1 BEHOLD, thus saith the Lord unto the elders whom he hath called and chosen in these last days, by the voice of his Spirit— [ Through revelation. ]

2 Saying: I, the Lord, will make known unto you what I will that ye shall do from this time until the next conference, [ Which will be held Aug 4th 1831. ] which shall be held in Missouri, [ St Louis Missouri was more than eight hundred miles away and would require travel by wagon, stage coach, and steamboat. After arriving in St. Louis, Missouri, Joseph and a few other men crossed the state on foot, traversing a distance of 240 miles, and arrived in Independence on July 14, 1831. Here is a list of those who traveled with the prophet. They were handpicked because of certain skills that will be needed in Independence. Sydney Rigden will accompany the prophet he is a skilled orator he is a Bible scholar. Al and Sydney Gilbert he is a businessman and he will so function down in Independence. Martin Harris a special witness of the Book of Mormon who still has some wealth and carries with him Book of Mormons and is a great help to the church. WW Phelps who will serve as the printer in Independence. Edward Partridge General Bishop of the church who will be the general Bishop over that land. Joseph Cole. At the time that these men went they were all active and faithful men two of them will end up leaving the church and never come back one was Sydney Rigden and the other one is Joseph Cole they will not return to the kingdom of God and that was their choice. ] upon the land which I will consecrate unto my people, [ Specifically defined as both natural Israel and adopted Israel. The Gentiles, The Jews and the Laminites who are a remnant. D&C 19:27 What is the purpose of this land being consecrated for his people? He has a work for them to do. That work includes the gathering of the Saints to the New Jerusalem. So this land has a defined purpose by the Lord. D&C 84:3-4,31; 103:35; 105:15. ] which are a remnant of Jacob, [ Or natural Israel as the direct descendants of Jacob. ] and those who are heirs according to the covenant. [ Adopted Israel - those adopted under the Abrahamic covenant. ]

3 Wherefore, verily I say unto you, let my servants Joseph Smith, Jun., and Sidney Rigdon take their journey as soon as preparations can be made to leave their homes, and journey to the land of Missouri.

4 And inasmuch as they are faithful unto me, it shall be made known unto them what they shall do; [ The Lord is sending them to Missouri but with only generalized instructions. ]

5 And it shall also, inasmuch as they are faithful, be made known unto them the land of your inheritance. [ Or if you remain true and faithful I will then tell you where the new Jerusalem is to be built. ]

6 And inasmuch as they are not faithful, they shall be cut off, even as I will, as seemeth me good. [ Pretty strong language to the prophet one can never say that as a prophet he took the easy way. He most likely did not want to leave the homes that they had just completed to move somewhere else; leaving it all behind. If he were a man trying to manipulate people he would have had someone else do it; but as a man of God he revealed what the Lord wanted - then went forth and did it. ]

7 And again, verily I say unto you, let my servant Lyman Wight and my servant John Corrill take their journey speedily;

8 And also my servant John Murdock, and my servant Hyrum Smith, take their journey unto the same place by the way of Detroit.

9 And let them journey from thence preaching the word by the way, saying none other things than that which the prophets and apostles have written, [ Stick to preaching from the scriptures. That way the message will always be pure and on a gospel topic. This was especially good advice considering the time. The church is still really young and is comprised of many who have come from a variety of religions. So the Lord is trying to teach them that they need to teach what the Lord has revealed as contained in the scriptures and to not mix their previous ideologies and traditions with the gospel. ] and that which is taught them by the Comforter through the prayer of faith.

10 Let them go two by two, [ Missionaries commanded to preach in pairs. ] and thus let them preach by the way in every congregation, baptizing by water, [ Baptizing the converts as they go about their preaching. ] and the laying on of the hands by the water’s side.

