Revelation, 23 February 1831 [D&C 42:73–93]

  • February 23d 1831 the rules and regulations of the <Law>

    How the Elders of the church of Christ are to  act upon the points of the Law given by Jesus  Christ to the Church in the presents of twelve  Elders February 9th 1831 as agreed upon by Seven Elders  Elders Feby 23d 1831 according to to the comman dment of God——

    1th The first commandment in the law teaches  that all the Elders shall go unto the regions  westward and labour to build up Churches  unto Christ wheresoever they shall <find> any to  receive them and obey the Gospel of Jesus  Christ except Joseph & Sidney [Rigdon] and Edward [Partridge]  and Such as the Bishop Shall appoint to  assist him in his duties according to  the Law which we have received this  commandment as far as it respects these  Elders to be sent to the west is a special one  for the time being incumbent on the  present Elders who shall return when  directed by the Holy Spirit——

    2d Every person who belongeth to this church of  Christ Shall observe all the Commandments [p. [6]]

A December 1830 revelation directed the church to gather in Ohio. Subsequent revelations promised that there church members would be given God’s “law,” or principles of governance pertaining to them. Finally, on 9 February 1831, twelve elders assembled, united in prayer, “and were agreed as touching the reception of the Law.” JS then dictated the revelation known as “the Law.” The revelation contained several questions, the responses to which directed missionary work, set forth the church’s moral code, and addressed economic organization and practices.

This text included further instructions, recorded two weeks later, on 23 February 1831, designed to help the elders know how “to act upon the points of the Law.” These instructions provided detailed guidance on how to administer church discipline for serious transgressions.

Symonds Rider drafted this text, probably in May or June 1831, possibly on 23 May 1831. The text, dated 9 February 1831 at Kirtland, Ohio, is also recorded in Revelation Book 1, as well as in Sidney Gilbert’s and Orson Hyde’s notebooks. Two Ohio newspapers, Ravenna’s The Western Courier and the Painesville Telegraph published versions in September 1831. The 1833 Book of Commandments gives the date as February 1831 at Kirtland, Ohio. (See also Revelation, 9 February 1831 [D&C 42:1-72].) The 1835 Doctrine and Covenants assigns the same date but gives no location. A number of other contemporary iterations are extant.

Facts

Editorial Title
Revelation, 23 February 1831 [D&C 42:73–93]
ID #
6828