Revelation, 4 December 1831–A [D&C 72:1–8]

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Revelation, 4 December 1831–A [D&C 72:1–8]
Source Note

Revelation,
Kirtland Township
Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Latter-day Saint missionaries visited township, early Nov. 1830; many residents joined Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and...
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, OH, 4 Dec. 1831. Featured version copied [ca. 4 Dec. 1831]; handwriting of
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...
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; one page; Newel K. Whitney, Papers, BYU. Includes dockets and archival marking.

Sidney Rigdon
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inscribed this revelation and three others on a bifolium. The bottom and sides of the open bifolium are the squarely cut sides of a manufactured sheet, whereas the top is unevenly cut—apparently from a larger sheet. Each leaf of the bifolium measures 12¾ × 8 inches (32 × 20 cm). The first of JS’s three 4 December 1831 revelations was written on the recto of the first leaf, along with part of the second revelation dictated that day. The remainder of the second 4 December 1831 revelation and the third revelation of that date were inscribed on the verso of the first leaf. JS’s 1 December 1831 revelation was copied on the recto of the second leaf. The bifolium was later folded in half and then tri-folded in typical filing style. After being folded for filing, the document was docketed in graphite by
Newel K. Whitney
3/5 Feb. 1795–23 Sept. 1850. Trader, merchant. Born at Marlborough, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of Samuel Whitney and Susanna Kimball. Moved to Fairfield, Herkimer Co., New York, 1803. Merchant at Plattsburg, Clinton Co., New York, 1814. Mercantile clerk for...
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. One docket, “Decr 4 1831 to N K | W— & the Conference | (Bishop)”, is rewritten over a nearly identical docket made earlier. Another docket by Whitney reads: “Comand to the Bishop”. The folds of the document are partially broken.

This document and several other revelations, along with many other personal and institutional documents kept by
Whitney
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, were inherited by his daughter Mary Jane Whitney, who married Isaac Groo. This collection was passed down in the Groo family and donated by members of the family to the Harold B. Lee Library at Brigham Young University during the period 1969–1974.
1
Andrus et al., “Register of the Newel Kimball Whitney Papers, 1825–1906,” 5–6.
Comprehensive Works Cited
Andrus, Hyrum L., Chris Fuller, and Elizabeth E. McKenzie. “Register of the Newel Kimball Whitney Papers, 1825–1906,” Sept. 1998. BYU.
Footnotes
[1]
Andrus et al., “Register of the Newel Kimball Whitney Papers, 1825–1906,” 5–6.
Andrus, Hyrum L., Chris Fuller, and Elizabeth E. McKenzie. “Register of the Newel Kimball Whitney Papers, 1825–1906,” Sept. 1998. BYU.
Historical Introduction
This revelation and the two that follow were all dictated on 4 December 1831 in the same setting. On 3 December 1831, JS and
Sidney Rigdon
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traveled to
Kirtland
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from
Hiram
Area settled by immigrants from Pennsylvania and New England, ca. 1802. Located in northeastern Ohio about twenty-five miles southeast of Kirtland. Population in 1830 about 500. Population in 1840 about 1,100. JS lived in township at home of John and Alice...
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, Ohio, to fulfill a
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...
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given in a 1 December revelation to preach “unto the world in the regions round about and in the
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...
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.”
1
Revelation, 1 Dec. 1831 [D&C 71:2]; JS History, vol. A-1, 176.
According to a later JS history, “on the 4th several 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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and members assembled together to learn their duty and for edification”—a gathering described in the revelation as a conference of
high priests
An ecclesiastical and priesthood office. Christ and many ancient prophets, including Abraham, were described as being high priests. The Book of Mormon used the term high priest to denote one appointed to lead the church. However, the Book of Mormon also discussed...
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. Minutes of this meeting are not extant, but the JS history notes that it included conversations about “our temporal and Spiritual welfare.”
2
JS History, vol. A-1, 176.
JS and Rigdon may have also instructed the elders on the need to counter the published criticisms of former church member
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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.
This revelation, the first of three JS apparently dictated during the conference, focused on the appointment of
Newel K. Whitney
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as the second
bishop
An ecclesiastical and priesthood office. JS appointed Edward Partridge as the first bishop in February 1831. Following this appointment, Partridge functioned as the local leader of the church in Missouri. Later revelations described a bishop’s duties as receiving...
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in the church. In August 1831, Whitney was designated as “an
agent
A specific church office and, more generally, someone “entrusted with the business of another.” Agents in the church assisted other ecclesiastical officers, especially the bishop in his oversight of the church’s temporal affairs. A May 1831 revelation instructed...
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unto the
Desiples
Generally, a follower of Jesus Christ, and in certain cases, one selected to lead the ministry. In the New Testament, Christ ordained twelve of his disciples as apostles. The Book of Mormon recounted that during his ministry to the Nephites, Christ similarly...
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,” a role that included some responsibilities that were similar to the duties he would have as bishop.
3
Revelation, 30 Aug. 1831 [D&C 63:45].

