D&C 96

THE DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS

SECTION 96

Revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet, showing the order of the City or Stake of Zion at Kirtland, Ohio, June 4, 1833. Given as an example to the saints in Kirtland. HC 1: 352—353. The occasion was a conference of high priests, and the chief subject of consideration was the disposal of certain lands, known as the French farm, possessed by the Church near Kirtland. Since the conference could not agree who should take charge of the farm, all agreed to inquire of the Lord concerning the matter.

1, The Kirtland Stake of Zion is to be made strong; 2—5, The bishop is to divide the inheritances for the saints; 6—9, John Johnson is to be a member of the United Order.

1 BEHOLD, I say unto you, here is wisdom, whereby ye may know how to act concerning this matter, for it is expedient in me that this stake [ Since the Kirtland Stake had not been formally organized yet, we can conclude that the Lord is referring to a stake in the ground. ] that I have set for the strength of Zion should be made strong. [ Isaiah 54:2. ]

2 Therefore, let my servant Newel K. Whitney [ The pseudonym “Ahashdah” was used in place of “Newel K. Whitney” in the 1835 edition of the D&C. ] take charge of the place [ The French farm, recently purchased by the Church. ] which is named among you, upon which I design to build mine holy house.

3 And again, let it be divided into lots, according to wisdom, for the benefit of those who seek inheritances, as it shall be determined in council among you.

4 Therefore, take heed that ye see to this matter, and that portion that is necessary to benefit mine order, [ Or the United Order or the literary firm. The branch of the United Firm responsible for church publications.(Minutes, 30 Apr. 1832; Revelation, 26 Apr. 1832 [D&C 82:11–20]. ) In November 1831, a revelation appointed JS, Martin Harris, Oliver Cowdery, John Whitmer, Sidney Rigdon, and William W. Phelps as “stewards over the revelations & commandments.”(Revelation, 12 Nov. 1831 [D&C 70:1, 3].) In March 1832, a revelation directed JS, Rigdon, and Newel K. Whitney to organize “the literary and the Mercantile establishments of my Church.”(Revelation, 1 Mar. 1832 [D&C 78:3, 9], spelling regularized. ) As a result, in April 1832, the stewards over the revelations joined with the church’s bishops and those responsible for the church’s mercantile endeavors in what was called the United Firm.(Revelation, 26 Apr. 1832 [D&C 82:11–20]; Minutes 26–27 Apr. 1832. ) Within the United Firm, the six men responsible for the management of church printing projects comprised the Literary Firm.(Minutes, 30 Apr. 1832; Minutes, ca. 1 May 1832. ) The first recorded meeting of the Literary Firm was held on 30 April 1832.(Minutes, 30 Apr. 1832. ) Early Literary Firm publications, such as the Book of Commandments, were published under the corporate name W. W. Phelps & Co. in Independence, Missouri.(Book of Commandments, 1; “The Evening and the Morning Star,” The Evening and the Morning Star, June 1832, [8]. Comprehensive Works Cited The Evening and the Morning Star. Independence, MO, June 1832–July 1833; Kirtland, OH, Dec. 1833–Sept. 1834.) After the destruction of Phelps’s printing office by a mob in 1833, F. G. Williams & Co. in Kirtland, Ohio, replaced W. W. Phelps & Co. as the church’s printing arm.8 When the United Firm was reorganized in 1834, F. G. Williams & Co. continued as a stewardship assigned to Oliver Cowdery and Frederick G. Williams.(Revelation, 23 Apr. 1834 [D&C 104:28–29, 47]. ) In 1835, F. G. Williams & Co. published the first edition of the Doctrine and Covenants.(Doctrine and Covenants, 1835 ed., i.) The last known mention of the Literary Firm in operation was on 16 September 1835. ] for the purpose of bringing forth my word to the children of men. [ Use the land for agricultural purposes to support those who are out preaching the godpel. ]

5 For behold, verily I say unto you, this is the most expedient in me, that my word [ The scriptures. ] should go forth [ Need to go to all nations, Why? ] unto the children of men, for the purpose o [ I will give you the reason why the scriptures need to go forth to the whole world. ] of subduing the hearts of the children of men [ To humble them, and to educated them in his ways. ] for your good. Even so. Amen.