11 For thus saith the Lord, I will cut my work short in righteousness, [ Paraphrase of KJV Romans 9:28. Rom. 9:27-28 27 Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved. 28 For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth. In Romans 9:27-28 Paul is quoting the Septuagint (Greek) version of Isaiah 10:22-23, which is what the translators of the KJV relied on instead of the Masorah (Hebrew):KJV Isa. 10:22-23 22 For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, yet a remnant of them shall return: the consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness 23 For the Lord God of hosts shall make a consumption even determined, in the midst of all the land. Compare the KJV with the Jewish Publication society (JPS) translation, which uses the Masorah, of the same Isaiah passage: 22 Even if your people, O Israel, Should be as the sands of the sea. Only a remnant of it shall return. Destruction is decreed; Retribution comes like a flood! 23 For my Lord God of Hosts is carrying out A decree of destruction upon all the land. Thus the phrase “cut short in righteousness” is referring to the judgement the Lord is to meet out upon the wicked. He will “cut short”, or “destroy” the wicked, in His righteousness. Similar use of the phrase appears in D&C 84:97 where plagues are poured out as a scourge upon the wicked. However, in D&C 109:59 the phrase may be used with a different meaning, one that agrees more with the theme of Matt. 24:22. ] for the days come that I will send forth judgment unto victory.

12 And let my servant Lyman Wight beware, for Satan desireth to sift him as chaff. [ Most of this section is to the elders as a group but in this case the Lord singles out Lyman specifically. Showing that the Lord cares about each of us as individuals and can see that satan will sometimes single out an individual to focus on - to intensify his work against them. See also Isa. 30:28, Amos 9:9, Luke 22:31. Sift as chaff. ]

13 And behold, he that is faithful shall be made ruler over many things.

14 And again, I will give unto you a pattern in all things, [ The Lord is providing a way to know who is interested in receiving the gospel and who is not. ] that ye may not be deceived; for Satan is abroad in the land, [ We live in hostel territory in other words. “[Satan] is determined to disrupt our Heavenly Father’s plan and seeks to control the minds and actions of all. This influence is spiritual, and he ‘is abroad in the land’ “… Youth today are being raised in enemy territory with a declining standard of morality. But as a servant of the Lord, I promise that you will be protected and shielded from the attacks of the adversary if you will heed the promptings that come from the Holy Spirit” (“Counsel to Youth,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2011, 16, 18). ] and he goeth forth deceiving the nations—

15 Wherefore he that prayeth, whose spirit is contrite, the same is accepted of me if he obey mine ordinances. [ If a man is not willing to obey the commands of God and set his life in order to do so then there is most likely a reason for that. As a result; you need to be very cautious about trusting someone who is not humble and obedient because their purpose may really be to deceive you. ]

16 He that speaketh, whose spirit is contrite, whose language is meek and edifieth, the same is of God if he obey mine ordinances. [ Repeated a second time here. Obedience is required as a sign that the person is on God's side. ]

17 And again, he that trembleth under my power shall be made strong, and shall bring forth fruits [ Symbolic of the message "By their fruits ye shall know them" see Matt. 7:15-21, D&C 46:7-9, D&C 50:31-73. ] of praise and wisdom, according to the revelations and truths which I have given you.

18 And again, he that is overcome and bringeth not forth fruits, even according to this pattern, is not of me.

19 Wherefore, by this pattern ye shall know the spirits [ The knowledge of more than just discerning evil spirits; but recognizing who is inspired by the light of Christ in their actions of life. They are already most likely already living the pattern as outlined in vs 15-16. ] in all cases under the whole heavens.

20 And the days have come; according to men’s faith it shall be done unto them.

21 Behold, this commandment is given unto all the elders whom I have chosen.

22 And again, verily I say unto you, let my servant Thomas B. Marsh and my servant Ezra Thayre take their journey also, preaching the word by the way unto this same land. [ In their journey to Missouri. (see verse 2) ]

23 And again, let my servant Isaac Morley and my servant Ezra Booth take their journey, also preaching the word by the way unto this same land. [ In their journey to Missouri. (see verse 2) ]

24 And again, let my servants Edward Partridge and Martin Harris take their journey with my servants Sidney Rigdon and Joseph Smith, Jun.

25 Let my servants David Whitmer and Harvey Whitlock also take their journey, and preach by the way unto this same land. [ In their journey to Missouri. (see verse 2) ]

26 And let my servants Parley P. Pratt and Orson Pratt take their journey, and preach by the way, even unto this same land. [ In their journey to Missouri. (see verse 2) ]

27 And let my servants solomon Hancock and Simeon Carter also take their journey unto this same land, [ Missouri. (see verse 2)] and preach by the way.