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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was originally called as bishop in
Kirtland
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in February 1831,
4
Revelation, 4 Feb. 1831 [D&C 41:9].
but in the summer he relocated to
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...
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, Missouri, where he served as the bishop in
Zion
JS revelation, dated 20 July 1831, designated Missouri as “land of Zion” for gathering of Saints and place where “City of Zion” was to be built, with Independence area as “center place” of Zion. Latter-day Saint settlements elsewhere, such as in Kirtland,...
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.
5
Revelation, 20 July 1831 [D&C 57:7]; Revelation, 1 Aug. 1831 [D&C 58:14].
In November 1831, a revelation explained that as the church grew, “other Bishops” were “to be set apart unto the church to minister even according to the first.” These bishops, the revelation continued, were to “be appointed by a confrenc [conference] of high priests.”
6
Revelation, 1 Nov. 1831–A [D&C 68:14].
Accordingly, after Whitney was selected by revelation, he was appointed during the 4 December conference.
7
The same pattern had been followed earlier when John Whitmer was selected by revelation and appointed by a conference to be the church historian. After a March 1831 revelation for Whitmer stated “it shall be appointed unto you to Keep the Church Record & History,” a conference held on 9 April “appointed” Whitmer to undertake those tasks “agreeable” to the revelation. (Revelation, ca. 8 Mar. 1831–B [D&C 47:3]; Minute Book 2, 9 Apr. 1831.)
A second revelation dictated at this same conference dealt with Whitney’s duties as bishop, while the third revelation gave requirements for those migrating to
Zion
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.
8
Revelation, 4 Dec. 1831–B [D&C 72:9–23]; Revelation, 4 Dec. 1831–C [D&C 72:24–26].
Because no minutes of the 4 December conference exist, it is difficult to determine the exact circumstances under which these revelations were dictated. Conference attendees may have decided before the first revelation was dictated—possibly in connection with their conversation on “temporal and Spiritual welfare”—to appoint a bishop for
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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. If so, the first revelation apparently affirmed this decision, since it told the assembled high priests that “in this thing ye have done wisely.” The revelation then identified
Whitney
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as the man appointed.

