The Olive Leaf plucked from the tree of paradise The revelation recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 88 was given through the Prophet Joseph Smith at Kirtland, Ohio, in the translating room of the Whitney store. Receipt of the revelation spanned three days, 27 through 28 December 1832, and 3 JanuaryContinue Reading

Joseph Smith writes a letter to W.W. Phelps “I proceed to unfold to you some of the feelings of my heart and proceed to answer the question.” – Joseph Smith to W.W. Phelps, letter dated Nov. 27, 1832.[1]In this letter to W.W. Phelps, Joseph speaks of the inadequacies of language.Continue Reading

D&C 84 September 22-23, 1832 Historical Background Garrett and Robinson give the following insightful commentary to set up the historical background of this section: After spending two weeks in Missouri “sitting in council with the Saints,” organizing the Missouri branch of the united firm, and providing for the establishment ofContinue Reading

Doctrine and Covenants 81-83 Quotes and Notes D&C 81 Presidency of the High Priesthood – Frederick G. Williams Section 81 was received March 7, 1832, just days before Joseph Smith is brutally attacked on the night of March 24, 1832 outside of the Johnson family farm in Ohio. As thisContinue Reading

D&C 71 Sidney Rigdon and Joseph Smith are to go and preach to counteract the damaging work of Ezra Booth, the first apostate from the church.[1]Smith, History of the Church, 1:175-221. They will do this from the time of this revelation (December 1, 1831) until January 10, 1832 (section 73). 71.1-4 OpenContinue Reading

D&C 64 During this time the Church at Kirtland, Ohio, experienced a limited apostasy. In addition to the problems of the Saints in Ohio who were seeking after signs and suffering the spiritual weaknesses caused by immorality (see D&C 63), Ezra Booth returned from his mission to Missouri, discontented withContinue Reading

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 CowderyContinue Reading

D&C 60 Historical Context The time arrived for the elders gathered in Missouri to return to Ohio. The Lord did not desire that they return with the same haste that they traveled to Missouri (D&C 58:63). The Prophet Joseph Smith recorded: “On the 8th, as there had been some inquiryContinue Reading

D&C 58 August 1, 1831 Twelve days prior to this revelation, Joseph Smith identified the place of the New Jerusalem and the building of the great temple of the latter days— that place being Independence, Missouri. Two days after this revelation was received, the Prophet dedicated the land for thisContinue Reading