Doctrine and Covenants 58
Historical Context
Joseph Smith received this revelation a few days after the Lord revealed that Jackson County, Missouri, would be the place for the city of Zion (D&C 57). The elders who had traveled from Kirtland had mixed reactions upon learning of the city’s location. The missionaries led by Oliver Cowdery worked among the local settlers for several months, but they had managed to convert only a handful of people, fewer than ten, to the teachings of the gospel. According to one source, Edward Partridge and Joseph Smith argued over the quality of the land, creating contention between the two. Sidney Rigdon accused Bishop Partridge of “having insulted the Lord’s prophet in particular and assumed authority over him in open violation of the laws of God.” It took several months for Joseph and Edward to reconcile. In a Church conference held later, Bishop Partridge demonstrated his contrition by announcing that “if Br. Joseph has not forgiven him he hopes he will, as he is and has always been sorry.”
The argument between Joseph and Edward was a small moment in what was a hopeful day for the missionaries. In his personal history written years after the disputes, Joseph recalled the promise of the moment and the diversity of the population living in the frontier settlement. He wrote, “The first Sabbath after our arrival in Jackson county, brother W[illiam] 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’ for there were several of the Indians; quite a respectable number of Negroes; and the balance was made up of citizens of the surrounding country, and fully represented themselves as pioneers of the west.”
The same week this revelation was received, Joseph and the other missionaries noted the arrival of the Colesville Branch, the first Latter-day Saint emigrants to arrive in Missouri. The last part of the revelation provides instruction to these newly arrived settlers.
See “Historical Introduction,” Revelation, 1 August 1831 [D&C 58]
Verse-by-Verse Commentary
D&C 58:1–5
1 Hearken, O ye elders of my church, and give ear to my word, and learn of me what I will concerning you, and also concerning this land unto which I have sent you.
2 For verily I say unto you, blessed is he that keepeth my commandments, whether in life or in death; and he that is faithful in tribulation, the reward of the same is greater in the kingdom of heaven.
3 Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation.
4 For after much tribulation come the blessings. Wherefore the day cometh that ye shall be crowned with much glory; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand.
5 Remember this, which I tell you before, that you may lay it to heart, and receive that which is to follow.
When Joseph Smith and the other missionaries arrived in Missouri, the first questions they asked of the Lord were “When will the wilderness blossom as the rose? And when will Zion be built up in her glory?” To the elders who had just arrived in Jackson County, the stretch of land before them was a poor prospect for the divine city of God prophesied of in the scriptures. The Lord asked them to look with an eye of faith and see the possibilities. Later in the revelation, the Lord warned them that it would be “many years” before the city could be fully established. But the grand vision for the city was then only beginning to unfold.
The Lord also provided the first indications that before the city would be built the Saints would suffer tribulation (D&C 58:4–5). At this time, the Church was less than two years old, and nearly all of the missionaries in Missouri were converts of less than one year. The Lord was trying to prepare the Saints for the challenges to come. Most of them could not imagine the opposition they would eventually face in attempting to build Zion in its chosen location. Ugly scenes of persecution awaited the Saints in Missouri, but so did the return of the city of Enoch. The road to Zion lay filled with challenges and promise.
D&C 58:6–12
6 Behold, verily I say unto you, for this cause I have sent you—that you might be obedient, and that your hearts might be prepared to bear testimony of the things which are to come;
7 And also that you might be honored in laying the foundation, and in bearing record of the land upon which the Zion of God shall stand;
8 And also that a feast of fat things might be prepared for the poor; yea, a feast of fat things, of wine on the lees well refined, that the earth may know that the mouths of the prophets shall not fail;
9 Yea, a supper of the house of the Lord, well prepared, unto which all nations shall be invited.
10 First, the rich and the learned, the wise and the noble;
11 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.
