“Doctrine and Covenants 133,” Joseph Smith’s Revelations: A Doctrine and Covenants Study Companion from the Joseph Smith Papers (2020)
“Doctrine and Covenants 133,” Joseph Smith’s Revelations: A Doctrine and Covenants Study Companion from the Joseph Smith Papers
Doctrine and Covenants 133
Revelation, 3 November 1831
Source Note
Revelation, Hiram Township, OH, 3 Nov. 1831. Featured version, titled “72 A Revelation Recd. Nov 3, 1831,” copied [ca. Nov. 1831] in Revelation Book 1, pp. 116–121; handwriting of John Whitmer; CHL. Includes redactions. For more information, see the source note for Revelation Book 1 on the Joseph Smith Papers website.
Historical Introduction
According to a later history, JS dictated this revelation on 3 November 1831 in answer to elders’ questions about “the gathering” and “preaching the gospel to the inhabitants of the earth.”1 The history indicates that this revelation was dictated following the two-day conference in Hiram, Ohio, which focused on the publication of JS’s revelations in the Book of Commandments. This revelation, which was later designated as the “appendix” to the Book of Commandments, followed the 1 November dictation of the “preface” to that book.2 The preface placed JS’s revelations in a millenarian context, and this 3 November revelation continued in that millenarian theme.3 Beginning with a call for the Saints to prepare for the second coming of Jesus Christ by leaving Babylon and gathering to Zion, the revelation then extended this message to all people. It warned of Christ’s imminent return to the earth in power and glory and of the events that would precede and accompany that return. It also provided an explicit statement that God wanted JS’s revelations to go to the world to prepare the inhabitants of the earth for Christ’s return.
Because two early copies of this revelation bear different dates, there is some uncertainty about the exact date of this revelation. When John Whitmer copied it into Revelation Book 1, likely before leaving for Missouri on 20 November 1831, he dated it 3 November.4 JS’s later history also places this revelation after the 1–2 November conference.5 However, another copy of the revelation in Sidney Rigdon’s handwriting was inserted into Revelation Book 1 as a loose copy, bearing the endorsement “Luke Johnsons Nov 2 1831” in unidentified handwriting, suggesting it may have been written during the 1–2 November conference, which Johnson attended.6 Because Rigdon transcribed this copy on loose leaves, it is difficult to determine exactly when the copy was made. It may have been placed into Revelation Book 1 before Whitmer left for Missouri, but it could have been inserted much later as well.7 Whitmer, on the other hand, likely copied the revelation into the bound book before Whitmer and Cowdery took the book to Missouri on 20 November 1831.8 Whitmer’s copy is apparently an earlier transcript than the Rigdon copy and therefore more reliable regarding the date—a conclusion corroborated by the fact that the 1–2 November conference minutes do not mention this revelation, and no other sources confirm its presentation on either 1 or 2 November.9
Although the 3 November revelation does not refer to itself as an “appendix,” it may have been dictated specifically to serve as an appendix to JS’s revelations—much like the 1 November revelation was presented as the preface. The Rigdon copy contains the endorsement “An appendix to Revelation,” suggesting an early designation of the revelation as an appendix. When the revelation was first published in the May 1833 issue of The Evening and the Morning Star, William W. Phelps explained that it was known as “the close” or “the Appendix,” indicating it had received that designation at least by the spring 1833.10 According to a later JS history, it was called the appendix because of “its importance, and for distinction.”11
<7212 A Revelation Recd. Nov 3, 1831>
[1]Hearken oh ye People of my Church—— saith the Lord your <God> & hear the word of the Lord concerning you [2]the Lord who shall suddenly come to his temple13 the Lord who shall come down with a curse to Judgement14 yea upon all the Nations that forget god & upon all the ungodly amongst you [3]for he shall make bear his holy arm in the eyes of all the Nations & all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of their god15 [4]wherefore prepare ye prepare ye oh ye my People Sanctify yourselves gether ye together oh ye People of my Church upon the Land of Zion all you that have not been commanded to tarry [5]go ye out from Babylon16 be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord17 [6]call your solom assemblies18 & speak often one to another19 & let every man call upon the name of the Lord [7]yea verily I say unto you again the time has come when the voice of the Lord is unto you go ye out of Babylon gether ye out from