D&C 84:1-5

Section 84 is very doctrinally heavy, so we'll probably take quite a bit of time with this one. DJR notes "This is one of the major doctrinal sections of the Doctrine and Covenants. Among other topics, it deals with:

• New Jerusalem
• The priesthood line of authority from Adam to Moses
• Melchizedek Priesthood
• Aaronic Priesthood
• The Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood
• The light of Christ
• The condemnation of the Church for not studying the Book of Mormon sufficiently
• Signs that follow believers
• Plagues of the last days
• Singing a 'new song'
• The Millenium
• The destruction of New York, Albany, and Boston, if they reject the gospel. 

We get a little bit of insight into Joseph Smith as a person as DJR relates this incident: "In early May, Joseph Smith, Bishop Newel K. Whitney, and Sidney Rigdon left by stagecoach. Near Greenville, Indiana, something frightened the horses pulling the stagecoach. They bolted and ran. Newel jumped from the stage, but his coat got tangles, and one of his legs was broken in several places after his foot got caught in the spokes of a wheel. Joseph and Sidney likewise jumped from the careening coach but without injury. Sidney went on to Ohio, while Joseph stayed with Newel in Greenville." This is the part of this that is intriguing to me, if I was JS, I would have told SR that I had too much work to do for the Church back in Ohio to stay there in Indiana and just sit and wait for Newel K. Whitney's leg to heal. I would have insisted that SR stay with him, if anyone had to stay at all, and I would go back to Ohio. Would I have been wrong? Probably not, because as the prophet of the restoration there was much work to be done. But was JS wrong for staying in Indiana? Not at all. Did that mean that he neglected his duty? I don't think so because after waiting for a month, JS arranged for himself and Newel to take various means to get back to Ohio "where we arrived some time in June." But, in his absence, JS recounts what happened: "As soon as I could arrange my affairs, I recommenced the translation of the Scriptures, and this I spent most of the summer. In July, we received the first number of The Evening and Morning Star, which as w joyous treat to the Saints. Delightful, indeed, was it to contemplate that the little band of brethren had become so large, and grown so strong, in so short a time as to be able to issue a paper of their own, which contained not only some of the revelations, but other information also- which would gratify and enlighten the humble inquirer after truth... The Elders during the month of September began to return from their missions to the Eastern States, and present the histories of their several stewardships in the Lord's vineyard; and while together in these seasons of joy, I inquired of the Lord, and received on the 22nd and 23rd of September (1832), the following revelation on Priesthood: (D&C 84)." So what was accomplished by having JS stay away for that extra month? The Lord was able to strengthen some of the newer brethren in their testimonies and abilities to operate in the Church. I'm the kind of person who takes on all the hard tasks because I want it done right and I don't want to burden other people with difficult endeavors, but really, sometimes I might be robbing others of their ability to grow and strengthen themselves. I'm going to have to think about that.

