Zion; these descriptions given to them of her future sanctified and glorified state; their connection with a work so exalted and far-reaching, was apt to fire their minds with a zeal not always tempered with wisdom. It was in vain that limitations of time and conditions were placed upon these general descriptions of the future greatness and glory of the city of God; nor could they understand that their own relationship to these great things was merely to lay the foundation of them, to locate the site of the future city and temple, and then bear witness of it to the world. Yet that their work in connection with the founding of Zion was chiefly this, is clearly to be seen in the revelations of God to them.

The immediate and triumphant establishment of Zion, though expected by many of the Saints, was nowhere contemplated in the revelations of God to the Church. That hope of immediate establishment and glorification of Zion was the result of faulty deductions from the revelations of God; but the Lord was not blind respecting the events about to take place on the land of Zion, nor did He hold out any false hope to His people had they but read His revelations aright. A few days before the first conference held by the Elders on the land of Zion, the Lord said to them through His Prophet:

These statements, when rightly considered, dispel all notion of the immediate establishment of Zion. The Lord distinctly warns His servants against any such supposition. He predicts "tribulation" before the glory shall come. It is only after "much tribulation" that the blessings are promised. (HC, Vol. 3, Introduction, pp. xxxiv-xxxvi)

Joseph Smith, Jun. - The first Sabbath after our arrival in Jackson county, Brother W. W. Phelps preached to a western audience over the boundary of the United States, wherein were present specimens of all the families of the earth; Shem, Ham, and Japeth; several of the Lamanites or Indians—representative of Shem; quite a respectable number of Negroes—descendants of Ham; and the balance was made up of citizens of the surrounding country, and fully represented themselves as pioneers of the West. At this meeting two were baptized, who had previously believed in the fullness of the Gospel.

During this week the Colesville branch, referred to in the latter part of the last revelation [sec. 57:15], and Sidney Rigdon, Sidney Gilbert and wife and Elders Morley and Booth, arrived, I received the following. [sec. 58, follows.] (HC 1:190-91, August 1, 1831, Zion, Jackson County, Missouri.)

Background Narration:

Joseph Fielding Smith

That Zion was to be established and the city built at once was evidently the idea possessed by some of the Saints. . . . That the city was not to be built at that time is indicated in his word: [sec. 58:3-7, quoted.]

From this we see that the glory and greatness of the city Zion was reserved for the future; although in the scriptural sense, the time "is nigh at hand." (Essentials in Church History, 1950, p. 131.)

Steven Harper

"The revelation implied that the enjoyment of Zion lay in the future." Three times in its first four verses Doctrine and Covenants 58 warns of "tribulation"?or "much tribulation" before the establishment of Zion. The revelation tempers the Saints' zeal even as it points to the promised land.

Indeed, the revelation launches into a grand vision of Zion's preparing a feast to which all nations should be invited. "First, the rich and the learned, the wise and the noble; and after that cometh the day of my power; then shall the poor, the lame, and the blind, and the deaf, come in unto the marriage of the Lamb, and partake of the supper of the Lord, prepared for the great day to come" (vv. 10–11). These first few Saints called to Zion have the privilege of laying its foundation and testifying of its potential. Their calling is to pioneer.

Beginning at verse 14, the revelation gives specific instructions to the men called to build Zion. Bishop Edward Partridge questioned Joseph's expansive vision of Zion when there was so little evidence to support it. "I see it, and it will be so," Joseph replied. Section 58 calls Bishop Partridge to repent of his skepticism and reiterates his commission to implement the law of consecration, divide the land, and give the Saints their inheritances. Doing so will not violate local laws (see D&C 51). In fact, by keeping the Lord's laws as set forth in section 42, the Saints will be living in accordance with the law of the land.

The Lord commands Bishop Partridge to move his family to Missouri and, to make the point that Bishop Partridge could do as he thought best, gives one of the most important scriptural texts on the nature of agency and accountability. God gives individuals agency—power to decide whether they will do God's will and obtain the promised reward or disobey God's will and be damned. The Lord fulfills his promises. If they are not fulfilled, it is not the Lord's fault but the fault of the agents who choose not to use their agency to keep the terms and conditions upon which his promises are predicated.

The Lord commands Martin Harris to be the first to consecrate his resources to the bishop for the establishment of Zion. Then the arrogant, talented William Phelps is commanded to repent of his self-centered striving, and the Lord gives the rules of repentance: He forgives the repentant and forgets their sins. "By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins—behold, he will confess them and forsake them" (D&C 58:43). Knowing that Ziba Peterson thought he could hide his sins and not confess them, the Lord commands that Ziba be stripped of his preaching license and his priesthood responsibilities until he repents according to these terms (v. 60).

"The elders themselves were told not to move to Zion. Their assignment for now was to funnel people from the ends of the earth—and to do it cautiously." The Lord tells the elders it will be "many years" before they "receive their inheritance" in Zion (v. 44).

In the meantime, however, the Lord calls for an agent in Ohio to receive consecrated money with which to buy land in Missouri (v. 49); in a later revelation he calls Newel Whitney to this task (D&C 63:42–45). The Lord calls Sidney Rigdon to write a description of the land and a statement declaring the word of God concerning Zion, both of which are to be presented to the Saints to raise needed funds. Money will have to be raised and land obtained before the Saints gather to Missouri. The Lord calls for Sidney Rigdon to dedicate Zion and for a conference to be held, after which Joseph, Sidney, and Oliver Cowdery are to return to Ohio. The elders still en route from Ohio are to hold a conference after arriving. Bishop Partridge is to preside at the conference, and the elders are then to return home, "preaching the gospel by the way, bearing record of the things which [were] revealed unto them" (D&C 58:63). The revelation ends by focusing not on the site for Zion but on the elders' responsibility to "go forth from this place into all the world, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth—the gospel must be preached unto every creature, with signs following them that believe" (v. 64). (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, August 1, 1831. HC 1: 190–195. On the first Sabbath after the arrival of the Prophet and party in Jackson County, Missouri, a religious service was held and two members were received by baptism. During that week, members of the Colesville saints from the Thompson Branch and others arrived. Many were eager to learn the will of the Lord concerning them in the new place of gathering.

1–5, Those who endure tribulation shall be crowned with glory; 6–12, The saints are to prepare for the marriage of the Lamb and the Supper of the Lord; 13–18, Bishops are judges in Israel; 19–23, The saints are to obey the laws of the land; 24–29, Men should use their agency to do good; 30–33, The Lord commands and revokes; 34–43, To repent, men must confess and forsake their sins; 44–58, The saints are to purchase their inheritance and gather in Missouri; 59–65, The gospel must be preached unto every creature.

Versus amount: 65

Suggested link: D&C 41, 52, & 57

Summary and Conclusion: This revelation has provided insights as to the will of the Lord concerning the land of Zion and His people. Those who adhere to the teachings contained in this revelation will be assisted in preparing to live in a society of Zion. Such people will always be approved of the Lord. (Sacred Truths of the Doctrine and Covenants, vol. 1 by L. G. Otten, C. M. Caldwell, p.261)