THE DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS
SECTION 58
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, in Zion, Jackson County, Missouri, August 1, 1831. HC 1: 190—195. On the first Sabbath after the arrival of the Prophet and party in Jackson County, Missouri, a religious service was held and two members were received by baptism. During that week, members of the Colesville saints from the Thompson Branch and others arrived. Many were eager to learn the will of the Lord concerning them in the new place of gathering.
1—5, Those who endure tribulation shall be crowned with glory; 6—12, The saints are to prepare for the marriage of the Lamb and the Supper of the Lord; 13—18, Bishops are judges in Israel; 19—23, The saints are to obey the laws of the land; 24—29, Men should use their agency to do good; 30—33, The Lord commands and revokes; 34—43, To repent, men must confess and forsake their sins; 44—58, The saints are to purchase their inheritance and gather in Missouri; 59—65, The gospel must be preached unto every creature.
[ Verse 1-5; the Lord's people need to learn to keep the His commands. The Church has been having problems adhering to the Lord's guidelines, cp. D&C 54.Introduction (v. 1-5):
A - (v. 1) Learn of me what I will concerning you
B - (v. 2) Blessed if you keep My commands despite tribulation
C - (v. 3) You cannot behold God's designs B - (v. 4) After tribulation come blessings
A - (v. 5) Remember what I tell you and lay it to heart Why Missouri? Four reasons (v. 6-12)
Three specific cases with comments (v. 13-43)
Case 1, Edward Partridge (v. 13-33)
Parenthesis on judges in Israel (v. 17-23) Parenthesis on commandments and agency (v. 26-33)
Case 2, Martin Harris with comments (v. 34-39) Parenthesis on consecrating your goods (v. 36-37)
Case 3, William W. Phelps with comments (v. 40-43) Parenthesis on repentance (v. 42-43)
General instructions on the establishment of Zion (v. 44-65)]
1 H
EARKEN, O ye elders of my church, and give ear to my word, and learn of me what I will concerning you, and also concerning this land unto which I have sent you.
[ compare with Isa. 55:3]
2 For verily I say unto you, blessed is he that keepeth my commandments, whether in life or in death; and he that is faithful in tribulation, the reward of the same is greater in the kingdom of heaven.
3 Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation.
[ compare with Isa. 55:8-9 ]
4 For after much tribulation come the blessings. Wherefore the day cometh that ye shall be crowned with much glory; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand.
5 Remember this, which I tell you before, that you may lay it to heart, and receive that which is to follow.
[ Revelation explains reasons why Zion is to be established in Missouri. ]
6 Behold, verily I say unto you, for this cause I have sent you—
[1] that you might be obedient,
[ Why is learning obedience so important? First reason for establishing Zion in Missouri Obedience - there must be one leader, one master, the Savior was greater than Lucifer because he submitted his will to the will of our Father and it is no different for us. We can only serve one master - try as hard as we might! the Lord's people need to learn to keep the His commands. The Church has been having problems adhering to the Lord's guidelines, cp. D&C 54.] and
[2] that your hearts might be prepared to bear testimony of the things which are to come;
[ How did the Lord prepare the hearts of the saints in Missouri? Through the trials at the hands of the Missouri mobs and the sacrifice the saints made and the trials they endured they either had to commit themselves to the kingdom or leave the mobs gave many saints the opportunity to totsly quit the church and they would be left alone as individuals or they could continue with the church and be driven from their homes, geated, tarred and feathered, or killed. In addition; some things were revealed to the saints in Missouri that only yhose who were there witnessed. ]
7 And
[3] also that you might be honored in laying the foundation, [ What foundations did they lay here in Jackson County? Foundation of the Temple, Interesting that they are not promised to build the entire city here, foundation was layed of committment to God and his work -both the parents and the children.] and [4] in bearing record of the land upon which the Zion of God shall stand;
[ The various prophetic words which bear record will not be allowed to fail, cp. Isa. 24:9-11, Isa. 25:6, Matt. 22:2-14 (Luke 14:16-24), also cp. D&C 56:18-20. This is a place for his people to gather and live under his law as Zion. ]
8 And also
[5] that a feast of fat things might be prepared for the poor;
[ the fifth reason is to save the world from poverty and destitution. So from a temporal sense - One of the primary purposes of the church is to build a social order that provides for all of those in need - a place where all would feast on the fat things - or the good things. How does the church do that today? Secondly from a spiritual sense Zion is to be a great supper hall to which all nations are invited to feast upon his words (vs 9)- even "the supper of the house of the Lord" the great marriage feast of the Lord when Christ will reign again on the earth. ] yea, a feast of fat things, of wine on the lees well refined,
that the earth may know that the mouths of the prophets shall not fail;
[ In other words a place for his people to gather, to feast upon his word and be fattened spiritually. A place where the words of the prophets shal not fall on deaf ears. cp. Isa.24:9-11, Isa. 25:6, Matt. 22:2-14 (Luke 14:16-24), also cp. D&C 56:18-20]
