Sacred Texts: Mormons

Doctrine and Convenants: 117. Revelation through Joseph Smith, Far West, Missouri, July 8, 1838.

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This is Section 117 of the Doctrine and Covenants, a collection of revelations regarded by the Latter-day Saint tradition as direct communications from God to Joseph Smith. The text is a divine directive addressed to specific church leaders — William Marks, Newel K. Whitney, and Oliver Granger — commanding them to leave Kirtland, Ohio and relocate to Zion (Missouri) before winter. A central theological argument is that attachment to property and earthly possessions is spiritually dangerous covetousness, since God holds dominion over all creation and material things are insignificant against eternal purposes. Newel K. Whitney is specifically rebuked for association with the "Nicolaitane band" (a term referencing compromise with worldly corruption) and challenged to serve as bishop "not in name but in deed." Notably, Oliver Granger receives an unusually warm commendation — a promise that his name will be remembered "forever and ever" — distinguished from the others by praise rather than correction, with his faithful sacrifice valued above financial success. The passage closes with a command to preserve the Kirtland temple and a promise that God will, in his own time, "overthrow the moneychangers" there.

Doctrine and Convenants: 117. Revelation through Joseph Smith, Far West, Missouri, July 8, 1838.

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