Doctrine and Covenants Commentary - Section 105

by Don R. Hender

Scriptural Text [& Editorial]	Commentary & Explanation	Footnotes ~ References ~ JST
SECTION 105 Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, on Fishing River, Missouri, June 22, 1834. HC 2:108-111. Mob violence against the saints in Missouri had increased, and organized bodies from several counties had declared their intent to destory the people. The Prophet had come from Kirtland at the head of a party known as Zion's Camp, bringing clothing and provisions. While this party was encamped on Fishing River, the Prophet received the revelation.
1-5, Zion shall be built up by conformity to celestial law; 6-13, Redemption of Zion deferred for a little season; 14-19, The Lord will fight the battles of Zion; 20-26, The saints are to be wise and not boast of mighty works as they gather; 27-30, Lands in Jackson an adjoining counties should be purchased; 31-34, The elders are to receive an endowment in the House of the Lord in Kirtland; 35-37, Saints who are both called and chosen shall be sanctified; 38-41, Saints are to lift an ensign of peace to the world.
1 VERILY I say unto you who have assembled yourselves together that you may learn my will concerning the ^aredemption of mine afflicted people— 2 Behold, I say unto you, were it not for the ^atransgressions of my people, speaking concerning the church and not individuals^a, they might have been redeemed even now.	2^a speaking concerning the church and not individuals Often it is taught as though the individual people of the membership of the church were transgressing the laws of God, thus the Missouri persecutions were brought upon them. Yet the Lord first stated it was because of a witness against the wicked people of Missouri that it was allowed and only secondary to give experience and chastizement to the saints. Here it is further stipulated that it was not because of the failings of the individual sainst but of the 'church' as a whole, perhaps even in that the church was not mature enough to so carry to bring forth of Zion at that time. Certainly the 'church' was still very much in its infancy and really did not posses the full extent of means and ability to establish Zion at that time. It was weak and ver imature in its conduct and operations, which is more reflective of experienced leadership and advanced structure.
3 But behold, they have not learned to be obedient to the things which I required at their hands, but are full of all manner of evil, and do not ^aimpart of their substance, as becometh saints, to the poor and afflicted among them; 4 And are not ^aunited according to the union required by the law of the celestial kingdom; 5 And ^aZion cannot be built up ^bunless it is by the ^cprinciples of the ^dlaw of the celestial kingdom; otherwise I cannot receive her unto myself.
6 And my people must needs be ^achastened until they learn ^bobedience, if it must needs be, by the things which they ^csuffer. 7 I speak not concerning those who are appointed to lead my people, who are the ^afirst elders of my church, for they are not all under this condemnation; 8 But I speak concerning my churches abroad—there are many who will say: Where is their God? Behold, he will ^adeliver them in time of trouble, otherwise we will not go up unto Zion, and will keep our moneys.
9 Therefore, in consequence of the ^atransgressions of my people, it is expedient in me that mine elders should wait for a little season for the ^bredemption of Zion— 10 That they themselves may be prepared, and that my people may be ^ataught more perfectly, and have experience, and know more perfectly concerning their ^bduty, and the things which I require at their hands.
11 And this cannot be brought to pass until mine ^aelders are ^bendowed with power from on high. 12 For behold, I have prepared a great endowment and blessing to be ^apoured out upon them, inasmuch as they are faithful and continue in humility before me. 13 Therefore it is expedient in me that mine elders should wait for a little season, for the redemption of Zion.
14 For behold, I do not require at their hands to fight the battles of Zion; for, as I said in a former commandment, even so will I fulfill—I will ^afight your battles^a. 15 Behold, the ^adestroyer I have sent forth to destroy and lay waste mine ^benemies; and not many years hence they shall not be left to pollute mine heritage, and to ^cblaspheme my name upon the lands which I have ^dconsecrated for the gathering together of my saints. 16 Behold, I have commanded my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., to say unto the ^astrength of my house, even my warriors, my young men, and middle-aged, to gather together for the redemption of my people, and throw down the towers of mine enemies, and scatter their ^bwatchmen;	14^a I will fight your battles The power of the Lord God Jehovah has always been that he can fight his own battles against his enemies. In Exodus it was by the power of God that Israel was delivered out of Egypt. It was by the power and hand of God that the pursuing Egyptians were swallowed up in the depths of the Red Sea. The Lord doeth also have power to sustain his people as with the manna in the wilderness. Even the walls of Jericho did tumble down by the power of God. A reliance upon God, Jehovah, must be developed upon the one hand, that his people do look to him and recognize him in all things. The Song of Moses in Exodus 15 is such a worshipful recognition. Interetingly in that same chapter, after the Lord God did deliver his people, the began to murmur against Moses and the Lord for water and eventually food rather than recognizing one's reliance upon him, they did complain against him even after his display of power of deliverance before them. So also at Fishing River, the power of God was shown in the deliverance from the mob by the storm, yet despite the display of power of God, many did but complain. The Lord will fight his battles, and though we may become an instrument in his hand as an means to an end, it is by his power that end is obtained. Even Moses took honor unto himself when bring forth water, and Israel did remember Moses, and did not honor the Lord as they ought. All is possible in, by and through God. If man will but work hand in hand with him, all things and all enemies will be subdued and conquered to the benefit of the Lord's people.