9 Yea, a supper of the house of the Lord, well prepared, unto which all nations shall be invited.
10 First, the rich and the learned, the wise and the noble;
11 And after that cometh the day of my power; then shall the poor, the lame, and the blind, and the deaf, come in unto the marriage of the Lamb, and partake of the supper of the Lord, prepared for the great day to come.
12 Behold, I, the Lord, have spoken it.
13 And that the testimony might go forth from Zion, [ The testimony that their hearts were prepared to receive in verse 6 ] yea, from the mouth of the city of the heritage of God—
[ vs 13-43 Provides 3 specific cases or examples of people who could use the benefits of Missouri that were detailed in verse 6-12
Case number one Edward Partridge ]
14 Yea, for this cause I have sent you hither, and have selected my servant
Edward Partridge, and have appointed unto him his mission in this land.
[ Of the difficulties of dealing with imperfect Saints, Partridge’s daughter, Emily Dow Partridge, later remembered, “When I look back and remember the great responsibility that rested upon my father as first Bishop—his poverty and privations, and the hardships that he had to endure, the accusations of false brethren, the fault-finding of the poor, and the persecutions of our enemies—I do not wonder at his early death.” Partridge’s own patriarchal blessing warned him, “Thou shalt stand in thy office untill thou art weary of it and shall desire to resign it that thou mayest rest for a little season.” ]
15 But if he repent not of his sins, which are unbelief and blindness of heart,
let him take heed lest he fall.
[ Edward Partridge is warned to repent or fail . Partridge faced the reality of his own fallen nature. When faced with the challenge of building Zion with few visible resources, Partridge apparently doubted the possibility of success. In response, to his feelings the Lord issued thise warning. He stated the following of his insecurity in his position as the first Bishop “You know I stand in an important station,” he wrote, “& as I am occasionally chastened I sometimes feel as though I must fall, not to give up the cause, but I fear my station is above what I can perform to the acceptance of my heavenly father.” He then pled with his wife, “pray for me that I may not fall.” (“A Bishop unto the Church,” Revelations in Context, history.lds.org]
16 Behold his mission is given unto him, and it shall not be given again.
[Verses 17-23 Responsibilities associated with being a judge in Israel]
17 And
whoso standeth in this mission is appointed to be a judge in Israel,
[ Edward Partridge is re-called to be a judge in Israel ] like as it was in ancient days, to divide the lands of the heritage of God unto his children;
18 And
to judge his people by the testimony of the just, and
by the assistance of his counselors,
[ What purpose do wise counselors have in providing just judgement? ] according to the laws of the kingdom which are given by the prophets of God.
[ verses 17-19 detail the responsibilities of a judge in Israel. ]
19
For verily I say unto you, my law shall be kept on this land.
[ "Here, then, we have this part of our subject immediately before us for consideration: God has in reserve a time, or period appointed in His own bosom, when He will bring all His subjects, who have obeyed His voice and kept His commandments, into His celestial rest. This rest is of such perfection and glory, that man has need of a preparation before he can, according to the laws of that kingdom, enter it and enjoy its blessings. This being the fact, God has given certain laws to the human family, which, if observed, are sufficient to prepare them to inherit this rest. This, then, we conclude, was the purpose of God in giving His laws to us: If not, why, or for what were they given? If the whole family of man were as well off without them as they might be with them, for what purpose or intent were they ever given? Was it that God wanted to merely show that He could talk? It would be nonsense to suppose that He would condescend to talk in vain: for it would be in vain, and to no purpose whatever (if the law of God were of no benefit to man): because, all the commandments contained in the law of the Lord, have the sure promise reward to all who obey, predicated upon the fact that they are really the promises of a Being who cannot lie, One who is abundantly able to fulfill every tittle of His word: and if man were as well prepared, or could be as well prepared, to meet God without their ever having been given in the first instance, why were they ever given? for certainly, in that case they can now do him no good annexed of a" Teachings Of The Prophet Joseph Smith pg 51 ]
20
Let no man think he is ruler; but let God rule him that judgeth,
[ What does this verse mean? How do we let God rule in our Judgement? NO man whether he is a judge or not is above the laws of God. What is a common charastic of man when they get precevied power? They begin to exercise unrighteous dominion. ] according to the counsel of his own will, or, in other words, him that counseleth or sitteth upon the judgment
21
Let no man break the laws of the land,
[ so when are we jsutified in breaking the Laws of the land? ] for he that keepeth the laws of God hath no need to break the laws of the land.