28 Let my servants Edson Fuller and Jacob Scott also take their journey.

29 Let my servants Levi W. Hancock and Zebedee Coltrin also take their journey.

30 Let my servants Reynolds Cahoon and Samuel H. Smith also take their journey.

31 Let my servants Wheeler Baldwin and William Carter also take their journey.

32 And let my servants Newel Knight and Selah J. Griffin both be ordained, and also take their journey.

33 Yea, verily I say, let all these take their journey unto one place, in their several courses, and one man shall not build upon another’s foundation, neither journey in another’s track.

34 He that is faithful, the same shall be kept and blessed with much fruit.

35 And again, I say unto you, let my servants Joseph Wakefield and solomon Humphrey take their journey into the eastern lands;

36 Let them labor with their families, [ Verse 35-40 deal with those who are not called to go to Missouri. ] declaring none other things than the prophets and apostles, [ They are to teach the exact same thing as those who are called to go to Missouri - to teach the scriptures see verse 9. ] that which they have seen and heard and most assuredly believe, that the prophecies may be fulfilled.

37 In consequence of transgression, let that which was bestowed upon Heman Basset be taken from him, and placed upon the head of Simonds Ryder.

38 And again, verily I say unto you, let Jared Carter be ordained a priest, and also George James be ordained a priest.

39 Let the residue of the elders watch over the churches, and declare the word in the regions round about them; and let them labor with their own hands that there be no idolatry nor wickedness practiced. [ Make sure that there is no priestcraft in the ranks of the church. ]

40 And remember in all things the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted, [ See D&C 40:30-55. ] for he that doeth not these things, the same is not my disciple.

41 And again, let my servants Joseph Smith, Jun., and Sidney Rigdon and Edward Partridge take with them a recommend from the church. [ Church leaders are to travel with recommends. ] And let there be one obtained for my servant Oliver Cowdery also.

42 And thus, even as I have said, if ye are faithful ye shall assemble yourselves together to rejoice upon the land of Missouri, which is the land of your inheritance, which is now the land of your enemies.

43 But, behold, I, the Lord, will hasten the city in its time, and will crown the faithful with joy and with rejoicing.

44 Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the son of God, [ This title the son Of God means that his Father is literally God our Father in Heaven. ] and I will lift them up at the last day. Even so. Amen.

 

