Gurley reads Isaiah while reconsidering Strang’s leadership
interpretation
On: the mountain of the LORD'S house
Source quotation · Zenos H. Gurley Sr., retrospective narrative quoted by Joseph Smith III and Heman C. Smith, History 3, pp. 205–206; the history cites True Latter Day Saints’ Herald 1, pp. 18–22 for the wider memoir.
"During this time several strange things came to my knowledge that fully satisfied me that unless good and evil, bitter and sweet could proceed from the same fountain, neither J. J. Strang, B. Young, William Smith, nor any that had claimed to be prophets, since Joseph's death, were the servants of God. The inquiry arose in my mind, 'What shall we do? Here are a few honest saints who have obeyed the gospel, and are looking to me for instruction. What can I say? What can I teach them?' Thus I meditated for months. God, and God only, knows what the anguish of my mind was. I resolved that I would preach the word; and, thank God, preaching brought me out right.
"It was after preaching on Sunday evening, in the fall of 1851, while sitting in my chair at Bro. Wildermuth's house, my mind was drawn to Isaiah 2:2, 3. At that moment the great work of the last days, as it is spoken of by the prophet in that chapter, seemed to pass before me in all its majesty and glory. It appeared that I could see all nations in motion, coming to the mountain of the Lord's house in the top of the mountains. At this time Strang's Beaver Island operation appeared before me. It looked mean and contemptible beyond description. A voice-the Spirit of God-the Holy Ghost, then said to me, 'Can this (alluding to Strang's work) ever effect this great work?' I answered, 'No, Lord.' I felt ashamed to think that I had ever thought so. The voice then said, 'Rise up, cast off all that claim to be prophets, and go forth and preach the gospel, and say that God will raise up a prophet to complete his work.' I said, 'Yea, Lord.'
"As I left the house my mind was dwelling upon what had just transpired. Although the Spirit had told me that God would raise up a prophet to complete his work, it did not enter my mind at that time that I would realize the work in its present form. My whole desires were that those dear souls around me might enjoy the gifts and blessings of the gospel as the saints did in Joseph's time, and be saved from those meshes of iniquity which thousands had run into. A few weeks afterward, while reading a paragraph in the Book of Covenants, which says, 'If thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light,' the Spirit said unto me again, 'Rise up, cast off all that claim to be prophets, and go forth and preach the gospel, and say that God will raise up a prophet to complete his work.' I answered, 'I will do it, God being my helper.' From that time I began to look about in earnest for a starting point. I examined the book carefully and saw at once that the teachings of the day were contrary to the law, and resolved that although I had but one talent, yet in the name of Israel's God I would go forward and leave the result with him.
History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, volume 3 · Joseph Smith III and Heman C. Smith, fourth edition, Lamoni: Board of Publication of the Reorganized Church, 1911. Centerplace transcription compared with printed pages 200–201 and 205–206; page breaks removed.
Source reuse and transcription
Public-domain historical 1911 text. Original wording, not modern website layout; transcription corroborated against page images. Companion transcription: https://www.centerplace.org/history/ch/v3ch09.htm.
Community response to this revision: 0
Published revision history
2026-09-11T05:43:37+00:00
"During this time several strange things came to my knowledge that fully satisfied me that unless good and evil, bitter and sweet could proceed from the same fountain, neither J. J. Strang, B. Young, William Smith, nor any that had claimed to be prophets, since Joseph's death, were the servants of God. The inquiry arose in my mind, 'What shall we do? Here are a few honest saints who have obeyed the gospel, and are looking to me for instruction. What can I say? What can I teach them?' Thus I meditated for months. God, and God only, knows what the anguish of my mind was. I resolved that I would preach the word; and, thank God, preaching brought me out right.
