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Revelation, 23 July 1837 [D&C 112]

Source Note

Revelation, , Geauga Co., OH, 23 July 1837. Featured version copied [ca. 30 Aug. 1838] in JS, Journal, Mar.–Sept. 1838, pp. 72–74; handwriting of ; CHL. For more complete source information, see the source note for JS, Journal, Mar.–Sept. 1838.

Historical Introduction

On 23 July 1837, JS dictated the revelation featured here to , the president of the . It contained directions for Marsh personally as well as for the Twelve generally.
, , and traveled from , Missouri, to , Ohio, in the summer of 1837 to address members’ dissent against JS and seek to unify the Twelve. To these ends, Marsh and Patten called for a council meeting of the entire Quorum of the Twelve on 24 July 1837. Marsh, Patten, and Smith arrived in Kirtland by 8 July, but they found that JS and the had sent two of the Twelve, and , to proselytize in in mid-June. Marsh saw it as his responsibility to direct members of the Twelve to preach in foreign lands—he had corrected for planning to undertake a mission to England in May—and he may have harbored some frustration that he was not consulted regarding the mission. The 23 July revelation assured Marsh that he was chosen to lead the Twelve and to spread the gospel “abroad among all nations” but made it clear that he should do so under the direction of the First Presidency.
The revelation also addressed dissent, which had intensified among some church members in mid-1837. It troubled that several of the Twelve had been involved in the discord. By early May, he and had heard rumors in that apostles and and were speaking out in opposition to JS and other leaders. Lyman Johnson, , and Luke Johnson had preferred charges against JS and his in late May. In June, had preached against JS before leaving for . Reflecting in January 1838 on growing unrest, wrote in a letter to her husband, , that she felt the dissenters had valid reasons for their frustrations but that they had nonetheless pursued an improper course of action: “Now after all that I have said about this decenting party, there is some of them, that I love, and have great feeling, and pity for them; I know they have ben tryed to the very quick; and what greaves me the most of all is, that many things which they tell, I have no doubt but what are too true. Still I do not think they are justifyable in the course they have taken.”
As they traveled to , , , and met near , Ohio. Marsh convinced Pratt to return with them to Kirtland, and soon after they arrived, Marsh began working to reconcile the dissenting apostles. In an 8 July letter, wrote that Marsh had told her he believed “the difficultys between the Presidency & the twelve will very shortly be settled.” Although several members of the Twelve were probably still disaffected from JS at the time of the 23 July revelation, other members of the quorum had begun to resolve their differences with him. In early June, when preparations were made for to travel to , ’s perspective changed; he acknowledged his faults and was set apart to accompany Kimball. In July, both Parley P. and made public confessions before leaving Kirtland to preach in the eastern . After his return to Kirtland from , William Smith “made a confession for past sins and expressed a determination to pursue a different course.” Marsh appears to have been influential in bringing about at least Parley P. Pratt’s confession, and the 23 July revelation directed Marsh to continue his efforts to admonish the Twelve and instruct them to “rebel not against my servant Joseph.”
The original manuscript of the revelation, as written by , has not been found, but several copies are extant. The earliest extant version was copied by into a 6 September letter she sent to her husband, . Vilate wrote that she had copied the revelation from “Elder Marshs book as he wrote it from Josephs mouth.” She also provided additional details regarding the revelation, which Marsh had discussed with her. According to Vilate, JS had told Marsh at the time of the revelation that “the do[o]r of proclamation could not be effectually opened” until Marsh went to or sent someone he had ordained for that purpose, but JS had instructed him not to include this in his transcript of the 23 July revelation. Heber, who was now in England proselytizing, responded to Marsh’s claims by telling Vilate that JS had told him it was “all right to prepare the way for brother Marsh, as john was the fore Runner of Christ to prepare before him and to baptise,” and that despite what Marsh thought—that the missionaries would have little success without his direction—those preaching in England had already baptized many people in their short time there. Unfortunately, a page has been lost from Vilate’s 6 September letter and her copy of the revelation is incomplete.
The copy of the revelation featured here is another of the earliest complete copies. It was recorded in JS’s journal by between August and September 1838 in and is preceded by a notation that reads, “The above revelation was given in , and was not here in time to insert in its proper sequence.” Another early copy is held by the Community of Christ Library-Archives and was written by an unidentified scribe between 1837 and 1838. Although it may be an earlier text than the copy in JS’s 1838 journal, this version has no verifiable provenance. A third copy, written by , has textual indicators that suggest it too was one of the earlier versions and was copied by 1838. Significant differences between the early versions are noted below.
Later, in connection with their mission to Britain, several church apostles also made personal copies of this revelation. inscribed the revelation into his “Book of Revelations” before leaving in August 1839, copied it into his “Pocket Companion” between 13 January 1840 and 20 April 1841, wrote a copy in his journal between April and September 1839, and copied it from ’s 6 September 1837 letter into his journal between March 1841 and March 1842. Other extant copies include one by , who wrote a copy on loose-leaf pages, likely after November 1842. copied the revelation into JS’s history between January and March 1844, and the revelation was included in the 1844 edition of the Doctrine and Covenants as section 104.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Mary Fielding, Kirtland, OH, to Mercy Fielding Thompson, [Upper Canada], 8 July 1837, Mary Fielding Smith, Collection, CHL; Julia and Mary Jane Smith, Kirtland, OH, to Elias Smith, Aug. 1837, Elias Smith Correspondence, CHL; Thomas B. Marsh, Far West, MO, to Wilford Woodruff, Vinalhaven, ME, 30 Apr. 1838, Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, CHL.

