Questions and Answers, between circa 16 and circa 29 March 1838–B [D&C 113:7–10]

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Questions and Answers, between circa 16 and circa 29 March 1838–B [D&C 113:7–10]
Source Note

“Questions by
Elias Higby
23 Oct. 1795–8 June 1843. Clerk, judge, surveyor. Born at Galloway, Gloucester Co., New Jersey. Son of Isaac Higbee and Sophia Somers. Moved to Clermont Co., Ohio, 1803. Married Sarah Elizabeth Ward, 10 Sept. 1818, in Tate Township, Clermont Co. Lived at ...
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,” [
Far West
Originally called Shoal Creek. Located fifty-five miles northeast of Independence. Surveyed 1823; first settled by whites, 1831. Site purchased, 8 Aug. 1836, before Caldwell Co. was organized for Latter-day Saints in Missouri. William W. Phelps and John Whitmer...
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, Caldwell Co., MO], [between ca. 16 and ca. 29 Mar. 1838]. Featured version copied [ca. mid- or late Apr. 1838] in JS, Journal, Mar.–Sept. 1838, p. 18; handwriting of
George W. Robinson
14 May 1814–10 Feb. 1878. Clerk, postmaster, merchant, clothier, banker. Born at Pawlet, Rutland Co., Vermont. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio, by 1836. Clerk and recorder for Kirtland high...
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; CHL. Includes use marks. For more complete source information, see the source note for JS, Journal, Mar.–Sept. 1838.

Historical Introduction
Sometime after JS arrived in
Far West
Originally called Shoal Creek. Located fifty-five miles northeast of Independence. Surveyed 1823; first settled by whites, 1831. Site purchased, 8 Aug. 1836, before Caldwell Co. was organized for Latter-day Saints in Missouri. William W. Phelps and John Whitmer...
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, Missouri, he apparently answered two sets of questions, one regarding Isaiah chapter 11 and the other, labeled “Questions by
Elias Higby [Higbee]
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,” relating to Isaiah chapter 52. The dating of these two sets of questions and answers is uncertain, but they were probably produced sometime between 16 and 29 March 1838.
1
See Historical Introduction to Questions and Answers, between ca. 16 and ca. 29 Mar. 1838–A [D&C 113:1–6].
While JS could have met with Higbee, who was a member of the
Zion
JS revelation, dated 20 July 1831, designated Missouri as “land of Zion” for gathering of Saints and place where “City of Zion” was to be built, with Independence area as “center place” of Zion. Latter-day Saint settlements elsewhere, such as in Kirtland,...
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high council
A governing body of twelve high priests. The first high council was organized in Kirtland, Ohio, on 17 February 1834 “for the purpose of settling important difficulties which might arise in the church, which could not be settled by the church, or the bishop...
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, anytime during this period, the one time they were known to be together was during a meeting of the high council and
bishopric
Initially referred to a bishop’s ecclesiastical jurisdiction, but eventually described the ecclesiastical body comprising the bishop and his assistants, or counselors. John Corrill and Isaac Morley were called as assistants to Bishop Edward Partridge in 1831...
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on 24 March 1838, suggesting that Higbee may have posed his questions to JS after the meeting adjourned that evening.
2
Minutes, 24 Mar. 1838.
The answers to the first set of questions, regarding Isaiah 11, begin with “thus saith the Lord.” The revealed answers may have provoked Higbee to ask the questions about Isaiah 52:1–2, though the answers given to Higbee’s questions do not include the same revelatory language. These verses regard the redemption of
Zion
A specific location in Missouri; also a literal or figurative gathering of believers in Jesus Christ, characterized by adherence to ideals of harmony, equality, and purity. In JS’s earliest revelations “the cause of Zion” was used to broadly describe the ...
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and introduce Isaiah’s suffering servant oracles, including the material in chapter 53, which is one of traditional Christianity’s most important texts for Christianizing the Old Testament.
3
See, for example, Calvin, Commentary on the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, 4:109–132; Wesley, Explanatory Notes upon the Old Testament, 3:2085–2088; and Henry, Exposition of the Old and New Testament, 4:241–248.
Comprehensive Works Cited
Calvin, John. Commentary on the Book of the Prophet Isaiah. Translated by William Pringle. 4 vols. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1948.
Wesley, John. Explanatory Notes upon the Old Testament. 4 vols. Bristol, England: William Pine, 1765.
Henry, Matthew. An Exposition of the Old and New Testament: Wherein Each Chapter Is Summed Up in Its Contents; the Sacred Text Inserted at Large, in Distinct Paragraphs; Each Paragraph Reduced to Its Proper Heads; the Sense Given, and Largely Illustrated; with Practical Remarks and Observations. First American ed. 5 vols. Philadelphia: Ed. Barrington and Geo. D. Haswell, [1828].
Isaiah 52:1–2 is quoted twice in the Book of Mormon,
4
Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 78, 498 [2 Nephi 8:24–25; 3 Nephi 20:36–37].
and other passages in chapter 52 also appear in the book.
5
See Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 31, 182, 187, 188, 215, 488, 498–499, 500, 501 [1 Nephi 13:37; Mosiah 12:21–24; 15:14–18, 29–31; 16:1; 27:37; 3 Nephi 16:18–20; 20:32, 34–35, 38–45; 21:8, 29].
JS revelations also repeat or allude to verses in this chapter, using them to explain the
gathering
As directed by early revelations, church members “gathered” in communities. A revelation dated September 1830, for instance, instructed elders “to bring to pass the gathering of mine elect” who would “be gathered in unto one place, upon the face of this land...
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and reestablishment of the house of Israel in the latter days.
6
See Revelation, 2 Jan. 1831 [D&C 38:42]; Revelation, 7 May 1831 [D&C 49:27]; Revelation, 3 Nov. 1831 [D&C 133:5]; and Revelation, 22–23 Sept. 1832 [D&C 84:98].