22 Wherefore,
be subject to the powers that be,
[ As good members of the church why is it important to be subject to the lands of the land? How did this council begin to prepare the saints for later conflicts with the Missouri mobs? ] until he reigns whose right it is to reign, and subdues all enemies under his feet.
23 Behold,
the laws which ye have received from my hand are the laws of the church, and in this light ye shall hold them forth.
[ The laws that the Lord has given for his people are for the governance of the Church see D&C
42:2, 28 ] Behold, here is wisdom.
[ What is the wisdom in the Lord having the saints honor and keep the laws of the land? What would have happened to the saints if they did not? How would that effect missionary work if the saints were thought of as lawless or above the law as they tried to be able to preach in other lands? ]
24 And now, as I spake concerning my servant Edward Partridge,
this land [ Missouri ] is the land of his residence,
[Edward Partridge is instructed to move to Missouri with those others who are called] and those whom he has appointed for his counselors; and
also the land of the residence of him whom I have appointed to keep my storehouse;
[ This implys that it is not just a missionary journey of short-term proportion; but is rather to be the establishment of a permanent society. ]
25 Wherefore, let them bring their families to this land,
as they shall counsel between themselves and me.
[ You see, the Lord said “assemble” to Zion. The details and the arrangements, however, the how and the when and the circumstances, are to be determined by the agency of those who are called to assemble, but they are to counsel with the Lord. Now, after the Lord had said this to the Presiding Bishopric of the Church, He gave the principle that governed in that situation, and it governs in all situations. And this is one of our glorious revealed truths. He said: what he says in verse 26 & 27; Not only are they instructed to counsel with the Lord but he also provides addional positive things that he expects them to do and is discussed in verses 26-28. He also provides counsel on what he expects them nnot to do in verses 29-33 ]
26 For behold,
it is not meet [ "necessary", "Vital" or "required" ] that
I [ God ] should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.
[ If you learn how to use the agency that God has given you ... and you counsel with the Lord and get His ratifying seal of approval upon the conclusions you’ve reached, then you’ve received revelation. ]
27
Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause,
[ How strong would the church be if we just followed this one piece of council? There is so much that needs doing - look for opportunities to serve don't wait to be commanded to do something that needs doing! How can we become “anxiously engaged” in good causes in the community? When we are down and out we need to look beyond ourself and our own problems, we need to look at ways to serve others. One of the best ways to move beyond ourself is to do work for the dead, not only wiull it help us but it will allow those on the otherside to help us as well. ] and
do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness; [ Explain that in 1952, while serving in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Elder Ezra Taft Benson was asked by Dwight D. Eisenhower, President of the United States, to serve as the nation’s Secretary of Agriculture. With the encouragement of Church President David O. McKay, Elder Benson accepted the assignment and served well. In his first general conference address after becoming Secretary of Agriculture, he said: “I have been happy in the privilege to serve, in a small way at least, this great country and the government under which we live. I am grateful to the First Presidency and my brethren that they have been willing, not only to give consent, but also to give me their blessing as I responded to the call of the chief executive” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1953, 40). Why do you think Elder Benson was encouraged to accept such a responsibility? If a member of the Quorm of the Twelve can take that responsibility - what message does that send to us as to our responsibilities? participating in government or political processes, obeying the law, and serving in our communities ]
28 For
the power is in them,
[ What power do we have? Agency Have you ever though that your reward might be greater for those things which you did without being commanded than those that you did by commandment? Before the foundation of the world; our Heavenly Father put forth a plan. The plan was presented by our loving Father in Heaven. It allowed us to use agency; to make choices, so that we could learn to become like him. With our agency, it followed that some of our choices might be really difficult ones. some choices may not have a right or wrong answer. Our choices would have consequences. some choices may change the outcome of our lives; while others would have little or no bearing on our final destination. We were placed here to learn from both our mistakes as well as our successes. In Alma 42: we read 4 “And thus we see, that there was a time granted unto man to repent, yea, a probationary time, a time to repent and serve God.” If I understand this scripture correctly what the Lord is saying is: There is an amount of time allotted to each of us; we are dealt our deck of cards so to speak. The implication for us is that the plan was not set up so that as soon as we sinned we were punished; banished forever. No; we have a period of time; it is ours and what we do with it is up to us. The Lord in his wisdom knew we would sin; that is a given and that is not the issue. He did not say a time to stay perfect; he did say a time to repent. It means that there was time given when we are not in his presence to learn how to bend our mind and our desires to do his will. That is it. This agency also carries with it the principle that God will not make our decisions for us. Too often we do nothing because we are afraid to make a wrong decision. In essence we have made a decision; to do nothing, In doing so we missed the opportunity to grow, to learn. When we understand how God works in our life we understand that we need to make our own decisions, then take them to the Lord and if we do not get an answer then we need to proceed as we have determined. If we are keeping the commandments the Lord will prompt us on changes we should make along the way. ] wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward.
