D&C 63 Quotes and Notes

Historical Context

For the Prophet to leave the Saints in Kirtland and travel to Missouri meant that he would be away from June 19 to August 27, 1831. The Lord had instructed the Prophet while on his way home that it was time for him, Sidney Rigdon, and Oliver Cowdery to turn their attentions from missionary work to strengthening the members back in Kirtland, “for their labors even now are wanted more abundantly among [the brethren] than among the congregations of the wicked.” (D&C 61:32)  Mercifully, the Prophet returned to find things in a much better condition than when he had first come to Kirtland from New York when many of the Saints were caught up in strange spiritual manifestations.^[1]Joseph Smith came back from his New York trip to some bizarre spiritual practices among some of the Saints. Joseph Smith gave this warning to the Saints, “Nothing is a greater injury to … Continue reading

At this time the focus of the membership was on the building of Zion. While the Brethren had been in Missouri, the Lord revealed unto them that the New Jerusalem would be built up in Jackson County (D&C 57:1-3). This news did not arrive back in Kirtland until some of the missionaries returned from their journeys.  

Joseph Fielding Smith said:

When the report spread among the members of the Church that the Lord had revealed definitely where the city New Jerusalem was to be built, naturally there was rejoicing and many expressed the desire to know what they were to do in order to obtain inheritances. The Lord has given instruction repeatedly that all who go to Zion shall obey His law-the celestial law on which Zion was to be built. Those who were weak in the faith, or indifferent to the commandments, were warned that they would not be made welcome in that land unless they repented. ^[2]Church History and Modern Revelation, 1:229.

Signs come by faith – 63.8-15

We discussed in this podcast the historical connection between the warning of one who seeks signs but lacks faith and how these ideas were related to Ezra Booth. For some of the accounts of Booth’s experience witnessing Elsa Johnson’s healing, you can read these accounts here.

The idea that faith could come by seeing a sign is both a delusion and a contradiction. Such a notion supposed that a sign will substitute for faith. In effect that attitude says, Remove the need for faith and I will have faith. By contrast it is understood among those having the Spirit that faith precedes the miracle—that the miracle is the reward of faith, not the author of it.

Exercising faith brings spiritual strength, but sign seeking does not. Ezra Booth was present when Joseph Smith healed the arthritic arm of Alice (or Elsa) Johnson. As a result of this experience, he joined the Church. Soon after his baptism, however, he began to find fault with the Prophet, apostatized, and eventually published newspaper articles against the Church (D&C 71).^[3]McConkie and Ostler, Revelations of the Restoration, A Commentary on the Doctrine and Covenants and Other Modern Revelations, Deseret Book, 2000, p. 448.

President Kimball adds insightful commentary to these verses:

In faith we plant the seed, and soon we see the miracle of the blossoming. Men have often misunderstood and have reversed the process. They would have the harvest before the planting, the reward before the service, the miracle before the faith. Even the most demanding labor unions would hardly ask the wages before the labor. But many of us would have the vigor without the observance of the health laws, prosperity through the opened windows of heaven without the payment of our tithes. We would have the close communion with our Father without fasting and praying; we would have rain in due season and peace in the land without observing the Sabbath and keeping the other commandments of the Lord. We would pluck the rose before planting the roots; we would harvest the grain before sowing and cultivating… In each of our lives faith can heal the sick, bring comfort to those who mourn, strengthen resolve against temptation, relieve from the bondage of harmful habits, lend the strength to repent and change our lives, and lead to a sure knowledge of the divinity of Jesus Christ. Indomitable faith can help us live the commandments with a willing heart and thereby bring blessings unnumbered, with peace, perfection, and exaltation in the kingdom of God.^[4]Faith Precedes the Miracle, Deseret Book, 1972, 4, 12.

George Q. Cannon helps to explain these ideas:

“If you have power to heal the sick,” exclaims the skeptic, “why don’t you exercise it before the world and make everybody believe you?” Gently, wise scoffer. Faith does not come by seeing signs, but signs come by faith. The healings are not the cause but the effects of faith. They are not given to make people believe, but they follow them that do believe. In his own region of country Jesus did no mighty work, “and he marveled because of their unbelief.” If signs were to create faith, that was the very spot where they were most needed.^[5]Gospel Truth: Discourses and Writings of President George Q. Cannon, selected, arranged, and edited by Jerreld L. Newquist, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1987, 421.

