Doctrine and Covenants 105
Historical Context
From early May to June 1834, Joseph Smith marched to Missouri with the Camp of Israel, or Zion’s Camp, in an attempt to bring help to the beleaguered Saints in Zion. Once the relief expedition arrived in Missouri, however, they discovered that Daniel Dunklin, the governor of Missouri, was reluctant to call out the state militia to assist Zion’s Camp in helping the Saints return to their homes in Jackson County. One local resident informed the camp leaders that “should they cross the river” in Jackson County, “there will be a battle, and probably much blood shed.” With tensions rising, Joseph Smith and other Church leaders issued a declaration stating, “It is not our intentions to commence hostilities against any man or body of men; it is not our intention to injure any ma[n]’s person or property, except in defending ourselves.” They added, “We are anxious for a settlement of the difficulties existing between us upon honorable and constitutional principles.”
The day after this declaration was issued, Joseph Smith called a council to determine the next steps that they should take. Some of the men of the camp were anxious to fight; others were hesitant to go forward without the help of the governor and the local militia. During the council, Joseph Smith received this revelation that provided guidance to the men and women of the camp. The Lord counseled the camp members that Zion could not be redeemed with violence and instructed them instead to dissolve the camp and make preparations to return to Kirtland.
See “Historical Introduction,” Revelation, 22 June 1834 [D&C 105].
Verse-by-Verse Commentary
D&C 105:1–5
1 Verily I say unto you who have assembled yourselves together that you may learn my will concerning the redemption of mine afflicted people—
2 Behold, I say unto you, were it not for the transgressions of my people, speaking concerning the church and not individuals, they might have been redeemed even now.
3 But behold, they have not learned to be obedient to the things which I required at their hands, but are full of all manner of evil, and do not impart of their substance, as becometh saints, to the poor and afflicted among them;
4 And are not united according to the union required by the law of the celestial kingdom;
5 And Zion cannot be built up unless it is by the principles of the law of the celestial kingdom; otherwise I cannot receive her unto myself.
Speaking to Church members collectively, the Lord declares that they are not yet ready to redeem Zion. The revelation directly states that “Zion cannot be built up unless it is by the principles of the law of the celestial kingdom” (D&C 105:4). As evidence of their inability to build Zion, the Lord cited that the Saints had failed to impart of their substance to the poor and afflicted among them (D&C 105:3). This was not a condemnation of all the Saints, especially the men and women who sacrificed to travel with Zion’s Camp, but many members of the Church were not living the principles of Zion, and therefore was not ready to build Zion.
While we do not condemn the Saints of the time for their failings, it is clear that in several ways they fell short. First, while the Lord had originally called for as many as five hundred men to assist in Zion’s Camp, Joseph Smith set out with barely one hundred men, gathering a final total of around two hundred. There were contentions and problems along the way to Missouri, and eventually a scourge of cholera came upon the camp.
Some of the Saints in Missouri also failed to impart of their substance to the members of Zion’s Camp. Heber C. Kimball relates an experience that occurred when the members of the camp were suffering from an outbreak of cholera:
While we were here [Clay County, Missouri], the brethren being in want of some refreshment, Brother Luke Johnson went to Brother Burgett to get a fowl, asking him for one to make a broth for Elder Wilcox and others; but Brother Burgett denied him it, saying “in a few days we expect to return back into Jackson County, and I shall want them when I get there.” When Brother Johnson returned he was so angry at Burgett for refusing him, he said, “I have a great mind to take my rifle and go back and shoot his horse.” I told Luke to never mind, that such actions never fail to bring their reward.
Judge how we felt, after having left the society of our beloved families, taking our lives in our hands and traveling about one thousand miles through scenes of suffering and sorrow, for the benefit of our brethren, and after all to be denied of a small fowl to make a little soup for brethren in the agonies of death. Such things never fail to bring their reward, and it would do well for the saints never to turn away a brother who is penniless and in want, or a stranger, lest they may one day or other want a friend themselves.
D&C 105:6–13
6 And my people must needs be chastened until they learn obedience, if it must needs be, by the things which they suffer.
7 I speak not concerning those who are appointed to lead my people, who are the first elders of my church, for they are not all under this condemnation;
8 But I speak concerning my churches abroad—there are many who will say: Where is their God? Behold, he will deliver them in time of trouble, otherwise we will not go up unto Zion, and will keep our moneys.
9 Therefore, in consequence of the transgressions of my people, it is expedient in me that mine elders should wait for a little season for the redemption of Zion—
10 That they themselves may be prepared, and that my people may be taught more perfectly, and have experience, and know more perfectly concerning their duty, and the things which I require at their hands.