Higbee
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posed two questions. The answers, presumably from JS, stated that those called of God in the last days would be given
priesthood
Power or authority of God. The priesthood was conferred through the laying on of hands upon adult male members of the church in good standing; no specialized training was required. Priesthood officers held responsibility for administering the sacrament of...
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authority to gather scattered Israel home to Zion. These answers may have been considered as having special significance at this time because of JS’s move to
Missouri
Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803, and established as territory, 1812. Missouri Compromise, 1820, admitted Missouri as slave state, 1821. Population in 1830 about 140,000; in 1836 about 240,000; and in 1840 about 380,000. Latter-day Saint ...
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, the Saints’ “Land of Zion.”
7
See Revelation, 20 July 1831 [D&C 57:1–2, 14].
Probably sometime in mid- or late April,
George W. Robinson
14 May 1814–10 Feb. 1878. Clerk, postmaster, merchant, clothier, banker. Born at Pawlet, Rutland Co., Vermont. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio, by 1836. Clerk and recorder for Kirtland high...
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inscribed the questions and answers in the “Scriptory Book,” probably from an earlier manuscript.
8
See Questions and Answers, between ca. 16 and ca. 29 Mar. 1838–A [D&C 113:1–6].
Footnotes
[1]
See Historical Introduction to Questions and Answers, between ca. 16 and ca. 29 Mar. 1838–A [D&C 113:1–6].
[2]
Minutes, 24 Mar. 1838.
[3]
See, for example, Calvin, Commentary on the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, 4:109–132; Wesley, Explanatory Notes upon the Old Testament, 3:2085–2088; and Henry, Exposition of the Old and New Testament, 4:241–248.
Calvin, John. Commentary on the Book of the Prophet Isaiah. Translated by William Pringle. 4 vols. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1948.
Wesley, John. Explanatory Notes upon the Old Testament. 4 vols. Bristol, England: William Pine, 1765.
Henry, Matthew. An Exposition of the Old and New Testament: Wherein Each Chapter Is Summed Up in Its Contents; the Sacred Text Inserted at Large, in Distinct Paragraphs; Each Paragraph Reduced to Its Proper Heads; the Sense Given, and Largely Illustrated; with Practical Remarks and Observations. First American ed. 5 vols. Philadelphia: Ed. Barrington and Geo. D. Haswell, [1828].
[4]
Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 78, 498 [2 Nephi 8:24–25; 3 Nephi 20:36–37].
[5]
See Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 31, 182, 187, 188, 215, 488, 498–499, 500, 501 [1 Nephi 13:37; Mosiah 12:21–24; 15:14–18, 29–31; 16:1; 27:37; 3 Nephi 16:18–20; 20:32, 34–35, 38–45; 21:8, 29].
[6]
See Revelation, 2 Jan. 1831 [D&C 38:42]; Revelation, 7 May 1831 [D&C 49:27]; Revelation, 3 Nov. 1831 [D&C 133:5]; and Revelation, 22–23 Sept. 1832 [D&C 84:98].
[7]
See Revelation, 20 July 1831 [D&C 57:1–2, 14].
[8]
See Questions and Answers, between ca. 16 and ca. 29 Mar. 1838–A [D&C 113:1–6].
Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation.
*Questions and Answers, between circa 16 and circa 29 March 1838–B [D&C 113:7–10]
Journal, March–September 1838 History, 1838–1856, volume B-1 [1 September 1834–2 November 1838] “History of Joseph Smith”
Page 18
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Questions by
Elias Higby [Higbee]
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1st. Q. What is ment by the command in Isiah 52d. chap 1st. verse which saith Put on thy strength O
Zion
A specific location in Missouri; also a literal or figurative gathering of believers in Jesus Christ, characterized by adherence to ideals of harmony, equality, and purity. In JS’s earliest revelations “the cause of Zion” was used to broadly describe the ...
View Glossary
and what people had I[sa]iah referance to