Many other prophets have commented on these ideas, helping those outside of faith traditions to understand the role of signs in the lives of believers.^[6]President Joseph F. Smith declared, “Show me Latter- day Saints who have to feed upon miracles, signs and visions in order to keep them steadfast in the Church, and I will show you members of the … Continue reading

In this podcast Bryce referenced sins associated with a telestial state and those associated with a terrestrial state.

Telestial Sins

1. Requiring Signs – D&C 63.7-13.
2. Adultery – D&C 63.14-16.
3. Liars, those who love and make a lie- D&C 63.17.

Terrestrial Sins

1. Those who do not seek the Spirit – D&C 63.54, D&C 45.57.
2. Those who seek to exalt themselves over others – D&C 63.55.
3. Those who take the Lord’s name in vain – D&C 63.58-63.

Adultery… Looking with lust – 63.14-17

Be faithful in your marriage covenants in thought, word, and deed. Pornography, flirtations, and unwholesome fantasies erode one’s character and strike at the foundation of a happy marriage. Unity and trust within a marriage are thereby destroyed. One who does not control his thoughts and thus commits adultery in his heart, if he does not repent, shall not have the Spirit, but shall deny the faith and shall fear (see D&C 42:23; D&C 63:16).^[7]President Howard W. Hunter, “Being a Righteous Husband and Father,” Ensign, Nov. 1994. Brigham Young made this pronouncement: “Joseph said that the Elders of Israel… would … Continue reading

When the earth shall be transfigured… which was shown unto mine apostles upon the mount – 63.21

When the Lord comes again, “the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory” (Article of Faith 10). Isaiah prophesied that there will be “a new earth” during the Millennium (Isaiah 65:17). All forms of life—be it plant or animal—that exist on the earth during the Millennium must abide that glory.

Shown unto mine apostles upon the mount – 63.21

 This refers to the events on “an high mountain apart” (Matthew 17:1) to which Jesus took Peter, James, and John. In this revelation we learn that both the Savior his three most trusted apostles were transfigured at that time.

Which account the fulness ye have not yet received – 63.21

We look to a future day when we as a Church have reached sufficient spiritual maturity to be entrusted with the full account of what took place on the Mount of Transfiguration. “It appears that Peter, James, and John received their own endowments while on the mountain. ^[8]Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 2:165. Peter says that while there, they ‘received from God the Father honour and glory,’ seemingly bearing out this conclusion. It also appears that it was while on the mount that they received the more sure word of prophecy, it then being revealed to them that they were sealed up unto eternal life.^[9]2 Pet. 1:16-19; D&C 131:5. See: Bruce R. McConkie, Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 1:400. Larry Dahl explained further, “This, in fact, is affirmed by the Lord in Doctrine and … Continue reading

Subsequent to the revelation of Doctrine and Covenants 63, Joseph Smith learned further details regarding the events at the Mount of Transfiguration as he worked on his inspired translation of the Bible. From this work we learn that John the Baptist was present on the mount as a spirit being (JST Mark 9:3), and that Moses and Elijah spoke to the Savior “of his death, and also his resurrection, which he should accomplish at Jerusalem” (JST Luke 9:31).

DC 63:3 Who willeth to take even them whom he will take

Endure… do the will… keep the commandments… mysteries… a well of living water springing up unto everlasting life- 63.20-23

To dress and to keep

In Genesis, Adam and Eve are commanded to “dress and to keep” to avad עָבַד and to shamar שָׁמַר the garden of Eden, a prototypical temple (Genesis 2.15).^[10]The same Hebrew verbal form (hithpael) used for God’s “walking back and forth” in the Garden (Gen 3.8), also describes God’s presence in the tabernacle (Lev 26.12; Deut 23.14[15]; 2 Sam … Continue reading In this introductory section of scripture, Adam is dressed in skins by God and later cursed that he will eat his bread by the sweat of his brow.  Eating bread and being dressed by God are both temple ritual proceedings, connected in the Sermon on the Mount (see for example, Matthew 6.25).^[11]The Greek text reads: Διὰ τοῦτο λέγω ὑμῖν, μὴ μεριμνᾶτε τῇ ψυχῇ ὑμῶν τί φάγητε ἢ τί πίητε, μηδὲ τῷ σώματι ὑμῶν τί … Continue reading This part of the Sermon on the Mount is the part of the ritual right before the followers of Jesus enter the gate, in a text whereby they participate in an exchange of Messianic symbols (Matthew 7.1-12).

