The Papers
Browse the PapersDocumentsJournalsAdministrative RecordsRevelations and TranslationsHistoriesLegal RecordsFinancial RecordsOther Contemporary Papers
Reference
PeoplePlacesEventsGlossaryLegal GlossaryFinancial GlossaryCalendar of DocumentsWorks CitedFeatured TopicsLesson PlansRelated Publications
Media
VideosPhotographsIllustrationsChartsMapsPodcasts
News
Current NewsArchiveNewsletterSubscribeJSP Conferences
About
About the ProjectJoseph Smith and His PapersFAQAwardsEndorsementsReviewsEditorial MethodNote on TranscriptionsNote on Images of People and PlacesReferencing the ProjectCiting This WebsiteProject TeamContact Us
Published Volumes
  1. Home > 
  2. The Papers > 

Revelation, 8 August 1831 [D&C 60]

Source Note

Revelation,
Independence

Located twelve miles from western Missouri border. Permanently settled, platted, and designated county seat, 1827. Hub for steamboat travel on Missouri River. Point of departure for Santa Fe Trail. Population in 1831 about 300. Latter-day Saint population...

More Info
, Jackson Co., MO, 8 Aug. 1831. Featured version, titled “63 Commandment given in Missorie Jackson County Independence August 8th. 1831,” copied [ca. Sept. 1831] in Revelation Book 1, pp. 100–101; handwriting of
John Whitmer

27 Aug. 1802–11 July 1878. Farmer, stock raiser, newspaper editor. Born in Pennsylvania. Son of Peter Whitmer Sr. and Mary Musselman. Member of German Reformed Church, Fayette, Seneca Co., New York. Baptized by Oliver Cowdery, June 1829, most likely in Seneca...

View Full Bio
; CHL. Includes redactions. For more complete source information, see the source note for Revelation Book 1.

Historical Introduction

On 8 August 1831, JS dictated a revelation instructing “some of the
Elders

A male leader in the church generally; an ecclesiastical and priesthood office or one holding that office; a proselytizing missionary. The Book of Mormon explained that elders ordained priests and teachers and administered “the flesh and blood of Christ unto...

View Glossary
” who had traveled to
Missouri

Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803, and established as territory, 1812. Missouri Compromise, 1820, admitted Missouri as slave state, 1821. Population in 1830 about 140,000; in 1836 about 240,000; and in 1840 about 380,000. Latter-day Saint ...

More Info
to return to
Ohio

French explored and claimed area, 1669. British took possession following French and Indian War, 1763. Ceded to U.S., 1783. First permanent white settlement established, 1788. Northeastern portion maintained as part of Connecticut, 1786, and called Connecticut...

More Info
, preaching along the way. These elders had reached Missouri in mid- to late July and participated in the dedication of the land for the building of the
city of Zion

Also referred to as New Jerusalem. JS revelation, dated Sept. 1830, prophesied that “city of Zion” would be built among Lamanites (American Indians). JS directed Oliver Cowdery and other missionaries preaching among American Indians in Missouri to find location...

More Info
, the dedication of a
temple site

JS revelation, dated 20 July 1831, directed temple to be built short distance west of courthouse on hill just outside of Independence, Missouri. JS directed dedication of temple site by Sidney Rigdon, 3 Aug. 1831. On same date, church claimed site for eventual...

More Info
, and a
conference

A meeting where ecclesiastical officers and other church members could conduct church business. The “Articles and Covenants” of the church directed the elders to hold conferences to perform “Church business.” The first of these conferences was held on 9 June...

View Glossary
with JS and other leaders.
1

JS History, vol. A-1, 126–127, 129, 137, 139; Minutes, 4 Aug. 1831.


“Finding but little or no business for us to accomplish” once this “work” was done,
Ezra Booth

14 Feb. 1792–before 12 Jan. 1873. Farmer, minister. Born in Newtown, Fairfield Co., Connecticut. Admitted on trial to Methodist ministry, 4 Sept. 1816, and stationed in the Ohio District in Beaver, Pike Co. Admitted into full connection and elected a deacon...

View Full Bio
wrote, “most of us became anxious to return home.”
2

Ezra Booth, “Mormonism—No. VI,” Ohio Star (Ravenna), 17 Nov. 1831, [3].


Comprehensive Works Cited

Ohio Star. Ravenna. 1830–1854.

A later JS history recounts that the elders inquired of JS “what they were to do,” and this revelation was the response.
3

JS History, vol. A-1, 141.


The original manuscript of this revelation is not extant.
John Whitmer

27 Aug. 1802–11 July 1878. Farmer, stock raiser, newspaper editor. Born in Pennsylvania. Son of Peter Whitmer Sr. and Mary Musselman. Member of German Reformed Church, Fayette, Seneca Co., New York. Baptized by Oliver Cowdery, June 1829, most likely in Seneca...

View Full Bio
copied the revelation into Revelation Book 1 (which he was keeping in
Ohio

French explored and claimed area, 1669. British took possession following French and Indian War, 1763. Ceded to U.S., 1783. First permanent white settlement established, 1788. Northeastern portion maintained as part of Connecticut, 1786, and called Connecticut...

More Info
), probably shortly after the elders returned from
Missouri

Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803, and established as territory, 1812. Missouri Compromise, 1820, admitted Missouri as slave state, 1821. Population in 1830 about 140,000; in 1836 about 240,000; and in 1840 about 380,000. Latter-day Saint ...

More Info
.
4

See Historical Introduction to Revelation Book 1.


Others present at the time the revelation was dictated may have made personal copies as well;
Booth

14 Feb. 1792–before 12 Jan. 1873. Farmer, minister. Born in Newtown, Fairfield Co., Connecticut. Admitted on trial to Methodist ministry, 4 Sept. 1816, and stationed in the Ohio District in Beaver, Pike Co. Admitted into full connection and elected a deacon...

View Full Bio
, for example, referenced the revelation in a September letter to
Edward Partridge

27 Aug. 1793–27 May 1840. Hatter. Born at Pittsfield, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of William Partridge and Jemima Bidwell. Moved to Painesville, Geauga Co., Ohio. Married Lydia Clisbee, 22 Aug. 1819, at Painesville. Initially a Universal Restorationist...

View Full Bio
, suggesting that he had his own copy.
5

Ezra Booth, “Mormonism—No. VII,” Ohio Star (Ravenna), 24 Nov. 1831, [1].


Comprehensive Works Cited

Ohio Star. Ravenna. 1830–1854.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    JS History, vol. A-1, 126–127, 129, 137, 139; Minutes, 4 Aug. 1831.

  2. [2]

    Ezra Booth, “Mormonism—No. VI,” Ohio Star (Ravenna), 17 Nov. 1831, [3].

    Ohio Star. Ravenna. 1830–1854.

  3. [3]

    JS History, vol. A-1, 141.

  4. [4]

    See Historical Introduction to Revelation Book 1.

  5. [5]

    Ezra Booth, “Mormonism—No. VII,” Ohio Star (Ravenna), 24 Nov. 1831, [1].

    Ohio Star. Ravenna. 1830–1854.

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation.
*Revelation, 8 August 1831 [D&C 60]
Revelation Book 1 Book of Commandments, 1833 Doctrine and Covenants, 1835 History, 1838–1856, volume A-1 [23 December 1805–30 August 1834] Doctrine and Covenants, 1844 “History of Joseph Smith”

Page 100

63
1

John Whitmer assigned this number to the revelation when recording it in Revelation Book 1.


Commandment

Generally, a divine mandate that church members were expected to obey; more specifically, a text dictated by JS in the first-person voice of Deity that served to communicate knowledge and instruction to JS and his followers. Occasionally, other inspired texts...

View Glossary
given in Missorie Jackson County
Independence

Located twelve miles from western Missouri border. Permanently settled, platted, and designated county seat, 1827. Hub for steamboat travel on Missouri River. Point of departure for Santa Fe Trail. Population in 1831 about 300. Latter-day Saint population...

More Info
August 8th. 1831 directions to some of the
Elders

A male leader in the church generally; an ecclesiastical and priesthood office or one holding that office; a proselytizing missionary. The Book of Mormon explained that elders ordained priests and teachers and administered “the flesh and blood of Christ unto...

View Glossary
to return to their homes & & own land &c &c
2

This heading likely did not appear in the original manuscript; John Whitmer likely added it when he copied the revelation into Revelation Book 1.


Behold thus saith the Lord unto the Elders of this
Church

The Book of Mormon related that when Christ set up his church in the Americas, “they which were baptized in the name of Jesus, were called the church of Christ.” The first name used to denote the church JS organized on 6 April 1830 was “the Church of Christ...

View Glossary
who are to return speedily to the land from whence they came behold it pleaseth me that you have come up hither but with some I am not well pleased for they will not open their mouths but hide the tallent which I have given <​unto​> them because of the fear of man
3

Ezra Booth, who traveled to Missouri at this time but later left the church, recounted, “For more than two weeks, while I remained there [in Missouri], the disposition of the Elders appeared to be averse to preaching.” (Ezra Booth, “Mormonism—No. V,” Ohio Star [Ravenna], 10 Nov. 1831, [3].)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Ohio Star. Ravenna. 1830–1854.

wo unto such for mine anger is kindelled against them & it shall come to pass if they are not more faithfull unto me it shall be taken away even that which they have
4

See Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 565 [Ether 12:35].


for I the Lord ruleth in the heavens above & among the armies of the Earth
5

See Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 115 [2 Nephi 29:7].


And in the day when I shall make up my Jewels
6

See Malachi 3:17.


all men shall know what it is that bespeaketh the power of God but verily I will speak unto you concerning your Journey unto the Land from whence you came let there be a craft made or bought as seemeth you good it mattereth not unto me
7

A 1 August 1831 revelation stated, “It is not meet that I should command in all things for he that is compelled in all things the same is a slothfull & not a wise Servent.” (Revelation, 1 Aug. 1831 [D&C 58:26].)


& take your Journey speedily for the place which is called
St. Lewis

Located on west side of Mississippi River about fifteen miles south of confluence with Missouri River. Founded as fur-trading post by French settlers, 1764. Incorporated as town, 1809. First Mississippi steamboat docked by town, 1817. Incorporated as city...

More Info
.
8

On the trip to Independence in June, JS and his companions went on foot from St. Louis, Missouri, parallel to the eastward-flowing Missouri River. On their return trip, they could more easily travel downriver to St. Louis by water. Ezra Booth later recollected that he and one other elder were given the task of “procuring the means of conveyance down the river.” JS and others began their return to Ohio in canoes. (JS History, vol. A-1, 126, 142; Ezra Booth, “Mormonism—No. V,” Ohio Star [Ravenna], 10 Nov. 1831, [3]; Minutes, 4 Aug. 1831.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Ohio Star. Ravenna. 1830–1854.

& from thence let my Servent
Sidney [Rigdon]

19 Feb. 1793–14 July 1876. Tanner, farmer, minister. Born at St. Clair, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania. Son of William Rigdon and Nancy Gallaher. Joined United Baptists, ca. 1818. Preached at Warren, Trumbull Co., Ohio, and vicinity, 1819–1821. Married Phebe...

View Full Bio
& Joseph &
Oliver [Cowdery]

3 Oct. 1806–3 Mar. 1850. Clerk, teacher, justice of the peace, lawyer, newspaper editor. Born at Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller. Raised Congregationalist. Moved to western New York and clerked at a store, ca. 1825–1828...

View Full Bio
take their Journey for
Cincinnati

Area settled largely by emigrants from New England and New Jersey, by 1788. Village founded and surveyed adjacent to site of Fort Washington, 1789. First seat of legislature of Northwest Territory, 1790. Incorporated as city, 1819. Developed rapidly as shipping...

More Info
9

JS visited Cincinnati on the way to Independence and met there with Walter Scott of the reformed Baptist movement. (JS History, vol. A-1, 126.)