11 And this cannot be brought to pass until mine elders are endowed with power from on high.
12 For behold, I have prepared a great endowment and blessing to be poured out upon them, inasmuch as they are faithful and continue in humility before me.
13 Therefore it is expedient in me that mine elders should wait for a little season, for the redemption of Zion.
It is possible that the “little season” (D&C 105:13) at question here may have been only two years, or until the time the Kirtland Temple was dedicated in March 1836. The endowment of power referred to in verse 11 consisted of the washings and anointings given to the elders of the Church when the Kirtland temple was dedicated. Later, the Lord gave the fulness of the endowment to Joseph Smith before the Nauvoo temple was built, and then the endowment ceremony was offered to the larger membership of the the Church. In addition, a Pentecostal outpouring at the time of the Kirtland Temple’s dedication strengthened the Saints.
If the Saints had managed to build on the blessings given during the dedication of the Kirtland temple and its accompanying version of the endowment, it is possible that the redemption of Zion may have come much sooner. However, soon after the Kirtland Temple was dedicated, contention and strife disrupted the Church in Kirtland. Many Kirtland members fell into apostasy, and the Saints in Ohio who remained faithful to the Church were forced to flee to Missouri for sanctuary.
D&C 105:14–19
14 For behold, I do not require at their hands to fight the battles of Zion; for, as I said in a former commandment, even so will I fulfil—I will fight your battles.
15 Behold, the destroyer I have sent forth to destroy and lay waste mine enemies; and not many years hence they shall not be left to pollute mine heritage, and to blaspheme my name upon the lands which I have consecrated for the gathering together of my saints.
16 Behold, I have commanded my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., to say unto the strength of my house, even my warriors, my young men, and middle-aged, to gather together for the redemption of my people, and throw down the towers of mine enemies, and scatter their watchmen;
17 But the strength of mine house have not hearkened unto my words.
18 But inasmuch as there are those who have hearkened unto my words, I have prepared a blessing and an endowment for them, if they continue faithful.
19 I have heard their prayers, and will accept their offering; and it is expedient in me that they should be brought thus far for a trial of their faith.
The Lord’s declaration that He would “fight the battles of Zion” (D&C 105:14) was met with mixed emotions among the members of the camp. William Cahoon recalls, “Many in the camp murmured because we were not permitted at this time to restore our Brethren & Sisters to their Homes and defend them there at all hazards.” George A. Smith, a future apostle, remarked that “several of the brethren apostatized because they were not going to have the privilege of fighting.” Nathan Tanner, another camp member, recalls that some declared “they had rather die than to return without a fight” and then “gave vent to their wrath on a patch of pawpaw brush” some distance from the camp, mowing it “down like grass.” But to Nathan this revelation “was the most acceptable to [him] of anything [he] had ever heard before, the gospel being the exception.”
The prophecy about the “destroyer” who is sent forth to lay waste to the enemies of the Church (D&C 105:15) was partially fulfilled during the Civil War. Church Historian B. H. Roberts cites a history of the Civil War in Missouri by a local clergyman, W. M. Leftwich, who writes, “The warfare at home [Missouri] presented scenes of outrage and horror unsurpassed by anything in the annals of civilized warfare, if, indeed, there can be such a thing as civilized warfare, for everything about it is intensely savage . . . Between the ‘jayhawkers’ of Kansas and the ‘bushwackers’ of Missouri some whole counties were plundered, some were desolated by fire and sword, and some were almost depopulated.” Although Missouri never seceded from the Union during the Civil War, two significant battles took place in Independence, Missouri. Some of the bloodiest fighting in the second battle of Independence took place on the temple lot itself.
D&C 105:20–26
20 And now, verily I say unto you, a commandment I give unto you, that as many as have come up hither, that can stay in the region round about, let them stay;
21 And those that cannot stay, who have families in the east, let them tarry for a little season, inasmuch as my servant Joseph shall appoint unto them;
22 For I will counsel him concerning this matter, and all things whatsoever he shall appoint unto them shall be fulfilled.
23 And let all my people who dwell in the regions round about be very faithful, and prayerful, and humble before me, and reveal not the things which I have revealed unto them, until it is wisdom in me that they should be revealed.
24 Talk not of judgments, neither boast of faith nor of mighty works, but carefully gather together, as much in one region as can be, consistently with the feelings of the people;
25 And behold, I will give unto you favor and grace in their eyes, that you may rest in peace and safety, while you are saying unto the people: Execute judgment and justice for us according to law, and redress us of our wrongs.
26 Now, behold, I say unto you, my friends, in this way you may find favor in the eyes of the people, until the army of Israel becomes very great.