My friend David Butler has suggested that the curse is the sweat, not the bread part of the textual tradition, since eating the bread of the presence is associated with the temple.^[12]Discussion with David Butler 2020. Likewise, the text implies that childbirth is not a curse, since Eve is associated with life and the purpose of the earth is to make a space for humanity to “be fruitful and multiply,” rather the curse is the sorrow.  If anything, the implication from these early chapters of Genesis is that childbirth, at least in some circumstances, is a sacred act.^[13]See: LDS Symbolism in Childbirth, an LDS Perspective. The commentary on this post incorporates so many points that taken together, form a tapestry of ideas and principles that invite revelation … Continue reading

Adam is commanded to ‘work’ avad and ‘keep’ shamar the Garden of Eden.  These are temple-priestly verbs – avad means to perform ordinances, and shamar means to keep covenants.^[14]The two Hebrew words for “cultivate and keep” (respectively, ʿāḇaḏ and šāmar) are usually translated “serve and guard.” When these two words occur together later in the OT without … Continue reading It is remarkable, then, that the same words reappear in the story of Cain.  Cain, first of all, is given to Eve by the Lord (like Samuel and Jesus), punning on the sound of the name ‘Cain’ in Hebrew (Hebrew prophets, including Nephi, thrive on puns and wordplay).^[15]Cain, קַיִן H7014, is the same as קַיִן (H7013) (with a word-play upon the affinity to קָנָה (H7069), the word qānâ, meaning “to buy,” “get” or “purchase.”  In Hebrew, Cain is an avad עֹבֵד of the earth – not a ’tiller,’ but a ‘worker,’ using the same word that means ‘perform ordinances.’  Interestingly, his brother Abel is a shepherd, a common image for priests and kings.^[16]Achaean writings pay poetic homage to their kings in referring to them as shepherds. In Homer’s Iliad, more than twelve references to kings as “shepherd of their people” can be found.  In book … Continue reading  In terms of language, the story we’re told here is about a rivalry between two priests.  After Cain kills Abel, he justifies himself by asking “am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4.9), where ‘keeper’ is shamar.  Cain is an avad, a temple priest, but he does not shamar, keep his covenants. This is an issue that is discussed in D&C 63^[17]Verily, I say unto you, there are those among you who seek signs, and there have been such even from the beginning; But, behold, faith cometh not by signs, but signs follow those that believe. Yea, … Continue reading and throughout much of the text of Isaiah, as well as a concern brought up in Section 1 of the Doctrine and Covenants.

Essentially Cain was one who was avedding, but not shamaring… Both are essential in this context of Zion in order to be one “at the well” or the spring, experiencing “everlasting life,” all temple images related with revelation and coming into the presence of the Gods. We even see these ideas in Hesiod’s Theogony right at the beginning of the text when the Muses are dancing in a circle around the altar of Zeus at the peak of Mount Helicon.^[18]Indeed, even the name of Mount Helicon can be associated with the ritual prayer circle of the ancients, as it can mean “to turn, or revolve.” This mountain, sacred to the Muses, was the setting … Continue reading

I have sworn in my wrath and decreed wars… and the wicked shall slay the wicked – 63.33

The Lord stated in D&C 63.33-34, “I have sworn in my wrath, and decreed wars upon the face of the earth, and the wicked shall slay the wicked, and fear shall come upon every man, and the saints shall hardly escape…”^[19]The Lord warned the Saints that they too would be affected by the ravages of inhumanity and destruction caused by the wars of men. Regarding the great wars of devastation that are prophesied, Nephi … Continue reading

Mormon gives his commentary In the Book of Mormon regarding this idea:

But, behold, the judgments of God will overtake the wicked; and it is by the wicked that the wicked are punished; for it is the wicked that stir up the hearts of the children of men unto bloodshed. (Mormon 4.5)