"It was after preaching on Sunday evening, in the fall of 1851, while sitting in my chair at Bro. Wildermuth's house, my mind was drawn to Isaiah 2:2, 3. At that moment the great work of the last days, as it is spoken of by the prophet in that chapter, seemed to pass before me in all its majesty and glory. It appeared that I could see all nations in motion, coming to the mountain of the Lord's house in the top of the mountains. At this time Strang's Beaver Island operation appeared before me. It looked mean and contemptible beyond description. A voice-the Spirit of God-the Holy Ghost, then said to me, 'Can this (alluding to Strang's work) ever effect this great work?' I answered, 'No, Lord.' I felt ashamed to think that I had ever thought so. The voice then said, 'Rise up, cast off all that claim to be prophets, and go forth and preach the gospel, and say that God will raise up a prophet to complete his work.' I said, 'Yea, Lord.'
"As I left the house my mind was dwelling upon what had just transpired. Although the Spirit had told me that God would raise up a prophet to complete his work, it did not enter my mind at that time that I would realize the work in its present form. My whole desires were that those dear souls around me might enjoy the gifts and blessings of the gospel as the saints did in Joseph's time, and be saved from those meshes of iniquity which thousands had run into. A few weeks afterward, while reading a paragraph in the Book of Covenants, which says, 'If thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light,' the Spirit said unto me again, 'Rise up, cast off all that claim to be prophets, and go forth and preach the gospel, and say that God will raise up a prophet to complete his work.' I answered, 'I will do it, God being my helper.' From that time I began to look about in earnest for a starting point. I examined the book carefully and saw at once that the teachings of the day were contrary to the law, and resolved that although I had but one talent, yet in the name of Israel's God I would go forward and leave the result with him.
The Monongahela apostles describe a peaceful era before the millennium
interpretation
On: neither shall they learn war any more
Editorial paraphrase of the source · Quorum of Twelve Apostles, The Peaceful Reign, December 2018; editorial paraphrase of the complete document
The apostles distinguish a peaceful earthly society of mortal people from the millennium following the First Resurrection. They connect Isaiah 2 with Book of Mormon gathering passages.
Their sequence begins with worldwide preaching, upheaval and deliverance from Zion’s enemies. Zion rises quickly in the Americas; Jerusalem in Israel is restored, and its people eventually join the American gathering. The peaceful era precedes resurrection and is shortened before sin returns.
Spiritual conditions include unity, Satan’s restraint, restored records, fuller knowledge, the Choice Seer’s preaching and songs of Zion. Material conditions include freedom from war, abundant provision, health, happiness, long life, renewed land, one language and peace among animals.
The anticipated results include Israel’s restoration, a New Jerusalem, restored gospel knowledge and Christ’s repeated appearances. The apostles say the process began with the Restoration and Book of Mormon, but they do not know its completion date. They urge preparation now and close with 4 Nephi’s account of an earlier harmonious community.
This is the interpretation of The Church of Jesus Christ headquartered in Monongahela.
The Peaceful Reign · A Message from the Quorum of Twelve Apostles, Issue 30, December 2018, complete four-page document inspected; The Church of Jesus Christ, headquartered in Monongahela.
Source reuse and transcription
Original editorial paraphrase of all five thematic sections and conclusion. No full modern wording reproduced; official books page requests permission for reproduction/distribution.
Community response to this revision: 0
Published revision history
2026-09-11T06:11:25+00:00
The apostles distinguish a peaceful earthly society of mortal people from the millennium following the First Resurrection. They connect Isaiah 2 with Book of Mormon gathering passages.
Their sequence begins with worldwide preaching, upheaval and deliverance from Zion’s enemies. Zion rises quickly in the Americas; Jerusalem in Israel is restored, and its people eventually join the American gathering. The peaceful era precedes resurrection and is shortened before sin returns.
Spiritual conditions include unity, Satan’s restraint, restored records, fuller knowledge, the Choice Seer’s preaching and songs of Zion. Material conditions include freedom from war, abundant provision, health, happiness, long life, renewed land, one language and peace among animals.
The anticipated results include Israel’s restoration, a New Jerusalem, restored gospel knowledge and Christ’s repeated appearances. The apostles say the process began with the Restoration and Book of Mormon, but they do not know its completion date. They urge preparation now and close with 4 Nephi’s account of an earlier harmonious community.
This is the interpretation of The Church of Jesus Christ headquartered in Monongahela.