    Smith, Mary Fielding. Collection, ca. 1832–1848. CHL. MS 2779.

    Smith, Elias. Correspondence, 1834–1839. In Elias Smith, Papers, 1834–1846. CHL.

    Woodruff, Wilford. Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

  2. [2]

    Thomas B. Marsh and David W. Patten, Far West, MO, to Parley P. Pratt, Toronto, Upper Canada, 10 May 1837, in JS Letterbook 2, pp. 62–63.

  3. [3]

    M. Fielding to M. Thompson, 8 July 1837; see also Historical Introduction to Recommendation for Heber C. Kimball, between 2 and 13 June 1837.

    Smith, Mary Fielding. Collection, ca. 1832–1848. CHL. MS 2779.

  4. [4]

    Marsh told Pratt that he (Marsh) had been “anointed” to counsel the Twelve regarding the introduction of the gospel into other countries. When this anointing took place is unclear, but it may have occurred when Marsh was ordained one of the Twelve Apostles on 26 April 1835 or before the first mission of the Twelve in May 1835. Marsh may have been referencing the blessing and anointing he received on 22 January 1836, when JS’s journal records, “I . . . sealed such blessings upon him as the Lord put into my heart.” (Thomas B. Marsh and David W. Patten, Far West, MO, to Parley P. Pratt, Toronto, Upper Canada, 10 May 1837, in JS Letterbook 2, pp. 62–63; Minutes, 26 Apr. 1835; JS, Journal, 22 Jan. 1836.)

  5. [5]

    See Letter from Parley P. Pratt, 23 May 1837; Letter from Abel Lamb and Others, ca. 28 May 1837; and Charges against JS Preferred to Bishop’s Council, 29 May 1837.

  6. [6]

    Thomas B. Marsh and David W. Patten, Far West, MO, to Parley P. Pratt, Toronto, Upper Canada, 10 May 1837, in JS Letterbook 2, pp. 62–63; see also Minute Book 1, 21 Feb. 1836.

  7. [7]

    Charges against JS Preferred to Bishop’s Council, 29 May 1837.

  8. [8]

    Mary Fielding, Kirtland, OH, to Mercy Fielding, [Upper Canada], ca. June 1837, Mary Fielding Smith, Collection, CHL; Letter from Parley P. Pratt, 23 May 1837.

    Smith, Mary Fielding. Collection, ca. 1832–1848. CHL. MS 2779.

