D&C 96

Section 96 is short, only 9 verses and is pretty specific. The IM gives the background information as: “In the months following the purchase of land in Kirtland for the Saints, the Lord directed the Church to prepare a building for the Presidency, another for printing, and the temple. The Kirtland council met to consider how to use the French farm, but since they could not agree on who was to be the overseer, they decided to take the matter to the Lord. ‘The also considered the matter of dividing lots according to wisdom and the Lord have them counsel in relation to these matters. The Stake of Zion was to become strong. The poor were to be cared for. The bishop, Newel K. Whitney, was to take charge of the matter of assigning lots and preparing them for the building of a city and a Temple to the name of the Lord. John Johnson was to be given responsibility and admitted into the united order, so that he could assist in bringing forth the word of the Lord to the children of men.’”

96:1-9 - The Lord begins by telling the brethren that he will direct them “concerning this matter, for it is expedient in me that this stake that I have set for the strength of Zion should be made strong.” The phrase “stake of Zion” is interesting and the IM clarifies it, saying, “To pitch a tent, one drives stakes into the ground to secure it. The deeper the stakes, the stronger and more stable the tent. The revelations of the Lord compare Zion to a great tent, whose stakes are its support and therefore must be strong. ‘The expression ‘stake of Zion,’” wrote President Joseph Fielding Smith, ‘is taken from the expression in Isaiah: ‘Look upon Zion, the city of our solemnities; thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that shall not be take down; not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed, neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken.’ Again: ‘Enlarge the place of thy tent and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitation: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes.’ Isaiah speaks of Zion as a tent, or tabernacle, having in mind the Tabernacle which was built and carried in the wilderness in the days of Moses, and the cords are the binding cables that extend from the tent, or tabernacle, to the stakes which are fastened in the ground. Now the Lord revealed that Zion was to be built and surrounding her would be the stakes helping to bind and keep her in place. This figure of speech has almost been lost through the intervening years, but it retains its significance, or beauty. To speak of Zion, is a sad mistake. Zion is the tent, the stakes of Zion are the binding pegs that support her. Zion, therefore, cannot be a stake, it would be as improper to call a tent a stake as to apply this term to Zion.’” This explanation gives more insight into the concept of building Zion where we are, the stakes, literally as groups of saints are built as we are righteous and do missionary work, which then strengthens the structure as a whole as the “stakes”, used figuratively as the anchor points for the tent of Zion, are more firmly secured into their places. I imagine Zion as a tent that is covering the whole world, though it make lack structure and form in some places, but as the gospel message is carried throughout the world and accepted, the tent takes on more shape and provides more comfort and protection throughout. The Lord tells them to “let my servant Newel K. Whitney take charge of the place which is names among you… for the purpose of bringing forth my word to the children of men. For behold, verily I say unto you, this is the most expedient in me, that my word should go forth unto the children of men, for the purpose of subduing the hearts of the children of men for your good.” When I first heard these verses, I thought that the Lord meant that by having their temporal needs met, being taught at the school of the prophets, having the temple, that’s what would be needed to spread the gospel. Assuming that these benefits would add to a healthy, spiritually ready missionary force, probably because we just talked about the temple ordinances bringing priesthood power to the missionaries. After reading the IM I saw a different perspective. The IM says, “The preparation of the scriptures and the location of a place in which to publish them continued as directed by the Lord so that His word could be sent forth. The publication of the scriptures was an important part of preparing the people to establish Zion. ‘One day all the standard works will be so organized and prepared, to make them one monumental testimony that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, the Only Begotten of the Father. The doctrine of salvation must be available to all mankind, not just in their hands, but in their heads and hearts.’ Although some resist and even fight against the gospel’s influence, others are tempered and influenced for good by its power and the example of those who have received it. Elder Bruce R. McConkie counseled: ‘Build up Zion, but build it up in the area where God has given you birth and nationality. Build it up where he has given you citizenship, family, and friends… The Saints who comprise… Zion are and should be a leavening influence for good in all these nations. And know this: God will bless that nation which so orders its affairs as to further his work.’” This was excellent, I never understood the concept of having Zion only in one place, Utah in the case of this last dispensation, if God was no respecter of persons and the whole world was a valuable creation. But this explains it quite well. The Lord finishes the revelation telling them John Johnson, “whose offering I have accepted,” is to be brought into the United Order. I love the Lord saying that his offering is accepted, I hope that when I get to see him face to face, that he will tell me that my offering is acceptable.