12 Behold, I, the Lord, have spoken it.
This preliminary group of missionaries had been sent to Missouri in part to prepare a group of witnesses who could share their testimony of the city’s purpose and the place where the city was to be built. Sidney Rigdon was specifically appointed to write a description of Jackson County to encourage Church members to emigrate and help to build Zion (D&C 58:50–51). The Lord quoted Isaiah in describing a “feast of fat things” for all who choose to attend (Isaiah 25:6). The “wine on the lees well refined” is a phrase used in the King James Version of the Bible. The lees are also known as the dregs, or the most concentrated portion of the wine. The lees contained the strongest and sweetest part of the wine and were similar to a jelly or a preserve; they were considered a great delicacy.
While those with advantages of wealth and education might be the first to receive the gospel, the Lord promises that His power will lift up “the poor, the lame, and the blind, and the deaf” until all can come into the marriage of the lamb. An integral part of the Church’s work in the latter days is to spread education and help people become self-reliant. To fulfill these aims, the Lord commanded the creation of a school in Zion (D&C 55:4; 97:3–5). The Lord also later commanded that those who wished to settle in Zion first enter into the law of consecration (D&C 72:15–17). The feast of fat things described by the Lord was both temporal and intellectual. The Lord intended to eradicate the twin plagues of ignorance and poverty within the city of Zion.
D&C 58:13–18
13 And that the testimony might go forth from Zion, yea, from the mouth of the city of the heritage of God—
14 Yea, for this cause I have sent you hither, and have selected my servant Edward Partridge, and have appointed unto him his mission in this land.
15 But if he repent not of his sins, which are unbelief and blindness of heart, let him take heed lest he fall.
16 Behold his mission is given unto him, and it shall not be given again.
17 And whoso standeth in this mission is appointed to be a judge in Israel, like as it was in ancient days, to divide the lands of the heritage of God unto his children;
18 And to judge his people by the testimony of the just, and by the assistance of his counselors, according to the laws of the kingdom which are given by the prophets of God.
Edward Partridge is reproved in the revelation for his doubts about Zion’s location, and to his everlasting credit, he repented and worked to build Zion. Edward received other rebukes in the revelations (D&C 64:17), and each time he bore his chastisement with humility and worked to fulfill the Lord’s commands. It is important to remember that Edward and his family had already made considerable sacrifices for the gospel. They took in and supported many of the penniless saints emigrating from New York and Pennsylvania. While assisting these families, members of the Partridge family came down with the measles, which were transmitted from some of the refugees. It was during this trying time that Edward left to travel to Missouri, perhaps heightening his anxiety and leading to the conflict with Joseph over the land.
Lydia Partridge, Edward’s wife, later remembered, “My eldest daughter was taken down with lung fever, and while she was at the worst, my husband was called by revelation to go with a number of others to Missouri to locate a place for the gathering of the Saints, the unbelievers thought he must be crazy, or he would not go. And I thought myself that I had reason to think my trials had commenced, and so [they] had, but this trial like all others was followed with blessings for our daughter recovered.”
A few days after this revelation was given, Edward wrote in a letter to Lydia, “You know I stand in an important station, and as I am occasionally chastened I sometimes fear my station is above what I can perform to the acceptance of my Heavenly Father. I hope you and I may conduct ourselves as at last to land our souls in the heaven of eternal rest. Pray that I may not fall.” Other members of the missionary expedition to Missouri, most notably Ezra Booth, were disappointed in the land’s appearance and the local settlers’ demeanor. But in contrast to Booth, who left the Church and became a bitter enemy of the Saints, Edward Partridge stood fast in his place, fulfilled his duties, and received his just reward (D&C 124:19, 21).
D&C 58:19–23
19 For verily I say unto you, my law shall be kept on this land.
20 Let no man think he is ruler; but let God rule him that judgeth, according to the counsel of his own will, or, in other words, him that counseleth or sitteth upon the judgment seat.
21 Let no man break the laws of the land, for he that keepeth the laws of God hath no need to break the laws of the land.
22 Wherefore, be subject to the powers that be, until he reigns whose right it is to reign, and subdues all enemies under his feet.
23 Behold, the laws which ye have received from my hand are the laws of the church, and in this light ye shall hold them forth. Behold, here is wisdom.
