DC 27:Intro SECTION 27
Revelation given to Oliver Cowdery through Joseph Smith, Jr., in September 1830 at Fayette, New York.
Hiram Page had come into possession of a stone by use of which he had obtained certain "revelations" concerning the building of Zion, church organization, and similar matters. Oliver Cowdery and the Whitmer family, to whom Hiram was related, tended to accept his claims. The instruction now received appoints Oliver to an important mission and then sets forth the associated principles of prophetic guidance and common consent according to the church covenants and the prayer of faith. It should be noted that Oliver, who had shared responsibility for the difficulties which had arisen, is now commanded to take responsibility for their settlement.
DC 43:Intro SECTION 43
Revelation given through Joseph Smith, Jr., February 1831 at Kirtland, Ohio. It is addressed to the elders of the church, and contains directions sought by Joseph for the guidance of some who had been misled by a Mrs. Hubble, who claimed to have received "revelations" concerning the government of the church. A similar difficulty had arisen in connection with Hiram Page's "peepstone" (see section 27). The church was not again disturbed over this question until the death of Joseph Smith in 1844.
DC 48:Intro SECTION 48
Revelation given through Joseph Smith, Jr., March 8, 1831, at Kirtland, Ohio. This is addressed to the Saints in Kirtland who needed guidance concerning the manner of locating members of the church arriving from the East (D. and C. 45:12). They were uncertain about the advisability of purchasing land in view of the projected move farther west, and about the Zionic principles on which lands should be allocated.
DC 50:Intro SECTION 50
Revelation given to the elders of the church through Joseph Smith, Jr., May 1831, at Kirtland, Ohio. Some of the elders who returned from their missions in order to share in the June conference (D. and C. 44) reported that they had been embarrassed by strange and unedifying spiritual manifestations which were experienced among the congregations of the Saints. Joseph sought the Lord for guidance, and the following revelation as given him.
DC 93:Intro SECTION 93
A conference of high priests was held at Kirtland, June 4, 1833, to consider the management of the French farm. The conference could not agree concerning the farm, but did agree to ask for divine guidance. Joseph inquired of the Lord and received the following message. Ahashdah (Newel K. Whitney), who was directed to take charge of the farm, was the bishop in Kirtland. "Zombre" was John Johnson.
DC 116:Intro SECTION 116
Revelation given through President Joseph Smith III, May 4, 1865.
A council of the first Presidency and the Quorum of Twelve was in session at the home of Bishop Israel L. Rogers in Kendall County, Illinois, May 1-5, 1865. Among other things the council was concerned about "the ordination of men of the Negro race." President Joseph Smith was asked to seek divine guidance in this connection, and the revelation was received in response to the fasting and prayers of the members of the council. It should be studied against the background of the American Civil War and with the social and educational status of the American Negro of that period in mind.
The revelation was presented to the Quorum of Twelve, who voted unanimously to approve it. The semiannual conference of 1878 authorized its inclusion in the Doctrine and Covenants.
DC 117:Intro SECTION 117
As he approached the annual conference of 1873, President Smith was deeply concerned that he was again the only member of the First Presidency (Counselor William Marks had died in May 1872) and that the death of Apostle Samuel Powers in February 1873 had left the Quorum of Twelve with but five members. This concern was shared by the remaining members of the Twelve, and these were joined by a number of the Seventy in requesting that the prophet seek divine guidance.
In presenting the following revelation to the elders of the church, President Smith stated that it had been received "in answer to long and continued and earnest prayer to God upon the condition of the Quorums of the Church."
The revelation was approved by the available apostles and, on April 10, 1873, was endorsed by the conference. With the ordination of William Wallace Blair and David H. Smith, as provided for in this instruction, the quorum of the First Presidency was now complete for the first time since the reorganization of the church. This was also the first time in the Reorganization that members of the Twelve had been called by revelation through the President of the Church. Prior to this time, and on occasions in the early church, members of the Twelve had been selected by committees.
DC 120:Intro SECTION 120
The members of the Quorum of Twelve who were present at the General Conference of 1887 remained in Kirtland and on April 21, 1887, issued an "Epistle" which discussed the duties of branch and district presidents and other matters. The Quorum revised this "Epistle" in 1888 and then asked the General Conference to endorse it. Action was postponed until 1889 and then until 1890. Under these circumstances the Quorum of Twelve asked the President of the Church to seek divine guidance, and in response to their prayers the following revelation was received through President Joseph Smith. It is dated April 8, 1890, at Lamoni, Iowa, and is addressed to "The First Presidency and Traveling High Council" (the Council of Twelve).
Unto my servants, the First Presidency and the traveling High Council of my church; thus saith the Spirit:
DC 121:6a The foregoing was accepted as proper instruction, and the conference acted upon it as such; but the word received was not presented to the quorums, nor acted upon by them as is the usual custom of the church in regard to revelations received for the guidance of the church.
DC 126:Intro SECTION 126
This section is an account of an open vision received by President Joseph Smith at Lamoni, April 16, 1902. It was accepted by the quorums and the General Conference as inspired guidance to meet the existing needs of the church.
To the Officers and Members of the Conference:
DC 128:Intro SECTION 128
At the annual Conference of 1909, Presiding Bishop E. L. Kelley requested that a meeting of the eldership be called to consider organizations and procedures in connection with the Gathering and the care of the poor. At the meeting called in this connection the elders asked the First Presidency for instruction. At a subsequent meeting President Smith asked for the support and prayers of the ministry as he sought divine guidance, and accordingly April 18, was observed by the eldership as a day of fasting and prayer for such guidance.
The following revelation through President Joseph Smith was presented to the elders April 19, 1909, and by them referred to the quorums. After receiving their approval, the elders adopted a resolution "that the document be accepted as a whole," and their action was reported to the Conference. The revelation is dated April 18, 1909, at Lamoni, Iowa. It was accepted by the Conference and ordered included in the Doctrine and Covenants.
To the Eldership; Brethren: So far as the burden of the conference and its peculiar conditions have enabled me to do I have steadfastly presented the matter stated by the Bishop for our consideration to the Lord for instruction. Whether that which has come to me will bring relief to the situation, I know not; but such as it is, I hereby present it.
DC 136:Intro SECTION 136
The widespread financial and economic depression which began near the close of 1929 put the church into serious financial difficulties. Early in 1930 the counselors in the Presiding Bishopric resigned; and by agreement between the Presidency, Twelve, and Presiding Bishop, Bishops L. F. P. Curry and G. Leslie DeLapp were chosen to serve as counselors to Bishop Albert Carmichael subject to the action of the next General Conference. The following revelation was approved by the quorums and the Conference.
To the Church: To the condition of the church and the personnel of the Quorum of Twelve and Presiding Bishopric I have in official capacity as well as in personal meditation and prayer given much thought, and have earnestly sought divine wisdom and guidance. Believing that such wisdom and inspiration have been given me, I present the following as the word of the Lord to us now:
DC 142:Intro SECTION 142
Revelation presented by President Israel A. Smith to the General Conference on April 2, 1950. It was considered and approved by the quorums and the Conference and accepted as the word of God to the church. Provision was made for its inclusion in future editions of the Doctrine and Covenants. In an introductory paragraph, the prophet said:
"We approach the general Conference with a vacancy in our official circle. The death of President Garver left the Quorum of the First Presidency incomplete. This and other conditions have given me grave concern for the church.
"I have earnestly sought divine guidance, and it is with gratitude that I am able to transmit through the appointed channels that which the voice of inspiration directs me to say:"
To the Elders and to the Church:
