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Revelation, September 1830–F [D&C 31]

Source Note

Revelation,
Fayette Township

Located in northern part of county between Seneca and Cayuga lakes. Area settled, by 1790. Officially organized as Washington Township, 14 Mar. 1800. Name changed to Fayette, 6 Apr. 1808. Population in 1830 about 3,200. Population in 1840 about 3,700. Significant...

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, Seneca Co., NY, to
Thomas B. Marsh

1 Nov. 1800–Jan. 1866. Farmer, hotel worker, waiter, horse groom, grocer, type foundry worker, teacher. Born at Acton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of James Marsh and Molly Law. Married first Elizabeth Godkin, 1 Nov. 1820, at New York City. Moved to ...

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, [Sept.] 1830. Featured version, titled “34th Commandment AD 1830,” copied [ca. Mar. 1831] in Revelation Book 1, pp. 43–44; 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...

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

Historical Introduction

According to his history, JS dictated this revelation for
Thomas B. Marsh

1 Nov. 1800–Jan. 1866. Farmer, hotel worker, waiter, horse groom, grocer, type foundry worker, teacher. Born at Acton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of James Marsh and Molly Law. Married first Elizabeth Godkin, 1 Nov. 1820, at New York City. Moved to ...

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during the 26 September 1830
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...

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.
1

JS History, vol. A-1, 58–60.


Marsh, a resident of Charlestown, Massachusetts,
2

1830 U.S. Census, Charlestown, Middlesex Co., MA, 42.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Census (U.S.) / U.S. Bureau of the Census. Population Schedules. Microfilm. FHL.

who had earlier been affiliated with the Methodist church, first learned of JS and his activities when he visited
Palmyra

First permanent white settlers arrived, ca. 1789. Included village of Palmyra. Erie Canal opened, 1825, in southern portion of township. Population in 1810 about 2,200. Population in 1830 about 3,400. Home of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith family, beginning...

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, New York, in 1829. He later recounted that in the summer of that year, “I thought the Spirit required me to make a journey West. I started in co[mpan]y. with on[e] Benj. Hall, who was also led by the Spirit. We went to Lima Livingston Co N. Y. where we stayed some 3 mos. and then left for home.” Before returning home, however, he stopped in Lyons, just fifteen miles east of Palmyra, where he learned of the printing of the Book of Mormon. He then traveled on to Palmyra, where he met
Martin Harris

18 May 1783–10 July 1875. Farmer. Born at Easton, Albany Co., New York. Son of Nathan Harris and Rhoda Lapham. Moved with parents to area of Swift’s landing (later in Palmyra), Ontario Co., New York, 1793. Married first his first cousin Lucy Harris, 27 Mar...

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, saw proof sheets of the first pages of the Book of Mormon, and spoke with
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...

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, who, according to Marsh, “gave me all the information concer[n]ing the Book I wanted.” Marsh returned to his home interested in what he had learned and carrying the first sixteen printed pages of the book.
3

“T B Marsh,” [1], Historian’s Office, Histories of the Twelve, ca. 1858–1880, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Historian’s Office. Histories of the Twelve, 1856–1858, 1861. CHL. CR 100 93.

On 25 October, Marsh wrote to Cowdery to express his interest in the little band of believers and to inquire about their welfare. Cowdery reported to JS that although Marsh had found some unwilling to listen, he had talked “to Some respecting our work.”
4

Letter from Oliver Cowdery, 6 Nov. 1829.


The correspondence continued, but the letters are no longer extant. After learning by letter of the April organization of the
Church of Christ

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...

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, Marsh and his family moved to Palmyra in September 1830. Shortly before the second conference of the church in late September,
David Whitmer

7 Jan. 1805–25 Jan. 1888. Farmer, livery keeper. Born near Harrisburg, Dauphin Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Peter Whitmer Sr. and Mary Musselman. Raised Presbyterian. Moved to Ontario Co., New York, shortly after birth. Attended German Reformed Church. Arranged...

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baptized

An ordinance in which an individual is immersed in water for the remission of sins. The Book of Mormon explained that those with necessary authority were to baptize individuals who had repented of their sins. Baptized individuals also received the gift of...