While Latter-day Saints see themselves as citizens of the kingdom of God, they also hold a responsibility to serve as upright citizens of the countries they reside in. The Lord directed the Saints in Jackson County to keep the laws of the Church and the laws of the land and to “be subject to the powers that be” (D&C 58:21). In a similar vein, Joseph Smith declared as one of the articles of faith that Church members “believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law” (Article of Faith 12).
Church members are asked not only to honor and obey the law but also to be full participants in the governance of the societies they live in. Elder Ronald A. Rasband counseled, “The opportunity to be involved in the political process is a privilege given to every citizen. Our laws and legislation play an important teaching role in shaping our social and moral culture. We need every individual in society to take an active role in engaging in civic dialogue that helps frame laws and legislation that are fair for everyone.”
D&C 58:24–25
24 And now, as I spake concerning my servant Edward Partridge, this land is the land of his residence, and those whom he has appointed for his counselors; and also the land of the residence of him whom I have appointed to keep my storehouse;
25 Wherefore, let them bring their families to this land, as they shall counsel between themselves and me.
Prior to his conversion to the Church, Edward Partridge was a successful hatter in Painesville, Ohio. Relocating himself and his family to Missouri was a great sacrifice. Shortly after this commandment was given, he wrote to his wife, Lydia, informing her that he needed to stay in Missouri “for the present, contrary to [his] expectations” and that he wanted her to stay in Painesville until the spring so she would be more comfortable there. Then he wrote of his feelings about leaving his home of more than a decade: “When I left Painesville, I told people I was coming back and bade none a farewell but for a short time, consequently I feel a great desire to return once more and bid your connection and my friends and acquaintances an eternal farewell, unless they should be willing to forsake all for the sake of Christ, and be gathered with the saints of the most high God.”
Several months later, Lydia Partridge undertook the journey to Missouri. Because Edward had been assigned to look after the needs of the Church in Missouri, Lydia had to manage the journey on her own. In addition to moving all of the family’s clothing and possessions, she had to look after their five daughters, ranging in age from eleven years to seventeen months old. Emily Partridge later reflected on her parents’ sacrifices, saying, “It seemed, to him, a very great undertaking for mother to break up her home and prepare for such a journey, with a family of little children, without her husband to advise and make arrangements for her. She was then quite young, and inexperienced in such things. But if my father could have looked forward into the future and beheld what his family would have to go through I think he would have felt still more anxious.”
During their journey to Missouri, Lydia and her daughters were assisted by Church members such as Isaac Morley and his family, who were also traveling to the new Zion. Emily later reflected, “Whatever suffering and privation my mother had to endure she never murmured or complained, but rejoiced that she was counted worthy to endure tribulation for the Gospel’s sake. She felt that she had enlisted in a good cause and she looked forward to the happy time that had been promised to the saints. Her religion compensated her for all the hardships she had to endure.”
D&C 58:26–29
26 For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.
27 Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;
28 For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward.
29 But he that doeth not anything until he is commanded, and receiveth a commandment with doubtful heart, and keepeth it with slothfulness, the same is damned.
The doctrine of agency is further explored in this revelation, adding to the doctrine that had been revealed to Joseph Smith during his translation of the book of Genesis (Moses 4:1–4) and in a revelation received almost a year earlier (D&C 29). The Lord had revealed to the Prophet that Lucifer’s objective in premortality was to “destroy the agency of man, which I, the Lord God, had given him” (Moses 4:3). Doctrine and Covenants 29 added that Satan and his followers turned away from God “because of their agency” (D&C 29:36). The devil and his angels play a role in helping men and women learn the power of their agency. The Lord revealed that “it must needs be that the devil should tempt the children of men, or they could not be agents unto themselves; for if they never should have bitter they could not know the sweet” (D&C 29:39). For people to exercise the power to choose, they must have a good choice and a bad choice.
Now, as the first missionaries stood in the land of Zion, the Lord again wanted to emphasize their power to do good. While the Lord provides commandments and counsel, His ultimate aim is to empower men and women to see the ways they can bring about God’s purposes and then move proactively to do good. The Lord gives direction, but He wants us to eventually learn to see what needs to be accomplished and do good works of our own free will. Learning to use our personal agency to bless and help those around us is the Lord’s ultimate aim of giving us agency.