“God is not pleased either with war,” declared President Heber J. Grant and his counselors in the First Presidency, “or with the wickedness which always heralds it. When He uses war, it is to wipe out sin and unrighteousness.”^[20]Conference Report, October 1940, 6. Wickedness is the cause of all war. When men harden their hearts against the light of Christ, it will cease to strive with them. They then are left to themselves, and Satan has power and dominion over them. They rise up against one another in senseless wars and bloodshed. When the Lord says that he has “decreed wars on the face of the earth,” we must not suppose that he condones war. Rather, the decree is that as men wax cold in iniquity, war will be the result, war in which the wicked will slay one another. Brigham Young explained, “God has decreed and foreordained many things that have come to pass, and he will continue to do so; but when he decrees great blessings upon a nation or upon an individual they are decreed upon certain conditions. When he decrees great plagues and overwhelming destructions upon nations or people, those decrees come to pass because those nations and people will not forsake their wickedness and turn unto the Lord.”^[21]Journal of Discourses, 10:324.

Titus Billings is to dispose of the land – 63.39

These verses refer to the Isaac Morley farm and the Whitney store. Before the missionaries arrived in Kirtland, Isaac Morley and Titus Billings had joined with others of like mind in a communal order. They lived together on the Morley farm in a group known as “the family.” When the Prophet Joseph Smith relocated from New York to Ohio, he stayed the first few months on the Morley farm and had a small log house built for him and his wife (D&C 41:7). Apparently, while Brother Morley traveled to Missouri, Titus Billings was left in charge of the farm.^[22]McConkie and Ostler, p. 454.

Titus Billings

According to family tradition, stonemason Titus Billings was the second person baptized in Kirtland, Ohio, and among the first appointed by revelation to move to Jackson County, Missouri.^[23]Susan Easton Black, Who’s Who in the Doctrine and Covenants, p. 23. He consecrated his land and went to Jackson County, in obedience to instruction.

In exchange for his consecration, Titus was given a lease and a loan known as his inheritance:

Be it known, that I, Edward Partridge, … do lease unto Titus Billings, of Jackson county, … the following described piece of parcel of land, being a part of section No. Three, township No. forty-nine… And also have loaned the following described property, viz:-Sundry articles of furniture, valued fifty-five dollars twenty-five cents; also two beds, bedding and clothing, valued seventy-three dollars twenty-seven cents… also one horse, two cows, two calves, and two wagons… ^[24]Ibid., see also: Joseph Smith, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ed. B. H. Roberts, 7 vols. [Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1932-51], … Continue reading

In 1834 Titus rented a small home in Clay County, then moved to Caldwell County, where he served as counselor to Bishop Partridge. Because of the violence in Missouri during this time, Titus had to defend the Saints at the Battle of Crooked River. His son wrote: “My father, Titus, said the bullets were flying all around him but he had no fear until he saw brother [David W.] Patten fall. Then he stepped behind a large tree until the firing was over… When he came home he was completely worn out as he had no rest for four or five nights. He told mother he wanted to sleep two hours…He had only slept one hour when a knock came on the door.”^[25]Ibid., As cited in Melvin Billings, ed., “Titus Billings, Early Mormon Pioneer” (no publisher, no date), pp. 20-21.

Hosea Stout had come to inform him that “all the brethren that were in the battle had to flee within two or three hours. Mother baked [Titus] as much bread as she could and he left the family without a spoonful of flour in the house.” His escape from Mormon enemies was plagued with starvation and frostbite. “For three days and nights they had only slippery elm bark for food. Father’s feet were frozen so badly the flesh came off in pieces.”^[26]Ibid., As cited in Melvin Billings, ed., “Titus Billings, Early Mormon Pioneer” (no publisher, no date), p. 21. In his Missouri redress petition, Titus decried the atrocities, declaring, “Never have had a writ served upon me not broken the law in one instance and now I say that these things have come upon us on account of the religion which we profess.”^[27]Ibid., As cited in Clark V. Johnson, ed., Mormon Redress Petitions: Documents of the 1833-1838 Missouri Conflict (Provo, Utah: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1992), p. 140.

He found safety in Lima, Illinois, where his family joined him in 1839. From 1839 to 1845 he served as president of the Lima Branch and as colonel in the Sixth Regiment of the Silver Greys.^[28]Ibid., See diary of Hosea Stout, 2 vols., typescript, 2:42, Special Collections, Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah. In 1845 the burnings of homes and small shops in Lima forced Titus and his family to flee the settlement. They initially moved to Nauvoo, but when threats of violence increased they were compelled to leave Illinois for the unknown rigors of the Iowa wilderness.

