Doctrine and Covenants 48

Doctrine and Covenants 48

Historical Context

In the spring of 1831, the Saints in Kirtland found themselves in the midst of a refugee crisis. More than a hundred Church members from New York were making their way to Kirtland and the surrounding areas as part of the Lord’s commandment to gather to the Ohio (D&C 37). John Whitmer recorded in his history, “The time drew near for the brethren from the State of New York to arrive at Kirtland Ohio. And some had supposed that it was the place of gathering even the place of the New Jerusalem spoken of in the Book of Mormon, according to the visions and revelations received in the last days. There was no preparation made for the reception of the Saints from the East. The Bishop [Edward Partridge] being anxious to know something concerning the matter. Therefore, the Lord spake unto Joseph Smith Jr. as follows.”1

According to John Whitmer’s record, Church leaders faced two challenges. First, some members believed that the Kirtland area was the place for the New Jerusalem. In the revelation, the Lord addresses this misunderstanding by informing the Saints that He had not yet revealed the place for the city (D&C 48:5). Second, Bishop Partridge and others sought guidance on how to utilize the law of consecration, which had been revealed only one month earlier, to assist the Saints from the East who were gathering to Kirtland. In the revelation, the Lord emphasized the importance of flexibility in the implementation of the law, asking the bishop and other Church leaders to consider “every man according to his family, according to his circumstances” (D&C 48:6).

“Historical Introduction,” Revelation, 10 March 1831 [D&C 48]

Verse-by-Verse Commentary

D&C 48:1–3

1 It is necessary that ye should remain for the present time in your places of abode, as it shall be suitable to your circumstances.

2 And inasmuch as ye have lands, ye shall impart to the eastern brethren;

3 And inasmuch as ye have not lands, let them buy for the present time in those regions round about, as seemeth them good, for it must needs be necessary that they have places to live for the present time.

In this revelation we see an early practical implementation of the law of consecration. With the Saints from the Eastern states expected to begin arriving in Kirtland, the Lord asked the Saints there to share their property to help those in need. One of the basic principles of consecration is that the resources of a group of people can make more of a difference than those of a single individual or family. While individual acts of charity are commendable, organized consecration among the Saints can help far more people.

Elder D. Todd Christofferson taught that one of the major reasons “the Savior works through a church, His Church, . . . is to achieve needful things that cannot be accomplished by individuals or smaller groups. One clear example is dealing with poverty. It is true that as individuals and families we look after the physical needs of others, ‘imparting to one another both temporally and spiritually according to their needs and their wants’ (Mosiah 18:29). But together in the Church, the ability to care for the poor and needy is multiplied to meet the broader need, and hoped-for self-reliance is made a reality for very many.”2

D&C 48:4–6

4 It must needs be necessary that ye save all the money that ye can, and that ye obtain all that ye can in righteousness, that in time ye may be enabled to purchase land for an inheritance, even the city.

5 The place is not yet to be revealed; but after your brethren come from the east there are to be certain men appointed, and to them it shall be given to know the place, or to them it shall be revealed.

6 And they shall be appointed to purchase the lands, and to make a commencement to lay the foundation of the city; and then shall ye begin to be gathered with your families, every man according to his family, according to his circumstances, and as is appointed to him by the presidency and the bishop of the church, according to the laws and commandments which ye have received, and which ye shall hereafter receive. Even so. Amen.

At this point, the location of the city of Zion was unrevealed. The location was given a few months later in Doctrine and Covenants 57:1–2. Nevertheless, the Lord gave the Saints a commandment to begin laying up reserves in anticipation of the sacrifices necessary to build the city. The Saints at this time could not have known the trials they would experience as they worked to build Zion and were driven from place to place.

In a similar manner, prophets and apostles in our time have advised the Saints to be careful with their spending and to keep a reserve in anticipation of future needs. Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin counseled,

During times of prosperity, save up for a day of want. Too often, people assume that they probably never will be injured, get sick, lose their jobs, or see their investments evaporate. To make matters worse, often people make purchases today based upon optimistic predictions of what they hope will happen tomorrow. The wise understand the importance of saving today for a rainy day tomorrow. They have adequate insurance that will provide for them in case of illness or death. Where possible, they store a year’s supply of food, water, and other basic necessities of life. They set aside money in savings and investment accounts. They work diligently to reduce the debt they owe to others and strive to become debt free.

Brothers and sisters, the preparations you make today may one day be to you as the stored food was to the Egyptians and to Joseph’s father’s family.”3

Footnotes

• 1. Whitmer, History, 23, JSP.
• 2. “Why the Church,” October 2015 General Conference.
• 3. “Earthly Debts, Heavenly Debts,” April 2004 General Conference.