D&C 58:30–33
30 Who am I that made man, saith the Lord, that will hold him guiltless that obeys not my commandments?
31 Who am I, saith the Lord, that have promised and have not fulfilled?
32 I command and men obey not; I revoke and they receive not the blessing.
33 Then they say in their hearts: This is not the work of the Lord, for his promises are not fulfilled. But wo unto such, for their reward lurketh beneath, and not from above.
Along with agency must come accountability. The Lord gives commandments to men and women and therefore must hold them accountable. In recent years, Church leaders have discouraged the use of the term free agency because it suggests that a person’s freedom to choose comes without consequences for their actions. The term free agency does not appear in the scriptures. The Lord instead uses the term moral agency (D&C 101:78). In the time this revelation was received, an agent was defined as one to “entrusted with the business of another.” The connotation is similar to saying that someone can act as an attorney or representative of someone or something else. To say a person had moral agency was to say that a person was entrusted to act on behalf of morality.
Today when we speak of someone as a free agent we mean that the person is committed to no group or organization to act on his or her behalf. However, understanding our premortal existence, we also understand that we committed to live the plan when we came to earth. Therefore, we are not free agents during our life here on earth but moral agents committed to live the laws of God. The Lord gives us opportunities to recommit to the cause through baptism and other covenants. But just as a player signed to a sports team is not allowed to act as an agent for another team, we are committed to use our power to act to forward the purposes of God, working as moral agents.
D&C 58:34–39
34 And now I give unto you further directions concerning this land.
35 It is wisdom in me that my servant Martin Harris should be an example unto the church, in laying his moneys before the bishop of the church.
36 And also, this is a law unto every man that cometh unto this land to receive an inheritance; and he shall do with his moneys according as the law directs.
37 And it is wisdom also that there should be lands purchased in Independence, for the place of the storehouse, and also for the house of the printing.
38 And other directions concerning my servant Martin Harris shall be given him of the Spirit, that he may receive his inheritance as seemeth him good;
39 And let him repent of his sins, for he seeketh the praise of the world.
Martin Harris, one of the three witnesses, was among those the Lord commanded to travel as missionaries to identify the location of Zion (D&C 52:24). Though he is remembered primarily for his role in the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, Martin also deserves to be remembered for the sacrifices he made to build the city of Zion. In a sermon given just a few days after Martin Harris’s death, Apostle Orson Pratt noted,
Martin Harris was the first man that the Lord called by name to consecrate his money and lay the same at the feet of the Bishop in Jackson County, Mo., according to the order of consecration. He willingly did it; he knew the work to be true; he knew that the word of the Lord through the Prophet Joseph was just as sacred as any word that ever came from the mouth of any Prophet from the foundation of the world. He consecrated his money and his substance, according to the word of the Lord. What for? As the revelation states, as an example to the rest of the Church (D&C 58:35).
D&C 58:40–43
40 And also let my servant William W. Phelps stand in the office to which I have appointed him, and receive his inheritance in the land;
41 And also he hath need to repent, for I, the Lord, am not well pleased with him, for he seeketh to excel, and he is not sufficiently meek before me.
42 Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more.
43 By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins—behold, he will confess them and forsake them.
William W. Phelps was among the men set apart to serve as agents for the Church in Missouri. The Lord reproves him in these verses for the sin of “seeking to excel” (D&C 58:41). While seeking excellence is not a sin, it is implied here that William was seeking to be placed on a higher plane than his fellow servants called to the work in Missouri, with the Lord pointing out that he was not “sufficiently meek” (D&C 58:41).
For sins like the one William was struggling with, or any other kind of spiritual malady, the remedy is repentance. The Lord calls on William to repent and points out two of the most important actions accompanying repentance: to confess and to forsake the sin. Sincere confession to oneself, to God, and, if necessary, to Priesthood leaders is a sign of contrition that demonstrates the beginning of a change within a person’s heart. Forsaking the sin is more than just refraining from committing it again. The word forsake indicates a mighty change of heart, of losing the disposition to commit the sin. The people of King Benjamin spoke of a “mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually” (Mosiah 5:2). One of the most simple ways to measure repentance is just to ask, Am I the sort of person who would commit that sin again? An honest answer to that question determines if a real change of heart has taken place.