The Lord counsels the Saints to be cautious in their dealings with the local settlers. He instructs the members of Zion’s Camp to “talk not of judgment, neither boast of faith, nor of mighty works,” to “carefully gather together,” and to act “consistently with the feelings of the people” (D&C 105:24). Shortly after this revelation was given, the Lord meted out His punishment upon Zion’s Camp because of their disobedience. Joseph Smith later writes:
While we were refreshing ourselves and teams, about the middle of the day, I got up on a wagon wheel, called the people together, and said that I would deliver a prophecy. After giving the brethren much good advice, exhorting them to faithfulness and humility; I said the Lord had revealed to me that there would a scourge come upon the camp in consequence of the fractious and unruly spirits that appeared among them, and they should die like sheep with the rot: still, if they would repent and humble themselves before the Lord, the scourge, in a great measure, might be turned away; but, as the Lord lives, this camp will-suffer for giving way to their unruly temper.
Just a few days after Doctrine and Covenants 105 was given, the scourge appeared in the form of a cholera epidemic that swept through the camp. For Heber C. Kimball, this was the most harrowing part of the march of Zion’s Camp. “The destroyer came upon us as we had been warned by the servant of God,” he later recalls. “About 12 o’clock at night we began to hear the cries of those who were seized with the cholera, and they fell before the destroyer. Even those on guard fell with their guns in their hands to the ground, and we had to exert ourselves considerably to attend to the sick, for they fell on every hand.” Kimball later remembers:
At this scene my feelings were beyond expression. Those only who witnessed it, can realize any thing of the nature of our sufferings, and I felt to weep and pray to the Lord, that he would spare my life that I might behold my dear family again. I felt to covenant with my brethren, and I felt in my heart never to commit another sin while I lived. We felt to sit and weep over our brethren, and so great was our sorrow that we could have washed them with our tears, to realize that they had travelled 1000 miles through so much fatigue to lay down their lives for our brethren.
By the time the epidemic subsided, thirteen members of the camp died, as well as two other members of the Church who were living in Missouri. Among those who died were Jesse J. Smith, a young cousin of the Prophet; Phebe Murdock, the daughter of John Murdock (see D&C 99); and Algernon Sidney Gilbert, one of the key leaders of the Church in Missouri (see D&C 53).
D&C 105:27–30
27 And I will soften the hearts of the people, as I did the heart of Pharaoh, from time to time, until my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and mine elders, whom I have appointed, shall have time to gather up the strength of my house,
28 And to have sent wise men, to fulfil that which I have commanded concerning the purchasing of all the lands in Jackson county that can be purchased, and in the adjoining counties round about.
29 For it is my will that these lands should be purchased; and after they are purchased that my saints should possess them according to the laws of consecration which I have given.
30 And after these lands are purchased, I will hold the armies of Israel guiltless in taking possession of their own lands, which they have previously purchased with their moneys, and of throwing down the towers of mine enemies that may be upon them, and scattering their watchmen, and avenging me of mine enemies unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me.
Even after the Saints were driven out of Jackson County through violent means, the Lord stands firm in His instructions that the lands of Zion should be obtained through the peaceful means of legal purchases. He also mentions that the land would be obtained through following the “laws of consecration” (D&C 105:29), or the principles of cooperation and sacrifice given throughout the revelations . The Lord intended for the armies of Israel to be guiltless in obtaining the land. They were not to resort to the same kind of violence that their enemies had used against them.
For modern Saints, the question of the recovery of Zion is about more than just recapturing the lands belonging to our forebears—it is a question of the soul. Elder Orson F. Whitney teaches, “The redemption of Zion is more than the purchase or recovery of lands, the building of cities, or even the founding of nations. It is the conquest of the heart, the subjugation of the soul, the sanctifying of the flesh, the purifying and ennobling of the passions.”
D&C 105:31–34
31 But first let my army become very great, and let it be sanctified before me, that it may become fair as the sun, and clear as the moon, and that her banners may be terrible unto all nations;
32 That the kingdoms of this world may be constrained to acknowledge that the kingdom of Zion is in very deed the kingdom of our God and his Christ; therefore, let us become subject unto her laws.
33 Verily I say unto you, it is expedient in me that the first elders of my church should receive their endowment from on high in my house, which I have commanded to be built unto my name in the land of Kirtland.
34 And let those commandments which I have given concerning Zion and her law be executed and fulfilled, after her redemption.
The day after Doctrine and Covenants 105 was given, Joseph Smith sought to fulfill the commandment of the Lord to give the elders the endowment. He records in his history, “A council of High Priests assembled in fulfillment of the revelation given the day previous, and the following individuals were called and chosen as they were made manifest unto me by the voice of the Spirit, and Revelation, to receive their endowment.” The men chosen were Edward Partridge, William W. Phelps, Isaac Morley, John Corrill, John Whitmer, David Whitmer, A. Sidney Gilbert, Peter Whitmer Jr., Simeon Carter, Newel Knight, Parley P. Pratt, Christian Whitmer, Solomon Hancock, Thomas B. Marsh, and Lyman Wight.