[ Lord basically defines agency here as the power within us to do good and be rewarded by God. This is how God wants us to view our agency and understanding this doctrine is empowering! Notice that the word “evil” is conspicuously absent in God’s definition of agency. Presumably this is because “men should use their agency to do good” not evil (see DC 58 verse summary). It may also be because he is talking primarily to baptized members of the Church. At baptism, each of us exercised agency to voluntarily covenant to keep God’s commandments. This means that for us, we have chosen to take evil off the table of possibilities. We have promised to choose the right and do good with our agency and that is exactly what God expects us to do. ]
29 But
he that doeth not anything until he is commanded, and
receiveth a commandment with doubtful heart,
[ How do we receive a commandment with a doubtful heart? ] and
keepeth it with slothfulness,
[ What does that suggest? When we don't perform our duty to the best of our ability ] the same is damned.
30
Who am I that made man, saith the Lord, that will hold him guiltless that obeys not my commandments? [ As God the creator of man and the commandments given to man he must be consistent. So he cannot give a command and not hold us responsible for that command. Should he do so he would not be consistent and therefore would cease to be perfect and cease to be God. ]
31 Who am I, saith the Lord,
that have promised and have not fulfilled? [ so from the previous verse just as I will hold those who do not keep my laws; I will also hold myself accountable to do everything that I said that I would do. ]
32 I command and men obey not; I revoke and they receive not the blessing.
33 Then they say in their hearts: [ Notice that it is even as subtile as in their hearts ] This is not the work of the Lord, [ Why would people say that? In essence it is finding fault with their leaders, those who find reason to get out of doing their share of the work ] for his promises are not fulfilled. [ Or those who keep not their end of the covenant but expect the Lord to keep his end - then they complain when he does not keep his end] But wo unto such, for their reward lurketh beneath, and not from above. [ Compare D&C 56:4, D&C 82:10. Statements such as this are classical OT covenantal theology, cp. Lev. 26, Deut. 28.]
[Case number Two Martin Harris]
34 And now I give unto you further directions concerning this land.
35 It is wisdom in me that my servant Martin Harris
should be an example unto the church, in laying his moneys before the bishop of the church.
[ Martin Harris is to consecrate all of his money to the church to buy property vs 34-35 ]
36 And also, this is a law unto every man that cometh unto this land to receive an inheritance; and he shall do with his moneys according as the law directs.
37 And it is wisdom also that there should be lands purchased in Independence, for the place of the storehouse, and also for the house of the printing.
38 And other directions concerning my servant Martin Harris shall be given him of the Spirit, that he may receive his inheritance as seemeth him good;
39 And let him repent of his sins, for he seeketh the praise of the world. []
[ Case 3 William W. Phelps. ]
40 And also
let my servant William W. Phelps stand in the office to which I have appointed him, and receive his inheritance in the land;
41 And also he hath need to repent, for I, the Lord, am not well pleased with him,
for he seeketh to excel, and he is not sufficiently meek before me.
[ “excel” (i.e., to outdo, or surpass, or be superior to) those around him ]
42 Behold,
he who has repented [ The man who has changed his character, he no longer wants to do the sin again. ] of his sins, the same is forgiven, and
I, the Lord, remember them no more.
[ What do you think the Lord means here? What is our responsibility? "The proviso, of course, is that repentance has to be sincere, but when it is and when honest effort is being made to progress, we are guilty of the greater sin if we keep remembering and recalling and rebashing someone with his or her earlier mistakes—and that someone might be ourselves. We can be so hard on ourselves—often much more so than on others! Now, like the Anti-Nephi-Lehies of the Book of Mormon, bury your weapons of war and leave them buried (see Alma 24). Forgive and do that which is sometimes harder than to forgive: forget. And when it comes to mind again, forget it again.You can remember just enough to avoid repeating the mistake, but then put the rest of it all on the dung heap Paul spoke of to the Philippians. Dismiss the destructive, and keep dismissing it until the beauty of the Atonement of Christ has revealed to you your bright future and the bright future of your family, your friends, and your neighbors. God doesn’t care nearly as much about where you have been as He does about where you are and, with His help, where you are willing to go. That is the thing Lot’s wife didn’t get—and neither did Laman and Lemuel and a host of others in the scriptures." The Best Is Yet to Be - ELDER JEFFREY R. HOLLAND ]
43 By
this ye may know if a man repenteth [ Bishops, Stake Presidents. How does one acknowledge that he is repentant? Repent from the greek “metanoeo” which means to alter one's thoughts, how one thinks. ] of his sins—behold,
he will confess them and forsake them.
