Doctrine and Covenants Commentary - Section 96

by Don R. Hender

Scriptural Text [& Editorial]	Commentary & Explanation	Footnotes ~ References ~ JST
SECTION 96 Revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet, showing the order of the City or Stake of Zion at Kirtland, Ohio, June 4, 1833. Given as an example to the saints in Kirtland. HC 1:352-353. The occasion was a conference of high priests, and the chief suject of consideration was the disposal of certain lands, known as the French farm, possessed by the Church near Kirtland. Since the conference could not agree who should take charge of the farm, all agreed to inquire of the Lord concerning th matter.
1, The Kirtland Stake of Zion is to be made strong; 2-5, The bishop is to divide the inheritance for the saints; 6-9, John Johnson is to be a member of the United Order.
1 BEHOLD, I say unto you, here is wisdom, where by ye may know how to act concerning this matter, for it is expedient in me that this ^astake that I have set for the strength of Zion should be made strong.
2 Therefore, let my servant Newel K. ^aWhitney take charge of the place which is named among you, upon which I design to build mine ^bholy house. 3 And again, let it be divided into lots, according to wisdom, for the benefit of those who seek ^ainheritances, as it shall be determined in council among you.
4 Therefore, take heed that ye see to this matter, and that portion that is necessary to benefit mine ^aorder, for the purpose of bringing forth my word to the children of men. 5 For behold, verily I say unto you, this is the most expedient in me, that my word should go forth unto the children of men, for the purpose of subduing the hearts of the children of men for your good. Even so. Amen.
6 And again, verily I say unto you, it is wisdom and expedient in me, that my servant ^aJohn Johnson whose offering I have accepted, and whose prayers I have heard, unto whom I give a promise of eternal life inasmuch as he keepeth my commandments from henceforth— 7 For he is a descendant of ^aJoseph and a partaker of the blessings of the promise made unto his fathers^a—	7^a a partaker of the blessings of the promise made unto the fathers These fathers are those from the beginning, namely such as Adam, Enoch and Noah; Abraham, Issac and Jacob; as well as through Joseph by whom they remain (D&C 27:10). For it is the blessings and covenants of the everlasting gospel, including that right unto the priesthood thereof which does come down through the fathers to their rightful heir(s). The blessings of Joseph in the latter days is for those who have so descended to take the responsibility of the fulfilling of the Covenant of Abraham of blessing the nations of the earth in and through the gospel of Christ, that blessing of deliverance of man by the atonement of Christ, bring man back unto God. Thus the primary responsibilty of those who are to first lead out unto this end of blessing the earth first falls upon those who are of Joseph's descent and thence also to those whom are his companions, who have also come unto and taken that covenant of responsibility upon themselves as by the election of agency.
8 Verily I say unto you, it is expedient in me that he should become a member of the ^aorder^a, that he may assist in bringing forth my word unto the children of men. 9 Therefore ye shall ordain him unto this blessing, and he shall seek diligently to take away ^aincumbrances that are upon the house named among you, that he may dwell therein. Even so. Amen.	8^a it is expedient in me that he should become a member of the order It is obvious that not all members of the church were members of and actively a part of the 'united order'. For only as so called like unto Brother Johnson were they to come to be such a member of the order. Thus the united order WAS NOT unto all the church, but only as so called of God to become a part of it as needed by the church for these called members to become a part of it. But need and degree of worthiness to so qualify was in the hand of the Lord. And as to what blessings pertained unto it apart from such 'regular membership' of Christ's Church was also in the hands of the Lord. It ought to be noted that if one was not so called it did not make them any less of a member of the church in general and did not remove from them such blessings as the church does offer to the world unto exaltation.