Doctrine and Covenants Commentary - Section 85

by Don R. Hender


Scriptural Text [& Editorial]
Commentary & Explanation
Footnotes ~ References ~ JST
         SECTION 85

Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, November 27, 1832. HC 1:290—299. This section is an extract from a letter of the Prophet to W. W. Phelps, who was living in Independence, Missouri. It was given to answer questions about those saints who had moved to Zion, but who had not received their inheritances according to the established order in the Church.

    1—5, Inheritances in Zion are to be received through consecration;
    6—12, One mighty and strong shall give the saints their inheritance in Zion.
 1 IT is the duty of the Lord's clerk, whom he has appointed, to keep a ahistory, and a general church brecord of all things that transpire in Zion, and of all those who cconsecrate properties, and receive dinheritances legally from the bishop;
 2 And also their manner of life, their faith, and works; and also of the aapostates who apostatize after receiving their inheritances.

 3 It is contrary to the will and commandment of God that those who receive not their ainheritance by bconsecration, agreeable to his claw, which he has given, that he may dtithe his people, to prepare them against the day of evengeance and burninga, should have their fnames enrolled with the people of God.
 4 Neither is their agenealogy to be kept, or to be had where it may be found on any of the records or history of the church.
 5 Their names shall not be found, neither the names of the fathers, nor the names of the children written in the abook of the law of God, saith the Lord of Hosts.

Fire Insurance? 
Thought it is scripturally specific to the paying of tithing that the Lord grants a guarantee against being 'burned' at his second coming, it might be much safer for church members to consider to be temple worthy, that is living and waling in the path to God. Tithing alone does not insure one from being burned with the wicked at the Second Coming, only when paid and complied with in the proper spirit with the appropreate 'faith' and 'works' and in the 'love of Christ'. Those who think that they can pay tithing and then sin and not live a Christ like life, will find themselves much surprised at their burning hour. But that the Lord specifically specifies that 'tithing' is REQUIRED is significant scripturally.
 3a that he may tithe his people, to prepare them against the day of vengence and burning That day of vengence and burning is the day of the Second Coming of the Lord. The wheat and the tars will be separated by the ministering angels of God. The Tars will be burned as stubble and their spirits will be sent to dwell in the spirit prision. The wheat, the good and honorable people of the earth and those members of Christ's Church who are found to be walking in the straight and narrow path which included the paying of tithes, will not be burn as stubble, but will be translated in an eye's twinkle into a state of imortality which allows them to abide the Terrestrial Kingdom, which at that time the Earth will also by the baptism of fire be changed into.
 6 Yea, thus saith the astill small voice, which whispereth through and bpierceth all things, and often times it maketh my bones to quake while it maketh manifest, saying:
 7 And it shall come to pass that I, the Lord God, will send one mighty and strong, holding the scepter of power in his hand, clothed with light for a covering, whose mouth shall utter words, eternal words; while his bowels shall be a fountain of truth, to set in aorder the house of God, and to arrange by blot the cinheritances of the saints whose names are found, and the names of their fathers, and of their children, enrolled in the book of the law of God;
 8 While that man, who was called of God and appointed, that putteth forth his hand to asteady the bark of God, shall fall by the shaft of death, like as a tree that is smitten by the vivid shaft of lightning.

 9 And all they who are not found written in the abook of remembrance shall find none inheritance in that day, but they shall be cut asunder, and their portion shall be appointed them among bunbelievers, where are cwailing and gnashing of teeth.
 10 These things I say not of amyself; therefore, as the Lord speaketh, he will also fulfil.

 11 And they who are of the High Priesthood, whose names are not found written in the abook of the law, or that are found to have bapostatized, or to have been ccut off from the church, as well as the lesser priesthood, or the members, in that day shall dnot find an inheritance among the saints of the Most High;
 12 Therefore, it shall be done unto them as unto the achildren of the bpriesta, as will be found recorded in the second chapter and sixty-first and second verses of Ezra.

 12a done unto them as unto the children of the priest(s) In Ezra, those who were not found in the official genealogical records or the book of remembrance, that is having their ordinances of sealing approved were not any longer able to officiate in any 'priesthood' function. Though in Ezra this was the lost of the priesthood of Aaron; in the latter days, those who are not found worthy on the records of the church, having their ordinances and works (including tithing payment) in order in full fellowship of the church, will have their priesthood and church or kingdom membership blessings resolved. This will be according to the judgment and understanding of Christ, who knows all things and considers all things.