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Marsh and Oliver Cowdery
ordained

The conferral of power and authority; to appoint, decree, or set apart. Church members, primarily adults, were ordained to ecclesiastical offices and other responsibilities by the laying on of hands by those with the proper authority. Ordinations to priesthood...

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him an
elder

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...

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, most likely shortly before JS dictated this revelation.
5

“T B Marsh,” [1], Historian’s Office, Histories of the Twelve, ca. 1858–1880, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Historian’s Office. Histories of the Twelve, 1856–1858, 1861. CHL. CR 100 93.

Echoing revelations from April and June of 1829 that called for the formation of a church and the gathering of believers, this text emphasized the urgency of the work and admonished
Marsh

1 Nov. 1800–Jan. 1866. Farmer, hotel worker, waiter, horse groom, grocer, type foundry worker, teacher. Born at Acton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of James Marsh and Molly Law. Married first Elizabeth Godkin, 1 Nov. 1820, at New York City. Moved to ...

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to “thrust in thy Sickle with all thy Soul.” Like
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
,
Hyrum Smith

9 Feb. 1800–27 June 1844. Farmer, cooper. Born at Tunbridge, Orange Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Randolph, Orange Co., 1802; back to Tunbridge, before May 1803; to Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont, 1804; to Sharon, Windsor Co...

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, and others before him, as well as
Ezra Thayer

14 Oct. 1791–6 Sept. 1862. Farmer, gardener, builder. Born in New York. Married Elizabeth Frank. Lived at Bloomfield, Ontario Co., New York, 1820. Lived at Farmington, Ontario Co., 1830. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Parley ...

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and
Northrop Sweet

19 Feb. 1802–23 Feb. 1881. Farmer. Born in New York. Married first Elethan Harris, before 1828. Moved to Palmyra, Wayne Co., New York, by June 1830. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Parley P. Pratt, by Oct. 1830, in Palmyra. Appointed...

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soon after, Marsh was reminded that the “harvest” was near; in vivid apocalyptic language, the revelation warned that the field was “already to be burned.”
6

See Revelation, Apr. 1829–A [D&C 6:3]; Revelation, May 1829–A [D&C 11:3]; Revelation, May 1829–B [D&C 12:3]; Revelation, June 1829–A [D&C 14:3]; and Revelation, Oct. 1830–B [D&C 33:3].


The revelation also addressed
Marsh

1 Nov. 1800–Jan. 1866. Farmer, hotel worker, waiter, horse groom, grocer, type foundry worker, teacher. Born at Acton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of James Marsh and Molly Law. Married first Elizabeth Godkin, 1 Nov. 1820, at New York City. Moved to ...

View Full Bio
’s understandable concerns about his family’s welfare as he traveled and preached, promising him that his family would be blessed during his absence. Though the revelation does not indicate where he was to preach, he remained in
New York

Located in northeast region of U.S. Area settled by Dutch traders, 1620s; later governed by Britain, 1664–1776. Admitted to U.S. as state, 1788. Population in 1810 about 1,000,000; in 1820 about 1,400,000; in 1830 about 1,900,000; and in 1840 about 2,400,...

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until the spring of 1831 and corresponded with relatives in
Massachusetts

One of original thirteen colonies that formed U.S. Capital city, Boston. Colonized by English religious dissenters, 1620s. Population in 1830 about 610,000. Population in 1840 about 738,000. Joseph Smith Sr. born in Massachusetts. Samuel Smith and Orson Hyde...

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, urging them to join the believers.
7

Thomas B. Marsh and Elizabeth Godkin Marsh to Lewis Abbott and Ann Marsh Abbott, [ca. 11 Apr. 1831], Abbott Family Collection, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Abbott Family Collection, 1831–2000. CHL. MS 23457.

In June 1831 he was called to travel 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 ...

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and preach along the way.
8

Revelation, 6 June 1831 [D&C 52:22].


Footnotes

  1. [1]

    JS History, vol. A-1, 58–60.

  2. [2]

    1830 U.S. Census, Charlestown, Middlesex Co., MA, 42.

    Census (U.S.) / U.S. Bureau of the Census. Population Schedules. Microfilm. FHL.

  3. [3]

    “T B Marsh,” [1], Historian’s Office, Histories of the Twelve, ca. 1858–1880, CHL.