[ The standard by which you may know if one has repented. Does the forsaking of the sin come as part of the repentance process or is it the by product of true repentance? Does one quit doing that sin because they have repeneted; it has become repulsive to them, they have over come it? "there is considerable confusion in the world about the confessing of sins, and a lot of false doctrine. By way of an assist in clearing up the confusion, I repeat some comments heretofore made on this subject. We are to confess all our sins to the Lord. For transgressions which are wholly personal, affecting none but ourselves and the Lord, confession to ourselves and him would seem to be sufficient. As a matter of fact, no good can come from confessing to anyone else. President Brigham Young once said, “Keep your follies that do not concern others to yourselves, and keep your private wickedness as still as possible; hide it from the eyes of the public gaze as far as you can” (Discourses of Brigham Young, sel. John A. Widtsoe, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1941, p. 158). For misconduct which affects another, confession should also be made to the offended one and his forgiveness sought. Finally, where one’s transgressions are of such a nature as would, unrepented of, put in jeopardy his right to membership or fellowship in the Church of Christ, full and effective confession requires confession by the repentant sinner to his bishop or other proper presiding Church officer—not that the Church officer could forgive him the sin (for this power rests in the Lord himself and those only to whom he specifically delegates the power), but rather that the Church, acting through its duly appointed officers (the power is not in the officer but in the Church), might with full knowledge of the facts take such action with respect to Church discipline as the circumstances require and merit. One having forsaken his sins and, by proper confession, cleared his conduct with the Lord, with the people he has offended, and with the Church of Jesus Christ, where necessary, may with full confidence seek the Lord’s forgiveness and go forth in newness of life, relying upon the merits of Christ. The Lord has said, “He who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more” (D&C 58:42)." Marion G. Romney Oct 1980 General Conference ]
44 And now, verily, I say concerning the residue of the elders of my church,
the time has not yet come,
[ The time for Zion to be fulfilled is not yet but the time to begin establishing it is now. ] for many years,
[ On how long “many years” is, the minimum explicitly stated in the Scriptures was between 4 and 7 years in Lev. 25:51 or 8 years in the case of 1 Ne. 17:4. The maximum was ~1400 years in the case of 1 Ne. 15:13. There were many other lengths as well in between, so trying to figure out how many is “many years” is not productive. ] for them to receive their inheritance in this land, except they desire it through the prayer of faith, only as it shall be appointed unto them of the Lord.
45 For, behold, they shall push the people together from the ends of the earth.
[ Compare D&C 52:33-34 ]
46 Wherefore, assemble yourselves together; and they who are not appointed to stay in this land, let them preach the gospel in the regions round about; and after that let them return to their homes.
47 Let them preach by the way, and bear testimony of the truth in all places, and call upon the rich, the high and the low, and the poor to repent.
48 And let them build up churches, inasmuch as the inhabitants of the earth will repent.
49 And let there be an agent appointed by the voice of the church, unto the church in Ohio, to receive moneys to purchase lands in Zion.
50 And I give unto my servant Sidney Rigdon a commandment, that he shall write a description of the land of Zion, and a statement of the will of God, as it shall be made known by the Spirit unto him;
51 And an epistle and subscription, to be presented unto all the churches to obtain moneys, to be put into the hands of the bishop, of himself or the agent, as seemeth him good or as he shall direct, to purchase lands for an inheritance for the children of God.
52 For, behold, verily I say unto you, the Lord willeth that the disciples and the children of men should open their hearts, even to purchase this whole region of country, as soon as time will permit.
[ Compare v. 37, D&C 48:4, D&C 63:30-31 ]
53 Behold, here is wisdom. Let them do this lest they receive none inheritance, save it be by the shedding of blood.
54 And again, inasmuch as there is land obtained, let there be workmen sent forth of all kinds unto this land, to labor for the saints of God.
55 Let all these things be done in order; and let the privileges of the lands be made known from time to time, by the bishop or the agent of the church.
