Revelation, [, OH], to , 8 June 1831. Featured version, titled “56th Commandment June 8th. 1831,” copied [ca. June 1831] in Revelation Book 1, pp. 89–90; handwriting of ; CHL. Includes redactions. For more complete source information, see the source note for Revelation Book 1.
Historical Introduction
, the recipient of this revelation, was ’s business partner and an early convert to the church. He may have been present at a 5 June 1831 meeting at which JS taught that “the would have large congregations to speak to and they must soon take there departure into the Reagions west.” The next evening, JS dictated a revelation that commissioned a number of elders to accompany him to , which the text called “the land which I will unto my People which are a remnant of Jacob & those who are heirs according to the .” The 6 June revelation did not name Gilbert among those who should travel to Missouri. JS’s history records that shortly after the reception of that revelation, Gilbert approached JS and requested direction for himself. In response, JS dictated this revelation that gave Gilbert assignments in the church, including the instruction to travel to Missouri with JS and . Gilbert left for Missouri on 18 June with JS and Rigdon.
Hancock, Autobiography, 92. According to Levi Hancock, following the 5 June meeting a group of participants “went to Gilberts” where they talked “with brother Whitnies [Newel K. Whitney] and told him what hapend at the conferance.”
Hancock, Levi. Autobiography, ca. 1854. Photocopy. CHL. MS 8174.
Behold I my the Lord who was crusified for the sins of the world giveth unto you a that you shall forsake the world take upon you mine even that of an to Preach faith & repentance & remission of sins according to my word & the reception of the Holy spirit by the & also to be an agent unto this in the Place which shall be appointed by the according to commandments which shall be given hereafter & again verily I say unto you you shall take your Journey with my servent Joseph & Behold these are the <firist> ordinances which you shall receive & the residue shall be made known unto you in a time to come according to your labour in my vinyard & again I would that ye should learn that it is hi◊ only who is saved that endureth unto the end even so amen [p. 90]
See New Testament Revision 1, p. 41 [Joseph Smith Translation, Matthew 16:29].
New Testament Revision 1 / “A Translation of the New Testament Translated by the Power of God,” 1831. CCLA. Also available in Scott H. Faulring, Kent P. Jackson, and Robert J. Matthews, eds., Joseph Smith’s New Translation of the Bible: Original Manuscripts (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 2004), 153–228.
Gilbert was the first person to be appointed “an agent unto this Church.” A previous revelation outlined the duties of BishopEdward Partridge and called for the appointment of an agent: “Let there be an agent appointed unto this people to take the money to provide food & raiment according to the wants of this people.” (Revelation, 20 May 1831 [D&C 51:8].)
Once the elders arrived in Missouri, Gilbert was commanded by revelation to settle there and assist Edward Partridge with the church’s temporal affairs. Specifically, the revelation directed Gilbert to keep a store and act as land agent. (Revelation, 20 July 1831 [D&C 57:6–8].)