When the three 4 December revelations were published, they were presented as a single combined text,
9
See, for example, “A Revelation Given December 4, 1831,” The Evening and the Morning Star, Dec. 1832, [5]–[6]; and Revelation, 4 Dec. 1831, in Doctrine and Covenants 89, 1835 ed. [D&C 72].
The Evening and the Morning Star. Independence, MO, June 1832–July 1833; Kirtland, OH, Dec. 1833–Sept. 1834.
but manuscript copies indicate they were originally three separately dictated texts. The first revelation refers to
Whitney
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as “the man who shall be appointed and
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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,” whereas the second revelation begins with a sentence referring to the bishop who “has been ordained,” indicating that Whitney’s appointment and ordination occurred after the first revelation was dictated but before the second. The second revelation begins with “The word of the Lord”—a conventional textual marker for the beginning of a discrete revelation text.
10
Revelation, 4 Dec. 1831–B [D&C 72:9].
A copy of these two revelations made by JS and
Frederick G. Williams
28 Oct. 1787–10 Oct. 1842. Ship’s pilot, teacher, physician, justice of the peace. Born at Suffield, Hartford Co., Connecticut. Son of William Wheeler Williams and Ruth Granger. Moved to Newburg, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, 1799. Practiced Thomsonian botanical system...
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in Revelation Book 2 around March 1832 supports this assessment: a clear break exists in the text between the first and second revelations, and a new heading with a date appears before the second revelation. The table of contents to Revelation Book 2 also treats these as two separate 4 December revelations, referring to one as “A Revelation given to choose a Bishop” and the other as “also another in addition to the Law making known the duty of the Bishop.”
11
Revelation Book 2, Index, [1]; see also Historical Introduction to Revelation Book 2; and Revelation Book 2, pp. 13–15.
Furthermore, other early manuscript copies (including the copy held by Whitney) preface the second revelation with the heading “The duty of the Bishop as made known at the same time.”
12
John Whitmer made a copy of the revelation in Revelation Book 1, probably sometime after April 1832. Orson Hyde also copied the revelation, probably early in 1832 before departing on a mission to the eastern United States. Hyde’s copy contains the heading “The duty of the Bishop as made Known at the same time” before the second revelation. (See Historical Introduction to Revelation Book 1; Revelation Book 1, pp. 132–134; and Hyde and Smith, Notebook [48]–[50].)
Hyde, Orson, and Samuel Smith. Notebook of Revelations and Missionary Memoranda, ca. Oct. 1831–ca. Jan. 1832. Revelations Collection, 1831–ca. 1844, 1847, 1861, ca. 1876. CHL. MS 4583, box 1, fd. 2.
Although there is not a similar break or heading in manuscript copies before the third revelation, it too appears to be separate: the second revelation ends with the words “and now I make an end of my sayings Amen,” indicating the formal closure of a discrete revelation text.
13
Sidney Rigdon
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probably served as the original scribe for these three revelations. The copy featured here, which is in Rigdon’s handwriting and was held by
Whitney
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, may be the original manuscript. The versions of the 4 December revelations featured in this volume were written on the same sheet of paper as a 1 December 1831 revelation, but the 4 December revelations were apparently inscribed first, meaning that Rigdon could have written the revelations on the paper as JS dictated and then copied the 1 December revelation thereafter.
14
The evenness of the inscription of the 4 December revelations, however, suggests that they are copies. When John Whitmer copied the 4 December revelations into Revelation Book 1, he placed them before the 1 December revelation, which matches the order in the Whitney copy. (Revelation Book 1, pp. 132–134.)
Footnotes
[1]
Revelation, 1 Dec. 1831 [D&C 71:2]; JS History, vol. A-1, 176.
[2]
JS History, vol. A-1, 176.
[3]
Revelation, 30 Aug. 1831 [D&C 63:45].
[4]
Revelation, 4 Feb. 1831 [D&C 41:9].
[5]
Revelation, 20 July 1831 [D&C 57:7]; Revelation, 1 Aug. 1831 [D&C 58:14].
[6]
Revelation, 1 Nov. 1831–A [D&C 68:14].
[7]
The same pattern had been followed earlier when John Whitmer was selected by revelation and appointed by a conference to be the church historian. After a March 1831 revelation for Whitmer stated “it shall be appointed unto you to Keep the Church Record & History,” a conference held on 9 April “appointed” Whitmer to undertake those tasks “agreeable” to the revelation. (Revelation, ca. 8 Mar. 1831–B [D&C 47:3]; Minute Book 2, 9 Apr. 1831.)
[8]
Revelation, 4 Dec. 1831–B [D&C 72:9–23]; Revelation, 4 Dec. 1831–C [D&C 72:24–26].
[9]
See, for example, “A Revelation Given December 4, 1831,” The Evening and the Morning Star, Dec. 1832, [5]–[6]; and Revelation, 4 Dec. 1831, in Doctrine and Covenants 89, 1835 ed. [D&C 72].
The Evening and the Morning Star. Independence, MO, June 1832–July 1833; Kirtland, OH, Dec. 1833–Sept. 1834.
[10]
[11]
Revelation Book 2, Index, [1]; see also Historical Introduction to Revelation Book 2; and Revelation Book 2, pp. 13–15.
[12]
John Whitmer made a copy of the revelation in Revelation Book 1, probably sometime after April 1832. Orson Hyde also copied the revelation, probably early in 1832 before departing on a mission to the eastern United States. Hyde’s copy contains the heading “The duty of the Bishop as made Known at the same time” before the second revelation. (See Historical Introduction to Revelation Book 1; Revelation Book 1, pp. 132–134; and Hyde and Smith, Notebook [48]–[50].)
Hyde, Orson, and Samuel Smith. Notebook of Revelations and Missionary Memoranda, ca. Oct. 1831–ca. Jan. 1832. Revelations Collection, 1831–ca. 1844, 1847, 1861, ca. 1876. CHL. MS 4583, box 1, fd. 2.
[13]
[14]
The evenness of the inscription of the 4 December revelations, however, suggests that they are copies. When John Whitmer copied the 4 December revelations into Revelation Book 1, he placed them before the 1 December revelation, which matches the order in the Whitney copy. (Revelation Book 1, pp. 132–134.)
Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation. *Revelation, 4 December 1831–A [D&C 72:1–8] Revelation, 4 December 1831, as Recorded in Hyde and Smith, Notebook [D&C 72] Revelation Book 2 Revelation Book 1 Revelations printed in The Evening and the Morning Star, June 1832–June 1833 Revelation, 4 December 1831, Unidentified Scribe Copy [D&C 72] Doctrine and Covenants, 1835 Revelations printed in Evening and Morning Star, January 1835–June 1836 History, 1838–1856, volume A-1 [23 December 1805–30 August 1834] Doctrine and Covenants, 1844 “History of Joseph Smith”
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Kirtland
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December 4th— 1831

