Shortly after JS and relocated to , Ohio, in early February 1831, a revelation established laws to govern the church. The “first ” declared on that occasion was for the to go two by two “in to the regions westward” to preach the gospel and build up the church. A short time later JS dictated the revelation featured here, which commanded the elders to assemble together so that the Lord could “pour out” his Spirit in preparation for more missionary work. When copied this text into Revelation Book 1, likely during summer 1831, he dated it simply February 1831. JS’s history dates the revelation to the “latter part of February” but likewise provides no specific date. However, JS implied a date prior to 22 February when he apparently alluded to this revelation in a letter to , whom he instructed to “inform the Elders which are there that all of them who can be spared will come here without delay if possable this by Commandment of the Lord.” Similarly, John Whitmer explained in the heading to this document that the revelation was “a call to the Eldrs of this Church &c.,” and he later recorded that “the elders were sent for according to the . . . Revelation.” JS wrote to his brother shortly after the revelation was written and told him that “the work is brakeing forth on the right hand and on the left and there is a great Call for Elders in this place.”

There is some uncertainty as to when the proposed meeting of the elders, the “day that they assemble themselves together,” occurred. Minute Book 2 records a “special meeting of the Elders of the held at Geauga Co. Ohio, April 9. 1831. to do Church business &c.,” but little else is said about the content of that meeting. However, JS’s history explains that this revelation “caused the church to appoint a to be held on the 6th of June ensuing.” The records relating to the June 1831 conference include an extensive list of elders as well as accounts of to the “.” The June conference, rather than the 9 April meeting, is therefore more likely the meeting to which the elders were called to gather.