6 And again, verily I say unto you, it is wisdom and expedient in me, that my servant John Johnson whose offering I have accepted, [ He has been found faithful to join the United Order - per vs 8. The pseudonym “Zombre” is used in place of “John Johnson” in the 1835 edition of the D&C. John Johnson was born April 11th 1778 briefly some information on john johnson was born the 11th of april 1778. He had nine children three of them become very important to us one of them is Luke Johnson the other and his brother Lyman both of those will be called into the quorum of the 12 when it's first organized. Later on both of them will be excommunicated Lyman Johnson will never come back into the church. Luke Johnson does come back and eventually comes to Utah and he'll live in Tooele where he will be called to serve as a Bishop, but he is never put back in the 12. The other family member who is significant is Mirinda their sister she is the one that married Orson Hyde. Their home was where the conference center is in Salt Lake that's where her home was right there on that block facing the temple. It was a beautiful home and that's where she lived and spent her days. Orson Hyde will live down in Spring City and he's over all of that area. So that there's no misunderstanding with them her and Orson will divorce that was her desire that she be divorced from Orson as she felt she couldn't live with him because she had been sealed to Joseph Smith and Orson was okay about it and when they were divorced he sold her the home for one dollar and he was always kind to her always checked on her when he's in Salt Lake they had a great relationship so hopefully there's no misunderstanding between them they're both faithful active wonderful people but they did divorce. That was the main reason why John Johnson will serve on the kirtland high council then withdraw from the church in 1838. He never came back he died in july 1843 he's buried in that little cemetery that's just north of the kirkland temple. kind of a sad commentary promised eternal life if what if he keeps the commandments but he did not endure to the end so now it's a matter with whatever the savior wants to do with him and whatever his. ] and whose prayers I have heard, unto whom I give a promise of eternal life inasmuch as he keepeth my commandments from henceforth—

7 For he [ John Johnson. ] is a descendant of Joseph and a partaker of the blessings of the promise made unto his fathers— [ John Johnson is identified as a natural descendant of the tribes of Israel through Joseph, and therefore one possessing right to the land, cp. 3 Ne. 20:14. Joseph Smith is similarly identified, cf. 2 Ne. 3:6-21. Typically one would assume statements dealing with the remnant of Jacob through Joseph are dealing with Native American Indians, however this is clearly not necessarily the case as neither Joseph Smith nor John Johnson had that ancestry. The 1835 edition of the D&C had “Seth” in the place of “Joseph”. ]

8 Verily I say unto you, it is expedient in me that he [ John Johnson. ] should become a member of the order, [ The United Firm. See verse 4. ] that he may assist in bringing forth my word [ The scriptures. ] unto the children of men.

9 Therefore ye shall ordain him unto this blessing, and he shall seek diligently to take away incumbrances that are upon the house named among you, that he may dwell therein. Even so. Amen.

[ Historical Material Pertaining to Doctrine & Covenants 96 Excerpts from History of the Church March 23.-A council was called for the purpose of appointing a committee to purchase land in Kirtland, upon which the Saints might build a Stake of Zion. Brother Joseph Coe and Moses Dailey were appointed to ascertain the terms of sale of certain farms; and Brother Ezra Thayre to ascertain the price of Peter French's farm. The brethren agreed to continue in prayer and fasting for the ultimate success of their mission. After an absence ofabout three hours Brothers Coe and Dailey returned and reported that Elijah Smith's farm could be obtained for four thousand dollars; and Mr. Morley's for twenty-one hundred; and Brother Thayre reported that Peter French would sell his farm for five thousand dollars. The council decided to purchase the farms, and appointed Ezra Thayre and Joseph Coe to superintend the purchase; and they were ordained under the hands of Sidney Rigdon, and set apart as general agents of the Church for that purpose. (Joseph Smith, History of the Church, volume 1, page 335) June 4. -- A similar conference assembled at the same place, and took into consideration how the French farm should be disposed of. The conference could not agree who should take charge of it, but all agreed to inquire of the Lord; accordingly we received the following: [text of D&C 96 quoted] (Joseph Smith, History of the Church, volume 1, page 352) Excerpt from The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith On 23 March 1833 a council of high priests and elders was convened in Kirtland to discuss the matter of purchasing certain properties in the city. Zebedee Coltrin recorded that on this day “a council of high Priests [met] to investigate the subject of purchasing the brick tavern and farm owned by Pete French.” Brethren were dispatched during the meeting to ascertain the terms upon which three farms could be purchased. Their report was that, “Elijah Smith would sell his farm for four thousand dollars and that Mr. Morley [Moore?] would sell his farm for twenty one hundred dollars, and...that Peter French would sell his farm for five thousand dollars.” After hearing the above report, the assembled brethren voted to buy the properties and authorized Ezra Thayer and Joseph Coe to negotiate the purchase. Coltrin’s summary of the meeting was, “It was agreed to buy it [the tavern] and several other farms which made it necessary to call the Elders out of School [of the Prophets] for the purpose of going again into the world and procuring means for paying for the farms.” On 4 June 1833 a group of high priests met in the Prophet’s translating room in Kirtland to determine who should take responsibility for the French farm. The council could not agree who should take charge of it but all agreed to enquire of the lord accordinly we received a revilation [section 96] which decided that Broth N K Whitney should take the charge thereof and also that brother John Johnson be admited as a member of the united firm accordingly he was ordained unto the high Priesthood and admited. Three weeks later Sidney Rigdon wrote to William W. Phelps concerning part of this revelation: “Zombre has been received as a member of the [United] firm by commandment, and has just come to Kirtland to live.” (Lyndon W. Cook, The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith) ]