Episode 89: God gives Missouri to the Mormons

Doctrine and Covenants 49-52

Section 49

Revelation given through Joseph Smith to Sidney Rigdon, Parley P. Pratt, and Leman Copley, at Kirtland, Ohio, May 7, 1831

Go preach to the Shakers

¹ Here is my [God's] commandment to Sidney, Parley, and Leman: Go preach to the Shakers. ² The Shakers know some of the truth, but not all of it. So they must repent. ⁴ Leman was a Shaker, but he will learn from my servants now or he won't prosper.

⁵ I'm God and I'll damn whoever refuses to receive my Son. ⁶ The Son of Man will come soon to put feet on his enemies. ⁷ But no one knows when he'll come. ⁸ Everyone sins, except for some men that you don't know about.

¹⁵ Whoever forbids marriage is not ordained by God. ¹⁶ A man should have one wife.

¹⁸ Whoever forbids eating meat, is not ordained of God. ¹⁹ Animals were created by God for human use.

²² The Son of Man won't be coming as a woman. ²³ When the angel blows his trumpet the heavens and earth will shake and mountains will fall. ²⁴ But before that happens, Jacob will flourish and the Lamanites will blossom. ²⁵ And Zion will be built wherever I decide to put it.

²⁶ So go. ²⁷ I'll be in front of you, behind you, and with you all the way. ²⁸ I'm Jesus and I come quickly. Amen

Section 50

Revelation given through Joseph Smith at Kirtland, Ohio, May 9, 1831

I've seen abominations in the church

⁴ I, the Lord, have seen abominations in the church. ⁷ There are hypocrites among you. ⁸ But they'll be cut off, either in life or death.

How to know if a spirit is from God

³¹ If you see a spirit that you can't understand, ask God about it. If it's not from God, you'll know it isn't from God. ³² You'll be given power over the spirit. Then say to it in a loud voice, "It isn't from God." ³⁶ Those who hear these words from the mouth of my servant [Joseph Smith] are blessed.

Edward Partridge isn't justified in this thing

³⁷ Let Joseph Wakefield, Parley Pratt, and John Corrill go preach to the churches. ³⁹ But Edward Partridge isn't justified in this thing.

⁴⁵ The day is coming when you'll see me and hear my voice. ⁴⁶ So get ready. Amen.

Section 51

Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Thompson, Ohio, May 20, 1831

To each according to his needs

¹ I'm God, listen to me while I tell Edward Partridge how to organize the people. ² Everyone must be organized according to my laws or they'll be cut off. ³ Edward Partridge will distribute the wealth to every man and his family according to his needs. ⁴ Each man will be given his portion as long as he obeys the laws the church. ⁵ If he is no longer considered worthy to belong to the church, he loses his portion.

The bishop's salary is whatever he wants it to be

¹³ All money and food will be kept in the hands of the bishop. ¹⁴ And the bishop will reserve for himself and his family whatever he wants. ¹⁸ What Eldridge Partridge does with this church will be an example for all the other churches. ²⁰ I'm Jesus, who comes quickly (when you’re not expecting me). Amen.

Section 52

Revelation given through Joseph Smith to the elders of the Church, at Kirtland, Ohio, June 6, 1831

God gives Missouri to the Mormons

¹ This is what God says to the elders in these last days. ² I, God, will tell you what to do until the next conference, which will be in Missouri (a land I will give to you). ³Let Joseph Smith, Jr. and Sidney Rigdon go to Missouri as soon as possible. ⁴ I'll tell them what to do (if they are faithful to me.) ⁶ But if they're not faithful to me, I'll cut them off (if I feel like it).

Two by two (missionary style)

⁷ Let Lyman Wight and John Corrill go on a journey. ⁸ And let John Murdock and Hyrum Smith go to the same place by way of Detroit. ¹⁰ Let them go two by two. ¹² Let Lyman Wight beware, because Satan is out to get him. ¹⁴ Satan is out an about deceiving nations. ²² Send Thomas B. Marsh and Ezra Thayre to Missouri. ²³ And Isaac Morley and Ezra Booth. ²⁴ Let Edward Partridge and Martin Harris go with Joseph Smith, Jr. to Missouri. ²⁵ Let David Whitmer and Harvey Whitlock to Missouri; and Parley P. Pratt and Orson Pratt; and Solomon Hancock and Simeon Carter; and Edson Fuller and Jacob Scott; and Levi W. Hancock and Zebedee Coltrin; and Reynolds Cahoon and Samuel H. Smith; and Wheeler Baldwin and William Carter; and Newel Knight and Selah J. Griffin. ³⁵ Let Joseph Wakefield and Solomon Humphrey go to the east. ³⁷ Since Heman Basset did something wrong, take whatever was given to him and put it on Simonds Rider's head. ³⁸ Ordain Jared Carter and George James priests. ⁴¹ Give Joseph Smith, Jr., Edward Partridge, and Oliver Cowdery a recommend from the church. ⁴² So go to Missouri, a land that I have given to you, but that your enemies now occupy. ⁴³ I, the Lord, will hasten the city in its time. ⁴⁴ I'm Jesus. Amen.