  9. [9]

    Vilate Murray Kimball, Kirtland, OH, to Heber C. Kimball, Preston, England, 19–24 Jan. 1838, Heber C. Kimball, Collection, CHL.

    Kimball, Heber C. Collection, 1837–1898. CHL. MS 12476.

  10. [10]

    M. Fielding to M. Thompson, 8 July 1837.

    Smith, Mary Fielding. Collection, ca. 1832–1848. CHL. MS 2779.

  11. [11]

    One member of the Twelve, William E. McLellin, had been disaffected from the church earlier, in August 1836, and his whereabouts and involvement with the dissenters are unknown. (Porter, “Odyssey of William Earl McLellin,” 322.)

    Porter, Larry C. “The Odyssey of William Earl McLellin: Man of Diversity, 1806–83.” In The Journals of William E. McLellin, 1831–1836, edited by Jan Shipps and John W. Welch, 291–378. Provo, UT: BYU Studies; Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1994.

  12. [12]

    JS History, vol. B-1, 761; Kimball, “History,” 88.

    Kimball, Heber C. “History of Heber Chase Kimball by His Own Dictation,” ca. 1842–1856. Heber C. Kimball, Papers, 1837–1866. CHL. MS 627, box 2.

  13. [13]

    M. Fielding to M. Thompson, 8 July 1837.

    Smith, Mary Fielding. Collection, ca. 1832–1848. CHL. MS 2779.

  14. [14]

    Julia Smith and Mary Jane Smith, Kirtland, OH, to Elias Smith, Aug. 1837, Elias Smith Correspondence, CHL. It is not clear if William had participated in the dissent or if his confession referred to other incidents.

    Smith, Elias. Correspondence, 1834–1839. In Elias Smith, Papers, 1834–1846. CHL.

  15. [15]

    Vilate Murray Kimball, Kirtland, OH, to Heber C. Kimball, Preston, England, 6 Sept. 1837, copy, Heber C. Kimball Correspondence, CHL.

    Kimball, Heber C. Correspondence, 1837–1864. Private possession. Copy at CHL.

  16. [16]

    Heber C. Kimball, Preston, England, to Vilate Murray Kimball, Kirtland, OH, 12 Nov. 1837, copy, Heber C. Kimball Correspondence, CHL.

    Kimball, Heber C. Correspondence, 1837–1864. Private possession. Copy at CHL.

  17. [17]

    Revelation, 23 July 1837 [D&C 112].

  18. [18]

    “Kirtland Geauga Co Ohio July 23 1837 the word of the lord unto Thomas B. Marsh concerning the Twelve,” CCLA. This copy was written on three loose-leaf pages and was put with John Whitmer’s history at some point.

    Kirtland Geauga Co Ohio July 23 1837 the word of the lord unto Thomas B. Marsh concerning the Twelve.” CCLA.

  19. [19]

    Revelation, 23 July 1837, Revelations Collection, CHL [D&C 112].

    The Doctrine and Covenants of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; Carefully Selected from the Revelations of God. Compiled by Joseph Smith. 2nd ed. Nauvoo, IL: John Taylor, 1844. Selections also available in Robin Scott Jensen, Richard E. Turley Jr., Riley M. Lorimer, eds., Revelations and Translations, Volume 2: Published Revelations. Vol. 2 of the Revelations and Translations series of The Joseph Smith Papers, edited by Dean C. Jessee, Ronald K. Esplin, and Richard Lyman Bushman (Salt Lake City: Church Historian’s Press, 2011).Revelations Collection, 1831–ca. 1844, 1847, 1861, ca. 1876. CHL. MS 4583.

  20. [20]

    Woodruff, “Book of Revelations,” 11–19; Richards, “Pocket Companion,” 4–9; Young, Journal, 1837–1845, 107–112; Kimball, Journal, 1840–1845, 62–72.

    Woodruff, Wilford. “Book of Revelations,” ca. 1837–1860. CHL.