In Iowa Titus was selected to be president of the small Running Water encampment until he migrated to the Salt Lake Valley, serving as a captain of fifty in the Heber C. Kimball company of 1848. Soon after traversing the Rockies he accepted a mission call to help settle the Sanpete Valley. He is remembered for helping build the fort and one of the first two houses in the small settlement of Manti. He served as a captain in the local militia before moving to Provo in 1863. Titus Billings died three years later at the age of seventy-two.

Newel K. Whitney and his store – 63.42-45

The second property of importance was the store owned by Newel K. Whitney. This store became the headquarters for the Church after the Prophet’s second journey to Missouri to set up a branch of the United Firm in Zion (D&C 82-83; for more on the United Firm, see D&C 78:3-4).^[29]The United Firm was an administrative organization that oversaw the expenditure of Church funds between 1832 and 1834. In March 1832, the Lord commanded Joseph Smith to establish this organization to … Continue reading

The store was on the main floor; the Prophet and his family occupied the second level as their home. Many revelations of the Doctrine and Covenants were received in the store, and the School of the Prophets was first held there (D&C 84-98, 101). Newel was a significant contributor to the financial viability of the Church in Ohio during this time,^[30]See footnote 15 above. giving his all to the cause of Zion, even until his death in 1850, dying at the age of 55.

63.49 Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord

It is worth noting that Polly Knight had just died previous to this and the other revelations received in August 1831. She was a worthy soul who gave her life to the cause of Zion, and her death was probably on Joseph Smith’s mind as he received this revelation (see also D&C 63.3 and 59.2).

Heber C. Kimball had this to say about death and hell:

Death is merely a sleep to the body, and all the fear I have concerning it… arises from my traditions. I was taught in my youth that after death I had to go directly into the bowels of hell, and go down, down, down, because there is no bottom to it. I am not troubled about any such thing as that, for I never expect to see any worse hell than I have seen in this world. And those who do not the works of righteousness, and are not worthy to be gathered with the spirits of the Saints, [who] will go into precisely such society in the world of spirits, as they are now in.^[31]Journal of Discourses, 3:161.

Children shall grow up until they become old… changed in a twinkling of an eye – 63.51

When Christ comes the second time there will be righteous mortals, both children and adults, then living upon the earth who will be lifted up while the earth is changed and who will then continue to live out their mortal lives in the paradisiacal environment of the millennial kingdom. Adult mortals will continue to marry and bear mortal children during the Millennium, so that mortals will continue to be upon the earth during the entire thousand-year period. When these persons have lived their allotted mortal time, they will pass through the changes of death and resurrection in the “twinkling” of an eye. Old and frail mortals will be changed into glorified, resurrected beings very quickly (see v. 51).^[32]Dean Garrett and Stephen Robinson, Commentary on the Doctrine and Covenants, Volume 2.

Foolish virgins among the wise – 63.54

The Church will have members numbered among both the righteous and the wicked until the Lord returns in glory. The day of separation is a work directed by the Master and his angels and not left to mortal man. Thus, there is no guarantee of salvation for those who claim membership in the Lord’s church. The foolish members of the kingdom who fail to live the laws revealed by God will be cut off with the rest of the wicked. This revelation, directed to the members of the Church, identifies two sins that the Saints are commanded to repent of or be cast down to hell—adultery and lying (vv. 14-19).^[33]McConkie and Ostler, p. 455.

63.56 His writing is not acceptable

This is a comment about Sidney Rigdon’s first description of Zion that we mentioned in our podcast covering D&C 58.^[34]Go to minute mark 29:00 of Episode 104 for more on this subject. See also the notes for this podcast here.

Let Joseph and Sidney seek them a home – 63.65

The Prophet and Sidney Rigdon prepared to move to Hiram, Ohio, soon after receiving this revelation. Joseph and his family were welcomed into the home of John and Alice (or Elsa) Johnson. Sidney’s family lived in a log home located across the street from the Johnsons.^[35]McConkie and Ostler, p. 457. While Joseph and Emma lived with the Johnson family in their home in Hiram, Ohio. Joseph received 16 revelations that are now included in the Doctrine and Covenants.

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