17 But the strength of mine house have not hearkened unto my words. 18 But inasmuch as there are those who have hearkened unto my words, I have prepared a blessing and an ^aendowment for them, if they continue faithful. 19 I have heard their prayers, and will accept their offering; and it is expedient in me that they should be brought thus far for a ^atrial of their ^bfaith.
20 And now, verily I say unto you, a commandment I give unto you, that as many as have come up hither, that can stay in the region round about, let them stay; 21 And those that cannot stay, who have families in the east, let them tarry for a little season, inasmuch as my servant Joseph shall appoint unto them; 22 For I will counsel him concerning this matter, and all things whatsoever he shall appoint unto them shall be fulfilled.
23 And let all my people who dwell in the regions round about be very faithful, and prayerful, and humble before me, and reveal not the things which I have revealed unto them, until it is wisdom in me that they should be revealed. 24 Talk not of judgments, neither ^aboast of faith nor of mighty ^bworks, but carefully gather together, as much in one region as can be, consistently with the feelings of the people;
25 And behold, I will give unto you favor and grace in their eyes, that you may rest in ^apeace and safety, while you are saying unto the people: Execute judgment and justice for us according to law, and redress us of our ^bwrongs. 26 Now, behold, I say unto you, my friends, in this way you may find favor in the eyes of the people, until the ^aarmy of Israel becomes very great.
27 And I will soften the hearts of the people, as I did the heart of ^aPharaoh, from time to time, until my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and mine elders, whom I have appointed, shall have time to gather up the strength of my house, 28 And to have sent ^awise men, to fulfil that which I have commanded concerning the ^bpurchasing of all the lands in Jackson county that can be purchased, and in the adjoining counties round about.
29 For it is my will that these lands should be purchased; and after they are purchased that my saints should possess them according to the laws of ^aconsecration which I have given. 30 And after these lands are purchased, I will hold the ^aarmies of Israel guiltless in taking possession of their own lands, which they have previously purchased with their moneys, and of throwing down the towers of mine enemies that may be upon them, and scattering their watchmen, and ^bavenging me of mine enemies unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me.
31 But first let my army become very great, and let it be ^asanctified before me, that it may become fair as the sun, and clear as the ^bmoon, and that her banners may be terrible unto all nations; 32 That the kingdoms of this world may be constrained to acknowledge that the kingdom of Zion is in very deed the ^bkingdom of our God and his Christ; therefore, let us become subject unto her laws.
33 Verily I say unto you, it is expedient in me that the first elders of my church should receive their ^aendowment from on high in my house, which I have commanded to be built unto my name in the land of Kirtland. 34 And let those commandments which I have given concerning Zion and her ^alaw be executed and fulfilled, after her redemption.
35 There has been a day of ^acalling, but the time has come for a day of choosing; and let those be chosen that are ^bworthy. 36 And it shall be ^amanifest unto my servant, by the voice of the Spirit, those that are ^bchosen; and they shall be ^csanctified; 37 And inasmuch as they follow the ^acounsel which they receive, they shall have power ^bafter many days to accomplish all things pertaining to Zion.
38 And again I say unto you, sue for ^apeace, not only to the people that have smitten you, but also to all people; 39 And lift up an ^aensign of ^bpeace, and make a proclamation of peace unto the ends of the earth; 40 And make proposals for peace unto those who have smitten you, according to the voice of the Spirit which is in you, and ^aall things shall work together for your good. 41 Therefore, be faithful; and behold, and lo, I am ^awith you even unto the end. Even so. Amen.