[ Historical Material Pertaining to Doctrine & Covenants 52 Three contemporaneous quotes detailing the events of the conference follow, and a brief historical summary. Excerpt from History of the Church On the 3rd of June, the Elders from the various parts of the country where they were laboring, came in; and the conference before appointed [e.g., D&C 44], convened in Kirtland; and the Lord displayed His power to the most perfect satisfaction of the Saints. The man of sin was revealed, and the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood was manifested and conferred for the first time upon several of the Elders. It was clearly evident that the Lord gave us power in proportion to the work to be done, and strength according to the race set before us, and grace and help as our needs required. Great harmony prevailed; several were ordained; faith was strengthened; and humility, so necessary for the blessing of God to follow prayer, characterized the Saints. The next day, as a kind continuation of this great work of the last days, I received the following: [text of D&C 52 quoted] (Joseph Smith, History of the Church, volume 1, pages 175-177) Excerpt from the Book of John Whitmer June 3, 1831, a general conference was called, and a blessing promised, if the elders were faithful, and humble before him. Therefore, the elders assembled from the East and the West, from the North and the south. And also many members. Conference was opened by prayer and exhortation by Joseph Smith, Jr., the Revelator. After the business of the Church was attended to according to the covenants. The Lord made manifest to Joseph that it was necessary that such of the elders as were considered worthy, should be ordained to the High Priesthood. The spirit of the Lord fell upon Joseph in an unusual manner. And prophesied that John the Revelator was then among the ten tribes of Israel who had been led away by Salmanasar King of Israel [should be Assyria], to prepare them for their return, from their long dispersion, to again possess the land of their fathers. He prophesied many more things that I have not written. After he had prophesied he laid his hands upon Lyman Wight [and ordained him] to the High Priesthood after the Holy Order of God. And the spirit fell upon Lyman, and he prophesied, concerning the coming of Christ, he said that there were some in the congregation that should live until the Savior should descend from heaven, with a shout, with all the holy angels with him. He said the coming of the Savior should be, like; the sun rising in the east, and will cover the whole earth, so with the coming of the son of man be, yea, he will appear in his brightness and consume all before him. And the hills will be laid low, and the valleys be exalted; and the crooked be made straight; and the rough smooth. And some of my brethren shall suffer martyrdom, for the sake of the religion of Jesus Christ, and seal the testimony of Jesus with their blood. He saw the heavens opened, and the son of man sitting on the right hand of the Father. Making intercession for his brethren, the Saints. He said that God would work a work in these last days that tongue cannot express, and the mind is not capable to conceive. The glory of the Lord shone around. At the conference these were ordained to the high priesthood, namely, Lyman Wight, Sidney Rigdon, John Murdock, Reynolds Cahoon, Harvey Whitlock and Hyrum Smith [they] were ordained by Joseph Smith, Jr., except Sidney Rigdon. The following by Lyman Wight by commandment. Parley P. Pratt, Thomas B. Marsh, Isaac Morley, Edward Partridge, Joseph Wakefield, Ezra Thayer, Martin Harris, Ezra Booth, who denied the faith, Harvey Whitlock denied the faith, also Joseph Wakefield, Joseph Smith, Sen., Joseph Smith, Jr., [and] John Whitmer. The bishop then proceeded and blessed the above named and others by the laying on of hands. Isaac Morley and John Correll [Corrill] were ordained as bishop's counsellors to Edward Partridge. Joseph Smith, Jr., prophesied the day previous that the man of sin should be revealed. While the Lord poured out his spirit upon his servants, the devil took a notion, to make known his power, he bound Harvey Whitlock and John Murdock so that they could not speak, and others were affected but the Lord showed to Joseph the Seer, the design of the thing, he commanded the devil in the name of Christ and he departed to our joy and comfort. Therefore a part of the revelation given at Fayette, New York, was fulfilled. The churches of the state of New York had moved to Ohio, with their wives and their children, and all their substance, some purchased farms others rented, and thus they situated themselves as convenient as they could. The day being now far spent and the conference was adjourned. (John Whitmer, Book of John Whitmer, chapter 7, paragraphs 2-8) Excerpt from Autobiography of Parley Parker Pratt On the sixth of June, 1831, a general conference was convened at Kirtland, consisting of all the Elders, far and near, who could be got together. In this conference much instruction was given by President Smith, who spake in great power, as he was moved by the Holy Ghost; and the spirit of power and of testimony rested down upon the Elders in a marvelous manner. Here also were some strange manifestations of false spirits, which were immediately rebuked. Several were then selected by revelation, through President Smith, and ordained to the High Priesthood after the order of the son of God, which is after the order of Melchizedek. This was the first occasion in which this priesthood had been revealed and conferred upon the Elders in this dispensation, although the office of an Elder is the same in a certain degree, but not in the fullness. On this occasion I was ordained to this holy ordinance and calling by President Smith. After these things, and the business of the conference was over, myself and Orson Pratt were appointed by revelation to perform a mission together, through the Western States, and to meet the brethren I had left in Jackson County, Missouri; and many others also who were sent in a similar manner, two and two through the Western States, and who were all appointed to meet in Jackson County, Missouri, and hold the next conference. (Parley P. Pratt, Autobiography of Parley Parker Pratt, page 53) Excerpt from Doctrine & Covenants Commentary On June 3, 1831, the elders who had been laboring in the country, in different parts, met in Kirtland, to attend the Fourth General Conference of the Church, which convened by a Revelation (Sec. 44). Though the Church was only fourteen months old at this time, there were about two thousand attendants at the Conference. Among the elders present was Parley P. Pratt, who had returned from his mission to the Lamanites (See Sec. 32:2), to report his labors, while Oliver Cowdery, Ziba Peterson, and Peter Whitmer, Jr., his fellow-laborers in that Mission, remained in Missouri. The Conference convened, probably on the third day of June, and lasted for three days. As had been promised in a Revelation (Sec. 44), the Spirit of the Lord was manifested in mighty power. The special office of High Priest was bestowed upon several Elders, this being done for the first time in the Church. The power of the adversary was also manifested. Two brethren, Harvey Whitlock and John Murdock, were “bound,” So that they could not speak, and others were similarly affected, but the Prophet rebuked the adversary in the name of Jesus Christ, and the evil spirit departed. Lyman Wight, after having been ordained a High Priest, prophesied of the coming of the Lord and testified that he saw the heavens opened and the son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Father. (Hyrum M. Smith and Janne M. Sjodahl, Doctrine & Covenants Commentary, pages 302-303)]