Doctrine and Covenants Commentary - Section 126

by Don R. Hender

Scriptural Text [& Editorial]
Commentary & Explanation
Footnotes ~ References ~ JST
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, in the house of Brigham Young, at Nauvoo, Illinois, July 9, 1841. HC 4:382. At this time Brigham Young was president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
    1—3, Brigham Young is commended for his labors and is relieved of future travel abroad.
D&C 126:1 DEAR and well-beloved brother, aBrigham Young, verily thus saith the Lord unto you: My servant Brigham, it is bno more required at your hand to leave your family as in times past, for your offering is acceptable to me.

Brigham Young and Peter 
Peter in his day was the 'Chief Apostle' or the 'President of the Twelve' at the time of Christ's death. Christ therefore bestowed upon Peter to be the 'Revelator, Prophet and Seer of the Church' after his departure. Joseph Smith was chosen, called and ordained to be the First Apostle and Prophet, Seer and Revelator of the Lord who restored the Church. As its 'head', Joseph, though an ordained Apostle under the hand of Peter, James and John, did not function as a member of the Twelve, but rather as the Head and Prophet of the Church, as had Christ while laboring with the Twelve he chose in his day. When Jesus died, it came time and the church had been structured and developed to the point that the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles were ready to take upon itself the leadership of the Church with Peter, James and John becoming its First Presidency, and Peter being the head. Likewise when Joseph Smith died, Brigham Young, the President and Chief Apostle of the Quorum of the Twelve, became the head of the Church. And eventually he selected and organized his First Presidency as well. 		 1a D&C 136, heading; D&C 124:127
   b D&C 18:28 (27-28)
D&C 126:2 I have seen your alabor and toil in journeyings for my name.

 2a TG Good Works
D&C 126:3 I therefore command you to asend my word abroada, and take especial bcare of your family from this time, henceforth and forever. Amen.

 3a I therefore command you to send my word abroad Previously in section 124:28 where the offices and responsibilities are deligniated, a curious mention was made to the effect that the time would come that it would be the responsibility of the Twelve 'who hold the keys to open up the authority of my kingdom upon the four corners of the earth, and after that to send my word to every creature.' Many of the early Apostles while being apostles served mission and did 'open up the authority of the Lord's kingdom upon the four corners of the earth'. Now at this time President Brigham Young and the Twelve would take on the responsiblity themselves to do the 'sending' and 'calling' even as Joseph Smith had done.  3a D&C 107:38; D&C 124:39;
      D&C 124:128
   b TG Family Children,
      Responsibilities toward;
      TG Family, Love within