Hearken and listen to the voice of the Lord o ye who have assembled yourselves together who are the
high priests
An ecclesiastical and priesthood office. Christ and many ancient prophets, including Abraham, were described as being high priests. The Book of Mormon used the term high priest to denote one appointed to lead the church. However, the Book of Mormon also discussed...
View Glossary
of 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
to whom the kingdom and power have been given for verily thus saith the Lord it is expedient in me for a
Bishop
An ecclesiastical and priesthood office. JS appointed Edward Partridge as the first bishop in February 1831. Following this appointment, Partridge functioned as the local leader of the church in Missouri. Later revelations described a bishop’s duties as receiving...
View Glossary
to be appointed unto you or of you to unto the church in this part of the Lords vineyard
1
That is, in Ohio. The book of Isaiah states that “the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel.” The Book of Mormon, however, also uses the term “vineyard” to refer to the world. (Isaiah 5:7; see also Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 90, 131–139 [2 Nephi 15:7; Jacob 5].)
and verily in this thing ye have done wisely for it is required of the Lord at the hand of every
steward
One who managed property and goods under the law of consecration; also someone given a specific ecclesiastical responsibility. According to the “Laws of the Church of Christ,” members of the church were to make donations to the bishop, who would record the...
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to render an account of his stewardship both in time and in eternity
2
See Luke 16:1–8.
for he who is faithfull and wise in time is accounted worthy to inherit the mantions prepared for them of my father
3
See Revelation, 20 May 1831 [D&C 51:19]; Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 565 [Ether 12:32, 34, 37]; and Revelation, 7 Aug. 1831 [D&C 59:2].
verily I say unto you 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
of the church in this part of my vineyard shall render an account of their stewardship unto the Bishop which shall be appointed of me in this part of my vinyard these things shall be had on record to be handed over unto the
Bishop
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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in
Zion
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4
According to a November 1831 revelation, the “Saints which are abroad in the Earth” were to “send forth their accounts to the Land of Zion.” (Revelation, 11 Nov. 1831–A [D&C 69:5].)
and the duty of the Bishop shall be made known by the
commandments
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
which have been given
5
See Revelation, 9 Feb. 1831 [D&C 42:31–36, 71–72]; Revelation, 23 Feb. 1831 [D&C 42:81–82]; Revelation, 20 May 1831 [D&C 51]; and Revelation, 11 Nov. 1831–B [D&C 107:74].
and by the voice of the
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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.

And now I say unto you my servent
Newel [K. Whitney]
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is the man who shall be appointed and
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...
View Glossary
unto this power this is the will of the Lord your God your Redeemer even so Amen— [p. [1]]
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Footnotes
[1]
That is, in Ohio. The book of Isaiah states that “the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel.” The Book of Mormon, however, also uses the term “vineyard” to refer to the world. (Isaiah 5:7; see also Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 90, 131–139 [2 Nephi 15:7; Jacob 5].)
[2]
See Luke 16:1–8.
[3]
See Revelation, 20 May 1831 [D&C 51:19]; Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 565 [Ether 12:32, 34, 37]; and Revelation, 7 Aug. 1831 [D&C 59:2].
[4]
According to a November 1831 revelation, the “Saints which are abroad in the Earth” were to “send forth their accounts to the Land of Zion.” (Revelation, 11 Nov. 1831–A [D&C 69:5].)
[5]
See Revelation, 9 Feb. 1831 [D&C 42:31–36, 71–72]; Revelation, 23 Feb. 1831 [D&C 42:81–82]; Revelation, 20 May 1831 [D&C 51]; and Revelation, 11 Nov. 1831–B [D&C 107:74].