Church History
Joseph Smith’s Revelations, Doctrine and Covenants 53

“Doctrine and Covenants 53,” Joseph Smith’s Revelations: A Doctrine and Covenants Study Companion from the Joseph Smith Papers (2020)

“Doctrine and Covenants 53,” Joseph Smith’s Revelations: A Doctrine and Covenants Study Companion from the Joseph Smith Papers

Doctrine and Covenants 53

Revelation, 8 June 1831

Source Note

Revelation, [Kirtland Township, OH], to Sidney Gilbert, 8 June 1831. Featured version, titled “56th Commandment June 8th. 1831,” copied [ca. June 1831] in Revelation Book 1, pp. 89–90; handwriting of John Whitmer; CHL. Includes redactions. For more information, see the source note for Revelation Book 1 on the Joseph Smith Papers website.

Historical Introduction

Sidney Gilbert, the recipient of this revelation, was Newel K. Whitney’s business partner and an early convert to the church. He may have been present at a 5 June 1831 meeting at which JS taught that “the Elders would have large congregations to speak to and they must soon take there departure into the Reagions west.”1 The next evening, JS dictated a revelation that commissioned a number of elders to accompany him to Missouri, which the text called “the land which I will consecrate unto my People which are a remnant of Jacob & those who are heirs according to the covenant.”2 The 6 June revelation did not name Gilbert among those who should travel to Missouri. JS’s history records that shortly after the reception of that revelation, Gilbert approached JS and requested direction for himself.3 In response, JS dictated this revelation that gave Gilbert assignments in the church, including the instruction to travel to Missouri with JS and Sidney Rigdon. Gilbert left for Missouri on 18 June with JS and Rigdon.4

55 56th Commandment June 8th. 1831

A Revelation to Sidney Gilbert his Call &c5

[1]Behold I say unto you my servent Sidney that I have heard your prayers & ye have called upon me that it should be made known unto you of the lord your God concerning your calling & election in this Church which I the Lord have raised up in these last days [p. 89] [2]Behold I my the Lord who was crusified for the sins of the world giveth unto you a commandment that you shall forsake the world6 [3]take upon you mine ordinances even that of an Elder7 to Preach faith & repentance & remission of sins according to my word & the reception of the Holy spirit by the laying on of hands [4]& also to be an agent unto this Church8 in the Place which shall be appointed by the Bishop according to commandments which shall be given hereafter9 [5]& again verily I say unto you you shall take your Journey with my servent Joseph & sidney [Rigdon] [6]Behold these are the <firist> ordinances which you shall receive & the residue shall be made known unto you in a time to come according to your labour in my vinyard [7]& again I would that ye should learn that it is hi◊ only who is saved that endureth unto the end even so amen

Notes

  1. Hancock, Autobiography, 92. According to Levi Hancock, following the 5 June meeting a group of participants “went to Gilberts” where they talked “with brother Whitnies [Newel K. Whitney] and told him what hapend at the conferance.”

  2. Revelation, 6 June 1831 [D&C 52:2], herein.

  3. JS History, vol. A-1, 121.

  4. William W. Phelps, “Letter No. 6,” Messenger and Advocate, Apr. 1835, 1:97.

  5. John Whitmer likely created this heading when he copied the text into Revelation Book 1.

  6. See New Testament Revision 1, p. 41 [Joseph Smith Translation, Matthew 16:29].

  7. Gilbert’s name is included on a June 1831 list of elders ordained by JS. His ordination likely occurred between 8 and 18 June 1831. (Note on Ordinations, ca. 16 June 1831, in JSP, D1:343.)

  8. Gilbert was the first person to be appointed “an agent unto this Church.” A previous revelation outlined the duties of Bishop Edward Partridge and called for the appointment of an agent: “Let there be an agent appointed unto this people to take the money to provide food & raiment according to the wants of this people.” (Revelation, 20 May 1831 [D&C 51:8], herein.)

  9. Once the elders arrived in Missouri, Gilbert was commanded by revelation to settle there and assist Edward Partridge with the church’s temporal affairs. Specifically, the revelation directed Gilbert to keep a store and act as land agent. (Revelation, 20 July 1831 [D&C 57:6–8], herein.)