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SECTION 57Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, in Zion, Jackson County, Missouri, July 20, 1831. HC 1:189—190. In compliance with the Lord's command (Section 52), the elders had journeyed from Kirtland to Missouri with many varied experiences and some opposition. In contemplating the state of the Lamanites and the lack of civilization, refinement, and religion among the people generally, the Prophet exclaimed in yearning prayer: "When will the wilderness blossom as the rose? When will Zion be built up in her glory, and where will thy Temple stand, unto which all nations shall come in the last days?" Subsequently he received this revelation. |
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4—7, The saints are to purchase lands and receive inheritances in that area; 8—16, Sidney Gilbert is to establish a store, W.W. Phelps is to be a printer, and Oliver Cowdery is to edit material for publications. | ||
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D&C 57:1 HEARKEN, O ye elders of my church, saith
the Lord your God, who have assembled yourselves together, according to my
commandments, in this land, which is the land of aMissouri,
which is the bland which I have appointed and
cconsecrated for the dgathering of the
saints.
D&C 57:2 Wherefore, this is the aland of promise, and the bplace for the city of cZion.
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D&C 57:3 And thus saith the Lord your God, if you will receive wisdom here is
wisdom. Behold, the place which is now called Independence is the
acenter placea; and a
spot for the btemple is lying westward, upon a lot which is
not far from the courthouse.
D&C 57:4 Wherefore, it is wisdom that the land should be apurchased by the saints, and also every tract lying westward, even unto the line running directly bbetween Jew and Gentile;
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3a Independence is the center place Independence Missouri is set to be the center of Zion and the early saints are to be honored for first establishing the foundation of our faith from which Zion will be build in that center place with a temple to be there located. However the great meeting of the second coming will be held north of Independence at the site known as Adam-onti-Ahman. The city of Zion will extend for miles, thus it is likely that the country subburbs just might be where a location of open country might be where such a vast congreation might so assemble themselves in one great body of humanity. | |
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D&C 57:5 And also every tract bordering by the prairies, inasmuch as my
disciples are enabled to abuy lands. Behold, this is
wisdom, that they may bobtain it for an everlasting
inheritance.
D&C 57:6 And let my servant Sidney Gilbert stand in the office to which I have appointed him, to receive moneys, to be an aagent unto the church, to buy land in all the regions round about, inasmuch as can be done in righteousness, and as wisdom shall direct. D&C 57:7 And let my servant aEdward Partridge stand in the boffice to which I have appointed him, and cdivide unto the saints their inheritance, even as I have commanded; and also those whom he has appointed to assist him.
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D&C 57:8 And again, verily I say unto you, let my servant Sidney Gilbert
plant himself in this place, and establish a astore, that
he may sell goods bwithout fraud, that he may obtain money
to buy clands for the good of the saints, and that he may
obtain whatsoever things the disciples may need to plant them in their
inheritance.
D&C 57:9 And also let my servant Sidney Gilbert obtain a license—behold here is awisdom, and whoso readeth let him bunderstand—that he may send goods also unto the people, even by whom he will as clerks employed in his service. D&C 57:10 And thus provide for my saints, that my gospel may be preached unto those who sit in adarkness and in the region and bshadow of death.
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D&C 57:11 And again, verily I say unto you, let my servant
aWilliam W. Phelps be planted in this place, and be
established as a bprinter unto the church.
D&C 57:12 And lo, if the world receive his writings—behold here is wisdom—let him obtain whatsoever he can obtain in righteousness, for the good of the saints. D&C 57:13 And let my servant aOliver Cowdery assist him, even as I have commanded, in whatsoever place I shall appoint unto him, to copy, and to correct, and select, that all things may be right before me, as it shall be proved by the Spirit through him.
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D&C 57:14 And thus let those of whom I have spoken be planted in the land of
Zion, as speedily as can be, with their afamilies, to do
those things even as I have spoken.
D&C 57:15 And now concerning the gathering—Let the bishop and the agent make preparations for those families which have been commanded to come to this land, as soon as possible, and plant them in their inheritance. D&C 57:16 And unto the residue of both elders and members further directions shall be given hereafter. Even so. Amen.
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