56 And
let the work of the gathering be not in haste, nor by flight;
[ see Isa. 52:12, also cp. 3 Ne. 20:42, 3 Ne. 21:29 for similar quotes with eschatological applications ] but let it be done as it shall be counseled by the elders of the church at the conferences, according to the knowledge which they receive from time to time.
57 And let my servant Sidney Rigdon consecrate and dedicate this land, and the spot for the
temple, [ This is on Aug 2nd 1831. He will do this at Kaw township, twelve miles west of Independence, and then on Aug 3rd 1831 Sidney will dedicated the spot for the temple. Here are the names of those that are present on that occasion at a sacred occasion when the temple sits dedicated Sydney Rigden is there Edward Partridge, WW Phelps, Oliver Cowdery, Martin Harris, Joseph Cole and Newel Knight. Who in his journal said he was there his name is not listed in the prophet's history but there's no reason to doubt that he was there uh by the fact that he recorded that he was there now something very significant also happens on this occasion it's found in the book of Psalms 87. At the dedication on August 3rd Joseph Smith reads this particular Psalm which becomes an instant clue for you and I.
If he read this at the dedication of that Temple site then Psalms 87 deals with Independence Missouri I'm going to look at all seven verses as well as we'll turn to some others to help explain this particular chapter of Psalms 87. The sanctioning of temple building is essentially synonymous with the sanctioning of kingdom building, of sanctioning the right to create, to create a world or a kingdom of worlds. ] , unto the Lord.
58 And let a conference meeting be called; and after that let my servants Sidney Rigdon and Joseph Smith, Jun., return, and also Oliver Cowdery with them, to accomplish the residue of the work which I have appointed unto them in their own land, and the residue as shall be ruled by the conferences.
59 And let no man return from this land except he bear record by the way, of that which he knows and most assuredly believes.
[ Compare D&C 52:9 ]
60 Let that which has been bestowed upon Ziba Peterson be taken from him; and let him stand as a member in the church, and labor with his own hands, with the brethren, until he is sufficiently chastened for all his sins; for he confesseth them not, and he thinketh to hide them.
61 Let the residue of the elders of this church, who are coming to this land, some of whom are exceedingly blessed even above measure, also hold a conference upon this land.
62 And let my servant Edward Partridge direct the conference which shall be held by them.
63 And let them also return, preaching the gospel by the way, bearing record of the things which are revealed unto them.
64 For, verily, the sound must go forth from this place into all the world, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth—the gospel must be preached unto every creature,
with signs following them that believe.
[ What are those signs? ... D&C 46:10-26 ]
65 And behold the son of Man [ The earliest use of this title "Son of Man" (man here means "King") that I can find in the scriptures comes from the Book Of Enoch(Enoch 46:1-3). Other references to that title include Daniel(), Abraham() and Christ himself() and all of them would have had available the Book Of Enoch.
Enoch was given the title Son of Man as a descriptor for Jesus Christ. We find in written in the Book of Enoch 46:1-3 “And I asked the angel who went with me and showed me all the hidden things, concerning that Son of Man, who He was, and whence He was, (and) why he went with the Head of Days? And he answered and said unto me:
This is the Son of Man who hath righteousness, with whom dwelleth righteousness, and who revealeth all the treasures of that which is hidden, because the Lord of Spirits hath chosen Him, and whose lot hath the pre-eminence before the Lord of Spirits in uprightness forever. (BoE 46:1-3)”
So from these verses we can see that Enoch's angelic guide has declared that "the Son Of Man" is another name for Jesus Christ. This phrase is used by Daniel when he likens the person that he saw in his vision "like the Son of Man" (Daniel 7:13-14) as does Abraham when he described the individual who volunteered Himself to do the will of the Father as being “like unto the Son of Man.” Therefore the phrase “like the Son of Man” or “like unto the Son of Man,” (Abr 3:27) used in these two examples promote the familiarity through an external source to which both prophets would have had access to that being the Book of Enoch. (Abr 1:31)
This is also why Christ would have referred to himself as "the Son Of Man" because it was the messianic title that embodied the works and mission that would be preformed creation, example, atonement, resurrection, judgement(John 5:22-23,27) are all responsibilities that were given to the Son Of Man. Christ seems to use this title to place specific importance upon the subject matter He was teaching at the time, because the use of that title by Christ typically focuses on the prophecies of the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord and His latter-day responsibilities.
There is no reason to belive otherwise than those Jews who heard Christ use this title would have been fully aware the title’s source and the bold declaration represented by the messianic prophecies for him as described in the Book of Enoch. ] cometh. Amen.
