Doctrine and Covenants Sections 41 - 60

Doctrine and Covenants Section 41

When: February 4, 1831
Where: Kirtland, Geauga County, Ohio
Who: Joseph Smith
What: The elders shall govern the Church by the spirit of revelation. Edward Partridge is called to be bishop unto the Church.
First published as chapter 43 in the 1833 edition of the Book of Commandments.

Joseph arrives at Whitney Store in Kirtland in February 1831

Doctrine and Covenants Section 42

When: February 9, 1831 (February 9 and February 23. John Whitmer's History of the Church records that verses 1–73 were received February 9. According to the "Kirtland Revelation Book," verses 74–77 were received February 23. Verses 78–93 were received February 23, according to The Evening and the Morning Star [October 1832]).
Where: Kirtland, Geauga County, Ohio
Who: Joseph Smith
What: "Embracing the law of the Church." Elders are to preach, baptize, and build the Church. They must be called and ordained. The Saints are not to kill, steal, lie, lust, commit adultery, or speak evil against others.
First published: in four locations. Verses 12–77, or variations, were first published in The Evening and the Morning Star (July 1832). Verses 78–93 were first published in The Evening and the Morning Star (October 1832). Verses 1–77 were included as chapter 44 in the 1833 edition of the Book of Commandments. Verses 78–93 were included as chapter 47 in the 1833 edition of the Book of Commandments.

Baptism in Kirtland

Doctrine and Covenants Section 43

When: February 1831
Where: Kirtland, Geauga County, Ohio
Who: Joseph Smith
What: Revelation and commandments for the Church come only through the appointed one.
First published in the The Evening and the Morning Star (October 1832) and was included as chapter 45 in the 1833 edition of the Book of Commandments

Doctrine and Covenants Section 44

When: February 1831
Where: Kirtland, Geauga County, Ohio
Who: Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon
What: Elders are to assemble in a conference and organize according to the laws of the land and care for the poor.
First published as chapter 46 in the 1833 edition of the Book of Commandments.

Doctrine and Covenants Section 45

When: March 7, 1831
Where: Kirtland, Geauga County, Ohio
Who: Joseph Smith
What: Signs, wonders, and the resurrection are to be present at the Second Coming. The Lord shall reign in the Millennium. Joseph is instructed to start translation of the New Testament.
First published in The Evening and the Morning Star (June 1832) and was included as chapter 48 in the 1833 edition of the Book of Commandments.

Doctrine and Covenants Section 46

When: March 8, 1831
Where: Kirtland, Geauga County, Ohio
Who: Joseph Smith
What: Meetings are to be conducted according the Spirit. "Truth seekers" should not be excluded from sacrament services.
First published in The Evening and the Morning Star (August 1832) and was included as chapter 49 in the 1833 edition of the Book of Commandments.

Doctrine and Covenants Section 47

When: March 8, 1831
Where: Kirtland, Geauga County, Ohio
Who: Joseph Smith
What: John Whitmer is called to serve as the Church historian and to write for the Prophet.
First published as chapter 50 in the 1833 edition of the Book of Commandments.

Doctrine and Covenants Section 48

When: March 1831
Where: Kirtland, Geauga County, Ohio
Who: Joseph Smith
What: Saints in Ohio are instructed to share their land with their brethren. They are also to buy lands and build a city.
First published as chapter 51 in the 1833 edition of the Book of Commandments.

Saints at work in Kirtland

Doctrine and Covenants Section 49

When: March 1831
Where: Kirtland, Geauga County, Ohio
Who: Joseph Smith for Sidney Rigdon, Parley P. Pratt, and Leman Copley
What: Day of Christ's coming shall be unknown until it happens. Marriage is ordained of God. Zion shall flourish.
First published in The Evening and Morning Star (November 1832) and was included as chapter 52 in the 1833 edition of the Book of Commandments.

