1 IT is the duty of the Lord’s clerk, whom he has appointed, to keep a history, and a general church record of all things that transpire in Zion, and of all those who consecrate properties, and receive inheritances legally from the bishop;

2 And also their manner of life, their faith, and works; and also of the apostates who apostatize after receiving their inheritances. [ It appears that there is a set of books kept for the legal transactions made by the church so that even though a member may be removed from the records of the church - the legal records still need to remain in good shape. ]

3 It is contrary to the will and commandment of God that those who receive not their inheritance by consecration, agreeable to his law, which he has given, that he may tithe his people, to prepare them against the day of vengeance and burning, should have their names enrolled with the people of God.

4 Neither is their genealogy to be kept, [ not referring to genealogy in the family history sense, but referring to maintaining Church records of membership ] or to be had where it may be found on any of the records or history of the church. [Remove the records of the apostates. Having one’s name cut off or forgotten in the Semitic tradition is one of the worst curses possible, cp. Exod. 17:14, Deut. 7:24, Deut. 32:26, Isa. 26:13-14, Ezek. 21:32. While not explicitly stated, the parallel between heavenly and earthly records is implicit.]

5 Their names shall not be found, neither the names of the fathers, nor the names of the children written in the book of the law of God, saith the Lord of Hosts [ What exactly does “host” mean? The phrase “Lord of Hosts” is the same as the “Lord of Sabaoth.” “The Lord of Sabaoth was a title of Jehovah; the hosts were the armies of Israel (1 Sam. 17:45), but also included the angelic armies of heaven” (Bible Dictionary, “Sabaoth,” ] .

6 Yea, thus saith the still small voice, which whispereth through and pierceth all things, and often times it maketh my bones to quake while it maketh manifest, saying:

7 And it shall come to pass that I, the Lord God, [ Hebrew - Yahweh ( or Jehovah which means "to become" or "to exist") translated as Lord; Elohim translated as God ("the Gods") which together the words mean "He will cause Gods to be". ] , will send one mighty and strong, [ Comments by Hyrum M. Smith and Janne M. Sjodahl, in their Doctrine and Covenants Commentary (pages 528-529) are as follows: Who is this Mighty and Strong? In an article over the signatures of Joseph F. Smith, John R. Winder, and Anthon H. Lund, First Presidency, published in the Deseret News, November 13, 1905, that question is comprehensively and clearly discussed. After having quoted in full the letter of the Prophet Joseph to William W. Phelps, the authors of the article say: “It is to be observed first of all that the 85.2 subject of this whole letter, as also the part of it subsequently accepted as a revelation, relates to the affairs of the Church in Missouri, the gathering of the Saints to that land, and obtaining their inheritances under the law of consecration and stewardship; and the Prophet deals especially with the matter of what is to become of those who fail to receive their inheritances by order or deed from the Bishop.” It is then pointed out that Edward Partridge, the Bishop of the Church, was the one “called and appointed to divide by lot unto the Saints their inheritances.” But was Edward Partridge the one who, in 1832, was “putting forth his hand to steady the ark,” and was threatened with falling “by the shaft of death like as a tree that is smitten by the vivid shaft of lightning”? In the article quoted, this question is answered in the affirmative. It is shown that Edward Partridge, though a worthy man, one whom God loved, at times arrayed himself in opposition to the Prophet, so strenuously that Ezra Booth made their differences an excuse for his apostasy. On the 26th of April, 1832, Partridge gave the Prophet the right hand of fellowship, and it was supposed that