D&C 58:44–52
44 And now, verily, I say concerning the residue of the elders of my church, the time has not yet come, for many years, for them to receive their inheritance in this land, except they desire it through the prayer of faith, only as it shall be appointed unto them of the Lord.
45 For, behold, they shall push the people together from the ends of the earth.
46 Wherefore, assemble yourselves together; and they who are not appointed to stay in this land, let them preach the gospel in the regions round about; and after that let them return to their homes.
47 Let them preach by the way, and bear testimony of the truth in all places, and call upon the rich, the high and the low, and the poor to repent.
48 And let them build up churches, inasmuch as the inhabitants of the earth will repent.
49 And let there be an agent appointed by the voice of the church, unto the church in Ohio, to receive moneys to purchase lands in Zion.
50 And I give unto my servant Sidney Rigdon a commandment, that he shall write a description of the land of Zion, and a statement of the will of God, as it shall be made known by the Spirit unto him;
51 And an epistle and subscription, to be presented unto all the churches to obtain moneys, to be put into the hands of the bishop, of himself or the agent, as seemeth him good or as he shall direct, to purchase lands for an inheritance for the children of God.
52 For, behold, verily I say unto you, the Lord willeth that the disciples and the children of men should open their hearts, even to purchase this whole region of country, as soon as time will permit.
Sidney Rigdon was commanded in this revelation to write a description of the land of Zion to help people understand conditions there. Sidney’s description is found in part in Joseph Smith’s official history, where Joseph Smith noted,
As we had received a commandment for Elder [Sidney] Rigdon to write a description of the land of Zion, we sought for all the information necessary to accomplish so desirable an object. Unlike the timbered states in the east, except upon the rivers and water courses, which were verdantly dotted with trees from one to three miles wide,—as far as the eye can glance the beautiful rolling prairies lay spread be around like a sea of meadows. . . . The soil is rich and fertile, from three to ten feet deep, and generally composed of a rich black mould, intermingled with clay and sand. It produces in abundance, wheat, corn, and many other common agricultural commodities, together with sweet potatoes and cotton.
Describing the climate of Missouri, Sidney Rigdon wrote,
The season is mild and delightful nearly three quarters of the year, and as the land of Zion situated at about equal distances from the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. . . . The winters are milder than in the Atlantic states of the same parallel of latitude; and the weather is more agreeable, so that were the virtues of the inhabitants only equal to the blessings of the Lord which he permits to crown the industry and efforts of those inhabitants, there would be a measure of the good things of life, for the benefit of the saints, full, press down and running over, even an hundred fold.
Sidney’s description of Zion also sought to give those who wanted to emigrate to Missouri an honest assessment of the land’s challenges: “The disadvantages here, like all new countries, are self-evident: lack of mills and schools, together with the natural privations and inconveniences, which the hand of industry, and the refinement of society with the polish of science, overcome. But all these impediments, banish when it is recollected what the prophets have said concerning Zion in the last days.”
D&C 58:53–58
53 Behold, here is wisdom. Let them do this lest they receive none inheritance, save it be by the shedding of blood.
54 And again, inasmuch as there is land obtained, let there be workmen sent forth of all kinds unto this land, to labor for the saints of God.
55 Let all these things be done in order; and let the privileges of the lands be made known from time to time, by the bishop or the agent of the church.
56 And let the work of the gathering be not in haste, nor by flight; but let it be done as it shall be counseled by the elders of the church at the conferences, according to the knowledge which they receive from time to time.
57 And let my servant Sidney Rigdon consecrate and dedicate this land, and the spot for the temple, unto the Lord.
58 And let a conference meeting be called; and after that let my servants Sidney Rigdon and Joseph Smith, Jun., return, and also Oliver Cowdery with them, to accomplish the residue of the work which I have appointed unto them in their own land, and the residue as shall be ruled by the conferences.
