Doctrine and Covenants 109-110
“It Is Thy House, A Place of Thy Holiness”
September 29 - October 5
scripture
commentary
Commentary on D&C 109:43–53
<p>Joseph Smith and the other leaders of the Church were painfully aware that the first command for a temple to be built in this dispensation was given to the Saints in Missouri, not the Saints in Kirtland (D&C 57:1–3; 84:1–5). Intense persecution had driven the Saints in Missouri away from the chosen ground for their temple, and this section of the prayer (D&C 109:47–53) recognizes the suffering of the Saints in that region. Construction on the temple in Kirtland was delayed while Joseph Smith traveled with Zion’s Camp to assist the Saints in Missouri (see D&C 103). Many of the Saints who had suffered from the persecutions in Missouri in turn traveled to Kirtland to participate in the dedication and receive their blessings in the temple. David Whitmer, the president of the stake of the Church in Missouri, was anointed and blessed in the Kirtland Temple.<a id="_ftnref1" class="see-footnote" title="" href="#_ftn1">[1]</a></p> <p>In the dedicatory prayer the Prophet prayed for the Saints in Missouri to be redeemed and restored to the place designated for the city of Zion (D&C 109:49–51). But the prayer also looks toward the establishment of stakes of Zion throughout the world (D&C 109:39, 59). The redemption of Zion will come in due time. In the meantime, the Saints throughout the world are counseled to gather to the stakes among them.</p> <div class="footnotes"> <p class="footnote"><a id="_ftn1" class="footnote-label" title="" href="#_ftnref1">[1]</a> Backman, <em>The Heavens Resound, </em>1983, 289.</p> </div>
Doctrine and Covenants Minute by Casey Paul Griffiths
