Episode 102: Build me a house in Zion (94-97)

Doctrine and Covenants

Section 94

Revelation given through Joseph Smith at Kirtland, Ohio, August 2, 1833

God's construction plans

¹ I give you a commandment: Start building the stake of Zion, here in Kirtland, beginning with my house in Kirtland. ² Build it according to the plan that I gave you. ⁴ Make it 55 by 65 feet. ⁵ I'll give you more instructions later. ⁸ Don't let any unclean thing come into it. My glory and presence will be there. ⁹ If any unclean thing comes into it, my glory won't be there. ¹⁰ Build a house on the second lot on the south side for printing the translation of my scriptures. ¹¹ It will also be 55 by 65 feet. ¹³ Hyrum Smith will receive his inheritance on the third lot. ¹⁴ Reynolds Cahoon and Jared Carter will receive their inheritances on the first and second lot. ¹⁶ Don't build them, though, until I tell you.

¹⁷ And that's all I have to say about that. Amen.

Section 95

Revelation given through Joseph Smith at Kirtland, Ohio, June 1, 1833

The Great Commandment: Build my house

² You must be chastened for not building my house. It is a very grievous sin. ⁴ I've asked my apostles to prune my vineyard for the last time, so I can do my strange act, and pour out my spirit on all flesh. ⁷ I gave you a commandment that you should have a solemn assembly, where the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth (which being interpreted is the creator, the beginning and the end). ⁸ I gave you a commandment that you should build a house. ¹⁰ Contentions arose in the school of the prophets. ¹³ Here is wisdom and the mind of the Lord: Build the house like I showed three of you. ¹⁵ Make it 55 by 65 feet. ¹⁷ So says Son Ahman; or, in other words, Alphus; or, in in other words, Omegus. Or Jesus. Amen.

Section 96

Revelation given to Joseph Smith on June 4, 1833

Here is wisdom: This stake should be strong

¹ Here is wisdom: This stake should be strong. ² So I have assigned Newell K. Whitney to take charge of the place where my house will be built.

More wisdom: John Johnson should become a member of the order

^6-8 It is also wisdom that John Johnson should become a member of the order. ⁹ So ordain him. Amen.

Section 97

Revelation given through Joseph Smith at Kirtland, Ohio, August 2, 1833

I'm pleased with the school in Zion

¹ I'm speaking to you with my voice. ^3-4 I, the Lord, am well pleased with the school in Zion, and that Parley P. Pratt presides over it, until I give him other commandments. 6 But some in the school need to be chastened.

Build me a house in Zion (pay for it with tithes)

¹⁰ Build me a house in Zion, with the plans I've given you. ¹¹ Build it quickly by tithing the people. ¹⁵ As long as there's no unclean things in it, my glory will rest upon it.¹⁸ If Zion does these things, it will become very great and very terrible. ¹⁹ And all the nations will honor her and say, "Zion is the city of God."

The Lord's scourge will vex everyone (except Zion, if she obeys me)

²² Vengeance will come quickly on the ungodly. ²³ The Lord's scourge will vex everyone. It will continue until the Lord comes. ^25-26 But Zion will escape, if she does what I tell her to do. Otherwise, I'll send plagues, wars, and fire on her. ²⁸ Amen.