among the nations from the four winds from one end of Heaven to the other20 [8]send forth the Elders of my Church unto the nations which are afar off unto the ilands of the sea send forth unto foreign lands call upon all nations firstly upon the gentiles & then upon the Jews [9]& Behold & Lo this shall be their Cry & the voice of the Lord unto all People go ye forth unto the Land of Zion that the borders of my People may be enlarged & that her stakes may be strengthened21 that Zion may go forth—unto the regions round about— [10]yea let the cry go forth among all people awake & arise & go forth to meet the Bride-groom Behold & Lo the Bride-groom Cometh— go ye out to meet him prepare yourselves for the great day of the Lord [11]watch therefore for ye know neither the day nor the hour22 [12]let them therefore which are among the gentiles— flee unto Zion [13]& let they which be of Judah flee unto Jerusalem unto the Mountains of the Lords house23 [14]go ye out from among the Nations even from Babylon [p. 116] From the midst of wickedness which is spiritual babylon [15]But verily thus saith the Lord let not your flight not be in h◊ste but let all things be prepared before you24 & he that goeth let him not [look?] back— lest sudden distruction shall come upon him [16]hearken & hear oh ye inhabitants of the Earth & listen ye Elders of my Church together & hear the voice of the Lord for he calleth upon all men & he comandeth all men every where to repent25 [17]for behold the Lord God hath sent forth the Angel with the everlasting gospel crying through the midst of Heaven saying prepare ye the way of the Lord & make his paths strait26 for the hour of his coming is nigh [18]when the Lamb Shall stand upon Mount Zion & with him a hundred & forty four thousand having his fathers name written in their foreheads—27 [19]wherefore prepare ye for the coming of the Bride-groom28 go ye g[o] y◊◊29 out to meet him [20]for Behold he shall stand upon the Mount of Olivet30 & upon the mighty Ocean even the great deep & upon the Islands of the Sea & upon the Land of Zion [21]& he shall utter his voice out of Zion & he shall speak from Jerusalem & his voice shall be heard among all people [22]& it shall be as the voice of many waters & as the voice of a great thunder which shall break down the Mountains & the valies shall not be found [23]he shall command the great deep & it shall be driven back into the North countries & the Islands shall become one land [24]& the land of Jerusalem & the Land of Zion shall be turned back into their own place & the earth Shall be like as it was in the days before it was before it was divided31 [25]& the Lord even the Saviour shall stand in the midst of his people <& shall reign> over all the Earth flesh [26]& they which who are in the North countries shall come in rememberanc before the Lord & their Prophets shall hear his voice and shall no longer stay themselves & they shall smite the rocks & the ice shall folow down at their presenc[e] [27]& an high way shall be cast up in the midst of the great deep [28]their enemies shall become a prey unto them [29]& <in> the barren deserts there shall come forth pools of living water & the parched ground shall <no> longe[r] be a thirsty land [30]& they shall bring forth th[e]ir rich treasures [p. 117] unto the Children of Ephraim my servents32 [31]& the boundaries of the everlasting hills33 shall trembl at their presence [32]& these shall thy fall down & be crowned with glory even in Zion by the hands of the Servents of the Lord even the children of Ephraim [33]& they shall be filled with songs of everlasting Joy34 [34]behold this is the blessing of the everlasting God upon the heads of the tribes of Israel & the richer blessing upon the head of Ephraim & his fellows35 [35]& they also on [of] the tribe of Judah after their pain shall be Sanctified in holiness before the Lord to dwell in his presenc[e] day & night forever & ever [36]& now verily saith the Lord that these things might be known among you oh inhabitants of the Earth I have sent forth mine Angel flying throug[h] the midst of heaven having the everlasting Gospel who hath appeared unto some & hath committed it unto man36 who shall appear unto many that dwell on the Earth [37]& this gospel shall be preached unto every Nation & kindred & tongue & People [38]& the Servents of God shall go forth saying with a loud voice fear God & give glory to him for the hour of his Judgement is come [39]& worship him that made Heaven & earth & the Sea & the fountain of waters37 [40]calling upon the Lord day & night saying oh that thou wouldst rend the heavens that thou wouldest come down that the mountains would flow down at thy presence [41]& it shall be answered upon their heads for the presence of the Lord shall be as the melting fire that burneth & as the fire that causeth the waters to boil [42]oh Lord