The day after this revelation was given, Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon led several ceremonies dedicating the land of Zion. Joseph Smith recorded,
On the 2nd day of August, I assisted the Colesville branch of the church to lay the first log for a house as a foundation of Zion, in Kaw township, twelve miles west of Independence. The log was carried and placed by twelve men in honor of the twelve tribes of Israel. At the same time, through prayer, the land of Zion was consecrated and dedicated for the gathering of the Saints by Elder [Sidney] Rigdon; and it was a season of joy to those present, and afforded a glimpse of the future, which time will yet unfold to the satisfaction of the faithful.
John Whitmer included more details about the dedication in his history, where he wrote,
Brother Sidney Rigdon stood up and asked saying:
“Do you receive this land for the land of your inheritance with thankful hearts from the Lord?”
Answer from all: “we do.”
“Do you pledge yourselves to keep the laws of God on this land, which you have never have kept in your own land?”
“We do.”
“Do you pledge yourselves to see that others of your brethren, who shall come hither do keep the laws of God?”
“We do.”
After prayer he arose and said, “I now pronounce this land consecrated and dedicated to the Lord for a possession and inheritance for the Saints, (in the name of Jesus Christ having authority from him.) And for all the faithful Servants of the Lord to the remotest ages of time. Amen.”
John Whitmer also recorded that the following day, eight elders, “Joseph Smith Jr., Oliver Cowdery, Sidney Rigdon, Peter Whitmer Jr., Frederick G. Williams, Wm. W. Phelps, Martin Harris, and Joseph Coe,” met together at the future site of the temple in Zion. Sidney Rigdon offered a prayer dedicating “the ground where the city is to Stand: and Joseph Smith Jr. laid a stone at the North east corner of the contemplated Temple in the name of the Lord Jesus of Nazareth. After all present had rendered thanks to the great ruler of the universe. Sidney Rigdon pronounced this Spot of ground wholly dedicated unto the Lord forever: Amen.”
D&C 58:59–60
59 And let no man return from this land except he bear record by the way, of that which he knows and most assuredly believes.
60 Let that which has been bestowed upon Ziba Peterson be taken from him; and let him stand as a member in the church, and labor with his own hands, with the brethren, until he is sufficiently chastened for all his sins; for he confesseth them not, and he thinketh to hide them.
Ziba Peterson was among the original missionaries sent to Missouri to preach to the Lamanites under the leadership of Oliver Cowdery (D&C 32:3). While we do not know the exact nature of Peterson’s transgression, Ezra Booth later wrote that Peterson was guilty of conduct “on a parallel” with a man who “enters into a matrimonial contract with a young lady, and obtains the consent of her parents; but as soon as his back is turned upon her, he violates his engagements, and prostitutes his honor by becoming the gallant of another, and resolves in his heart, and expresses resolutions to marry her.” Peterson confessed his transgression at the conference held on August 4, and a week later married Rebecca Hopper of Lafayette County, Missouri.
D&C 58:61–65
61 Let the residue of the elders of this church, who are coming to this land, some of whom are exceedingly blessed even above measure, also hold a conference upon this land.
62 And let my servant Edward Partridge direct the conference which shall be held by them.
63 And let them also return, preaching the gospel by the way, bearing record of the things which are revealed unto them.
64 For, verily, the sound must 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.
65 And behold the Son of Man cometh. Amen.
Many of the missionaries sent to Missouri were still on their way when this revelation was received. Some, including Samuel Smith, Hyrum Smith, and David Whitmer, did not arrive until later in August (see D&C 62), while others did not arrive until October or November of that year. Edward Partridge was directed to hold a conference with these elders upon their arrival. There was no reproval for these elders because their arrival was delayed. In a later revelation the Lord told several of the elders “ye are blessed, for the testimony which ye have borne” (D&C 62:3).
Along the way to accomplish our given tasks, we must remember the Lord’s overarching command to share the gospel, to assist in lifting others up, and to build God’s kingdom through good works. Zion is often created by the good carried out along the way as we strive to reach the holy city.
Footnotes