    Richards, Willard. “Willard Richards Pocket Companion Written in England,” ca. 1838–1840. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, box 2, fd. 6.

    Young, Brigham. Journals, 1832–1877. Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1, boxes 71–73.

    Kimball, Heber C. Journal, June 1837–Feb. 1838; Feb.–Mar. 1840; May 1846–Feb. 1847. Heber C. Kimball, Papers, 1837–1866. CHL. MS 627, box 3, fd. 2.

  21. [21]

    Revelation, 23 July 1837, Revelations Collection, CHL [D&C 112].

    The Doctrine and Covenants of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; Carefully Selected from the Revelations of God. Compiled by Joseph Smith. 2nd ed. Nauvoo, IL: John Taylor, 1844. Selections also available in Robin Scott Jensen, Richard E. Turley Jr., Riley M. Lorimer, eds., Revelations and Translations, Volume 2: Published Revelations. Vol. 2 of the Revelations and Translations series of The Joseph Smith Papers, edited by Dean C. Jessee, Ronald K. Esplin, and Richard Lyman Bushman (Salt Lake City: Church Historian’s Press, 2011).Revelations Collection, 1831–ca. 1844, 1847, 1861, ca. 1876. CHL. MS 4583.

  22. [22]

    JS History, vol. B-1, 765–767; Doctrine and Covenants 104, 1844 ed. [D&C 112].

Page 74

shall be damned. For unto you (the ) and those (the ) who are appointed with you to be your counsellors and your leaders, is the power of this given for the last days and for the last time, in the which is the of the fulness of times: which power you hold in connection with all those who have received a dispensation at any time from the beginning of the creation, for verily I say unto you the of the dispensation which ye have received have came down from the fathers; and last of all being sent down from heaven unto you. Verily I say unto you, Behold how great is your calling.
Cleanse your hearts and your garments, lest the blood of this generation be required at your hands. Be faithful untill I come for I come quickly and my reward is with me to recompense every man according as his work shall be! I am Alpha and Omega. Amen. [p. 74]
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Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Revelation, 23 July 1837 [D&C 112]
ID #
2786
Total Pages
3
Print Volume Location
JSP, D5:410–417
Handwriting on This Page
  • James Mulholland

Footnotes

  1. [28]

    See Mark 16:15.

  2. [29]

    The copies written by Willard Richards and William W. Phelps replace “leaders” with “teacher.” (Richards, “Pocket Companion,” 4–9; Revelation, 23 July 1837, Revelations Collection, CHL [D&C 112].)

    Richards, Willard. “Willard Richards Pocket Companion Written in England,” ca. 1838–1840. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, box 2, fd. 6.

    The Doctrine and Covenants of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; Carefully Selected from the Revelations of God. Compiled by Joseph Smith. 2nd ed. Nauvoo, IL: John Taylor, 1844. Selections also available in Robin Scott Jensen, Richard E. Turley Jr., Riley M. Lorimer, eds., Revelations and Translations, Volume 2: Published Revelations. Vol. 2 of the Revelations and Translations series of The Joseph Smith Papers, edited by Dean C. Jessee, Ronald K. Esplin, and Richard Lyman Bushman (Salt Lake City: Church Historian’s Press, 2011).Revelations Collection, 1831–ca. 1844, 1847, 1861, ca. 1876. CHL. MS 4583.

  3. [30]

    The Community of Christ copy has “prayer” in place of “power.” (“Kirtland Geauga Co Ohio July 23 1837 the word of the lord,” CCLA.)

    Kirtland Geauga Co Ohio July 23 1837 the word of the lord unto Thomas B. Marsh concerning the Twelve.” CCLA.

  4. [31]

    See Ephesians 1:10; and Revelation, ca. Aug. 1835 [D&C 27:13].

  5. [32]

    See Abraham 1:3.

  6. [33]

    See Revelation, 27–28 Dec. 1832 [D&C 88:75, 85].

  7. [34]

    See Revelation 22:12; and Revelation, 10 June 1831 [D&C 54:10].

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