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. Mormon population by summer...
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, 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...
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; 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...
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” 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. Mormon missionaries...
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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...
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, 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...
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, 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...
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, 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...
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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...
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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...
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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. Mormon missionaries...
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...
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, 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...
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, 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.

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given in Missorie Jackson County August 8th. 1831 directions to some of the to return to their homes & & own land &c &c

Behold thus saith the Lord unto the Elders of this 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 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 for I the Lord ruleth in the heavens above & among the armies of the Earth And in the day when I shall make up my Jewels 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 & take your Journey speedily for the place which is called . & from thence let my Servent & Joseph & take their Journey for & 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 for I am able to make you holy & your sins are forgiven you & let the residue take their Journey from 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 impart of the money which I have given him a portion unto mine Elders which are commanded to return & he that is able let him return it by the way of the & he that is not of him it is not required And now I speak of the [p. 100]

given in Missorie Jackson County August 8th. 1831 directions to some of the to return to their own land &c &c

Behold thus saith the Lord unto the Elders of this 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 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 for I the Lord ruleth in the heavens above & among the armies of the Earth And in the day when I shall make up my Jewels 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 & take your Journey speedily for the place which is called . & from thence let my Servent & Joseph & take their Journey for & 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 for I am able to make you holy & your sins are forgiven you & let the residue take their Journey from 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 impart of the money which I have given him a portion unto mine Elders which are commanded to return & he that is able let him return it by the way of the & he that is not of him it is not required And now I speak of the [p. 100]

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Document Information
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.

Revelation, 8 August 1831 [D&C 60]

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