all differences were settled, but afterwards he brought them up again. Edward Partridge was, when this Revelation was written, neglecting his own duty and putting “forth his hand to steady the ark”; hence the warning. Partridge repented, in part at least, but in March, 1833, the Lord again took occasion to say that He was “not well pleased with him” and others. In the midst of the troubles and persecution of Missouri, Partridge acted a most noble and self-sacrificing part, offering himself as one of five willing to suffer and be put to death by the mob, if by so doing they could secure freedom for the rest of the Saints. He bore persecution with meekness and dignity, and the Lord, in November, 1835, said He was well pleased with him. But that he was the man threatened with sudden and untimely death “there can be no question.” But let us quote again: “Now as to the ‘one mighty and strong’ who shall be sent of God, to ‘set in order the house of God, and to arrange by lot the inheritances of the Saints’; who is he? What position will he hold in the Church? In what manner will he come to his calling? We draw attention first of all to the fact that this whole letter to William W. Phelps, as well as the part afterwards accepted as the word of the Lord, related to the affairs of the Church in Zion, Independence, 85.3 Jackson County, Missouri: and inasmuch as through his repentance and sacrifices and suffering, Bishop Edward Partridge undoubtedly obtained a mitigation of the threatened judgment against him of falling ‘by the shaft of death, like as a tree that is smitten by the vivid shaft of lightning,’ so the occasion for sending another to fill his station-‘one mighty and strong to set in order the house of God, and to arrange by lot the inheritance of the Saints’-may also be considered as having passed away and the whole incident of the prophecy closed.” “If, however, there are those who will still insist that the prophecy concerning the coming of ‘one mighty and strong’ is still to be regarded as relating to the future, let the Latter-day Saints know that he will be a future Bishop of the Church who will be with the Saints in Zion, Jackson County, Missouri, when the Lord shall establish them in that land; and he will also be blessed with the spirit and power of his calling, that he will be able to set in order the house of God, pertaining to the department of the work under his jurisdiction; and in righteousness and justice he will ‘arrange by lot the inheritances of the Saints.’ He will hold the same high and exalted station that Edward Partridge held.” The above quoted statement suggests the “one mighty and strong”, if forced into an eschatological reading, which they do not forward, is some future bishop of Zion. This reading problematic, given the rhetoric of the verse. It is more likely the Lord is speaking of Himself in the 3rd person (the Lord refers to Himself in the 3rd person elsewhere, cp. D&C 49:5-7) and referring to the Second Advent. This “one mighty and strong” holds a scepter of political rulership (suggesting lineage of David through Judah, cf. Gen. 49:10, Hebr. 1:8, D&C 106:6), utters eternal words like a fountain of truth (suggesting transcendent inspiration, cf. John 6:68, John 7:38, D&C 84:43-44), is clothed in light (suggesting an exalted condition, cf. 3 Ne. 11:8-11, D&C 138:30), and is come to set in order the House of God and disburse inheritances (suggesting a theme of the re-establishment of natural Israel). While it might be possible to attribute some of these qualities to prominent prophets, there is only One individual who can safely be attributed all of those qualities listed. ] holding the scepter of power in his hand, clothed with light for a covering, whose mouth shall utter words, eternal words; while his bowels shall be a fountain of truth, to set in order the house of God, and to arrange by lot the inheritances of the saints whose names are found, and the names of their fathers, and of their children, enrolled in the book of the law of God;