    Historian’s Office. Histories of the Twelve, 1856–1858, 1861. CHL. CR 100 93.

  4. [4]

    Letter from Oliver Cowdery, 6 Nov. 1829.

  5. [5]

    “T B Marsh,” [1], Historian’s Office, Histories of the Twelve, ca. 1858–1880, CHL.

    Historian’s Office. Histories of the Twelve, 1856–1858, 1861. CHL. CR 100 93.

  6. [6]

    See Revelation, Apr. 1829–A [D&C 6:3]; Revelation, May 1829–A [D&C 11:3]; Revelation, May 1829–B [D&C 12:3]; Revelation, June 1829–A [D&C 14:3]; and Revelation, Oct. 1830–B [D&C 33:3].

  7. [7]

    Thomas B. Marsh and Elizabeth Godkin Marsh to Lewis Abbott and Ann Marsh Abbott, [ca. 11 Apr. 1831], Abbott Family Collection, CHL.

    Abbott Family Collection, 1831–2000. CHL. MS 23457.

  8. [8]

    Revelation, 6 June 1831 [D&C 52:22].

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation. Revelation, September 1830–F, Extract, in handwriting of Edward Partridge [D&C 31:2–6]
*Revelation, September 1830–F [D&C 31]
Revelation Book 1 Book of Commandments, 1833 History, 1838–1856, volume A-1 [23 December 1805–30 August 1834] History, circa 1841, draft [Draft 3] History, circa 1841, fair copy “History of Joseph Smith” Doctrine and Covenants, 1844

Page 43

34th
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
AD 1830
A Revelation to
Thomas [B. Marsh]

1 Nov. 1800–Jan. 1866. Farmer, hotel worker, waiter, horse groom, grocer, type foundry worker, teacher. Born at Acton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of James Marsh and Molly Law. Married first Elizabeth Godkin, 1 Nov. 1820, at New York City. Moved to ...

View Full Bio
his call to the ministiry &c gaven at
Fayette

Located in northern part of county between Seneca and Cayuga lakes. Area settled, by 1790. Officially organized as Washington Township, 14 Mar. 1800. Name changed to Fayette, 6 Apr. 1808. Population in 1830 about 3,200. Population in 1840 about 3,700. Significant...

More Info
Seneca County State of New York
1

John Whitmer likely created this heading when he copied the text into Revelation Book 1.


Thomas

1 Nov. 1800–Jan. 1866. Farmer, hotel worker, waiter, horse groom, grocer, type foundry worker, teacher. Born at Acton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of James Marsh and Molly Law. Married first Elizabeth Godkin, 1 Nov. 1820, at New York City. Moved to ...

View Full Bio
my Son Blessed art thou Be[c]ause of thy faith in my words Behold thou hast had many afflictions because of thy family Nevertheless I will bless thee & thy family yea thy little ones & the day cometh that they will believe & know the truth & be one with thee
2

Edward Partridge’s early copy of this revelation, only partially extant, has “me.” (Revelation, Sept. 1830–F, in Partridge, Copies of Revelations [D&C 31:2].)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Partridge, Edward. Copies of Revelations, ca. Dec. 1830–Spring 1831. CHL. MS 1133.

in my
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
3

By her own account, Marsh’s wife, Elizabeth, did not become a believer until 1831, when her son Nephi was born. At the time of this revelation, Marsh had three “little ones”: Edward B., age nine (born 13 August 1821); James G., age seven (31 May 1823); and Thomas E., age three (26 March 1827). James joined the church, but no information is known about the other Marsh children. (Thomas B. Marsh and Elizabeth Godkin Marsh to Lewis Abbott and Ann Marsh Abbott, [ca. 11 Apr. 1831], Abbott Family Collection, CHL; “T B Marsh,” [3], Historian’s Office, Histories of the Twelve, ca. 1858–1880, CHL; Obituary for James G. Marsh, Elders’ Journal, July 1838, 48.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Abbott Family Collection, 1831–2000. CHL. MS 23457.

Historian’s Office. Histories of the Twelve, 1856–1858, 1861. CHL. CR 100 93.