& in this place let them lift up their voice & declare my word with loud voices without wrath or doubting lifting up holy hands upon them
10

See 1 Timothy 2:8.


for I am able to make you holy & your sins are forgiven you & let the residue take their Journey from
St. Lowis

Located on west side of Mississippi River about fifteen miles south of confluence with Missouri River. Founded as fur-trading post by French settlers, 1764. Incorporated as town, 1809. First Mississippi steamboat docked by town, 1817. Incorporated as city...

More Info
two by two & preach the word not in haste among the congregations of the wicked untill they return to the churches from whence they came & all this for the good of the churches for this intent have I sent them & let my servent
Edward [Partridge]

27 Aug. 1793–27 May 1840. Hatter. Born at Pittsfield, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of William Partridge and Jemima Bidwell. Moved to Painesville, Geauga Co., Ohio. Married Lydia Clisbee, 22 Aug. 1819, at Painesville. Initially a Universal Restorationist...

View Full Bio
impart of the money which I have given him a portion unto mine Elders which are commanded to return
11

As the church’s bishop, Partridge was in charge of administering funds from church members consecrated to the church. (Revelation, 1 Aug. 1831 [D&C 58:35–36]; Revelation, 9 Feb. 1831 [D&C 42:30–33].)


& he that is able let him return it by the way of the
agent

28 Dec. 1789–29 June 1834. Merchant. Born at New Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut. Son of Eli Gilbert and Lydia Hemingway. Moved to Huntington, Fairfield Co., Connecticut; to Monroe, Monroe Co., Michigan Territory, by Sept. 1818; to Painesville, Geauga Co...

View Full Bio
12

Sidney Gilbert, who was traveling to Ohio with the others.


& he that is not of him it is not required And now I speak of the [p. 100]
View entire transcript

|

Cite this page

Source Note

Document Transcript

Page 100

Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Revelation, 8 August 1831 [D&C 60]
ID #
6520
Total Pages
2
Print Volume Location
JSP, D2:35–37
Handwriting on This Page
  • John Whitmer

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    John Whitmer assigned this number to the revelation when recording it in Revelation Book 1.

  2. [2]

    This heading likely did not appear in the original manuscript; John Whitmer likely added it when he copied the revelation into Revelation Book 1.

  3. [3]

    Ezra Booth, who traveled to Missouri at this time but later left the church, recounted, “For more than two weeks, while I remained there [in Missouri], the disposition of the Elders appeared to be averse to preaching.” (Ezra Booth, “Mormonism—No. V,” Ohio Star [Ravenna], 10 Nov. 1831, [3].)

    Ohio Star. Ravenna. 1830–1854.

  4. [4]

    See Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 565 [Ether 12:35].

  5. [5]

    See Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 115 [2 Nephi 29:7].

  6. [6]

    See Malachi 3:17.

  7. [7]

    A 1 August 1831 revelation stated, “It is not meet that I should command in all things for he that is compelled in all things the same is a slothfull & not a wise Servent.” (Revelation, 1 Aug. 1831 [D&C 58:26].)

  8. [8]

    On the trip to Independence in June, JS and his companions went on foot from St. Louis, Missouri, parallel to the eastward-flowing Missouri River. On their return trip, they could more easily travel downriver to St. Louis by water. Ezra Booth later recollected that he and one other elder were given the task of “procuring the means of conveyance down the river.” JS and others began their return to Ohio in canoes. (JS History, vol. A-1, 126, 142; Ezra Booth, “Mormonism—No. V,” Ohio Star [Ravenna], 10 Nov. 1831, [3]; Minutes, 4 Aug. 1831.)

    Ohio Star. Ravenna. 1830–1854.

  9. [9]

    JS visited Cincinnati on the way to Independence and met there with Walter Scott of the reformed Baptist movement. (JS History, vol. A-1, 126.)

  10. [10]

    See 1 Timothy 2:8.

  11. [11]

    As the church’s bishop, Partridge was in charge of administering funds from church members consecrated to the church. (Revelation, 1 Aug. 1831 [D&C 58:35–36]; Revelation, 9 Feb. 1831 [D&C 42:30–33].)

  12. [12]

    Sidney Gilbert, who was traveling to Ohio with the others.

© 2024 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Terms of UseUpdated 2021-04-13Privacy NoticeUpdated 2021-04-06