8 While that man, who was called of God and appointed, that putteth forth his hand to steady the ark of God, shall fall by the shaft of death, like as a tree that is smitten by the vivid shaft of lightning. [Those who seek to counsel God, those who deliberately disregard Gods rules because they think they know better are cut off.]

9 And all they who are not found written in the book of remembrance shall find none inheritance in that day, but they shall be cut asunder, and their portion shall be appointed them among unbelievers, where are wailing and gnashing of teeth.

10 These things I say not of myself; therefore, as the Lord speaketh, he will also fulfil.

11 And they who are of the High Priesthood, whose names are not found written in the book of the law, or that are found to have apostatized, or to have been cut off from the church, as well as the lesser priesthood, or the members, in that day shall not find an inheritance among the saints of the Most High;

12 Therefore, it shall be done unto them as unto the children of the priest, as will be found recorded in the second chapter and sixty-first and second verses of Ezra. [ Where they searched for their genealogical records, trying to qualify themselves for the right to administer in the Priesthood. However, their names were not to be found, so they were excluded exercising the priesthood. This will be the case with persons who are cut off from the records of the church. ]

 

[Historical Material Pertaining to Doctrine & Covenants 85 The text of D&C 85 is an excerpt from a letter written by Smith to Phelps regarding the duties of the clerk in charge of Church records. The letter was prompted by Phelps’ query regarding the questionable conduct of Bishop Partridge. The letter is included in full below. Excerpt from Sacred Truths of the Doctrine and Covenants At the time of this revelation (1832) the headquarters of the church was in Kirtland, Ohio. Bishop Edward Partridge was in Missouri and was responsible for organizing the saints there and administering the law of consecration in their behalf. William W. Phelps had been assigned to assist the Bishop in his duties. In the exercise of his office, Bishop Partridge had exceeded his authority on occasion. He had not always functioned in accordance with the instructions given him by the Prophet Joseph Smith, and therefore, was not in harmony with the Lord at that time. Sensing this problem, Brother Phelps had written to Joseph Smith and sought his counsel on the matter. This revelation is an extract of an inspired letter written by Joseph Smith in answer to the concerns of Brother Phelps. (L. G. Otten and C. M. Caldwell, Sacred Truths of the Doctrine and Covenants, volume 2, page 81) Excerpt from History of the Church In answer to letters received from the brethren in Missouri, I wrote as follows: KIRTLAND, Nov. 27th, 1832. BROTHER WILLIAM W. PHELPS:-I say brother, because I feel so from the heart, and although it is not long since I wrote a letter unto you, yet I feel as though you would excuse me for writing this, as I have many things which I wish to communicate. some things which I will mention in this letter, which are lying with great weight on my mind. I am well, and my family also; God grant that you may enjoy the same, and yours, and all the brethren and sisters who remember to inquire after the commandments of the Lord, and the welfare of Zion and such a being as myself; and while I dictate this letter, I fancy to myself that you are saying or thinking something similar to these words:-“My God, great and mighty art Thou, therefore show unto Why servant what shall become of those who are essaying to come up unto Zion, in order to keep the commandments of God, and yet receive not their inheritance by consecrations, by order of deed from the Bishop, the man that God has appointed in a legal way, agreeably to the law given to organize and regulate the Church, and all the affairs of the same.” Brother William, in the love of God, having the most implicit confidence in you as a man of God, having obtained this confidence by a vision of heaven, therefore I will proceed to unfold to you some of the feelings of my heart, and to answer the question. Firstly, it is the duty of the Lord’s clerk, whom He has appointed, to keep a history, and a General Church Record of all things that transpire in Zion, and of all those who consecrate properties and receive inheritances legally from the Bishop; and also their manner of life, their faith, and works and also of the apostates who apostatize after receiving their inheritances. It is contrary to the will and commandment of God, that those who receive not their inheritance by consecration, agreeably to His law, which he has given, that He may tithe His people, to prepare them against the day of vengeance and burning, should have their names enrolled with the people of God; neither is their genealogy to be kept, or to be had where it may be found on any of the records or history of the Church; their names shall not be found neither the names of the fathers, nor the names of the children written in the book of the law of God, saith the Lord of hosts. Yea, thus saith the still small voice, which whispereth through and pierceth all things, and oftentimes it maketh my bones to quake while it maketh manifest, saying: and it shall come to pass, that I, the Lord God, will send one mighty and strong, holding the sceptre of power in his hand, clothed with light for a covering, whose mouth shall utter words, eternal words; while his bowels shall be a fountain of truth, to set in order the house of God, and to arrange by lot the inheritances of the Saints, whose names are found, and the names of their fathers, and of their children enrolled in the book of the law of God: while that man, who was called of God, and appointed, that putteth forth his hand to steady the ark of God, shall fall by the shaft of death, like as a tree that is smitten by the vivid shaft of lightning; and all they who are not found written in the book of remembrance, shall find none inheritance in that day but they shall be cut asunder, and their portion shall be appointed them among unbelievers, where are wailing and gnashing of teeth. These things I say not of myself; therefore, as the Lord speaketh, He will also fulfil. And they who are of the High Priesthood, whose names are not found written in the book of the law, or that are found to have apostatized, or to have been cut off from the Church; as well as the lesser Priesthood, or the members, in that day, shall not find an inheritance among the Saints of the Most High; therefore it shall be done unto them as unto the children of the priest, as will be found recorded in the second chapter, and sixty-first and sixty-second verses of Ezra.9 Now, Brother William, if what I have said is true, how careful men ought to be what they do in the last days, lest they are cut short of their expectations, and they that think they stand should fall, because they keep not the Lord’s commandments; whilst you, who do the will of the Lord and keep His commandments, have need to rejoice with unspeakable joy, for such shall be exalted very high, and shall be lifted up in triumph above all the kingdoms of this world; but I must drop this subject at the beginning [of it]. Oh, Lord, when will the time come when Brother William, Thy servant, and myself, shall behold the day that we may stand together and gaze upon eternal wisdom engraven upon the heavens, while the majesty of our God holdeth up the dark curtain until we may read the round of eternity, to the fulness and satisfaction of our immortal souls? Oh, Lord, deliver us in due time from the little, narrow prison, almost as it were, total darkness of paper, pen and ink;-and a crooked, broken, scattered and imperfect language. I have obtained ten subscribers for the Star. Love for all the brethren. Yours in bonds. Amen. JOSEPH SMITH, JUN. (Joseph Smith, History of the Church, volume 1, pages 297-299)]