84:1-5 - The Lord begins by teaching about "the gathering of his saints to stand upon Mount Zion, which shall be the city of New Jerusalem." This is such a foreign concept to me because Zion is where we are, we are to build it in our own places, but at that time, this wasn't the case, and at some point in the future it will be the case again. The IM quotes President Joseph Fielding Smith as teaching, "When Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon, he learned that America is the land of Zion which was given to Joseph and his children and that on this land the City Zion, or New Jerusalem, is to be built. He also learned that Jerusalem in Palestine is to be rebuilt and become a holy city. These two cities, one in the land of Zion and one in Palestine, are to become capitals for the kingdom of God during the millenium. In the meantime, while the world of preparation is going on and Israel is being gathered, many people are coming to the land of Zion saying: 'Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob.' The Latter-day Saints are fulfilling this prediction, since they are being gathered from all parts of the earth and are coming to the house of the Lord in these valleys of the mountains. Here they are being taught in the ways of the Lord through the restoration of the gospel and by receiving blessings in the temples not erected. Moreover, before many years have passed away, the Lord will command the building of the City Zion, and Jerusalem in Palestine will in due time be cleansed and become a holy city and the habitation of the Jews after they are cleansed and are willing to accept Jesus Christ as their Redeemer." The Lord continues that the city of New Jerusalem will "be built, beginning at the temple lot... that the city of New Jerusalem shall be built by the gathering of the saints, beginning at this place, even the place of the temple, which temple shall be reared in this generation. For verily this generation shall not all pass away until an house shall be built unto the Lord, and a cloud shall rest upon it, which cloud shall be even the glory of the Lord, which shall fill the house." These verses struck me because, again the concept of Zion being the place we are vs the one specific place as designated by the Lord here. The IM gives some comforting words saying "In his vision of the future events of the world, Enoch saw the day just before the Millenium when the great tribulations would be seen on the earth, but along with that troubling prophecy came this comforting promise: 'My people will I preserve.'... In a later revelation the Lord indicated that 'the gathering together upon the land of Zion, and upon her stakes,' was 'for a defense, and for a refuge from the storm, and from wrath when it shall be poured out without mixture upon the whole earth.' In another place, Zion in described as 'a land of peace, a city of refuge, a place of safety for the saints of the Most High God.' The scriptures teach that the gathering of the Saints to Zion and her stakes will be the means by which God preserves His people during the judgments of the last days. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught the same concept: 'We ought to have the building up of Zion as our greatest object. When wars come, we shall have to flee to Zion. The cry is to make haste. The last revelation says, Ye shall not have time to have gone over the earth, until these things come. It will come as did the cholera, war, fires, and earthquakes; one pestilence after another, until the Ancient of Days comes, then judgment will be given to the Saints... The time is soon coming, when no man will have any peace but in Zion and her stakes. On another occasion the Prophet Joseph Smith said: 'Without Zion, and a place of deliverance, we must fall; because the time is near when the sun will be darkened, and the moon turn to blood, and the stars fall from heaven, and the earth reel to and fro. Then, if this is the case, and is we are not sanctified and gathered to the places God has appointed, with all our former professions and our great love for the Bible, we must fall; we cannot stand; we cannot be saved; for God will gather out his Saints from the Gentiles, and then comes desolation and destruction, and none can escape except the pure in heart who are gathered.' Zion is the opposite of the world, or spiritual Babylon. In preparation for the Millenium, therefore, Babylon must be destroyed. The cry to all people is, 'Go ye out from among the nations, even from Babylon, from the midst of wickedness, which is spiritual Babylon... and he that goeth, let him not look back lest sudden destruction shall come upon him.' When one flees Babylon, one gathers to Zion and her stakes. Elder Bruce R. McConkie said, 'The gathering of Israel consists of receiving the truth, gaining again a true knowledge of the Redeemer, and coming back into the true fold of the Good Shepherd.'" I really like the definition of "gathering of Israel," it makes more sense to me than a physical gathering at this point. And the other point about these verses is the usage of the word "generation." DJR points out that "some critics of the Church have pointed at verses 4-5, and claimed that this is one prophecy that failed to come true. They have used it in heir attempts to discredit the Prophet Joseph Smith. They claim that since a temple was not built in Independence, Missouri, during that 'generation,' Joseph Smith is a false prophet. The interpretation of this aspect of these verses hinges on the definition of the word 'generation.'" The IM quotes President Joseph Fielding Smith as teaching, "There have been various interpretations of the meaning of a generation. It is held by some that a generation is one hundred years; by others that it is one hundred and twenty years; by others that a generation is expressed in this and other scriptures has reference to a period of time which is indefinite. The sAvior said: 'An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign.' This did not have reference to a period of years, but to a period of wickedness. A generation may mean the time of this present dispensation." That also makes a lot more sense. DJR gives various different definitions for the word "generation" with the accompanying scriptural references if anyone is interested. Speaking of the temple that will be built and a cloud shall rest upon it, the IM says, "The Lord was speaking of the temple in Zion, that is, Jackson County, Missouri. The Lord later excused the Saints from building that temple because the mobs prevented it and because the Saints at that time had not kept the commandments as they should. The day will come, however, when the holy city of God will be established in Jackson County, Missouri, and the temple will be filled with the glory of God as foreseen by the prophets.' 'The Lord manifested Himself in ancient Israel in a cloud, shaped as a pillar, which became luminous at night. It guided the people on the journey to Canaan. It stood at the entrance to the Sanctuary, and in it God spoke to Moses. It rested on the Sanctuary and filled it, when that sacred tent was set up. It was the visible sign of God's guiding and protecting care over His people." I wonder if it will be an actual cloud, God's presence in the same way?