thou shalt come down to make known thy name to thine advisary & all nations shall trembl at thy presence [43]when thou doeth terabl things things that they look not for [44]yea when thou comest down & the Mountains flow down at thy presenc[e] thou shalt meet him that rejoiceth & worketh righteousness who remember thee in thy ways [45]for sinc[e] the begining of the world have not man heard nor perceived by the Ear neither hath the eye seen O God besides thee how great things thou prepared for him that waiteth for thee38 [46]& [it] shall be said who is this that cometh [p. 118] down from god in heavn with thy garments yea from the regions that is not known clothed in his gloriou[s] appearl travling in the greatness of his strength [47]& he shall speak I am he in righteousness mighty to save [48]& the Lord shall be read read in his appearl & his garments like him that treadeth in the wine path39 [49]& so great shall be the glory in his presence that the Sun shall hide his face in shame & the moon shall be blown out & the Stars shall be hurrelled from their sockets [50]& his voice shall be heard I have trodden the wine press alone & have brought Judgement upon all people & none was with me [51]& I have trampelled them in my fury & I did tread upon them in mine anger & their blood have I sprinkled upon my garments & have stained all my raiment for this was the day of vengeance which was in my heart [52]& now the year of my redeemed is come40 & they shall mention the loveing kindness of their Lord & all that he hath bestowed upon them according to his goodness & according to his loving kindness forever & ever41 [53]in all their afflictions he was afflicted & the angel of his presenc[e] saved them & in his love & in his pity he redeemed them & did bear them & did carry them all the days of old42 [54]yea & Enoch also & they which were with him the Prophets which were before him & Noah also & they which were before him & Elijah also & they which were before him [55]& from Elijah to Moses & from Moses to John who were with Christ in his resurrection & the Holy Apostles with Abraham Isaac & Jacob shall be in the presenc[e] of the lamb [56]& the graves of the saints shall be opened & they shall come forth & stand on the right hand of the Lamb when he shall stand upon mount Zion & upon the Holy City the New Jerusalem wherefo & they shall sing the Song of the lamb day & night for ever & ever43— [57]& for this cause that men might be partakers of the glories which were revealed the Lord sent forth the fullness of the gospel & the everlasting covenant44 [p. 119] reas[o]ning in plainness & simplisity [58]to prepare the weak for those things which are coming upon the earth & for the Lords Errand in the days when the <weak should confound the wise> & [illegible]45 little one become a strong nation & two should put their tens of thousands to flight46 [59]by the weak things of the Earth the Lord should thresh the Nations47 of the Earth by the power of his spirit [60]& for this cause these commandments were given48 they were commanded to be kept from the world in the day <that> they were given49 but now are to go forth unto all flesh [61]& this according to the mind & the will of the Lord who reigneth of over all flesh50 [62]& unto him that repenteth & sanctifieth himself before the Lord shall be given eternal life [63]& they that harken not to the voice of the Lord shall be fulfilled that which was written by the Prophet Moses & also that they should be cut off from among the people51 [64]& also that which was written by the Prophet M◊lichi◊52 for Behold the day cometh that burneth as an Oven & all the proud & they that do yea & all that do wickedly shall be stuble & the day that cometh shall burn them up saith the Lord of hosts that it shall l[e]ave them neither root nor branch53 [65]wherefore this shall be the answer of the Lord [66]in that day when I come unto my own no man among you received me & ye are driven out [67]when I called again there was none of you to answer yet my arm was not shortened54 at all that I could not redeem neither my power to deliver [68]Behold at my rebuke I dry up the Sea is55 I make the rivers a wilderness their fish stinketh & dieth for thirst [69]I Cloth[e] the Heavens with blackness & make sackloth their covering56 [70]& this shall have at of my hand ye shall lay down with sorrow57 [71]Behold & Lo there is none to deliver you for ye obeyed not my voice when I called unto you all out of the Heavens ye believed not my Servants & when they were sent unto you ye received them not [72]wherefore they sealed up the testimony & bound up the Law58 & ye were delivered up unto darkness [73]these shall go away into outer [p. 120] darkness where there is weeping & wailing & gnashing of theeth59 [74]Behold the Lord your God hath spoken it Amen
Given In Hiram Portage Co Ohio
Novembr 3rd. 1831