Episode 90: I'll pay Joseph Smith back when he gets to Missouri

Doctrine and Covenants 53-57

Section 53

Revelation given through Joseph Smith to Algernon Sidney Gilbert, at Kirtland, Ohio, June 8, 1831

A message from God to Sidney Gilbert

¹ I [God] say to you, Sidney Gilbert, that I heard your prayers in these last days. ³ Become and elder and preach. ^4-5 You'll also be an agent for the church, and go on a journey with Joseph Smith, Jun. and Sidney Rigdon. ⁶ I'll give you more instructions later. ⁷ Amen.

Section 54

Revelation given through Joseph Smith to Newel Knight, at Kirtland, Ohio, June 10, 1831

Newell Knight, go to Missouri and wait for me to come

¹ This is what Jesus says: ² Newell Knight, do what I told you to do.^7-8 Leave this land and go to Missouri to the boundaries of the Lamanites. ⁹ When you get there, get a job. ¹⁰ And patiently wait for me to come again. It won't be long. I come quickly. Amen.

Section 55

Revelation given through Joseph Smith to William W. Phelps, at Kirtland, Ohio, June 14, 1831

To William [Phelps] from the Lord

1 This is what the Lord says to you, William. 2 You will be ordained by Joseph Smith, Jun. as an elder in this church. 4 You will help Oliver Cowdery print books for church schools. 5 And you will travel with Joseph Smith, Jun. and Sidney Rigdon. ⁶ Joseph Cole will also go with you. I'll have more to say later when I feel like telling you. Amen.

Section 56

Revelation given through Joseph Smith at Kirtland, Ohio, June 15, 1831

They shall know mine arm

¹ I'm God. Listen to me. I'm angry at those who rebel. They'll get to know my arm. ² Only my followers will be saved. ³ Those who disobey me will be cut off (in my own due time).

I've changed my mind (and commandments)

⁴ I command and revoke whenever I feel like it. ⁵ So I'm revoking the commandment I gave Thomas B. Marsh and Ezra Thayre. ⁶ I'm also revoking the commandment that I gave to Selah J. Griffin and Newel Knight. ⁷ Instead, Newel Knight will stay with the people in Thompson, Ohio, and lead them to Missouri after they repent.

I'll pay Joseph Smith back when he gets to Missouri

⁸ Ezra Thayre must repent of his pride and selfishness and obey the former commandment that I gave him. ⁹ If he does this, he'll still get to go to Missouri. ¹⁰ Otherwise, the money he gave to the church will be returned to him and he'll be cut out of my church. ¹¹ Heaven and earth may pass away, but these words won't. ¹² If Joseph Smith, Jun. returns the money to Ezra Thayre, then I, the Lord, will reimburse Joseph Smith in Missouri.

Wo to the rich who won't help the poor

¹⁴ This is what I, the Lord, say to my people: You must repent because you have decided for yourselves what to do. ¹⁶ Wo to rich men who won't help the poor. Your riches will canker your souls. 17 Wo to the poor, whose bellies aren't satisfied, and who refuse to work with their hands. ¹⁸ But blessed are the poor whose hearts are broken, for the fatness of the earth shall be theirs. ²⁰ And that's all I have to say about that. Amen.

Section 57

Revelation given through Joseph Smith in Zion, Jackson County, Missouri, July 20, 1831

Here is wisdom: Zion is Independence, Missouri

¹ I, the Lord God, have gathered you elders of the church together in Missouri, a land which I have consecrated to you. ² This is where the city of Zion will be. ³ Here is wisdom: Independence is the center place. Build the temple on the west side, near the courthouse.

Sidney Gilbert will buy land for the church (This also is wisdom)

⁴ It is also wisdom that the all the land to the west should be purchased by the saints - to the line that divides the Jews from the Gentiles. ⁵ And this also is wisdom: Buy all the land in the prairies for an everlasting inheritance. ⁶ I've appointed Sidney Gilbert as the church's agent to buy land in all the regions round about. ⁷ And I've appointed Edward Partridge to distribute the land. ⁸ Sidney Gilbert will establish a store to get the money to buy land. ⁹ And here is some more wisdom: Sidney Gilbert will get a license (let he who reads this understand) to sell things.