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Zion must wait

Revelation, 22 June 1834 [D&C 105] · Revelation Book 1, pp. 199–[201]; complete revelation

Edition, transcription and reuse details

John Whitmer’s copy, between approximately 23 June 1834 and 5 July 1835. Revelation Book 1, pp. 199–[201]; complete revelation. Joseph Smith Papers historical transcription. Historical spelling retained; line wrapping and whitespace normalized; page markers removed. ⟦…⟧ marks deleted manuscript wording, <…> marks insertions, and square brackets mark supplied readings. Web transcription.

Public-domain nineteenth-century historical text; Joseph Smith Papers transcription. No modern editorial essay or notes reproduced.

Revelation given ⟦22⟧ June 22, 1834. Clay Co. Mo. Verily I say unto you, who have assembled together that you may learn my will, concerning the redemption of mine afflicted people; behold I say unto you, were it not for the transgression of my people speaking concerning the church and not individuals, they might have been redeemed even now; but behold, they have not learned to be obedient to the things which I require at their hands, but are full of all manner of evil and do not impart of their substanc[e] as becometh saints; to the poor and afflicted among them and are not united, according to the union ⟦of⟧ required by the law of the celestial kingdom and Zion cannot be built up unless it is by the principoles of the law of the Celestial kingdom otherwise, I cannot receive her unto my-self and my people must needs be chastened, until they learn obedience if it must needs be by the [things] which they suffer. I speak not concerning those who are appointed to lead my people who are the first elders of my church for they are not all under this condemnation, but I speak concerning the church abroad, there are many who will say where is their god, Behold, he will deliver in time of trouble, otherwise we will not go up unto Zion, and will keep our monies. Therefore in consequence of the transgression of my people, it is expedient in me that mine elders should wait for a little season for the redemption of Zion, that they themselves may be prepared and that my people may be taught more perfectly, and have experience and know more perfectly concerning their duty, and the things which I require at their hands, and this cannot be brought to pass until mine elders are endowed with power from on high, for behold I have prepared a great endowment and blessing to be poured out upon them— in as much as they are faithful and continue in humility before me. Therefore it is expedient in me, that mine elders should wait for a little season for the redemption of Zion, For behold I do not require at their hands, to fight the battles of Zion. for as I have said in a former commandment even so I will fulfil. I will fight your battles, behold the destroyer I have already sent forth to destroy and lay waste mine enemies, and not many years hence they shall not be left to pollute mine heritage, to blaspheme my name. upon the land which I have ⟦consecranted⟧ consecrated for the gathering together of my Saints. Behold I have commanded my servant Joseph, to say to the strength of my house; even my wariers my young men and middle aged to gather ⟦to⟧ together for the redemption of my people and throw down the tower of mine enemies, and scatter their watchmen— but the strength of my house has not hearkened unto ⟦unto⟧ my words, but in as much as there are those that have hearkened unto my words, I have prepared a blessing and an endowment for them, I have heard their prayers and will accept their offering, and it is expedient in me that they should be brought thus far, for a trial of their faith. And now verily I say unto you, a commandment I give unto you, that as many as have come up hither that can stay in the region round about, Let them stay, and those who cannot stay, who have families in the east, let them tarry for a little season, in as much as my servant Joseph shall appoint unto them for I will counsel him concerning this matter, And all things whatsoever ⟦is⟧ he shall appoint unto them shall be fulfilled and let all my people who dwell in the region round about, be very faithful and prayerful and humb[l]e before me, and reveal not the things which I have revealed unto them, Talk not of Judgment boast not of faith nor of mighty works, but carefully gather together in one region as can be consistently with the feeling of the people. And Behold I will give unto you favor and grace in their eyes, that you may rest in peace and safety, whilst you are saying unto the people execute judgment Justice for us according to law, and redress us of our wrongs. Now behold, I say unto you my friends, in this way you may find favor in the eyes of the people, until the armies of Israel become very great, and I will soften the hearts of the people as I did ⟦I⟧ the heart of Pharioh from time to time, until my servant Joseph and mine elders whom he shall appoint shall have time to gather up the strength of my house; and to have sent wise men to fulfil that which I have commanded concerning the purchasing of all the lands in Jackson County that can be purchased and in the adjoining Counties round about, for it is my will, that these lands should be purchased that my saints should possess them according to the law of consecration, which I have given. And after these lands are purchased I will hold the armies of Israel guiltless in taking possessions of their own lands and of throw[i]ng down the tower of mine enemies that may be upon them, and scattering their watchmen, and avengeing me of mine enemies, unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me. But firstly let my army become very great, and let it be sanctified before me, that it may become fair as the Sun and clear as the moon, and that her banners may be terrable unto all nations, that the kingdom of this world may be constrainned to acknowledge that the kingdom of Zion, is in very deed the kingdom of our God, and his Christ, Therefore let us become subject unto her laws, Verily I say unto you it is expedient in me, that the first elders of my church should receive their endowment from on high in mine house which I have commanded to be built unto my name in the land of Kirtland, and let those commandments which I have given concerning Zion, and her law be executed and fulfilled after her redemption. There has been a day of calling. but the time has come for a day of choosing, and let those be chosen that are worthy and it shall be manifest unto my servant Joseph by the voice of the Spirit, those who are chosen, and they shall be sanctified, and in as much as they, follow the counsels which they receive they shall have power after many days to accomplish all things partaining to Zion. <And> again I say unto you, sue for peace not only the people that have smitten you, but also to all people. and lift up an ensign of peace, and make a proclamation ⟦of⟧ for peace unto the ends of the earth and make proposals ⟦of⟧ <for> peace unto those who have smitten you, according to the voice of the spirit which is in you, and all thing shall work together for your good, and be faithful and behold and low I am with you even unto the end. even so Amen——

On the timeline

1000 BCE0100015001800190020001834-06-22 · Prophecy given or recorded · Zion must wait — revelation dated28 July 1861 · Brigham Young’s sermon · Interpretation recorded · Young: the redemption of Zion comes first
  1. 1834-06-22Zion must wait — revelation dated Prophecy given or recorded
  2. 28 July 1861 · Brigham Young’s sermonYoung: the redemption of Zion comes first Interpretation recorded

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