D&C 105:35–37
35 There has been a day of calling, but the time has come for a day of choosing; and let those be chosen that are worthy.
36 And it shall be manifest unto my servant, by the voice of the Spirit, those that are chosen; and they shall be sanctified;
37 And inasmuch as they follow the counsel which they receive, they shall have power after many days to accomplish all things pertaining to Zion.
The march of Zion’s Camp was indeed a day of calling. As noted, some who went on the journey fell into apostasy, and others saw the journey as a great time of learning. Future leaders of the Church had the opportunity to see the hand of God in their lives and learn directly from the Prophet Joseph Smith. In an 1853 discourse, Brigham Young declares:
When I returned from that mission [Zion’s Camp] to Kirtland, a brother said to me, “Brother Brigham, what have you gained by this journey?” I replied, “Just what we went for; but I would not exchange the knowledge I have received this season for the whole of Geauga County; for property and mines of wealth are not to be compared to the worth of knowledge.” Ask those brethren and sisters who have passed through scenes of affliction and suffering for years in this Church, what they would take in exchange for their experience, and be placed back where they were, were it possible. I presume they would tell you, that all the wealth, honors, and riches of the world could not buy the knowledge they had obtained, could they barter it away. Let the brethren be contented, and if you have trials, and must see hard times, learn to acknowledge the hand of the Lord in it all.
Another future president of the Church, Wilford Woodruff, echoed Brigham’s feelings. In an 1869 discourse, he said:
When the members of Zion’s Camp were called, many of us had never beheld each other’s faces; we were strangers to each other and many had never seen the prophet. We had been scattered abroad, like corn sifted in a sieve, throughout the nation. We were young men, and were called upon in that early day to go up and redeem Zion, and what we had to do we had to do by faith. We assembled together from the various States at Kirtland and went up to redeem Zion, in fulfillment of the commandment of God unto us. God accepted our works as He did the works of Abraham. We accomplished a great deal, though apostates and unbelievers many times asked the question, “What have you done?” We gained an experience that we never could have gained in any other way. We had the privilege of beholding the face of the prophet, and we had the privilege of traveling a thousand miles with him, and seeing the workings of the Spirit of God with him, and the revelations of Jesus Christ unto him and the fulfillment of those revelations. Had I not gone up with Zion’s Camp I should not have been here today.
Though Zion’s Camp ultimately failed in its aim to reinstate the members of the Church in homes in Jackson County, it was an important proving ground for the future leadership of the Church.
D&C 105:38–41
38 And again I say unto you, sue for peace, not only to the people that have smitten you, but also to all people;
39 And lift up an ensign of peace, and make a proclamation of peace unto the ends of the earth;
40 And make proposals for peace unto those who have smitten you, according to the voice of the Spirit which is in you, and all things shall work together for your good.
41 Therefore, be faithful; and behold, and lo, I am with you even unto the end. Even so. Amen.
When the outbreak of cholera occurred among the members of Zion’s Camp, Joseph Smith was affected also. He later writes:
At the commencement [of the cholera outbreak] I attempted to lay on hands for their recovery, but I quickly learned by painful experience that when the Great Jehovah decrees destruction upon any people, and makes known his determination, man must not attempt to stay his hand. The moment I attempted to rebuke the disease, I was attacked, it seized upon me like the talons of a hawk, and I said to the brethren if I had my work done, you have had to tumble me into the ground without a coffin and had I not desisted. I must have saved the life of my brother by the sacrifice of my own.
Joseph’s brush with mortality during the journey with Zion’s Camp may have caused him to begin thinking about who would continue God’s work if his life was taken. The winter after he arrived back in Kirtland, he called together the priesthood holders of the Church, many of whom had been members of Zion’s Camp. Joseph Young, one of the men present, recalls the following words of Joseph Smith: “Brethren, some of you are angry with me, because you did not fight in Missouri; but let me tell you, God did not want you to fight. He could not organize his kingdom with twelve men to open the gospel door to the nations of the earth, and with seventy men under their direction to follow in their tracks, unless he took them from a body of men who had offered their lives, and who had made as great a sacrifice as did Abraham.”
Nine of the original Apostles in the first Quorum of the Twelve Apostles were members of Zion’s Camp. All seven presidents of the Quorum of the Seventy, and sixty-three other members of that Quorum, marched with Zion’s Camp. Joseph Young remembered Joseph Smith declaring, “Now, the Lord has got his Twelve and his Seventy, and there will be other quorums of Seventies called, who will make the sacrifice, and those who have not made their sacrifices and their offerings now, will make them hereafter.”
Footnotes