[ Historical Material Pertaining to Doctrine & Covenants 58
Two contemporaneous accounts, first by Smith and then by John Whitmer, followed by a historical commentary which includes details regarding the initial establishment at Independence, MO. Excerpt from History of the Church The first Sabbath after our arrival in Jackson county, Brother W. W. Phelps preached to a western audience over the boundary of the United States, wherein were present specimens of all the families of the earth; Shem, Ham and Japheth; several of the Lamanites or Indians representative of Shem; quite a respectable number of negroes descendants of Ham; and the balance was made up of citizens of the surrounding country, and fully represented themselves as pioneers of the West. At this meeting two were baptized, who had previously believed in the fulness of the Gospel. During this week the Colesville branch, referred to in the latter part of the last revelation, and Sidney Rigdon, Sidney Gilbert and wife and Elders Morley and Booth, arrived. I received the following: [text of D&C 58 quoted] On the second day of August, I assisted the Colesville branch of the Church to lay the first log, for a house, as a foundation of Zion in Kaw township, twelve miles west of Independence. The log was carried and placed by twelve men, in honor of the twelve tribes of Israel. At the same time, through prayer, the land of Zion was consecrated and dedicated by Elder Sidney Rigdon for the gathering of the Saints. It was a season of joy to those present, and afforded a glimpse of the future, which time will yet unfold to the satisfaction of the faithful. As we had received a commandment for Elder Rigdon to write a description of the land of Zion, we sought for all the information necessary to accomplish so desirable an object. The country is unlike the timbered states of the East. As far as the eye can reach the beautiful rolling prairies lie spread out like a sea of meadows; and are decorated with a growth of flowers so gorgeous and grand as to exceed description; and nothing is more fruitful, or a richer stockholder in the blooming prairie than the honey bee. Only on the water courses is timber to be found. There in strips from one to three miles in width, and following faithfully the meanderings of the streams, it grows in luxuriant forests. The forests are a mixture of oak, hickory, black walnut, elm, ash, cherry, honey locust, mulberry, coffee bean, hackberry, boxelder, and bass wood; with the addition of cottonwood, butterwood, pecan, and soft and hard maple upon the bottoms. The shrubbery is beautiful, and consists in part of plums, grapes, crab apple, and persimmons. The soil is rich and fertile; from three to ten feet deep, and generally composed of a rich black mould, intermingled with clay and sand. It yields in abundance, wheat, corn, sweet potatoes, cotton and many other common agricultural products. Horses, cattle and hogs, though of an inferior breed, are tolerably plentiful and seem nearly to raise themselves by grazing in the vast prairie range in summer, and feeding upon the bottoms in winter. The wild game is less plentiful of course where man has commenced the cultivation of the soil, than in the wild prairies. Buffalo, elk, deer, bear, wolves, beaver and many smaller animals here roam at pleasure. Turkeys, geese, swans, ducks, yea a variety of the feathered tribe, are among the rich abundance that grace the delightful regions of this goodly land-the heritage of the children of God. The season is mild and delightful nearly three quarters of the year, and as the land of Zion, situated at about equal distances from the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, as well as from the Alleghany and Rocky mountains, in the thirty-ninth degree of north latitude, and between the sixteenth and seventeenth degrees of west longitude, it bids fair-when the curse is taken from the land-to become one of the most blessed places on the globe. The winters are milder than the Atlantic states of the same parallel of latitude, and the weather is more agreeable; so that were the virtues of the inhabitants only equal to the blessings of the Lord which He permits to crown the industry of those inhabitants, there would be a measure of the good things of life for the benefit of the Saints, full, pressed down, and running over, even an hundredfold. The disadvantages here, as in all new countries, are self-evident lack of mills and schools; together with the natural privations and inconveniences which the hand of industry, the refinement of society, and the polish of science, overcome. But all these impediments vanish when it is recollected what the Prophets have said concerning Zion in the last days; how the glory of Lebanon is to come upon her; the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box tree together, to beautify the place of His sanctuary, that He may make the place of His feet glorious. Where for brass, He will bring gold; and for iron, He will bring silver: and for wood, brass; and for stones, iron; and where the feast of fat things will be given to the just; yea, when the splendor of the Lord is brought to our consideration for the good of His people, the calculations of men and the vain glory of the world vanish, and we exclaim, “Out of Zion the perfection of beauty, God hath shined.” On the third day of August, I proceeded to dedicate the spot for the Temple, a little west of Independence, and there were also present Sidney Rigdon, Edward