Doctrine and Covenants 31

Doctrine and Covenants 31

Historical Introduction

As news of the Book of Mormon spread, a growing group of new and gifted converts began to gather to the young Church. Thomas B. Marsh was from Charlestown, Massachusetts, and was affiliated with the Methodist Church when he first heard about the new scripture in 1829. According to his own recollection, “I thought the spirit required me to make a journey West.” His journey eventually lead him to the Palmyra area where he first heard of the printing of the Book of Mormon. While in Palmyra, he met with Martin Harris and saw proof sheets of the Book of Mormon. He also met with Oliver Cowdery, who “gave [him] all the information concerning the Book [he] wanted.” He traveled back to his home with a proof sheet that contained the first sixteen pages of the Book of Mormon. After learning of the Church’s organization, Marsh moved with his family to Palmyra in the fall of 1830. Shortly before the second conference of the Church, he was baptized by David Whitmer and ordained an elder by Oliver Cowdery.1

According to Joseph Smith’s history, the Prophet received this revelation on behalf of Thomas B. Marsh during the second conference of the Church held on September 26, 1830.

Historical Introduction, Revelation, September 1830-F [D&C 31]

Verse-by-Verse Commentary

D&C 31:1–13

1 Thomas, my son, blessed are you because of your faith in my work.

2 Behold, you have had many afflictions because of your family; nevertheless, I will bless you and your family, yea, your little ones; and the day cometh that they will believe and know the truth and be one with you in my church.

3 Lift up your heart and rejoice, for the hour of your mission is come; and your tongue shall be loosed, and you shall declare glad tidings of great joy unto this generation.

4 You shall declare the things which have been revealed to my servant, Joseph Smith, Jun. You shall begin to preach from this time forth, yea, to reap in the field which is white already to be burned.

5 Therefore, thrust in your sickle with all your soul, and your sins are forgiven you, and you shall be laden with sheaves upon your back, for the laborer is worthy of his hire. Wherefore, your family shall live.

6 Behold, verily I say unto you, go from them only for a little time, and declare my word, and I will prepare a place for them.

7 Yea, I will open the hearts of the people, and they will receive you. And I will establish a church by your hand;

8 And you shall strengthen them and prepare them against the time when they shall be gathered.

9 Be patient in afflictions, revile not against those that revile. Govern your house in meekness, and be steadfast.

10 Behold, I say unto you that you shall be a physician unto the church, but not unto the world, for they will not receive you.

11 Go your way whithersoever I will, and it shall be given you by the Comforter what you shall do and whither you shall go.

12 Pray always, lest you enter into temptation and lose your reward.

13 Be faithful unto the end, and lo, I am with you. These words are not of man nor of men, but of me, even Jesus Christ, your Redeemer, by the will of the Father. Amen.

This is the last of four revelations Joseph Smith received in September 1830 (see D&C 28; 29; 30). At the time, Thomas may have been worried about moving his family from their home in Boston, Massachusetts, to the Fayette, New York, area to be closer to the other members of the Church. In fulfillment of the Lord’s promise, Thomas became a great missionary for the Church and was eventually called to serve as the first President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in this dispensation. Hyrum Smith and Janne M. Sjodahl later noted, “As long as Thomas B. Marsh was faithful he was an eloquent speaker. At the time of the troubles in Clay County, Mo., he was elected member of a committee to lay the grievances of the Saints before the authorities of the State. On that occasion he spoke so impressively that General Atchison [one of the Saints’ worst enemies], who was present, shed tears, and the meeting passed resolutions to assist the Saints in finding a new location.”2

Significantly, Thomas was exhorted to “declare the things which have been revealed to my servant, Joseph Smith, Jun” (D&C 31:4). Another commentator on the Doctrine and Covenants has noted how this commandment also applies to members of the Church today:

This revelation announces how we as a people are to present our message to the world. Though it is common practice among members of the Church to seek common ground with those who profess faith in Christ by an appeal to the Bible, the direction given in this revelation is that we declare the things that have been revealed through the Prophet Joseph Smith. The message of the Restoration centers on the idea that it is not common ground we seek in sharing the gospel. There is nothing common about our message. The way we answer questions about our faith ought to be by finding the quickest and most direct route through the Sacred Grove. That is our ground. It is sacred ground. It is where testimonies are born and the greatest truths of heaven are unveiled.

We claim no priesthood, keys, power, authority, or doctrines that do not trace themselves directly to heaven. We have not built upon the theological rubble of the past. All that we have, and this includes our faith in the Bible and our understanding of it, has come to us by direct revelation in this dispensation. Doctrines from any other source are without authority among the Latter-day Saints. All doctrine and authority must come through the channels the Lord has ordained for our dispensation, and that channel is the priesthood and keys restored to the Prophet Joseph Smith. (Joseph Fielding McConkie and Craig J. Ostler, Revelations of the Restoration, 2000, 247)

Footnotes

• 1. “TB Marsh,” Historian’s Office, Histories of the Twelve, ca. 1858–1880, CHL.
• 2. Doctrine and Covenants Commentary, 1951, 165.