Sacred Texts: Mormons

Doctrine and Convenants: 90. Revelation to Joseph Smith, given Kirtland, Ohio, March 8, 1833.

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This is Section 90 of the Doctrine and Covenants, a canonical scripture of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, presented as a direct revelation from God to Joseph Smith delivered in 1833. The revelation formally establishes the First Presidency as a governing body, confirming Smith and his two counselors—Sidney Rigdon and Frederick G. Williams—as joint holders of the "keys of the kingdom," with an emphasis that these keys will never be revoked from Smith. It issues practical instructions for the early church's leadership: completing the translation of the prophets, presiding over the School of the Prophets, setting church affairs in order, and studying languages and peoples in preparation for worldwide missionary work culminating in the conversion of both Gentiles and Jews. The text also addresses mundane administrative matters—housing arrangements for specific named individuals including Joseph Smith Sr. and a woman named Vienna Jaques, finding a financially capable church agent to manage debts, and keeping household sizes lean to preserve resources for the Lord's work. A notably frank element is the Lord's expressed displeasure with several named individuals in Zion, including William E. McLellin, Sidney Gilbert, and the bishop, while affirming that Zion itself will be chastened but ultimately preserved.

Doctrine and Convenants: 90. Revelation to Joseph Smith, given Kirtland, Ohio, March 8, 1833.

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