They thought they were going to redeem a place. They didn’t understand that God was trying to redeem a people.
1834 was a challenging year for the Church of Jesus Christ. Church members in Missouri had been driven from their homes in Jackson County, Missouri, in a region they called “Zion.” Mobs had destroyed their printing press, the bishop’s storehouse, and many of their homes. The temple site, identified by revelation, lay vacant and inaccessible.
During this time, the Lord was teaching them how to organize themselves and work together. In February, church leaders organized the first high council, and codified operating principles to resolve difficult issues (Doctrine and Covenants 102). A week later, the Lord instructed church leaders in Ohio to gather hundreds of people to rescue the displaced church members in Missouri (Doctrine and Covenants 103). In April, their financial processes had to be updated, with Missouri and Ohio established as separate operating entities, and with church members assigned to specific stewardships (Doctrine and Covenants 104). Finally, from May to June, a group of approximately 230 people marched to Missouri in what became known as Zion’s Camp. The march ended disappointingly: Church members in Missouri were not restored to their homes, the governor withdrew his support, and the camp simply disbanded and returned home. But Joseph Smith received an explanatory revelation in which the Lord promised that Zion would yet be redeemed (Doctrine and Covenants 105).
The theme which runs through all four of these revelations is unity — not easy, superficial harmoniousness, but unity won the hard way, through engagement, shared sacrifice, and lots of flexibility as plans change and evolve. Throughout these revelations, the Lord speaks with optimism about the future that is possible if we follow Him and let Him mold us: “All victory and glory is brought to pass unto you through your diligence, faithfulness, and prayers of faith” (Doctrine and Covenants 103:36).
Here are some of my favorite passages from these revelations with relevant blog posts and Book of Mormon connections.
Scripture Highlights and Related Blog Posts
1. We make wiser decisions when we counsel together.
Doctrine and Covenants 102:2, 4
The high council was appointed by revelation for the purpose of settling important difficulties which might arise in the church, which could not be settled by the church or the bishop’s council to the satisfaction of the parties.
The above-named councilors were then asked whether they accepted their appointments, and whether they would act in that office according to the law of heaven, to which they all answered that they accepted their appointments, and would fill their offices according to the grace of God bestowed upon them.
Blog Posts
📄 The High Council of the Church of Christ
The Lord has provided guidelines to help us make difficult decisions in a spirit of peace and love, and to maximize the probability of acting in a way that lifts all participants closer to Him.
Book of Mormon connection: Mosiah 18:21; Mosiah 23:6-15; Mosiah 26:9, 13
2. Christ expects us to be beacons of light.
Doctrine and Covenants 103:9
For they were set to be a light unto the world, and to be the saviors of men;
Blog Posts
📄 Be a Light
Visualize positive outcomes, see things accurately, and focus on actionable next steps.
Book of Mormon connection: 1 Nephi 21:6
3. Adversity is essential for growth.
Doctrine and Covenants 103:11-13
But verily I say unto you, I have decreed that your brethren which have been scattered shall return to the lands of their inheritances, and shall build up the waste places of Zion.
For after much tribulation, as I have said unto you in a former commandment, cometh the blessing.
Behold, this is the blessing which I have promised after your tribulations, and the tribulations of your brethren–your redemption, and the redemption of your brethren, even their restoration to the land of Zion, to be established, no more to be thrown down.
Blog Posts
📄 After Much Tribulation
Hard times happen for a reason. When life seems particularly difficult, we may be experiencing a “spiritual growth spurt.”
Book of Mormon connection: Mosiah 23:10; Mosiah 27:28
4. God will prepare our path and guide us along it.
Doctrine and Covenants 103:19-20
Therefore, let not your hearts faint, for I say not unto you as I said unto your fathers: Mine angel shall go up before you, but not my presence.
But I say unto you: Mine angels shall go up before you, and also my presence, and in time ye shall possess the goodly land.
Blog Posts
📄 “Mine Angels…and Also My Presence”
God is willing to be personally involved in our lives.
Book of Mormon connection: 1 Nephi 17:13
5. Tremendous blessings await us if we remain faithful.
Doctrine and Covenants 104:2 (see also v. 23, 25, 31, 33, 35, 38, 42, 46)
With promise immutable and unchangeable, that inasmuch as those whom I commanded were faithful they should be blessed with a multiplicity of blessings;
Blog Posts
📄 A Multiplicity of Blessings
As we remain faithful over time, we will receive numerous blessings from God.
Book of Mormon connection: 1 Nephi 2:20
6. God’s blessings are abundant; we should share them.
Doctrine and Covenants 104:15-18
And it is my purpose to provide for my saints, for all things are mine.
But it must needs be done in mine own way; and behold this is the way that I, the Lord, have decreed to provide for my saints, that the poor shall be exalted, in that the rich are made low.
For the earth is full, and there is enough and to spare; yea, I prepared all things, and have given unto the children of men to be agents unto themselves.
Therefore, if any man shall take of the abundance which I have made, and impart not his portion, according to the law of my gospel, unto the poor and the needy, he shall, with the wicked, lift up his eyes in hell, being in torment.
Blog Posts
📄 “The Lord Maketh Poor, and Maketh Rich”
In areas where we are rich, choose to be “brought low,” so that others can be “lifted up.”
Book of Mormon connection: Mosiah 18:27
📄 Above the Stars of God – 2 Nephi 24:12-17
We can think of life in terms of abundance, not competition.
Book of Mormon connection: 2 Nephi 24:12-17
📄 More Abundantly
God’s power overflows, blessing not only us but also the people we love.
Book of Mormon connection: Mosiah 18:10, 27
📄 Impart
Strive to see the people around you more clearly and to share with others the things that they need
Book of Mormon connection: Mosiah 4:26; Mosiah 18:27; Mosiah 21:17; Alma 34:28
7. We need not fight life’s battles alone.
Doctrine and Covenants 105:14
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.
Blog Posts
📄 “I Will Fight Your Battles”
We all face battles that we can’t fight alone; God has promised to fight for us.
Book of Mormon connection: 1 Nephi 21:25
Questions to Ponder
Here are some questions and topics I intend to work on this week:
- What principles can we learn to counsel more effectively with one another from Doctrine and Covenants 102?
- What does it mean to “pollute” your inheritance? (Doctrine and Covenants 103:14)
- What can we learn about goal setting from Doctrine and Covenants 103:30-34?
- How can I be a better steward? (Doctrine and Covenants 104:55-57)
- What are the principles we must follow to build Zion? (Doctrine and Covenants 105:5)
- What is the endowment which God promised to give in the temple? (Doctrine and Covenants 105:11-12, 18, 33)
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