Doctrine and Covenants Section 50

When: May 1831 (May 9, according to The Evening and Morning Star [August 1832]) [space following "1831" and "as per" changed to "according to"]
Where: Kirtland, Geauga County, Ohio
Who: Joseph Smith
What: Revelation was given in response to spiritual abnormalities. Preachers and listeners need the Spirit to be enlightened. Things of God will edify.
First published in The Evening and Morning Star (August 1832) and was included as chapter 53 in the 1833 edition of the Book of Commandments.

Doctrine and Covenants Section 51

When: May 1831 (May 20)
Where: Thompson, Geauga County, Ohio
Who: Joseph Smith
What: Edward Partridge is to regulate stewardships and properties according to the Lord's law.
First published as section 23 in the 1835 edition of the Doctrine and Covenants.

Doctrine and Covenants Section 52

When: June 7, 1831 (June 6)
Where: Kirtland, Geauga County, Ohio
Who: Joseph Smith to the elders of the Church
What: Arrangements for the next Church conference in Missouri.
First published as chapter 54 in the 1833 edition of the Book of Commandments.

Doctrine and Covenants Section 53

When: June 1831 (on or before June 19)
Where: Kirtland, Geauga County, Ohio
Who: Joseph Smith to Algernon Sidney Gilbert
What: Sidney Gilbert called to be an elder and also to serve as a bishop's agent.
First published as chapter 55 in the 1833 edition of the Book of Commandments.

Doctrine and Covenants Section 54

When: June 1831 (before June 19)
Where: Kirtland, Geauga County, Ohio
Who: Joseph Smith to Newel Knight
What: Saints are to keep covenants to gain mercy and must be patient in times of tribulation.
First published as chapter 56 in the 1833 edition of the Book of Commandments.

Doctrine and Covenants Section 55

When: June 1831 (after June 6 and before June 19)
Where: Kirtland, Geauga County, Ohio
Who: Joseph Smith to William W. Phelps
What: Phelps is called and chosen to be baptized, ordained an elder, and preach the gospel.
First published as chapter 57 in the 1833 edition of the Book of Commandments.

William W. Phelps

Doctrine and Covenants Section 56

When: June 1831 (before leaving for Missouri on June 19)
Where: Kirtland, Geauga County, Ohio
Who: Joseph Smith
What: Follow Christ to gain salvation. Wo to the rich who will not help the poor and the poor whose hearts are not broken. The poor and pure of heart inherit the earth.
First published as chapter 58 in the 1833 edition of the Book of Commandments.

Doctrine and Covenants Section 57

When: July 1831 (July 20)
Where: Jackson County, Missouri (Independence, according to the "Kirtland Revelation Book," p. 89)
Who: Joseph Smith
What: Independence, Missouri, is the city of Zion and the temple. Sidney Gilbert is to establish a store, W. W. Phelps is to be a printer, and Oliver Cowdery is to edit material to be published.
First published as section 27 in the 1835 edition of the Doctrine and Covenants.

Colesville Saints arrive in Missouri, July 1831

Early Independence, Gilbert-Whitney Store

Early Independence Square

Spring at Whitney Store

Doctrine and Covenants Section 58

When: August 1, 1831
Where: Jackson County, Missouri
Who: Joseph Smith
What: Those who endure tribulation shall be glorified. Use agency to do good. The Lord commands and revokes. To repent, we must confess and forsake sins.
First published as chapter 59 in the 1833 edition of the Book of Commandments.

Big Blue Valley, 19th Century

Doctrine and Covenants Section 59

When: August 7, 1831
Where: Jackson County, Missouri
Who: Joseph Smith
What: Faithful Saints shall be blessed with peace and eternal life. Keep the Sabbath day holy.
First published in The Evening and Morning Star (July 1833) and was included as chapter 60 in the 1833 edition of the Book of Commandments.

Doctrine and Covenants Section 60

When: August 8, 1831
Where: Jackson County, Missouri
Who: Joseph Smith
What: Elders are instructed to preach to the wicked. Also, they are told not to idle their time away or bury their talents.
First published as chapter 61 in the 1833 edition of the Book of Commandments.

Independence Temple Lot dedication