Revelation, , OH, 4 Dec. 1831. Featured version copied [ca. 4 Dec. 1831]; handwriting of ; one page; , Papers, BYU.
This text was inscribed following the two other JS revelations dictated 4 December 1831, on the verso of the first leaf of a bifolium measuring 12¾ × 8 inches (32 × 20 cm). For a complete physical description, see Source Note for Revelation, 4 Dec. 1831–A [D&C 72:1–8].
This document and several other revelations, along with many other personal and institutional documents kept by , 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.
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
JS dictated this revelation the same day he dictated two other revelations pertaining to the calling of as the in , probably at a held on 4 December 1831 in . The other two revelations explained how Whitney’s duties as bishop were closely related to those of . Partridge was responsible for dividing the land of for , and Whitney was to provide recommends to those who had been faithful in their and had been designated to go to . This revelation provided additional instructions about these recommends. Although manuscript versions indicate that this revelation was separate from the two others dictated on 4 December, the three revelations were combined when they were published.
A few words in addition to the laws of the kingdom respecting the members of the church they who are appointed by the holy spirit to go up unto <&> they who who are priveledged to go up unto let them carry up unto the a certificate from three Elders of the church or a certificate from the otherwise he who shall go up unto the land of shall not be accounted worthy a wise steward this als[o] is an ensample Amen [rest of page blank] [p. [2]]
None were to go to Zion except those who were appointed. An August 1831 revelation stated that the elders should “desire . . . through prayer” to go to Zion, where they would receive an inheritance, but this gathering needed to be “done as it shall be councelied by the Elders of the Church at the conferences.” Another revelation explained that JS would have “power that he shall be enabled to descern by the spirit those who shall go up unto the land of Zion & those of my Desiples that shall tarry.” (Revelation, 1 Aug. 1831 [D&C 58:44, 56]; Revelation, 30 Aug. 1831 [D&C 63:41].)