A. He had reference to those whome God should call in the last day’s who should hold the power of
Priesthood
Power or authority of God. The priesthood was conferred through the laying on of hands upon adult male members of the church in good standing; no specialized training was required. Priesthood officers held responsibility for administering the sacrament of...
View Glossary
to bring again zion and the redemption of Israel.
1
JS asserted that the priesthood and church authority held by the ancient prophets and apostles had been lost in a great apostasy but had been restored to him and that the Church of the Latter Day Saints was “the only true & living Church upon the face of the whole Earth,” with a mission to gather and redeem the house of Israel. (JS History, ca. Summer 1832, 1–2; Revelation, 1 Nov. 1831–B [D&C 1:30]; see also Revelation, 5 Jan. 1831 [D&C 39:11]; and Revelation, ca. Aug. 1835 [D&C 27:5–18].)

And to put on her strength is to put on the authority of the priesthood which she (zion) has a right to by lineage:
2
Some of JS’s revelations and translations connect priesthood authority to lineal descent. (See Revelation, ca. June 1835 [D&C 68:14–21]; Revelation, 6 Dec. 1832 [D&C 86:8–10]; Instruction on Priesthood, between ca. 1 Mar. and ca. 4 May 1835 [D&C 107:13–17, 69–76]; and “The Book of Abraham,” Times and Seasons, 1 Mar. 1842, 3:704, 705 [Abraham 1:2, 27].)
Also to return to that power which she had lost
3
JS’s revelations and translations foretell the gathering of Israel and the establishment of Zion. (See, for example, Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 499 [3 Nephi 21:1]; and Revelation, 24 Feb. 1834 [D&C 103:13].)

Ques. 2d. What are we to understand by zions loosing herself from the bands of her neck 2d. verse.

A. We are to understand that the scattered remnants are exorted to to return to the Lord from whence they have fal[l]en which if they do the promise of the Lord is that he will speak to them or give them revelation See 6th. 7th. and 8th. verses The bands of her neck are the curses of God upon her or the remnants of Israel in their scattered condition among the Gentiles. [p. 18]
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Page 18
Document Information
Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Questions and Answers, between circa 16 and circa 29 March 1838–B [D&C 113:7–10]
ID #
8607
Total Pages
1
Print Volume Location
JSP, D6:54–56
Handwriting on This Page
George W. Robinson
Footnotes
[1]
JS asserted that the priesthood and church authority held by the ancient prophets and apostles had been lost in a great apostasy but had been restored to him and that the Church of the Latter Day Saints was “the only true & living Church upon the face of the whole Earth,” with a mission to gather and redeem the house of Israel. (JS History, ca. Summer 1832, 1–2; Revelation, 1 Nov. 1831–B [D&C 1:30]; see also Revelation, 5 Jan. 1831 [D&C 39:11]; and Revelation, ca. Aug. 1835 [D&C 27:5–18].)
[2]
Some of JS’s revelations and translations connect priesthood authority to lineal descent. (See Revelation, ca. June 1835 [D&C 68:14–21]; Revelation, 6 Dec. 1832 [D&C 86:8–10]; Instruction on Priesthood, between ca. 1 Mar. and ca. 4 May 1835 [D&C 107:13–17, 69–76]; and “The Book of Abraham,” Times and Seasons, 1 Mar. 1842, 3:704, 705 [Abraham 1:2, 27].)
[3]
JS’s revelations and translations foretell the gathering of Israel and the establishment of Zion. (See, for example, Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 499 [3 Nephi 21:1]; and Revelation, 24 Feb. 1834 [D&C 103:13].)