Elders’ Journal of the Church of Latter Day Saints. Kirtland, OH, Oct.–Nov. 1837; Far West, MO, July–Aug. 1838.

lift up your heart & rejoice for the hour of your Mishion mission is come & thy tongue shall be loosed & thou shalt declare glad tidings of great joy unto this generation thou shalt declare the things which have been revealed unto my Servent Joseph thou shalt begin to preach from this time forth yea to Reap in the field which is white already to be burned
4

See John 4:35; see also Letter to Newel Knight and the Church in Colesville, 28 Aug. 1830.


Therefore thrust in thy Sickle with all thy Soul
5

Marsh served multiple proselytizing missions between 1831 and 1835. (Revelation, 15 June 1831 [D&C 56:5]; “T B Marsh,” [1]–[2], Historian’s Office, Histories of the Twelve, ca. 1858–1880, CHL; Revelation, 25 Jan. 1832–B [D&C 75:31]; and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Record, 4 May 1835.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Historian’s Office. Histories of the Twelve, 1856–1858, 1861. CHL. CR 100 93.

& thy sins are forgiven thee & thou shalt be laden with sheaves upon thy Back
6

See Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 295–296 [Alma 26:5].


for the labourer is worthy of his hire Wherefore thy family shall live Behold Verily I say unto you go from them only for a little time & declare my word & I will prepare a place for them yea I will open the hearts of the People & they will Receive thee & I will establish a church by thy hand & thou shalt strengthen them & prepare them against the time when the
gethering

As directed by early revelations, church members “gathered” in communities. A revelation dated September 1830, for instance, instructed elders “to bring to pass the gathering of mine elect” who would “be gathered in unto one place, upon the face of this land...

View Glossary
7

On the subject of gathering, see Historical Introduction to Revelation, Sept. 1830–A [D&C 29].


shall be[.] be patient in afflictions & sufferings revile not against [p. 43]
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Source Note

Document Transcript

Page 43

Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Revelation, September 1830–F [D&C 31]
ID #
6491
Total Pages
2
Print Volume Location
JSP, D1:193–195
Handwriting on This Page
  • John Whitmer

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    John Whitmer likely created this heading when he copied the text into Revelation Book 1.

  2. [2]

    Edward Partridge’s early copy of this revelation, only partially extant, has “me.” (Revelation, Sept. 1830–F, in Partridge, Copies of Revelations [D&C 31:2].)

    Partridge, Edward. Copies of Revelations, ca. Dec. 1830–Spring 1831. CHL. MS 1133.

  3. [3]

    By her own account, Marsh’s wife, Elizabeth, did not become a believer until 1831, when her son Nephi was born. At the time of this revelation, Marsh had three “little ones”: Edward B., age nine (born 13 August 1821); James G., age seven (31 May 1823); and Thomas E., age three (26 March 1827). James joined the church, but no information is known about the other Marsh children. (Thomas B. Marsh and Elizabeth Godkin Marsh to Lewis Abbott and Ann Marsh Abbott, [ca. 11 Apr. 1831], Abbott Family Collection, CHL; “T B Marsh,” [3], Historian’s Office, Histories of the Twelve, ca. 1858–1880, CHL; Obituary for James G. Marsh, Elders’ Journal, July 1838, 48.)

    Abbott Family Collection, 1831–2000. CHL. MS 23457.

    Historian’s Office. Histories of the Twelve, 1856–1858, 1861. CHL. CR 100 93.

    Elders’ Journal of the Church of Latter Day Saints. Kirtland, OH, Oct.–Nov. 1837; Far West, MO, July–Aug. 1838.

  4. [4]

    See John 4:35; see also Letter to Newel Knight and the Church in Colesville, 28 Aug. 1830.

  5. [5]

    Marsh served multiple proselytizing missions between 1831 and 1835. (Revelation, 15 June 1831 [D&C 56:5]; “T B Marsh,” [1]–[2], Historian’s Office, Histories of the Twelve, ca. 1858–1880, CHL; Revelation, 25 Jan. 1832–B [D&C 75:31]; and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Record, 4 May 1835.)

    Historian’s Office. Histories of the Twelve, 1856–1858, 1861. CHL. CR 100 93.

  6. [6]

    See Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 295–296 [Alma 26:5].

  7. [7]

    On the subject of gathering, see Historical Introduction to Revelation, Sept. 1830–A [D&C 29].

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