Doctrine and Covenants Historical Resources: Doctrine and Covenants 60, Doctrine and Covenants Historical Resources (2020)
Doctrine and Covenants 62, Doctrine and Covenants Historical Resources
Doctrine and Covenants 60–62
The Missouri River in Chariton, Missouri, USA, where Joseph Smith received a revelation about spreading the gospel and gathering to Zion in August 1831.
Texts
Historical background and the earliest manuscript of each revelation, as published in The Joseph Smith Papers
Revelation, 8 August 1831 [D&C 60]
On 8 August 1831, Joseph Smith dictated a revelation instructing “some of the Elders” who had traveled to Missouri to return to Ohio, preaching along the way. More …
Revelation, 12 August 1831 [D&C 61]
Having overseen the dedication of the land for the establishment of Zion, Joseph Smith departed Independence, Jackson County, Missouri, for Ohio. More …
Revelation, 13 August 1831 [D&C 62]
On 13 August 1831, as Joseph Smith and several elders were on their way back to Ohio after spending a few weeks in Independence, Jackson County, Missouri, Joseph Smith dictated this revelation outlining the responsibilities of elders traveling to Missouri who had not yet reached the land of Zion. More …
People
Biographical facts and historical images of individuals associated with the revelations
Historical Background
Revelations in Context
Essays on the background of each revelation
Ezra Booth and Isaac Morley
Though a few of the missionaries had been chosen to remain in Missouri, the August 1 revelation commanded the rest of the missionaries to return to their homes, indicating that “the time has not yet come for many years for them to receive their inheritance in this land.” More …
Saints: The Story of the Church of Jesus Christ in the Latter Days
Narrative history of events surrounding the revelations
Volume 1, Chapter 12
After Much Tribulation
Soon after the funeral, Ezra and other church elders started their journey back to Kirtland with Joseph, Oliver, and Sidney. Ezra was relieved to be returning home to Ohio. More …
Volume 1, Chapter 13
The Gift Has Returned
When Joseph returned to Kirtland in late August 1831, tension still lingered between him and a few of the elders who had gone with him to Independence. More …
Volume 1, Chapter 14
Visions and Nightmares
“I give unto you this commandment, that ye bind yourselves by this covenant,” the Lord declared, “every man seeking the interest of his neighbor, and doing all things with an eye single to the glory of God.” Bound thus together, they called themselves the United Firm. More …
Volume 1, Chapter 15
Holy Places
On January 22, 1833, Joseph and the Saints in Kirtland opened the School of the Prophets in the Whitneys’ store. One of Joseph’s clerks, Orson Hyde, was appointed to teach the class. More …
Church History Topics
Essays on subjects related to the revelations.
Emigration
The first Latter-day Saints answered the Lord’s call to gather to Zion by relocating from their homelands to central gathering places. More …
Sealing
Latter-day Saints believe that God has restored to the earth the power given to the ancient Apostle Peter to bind, or seal, on earth and in heaven. More …
Places
Maps and information about places associated with the revelations from The Joseph Smith Papers, Historic Sites, and other helpful sources
Chronology
Timeline placing each revelation in the context of key events in the Church’s first century
Hopi artist Thomas Polacca illustrates the importance of the gathering of Israel by depicting the story of his grandfather, who was baptized in the 1880s before losing contact with the Church. He told his family to look for missionaries bringing a book.
Thomas Polacca, Pottery, 1990, metal and mineral, Church History Museum.