Partridge, W. W. Phelps, Oliver Cowdery, Martin Harris and Joseph Coe. The 87th Psalm was read:- [text of Ps. 87 quoted] The scene was solemn and impressive. (Joseph Smith, History of the Church, volume 1, pages 190-199) Excerpt from the Book of John Whitmer Now after the elders that were commanded to go to Missouri had arrived, they held a conference upon that land according to revelation given in a preceding commandment. And thus they rejoiced together upon the land of Zion. And offered their sacraments and oblations unto the Lord, for his mercy and goodness which endureth for ever. When they had held their sacrament meetings, and the laying of the foundation of the City, and cornerstone of the temple, the Lord gave commandments to return. I here give a copy of the proceedings of the laying of the first logs of the city of Zion. As written by Oliver Cowdery: “After many struggles and afflictions, being persecuted by our enemies, we received intelligence by letter from our brethren; who were at the east. That Brother Joseph and Sidney, and many other elders, were commanded to take their journey to this land, the land of Missouri. Which was promised unto us should be the land of the inheritance of the Saints, and the place of the gathering in these last days. Which intelligence cheered our hearts, and caused us to rejoice exceedingly. And by the special protection of the Lord, Brother Joseph Smith, Jr., and Sidney Rigdon, in company with eight other elders, with the Church from Colesville, New York, consisting of about sixty souls, arrived in the month of July and by revelation the place was made known where the temple shall stand, and the city should commence. And by commandment twelve of us assembled ourselves together, viz., Elder Joseph Smith, Jr., the Seer, Oliver Cowdery, Sidney Rigdon, Newel Knight, William W. Phelps, and Ezra Booth who denied the faith. “On the 2nd day of August 1831, Brother Sidney Rigdon stood up and asked saying: Do you receive this land for the land of your inheritance with thankful hearts from the Lord? answer from all, we do. Do you pledge yourselves to keep the laws of God on this land, which you never have kept in your own lands? we do. Do you pledge yourselves to see that others of your brethren who shall come hither do keep the laws of God? we do. After prayer he arose and said, I now pronounce this land consecrated and dedicated to the Lord for a possession and inheritance for the Saints (in the name of Jesus Christ having authority from him.) And for all the faithful servants of the Lord to the remotest ages of time. Amen. “The day following, eight elders, viz., Joseph Smith, Jr., Oliver Cowdery, Sidney Rigdon, Peter Whitmer, Jr., Frederick G. Williams, Wm. W. Phelps, Martin Harris, and Joseph Coe, assembled together where the Temple is to be erected. Sidney Rigdon dedicated the ground where the city is to stand: and Joseph Smith, Jr., laid a stone at the northeast corner of the contemplated temple in the name of the Lord Jesus of Nazareth. After all present had rendered thanks to the great ruler of the universe, Sidney Rigdon pronounced this spot of ground wholly dedicated unto the Lord forever: Amen.” some of the elders who traveled to the land of Missouri and preached by the way, tarried here in this land, among whom is the Bishop E. [Edward] Partridge, Isaac Morley and John Corrill. some were sick on their way to the land, but all were restored to health. Among those who were sick were John Murdock, Parley P. Pratt and Thomas B. Marsh-They all tarried until after they attended a conference in this land. They have since all gone to preach the gospel and call sinners to repentance. (John Whitmer, Book of John Whitmer, chapter 9, paragraphs 2-7) Excerpt from Regional Studies in LDS History On Wednesday, 3 August 1831, Joseph Smith and a small group of elders went to a knoll about a half-mile west of the Independence courthouse, turned south from the old road (now Lexington Avenue), and made their way about 200 feet through the thick forest. The Prophet then indicated the specific spot where the temple was to stand, and placed a stone to mark the northeast corner of the future structure. Relevant scriptures were read, and a dedicatory prayer was offered, in accordance with previously revealed instructions (D&C 58:57). “The scene was solemn and impressive.” In December of that same year, Bishop Edward Partridge purchased in behalf of the Church some 63.27 acres, which included the spot dedicated for the temple. For the next two years, Independence, Jackson County, was a focal point of the Saints' activity. Interest grew when, in June of 1833, Joseph Smith released his plan for the city of Zion. At the center of the mile-square city, he envisioned two large blocks containing 24 sacred “temples.” These were to be assigned to the various priesthood quorums and were to serve a variety of functions. The Prophet anticipated that the city would have a population of from 15,000 to 20,000 so that these 24 buildings would be needed as “houses of worship, schools, etc.” Because all inhabitants of the city should be living on a celestial level (D&C 105:5) all these structures could properly be regarded as “temples”-places of communication between heaven and earth-even though their functions were not restricted to ordinance work. (Arnold K. Garr and Clark V. Johnson, Regional Studies in LDS History: Missouri, page 139, from an essay by Richard O. Cowan entitled “The Great Temple of the New Jerusalem”) ]