Revelations of Joseph Smith - 1831

When: 2 January 1831 (Sunday)
Where: Fayette Township, Seneca County, New York, USA (Peter Whitmer Sr. Log Home)
Who: To Joseph Smith
What: This revelation was given at a conference being held at the Peter Whitmer home. The Saints were commanded to “go to the Ohio.” The majority responded, but not all wished to do so. This revelation talks about taking care of the poor, receiving the Lord’s law, and the Saints are told to seek riches of eternity.
Source: D&C 38; first published in the Evening and Morning Star (April 1833); see also History of the Church 1: 140-143

When: 5 January 1831 (Wednesday)
Where: Fayette Township, Seneca County, New York, USA (Peter Whitmer Sr. Log Home)
Who: Through Joseph Smith to James Covill
What: James Covill had come to visit Joseph after being a Baptist preacher for over forty years. The Lord commands him to be baptized and to preach the gospel. James covenanted with the Lord that he would follow His commands given through Joseph Smith.
Source: D&C 39; first published as chapter 41 in the Book of Commandments in 1833; see also History of the Church 1: 143-145

When: January 1831 (after 5 January 1831)
Where: Fayette Township, Seneca County, New York, USA (Peter Whitmer Sr. Log Home)
Who: To Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon
What: Although James Covill said he would be baptized after the Lord commanded him to, James decided he would reject the Lord’s counsel.
Source: D&C 40; first published as chapter 42 in the Book of Commandments in 1833; see also History of the Church 1: 145

When: 4 February 1831 (Friday)
Where: Kirtland Township, Geauga County, Ohio, USA (Newel K. Whitney Home)
Who: Joseph Smith
What: The Church shall be governed by the Elders according to the spirit of revelation, Edward Partridge is called to be Bishop.
Source: D&C 41; First published as chapter 43 in the 1833 Book of Commandments.

When: 9 February 1831 (Wednesday) (The Book of John Whitmer records that verses 1–73 were received February 9, and according to the “Kirtland Revelation Book,” verses 74–77 were received February 23 [Wednesday]. Verses 78–93 were received February 23, as per The Evening and the Morning Star [October 1832]).
Where: Kirtland Township, Geauga County, Ohio, USA (Newel K. Whitney Home)
Who: Joseph Smith
What: “Embracing the law of the Church.” Elders are to preach, baptize, and build the Church. They must be called and ordained. The Saints are not to kill, steal, lie, lust, commit adultery, or speak evil against others.
Source: D&C 42; Verses 12–77, or variations, were first published in The Evening and the Morning Star of July 1832, and verses 78–93 were published in The Evening and the Morning Star of October 1832. Verses 1–77 were first published together as chapter 44 in the 1833 Book of Commandments. Verses 78–93 were included as chapter 47 of the 1833 Book of Commandments.

When: February 1831
Where: Kirtland Township, Geauga County, Ohio, USA (Newel K. Whitney Home)
Who: Through Joseph Smith
What: A woman from Kirtland, Ohio by the name of Hubble, believed herself to be a prophetess. She claimed that she was a teacher in the Church of Christ. While many Saints believed her, Joseph Smith claimed that she was an imposter. The Lord reveals that revelations and commandments come only through those He appoints.
Source: D&C 43; first published in the Evening and Morning Star (October 1832) see also History of the Church 1: 154-156

When: February 1831
Where: Kirtland Township, Geauga County, Ohio, USA (Newel K. Whitney Home)
Who: Joseph Smith
What: Elders are to assemble in a conference and organize according to the laws of the land and to care for the poor.
Source: D&C 44; First published as chapter 46 in the 1833 Book of Commandments.

When: 7 March 1831 (Monday)
Where: Kirtland Township, Geauga County, Ohio, USA (Isaac Morley Farm)
Who: Joseph Smith
What: Signs, wonders, and the Resurrection are to be present at the Second Coming. The Lord will reign in the Millennium. Joseph is instructed to start translation of the New Testament.
Source: D&C 45; First published in The Evening and the Morning Star (June 1832) and included as chapter 48 in the 1833 Book of Commandments.

When: 8 March 1831 (Tuesday)
Where: Kirtland, Geauga County, Ohio, USA (Isaac Morley Farm)
Who: Joseph Smith
What: Meetings are to be conducted according to the Spirit. “Truth seekers” should not be excluded from sacrament services.
Source: D&C 46; First published in The Evening and the Morning Star (August 1832) and included as chapter 49 in the 1833 Book of Commandments.

When: 8 March 1831 (Tuesday)
Where: Kirtland Township, Geauga County, Ohio, USA (Isaac Morley Farm)
Who: Joseph Smith
What: John Whitmer is called to serve as the Church Historian and to write for the Prophet.
Source: D&C 47; First published as chapter 50 in the 1833 Book of Commandments.

When: March 1831
Where: Kirtland Township, Geauga County, Ohio, USA (Isaac Morley Farm)
Who: Joseph Smith
What: Saints in Ohio are instructed to share their land with their brethren. They are also to buy lands and build a city.
Source: D&C 48; First published as chapter 51 in the 1833 Book of Commandments.

When: March 1831
Where: Kirtland Township, Geauga County, Ohio, USA (Isaac Morley Farm)
Who: Joseph Smith for Sidney Rigdon, Parley P. Pratt, and Leman Copley
What: Day of Christ’s coming shall be unknown until it happens, marriage is ordained of God, Zion shall flourish.
Source: D&C 49; First published in The Evening and the Morning Star (November 1832) and included as chapter 52 in the 1833 Book of Commandments.

When: March 1831 (Monday, 9 May, as per The Evening and the Morning Star [August 1832])
Where: Kirtland Township, Geauga County, Ohio, USA (Isaac Morley Farm)
Who: Joseph Smith
What: Revelation was given in response to spiritual abnormalities. Preachers and listeners need the Spirit to be enlightened. Things of God will edify.
Source: D&C 50; First published in The Evening and the Morning Star (August 1832) and included as chapter 53 in the 1833 Book of Commandments.

When: May 1831
Where: Kirtland Township, Geauga County, Ohio, USA
Who: Joseph Smith
What: Instructions concerning the farm owned by Frederick and also concerning Joseph and Ezra, obtain lands and save money to be consecrated to purchase lands in the west
Source: Kirtland Revelation Book, Church History Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.

When: 20 May 1831 (Friday)
Where: Thompson, Geauga County, Ohio, USA (Leman Copley Farm)
Who: Joseph Smith
What: Edward Partridge is to regulate stewardships and properties according to the Lord’s law.
Source: D&C 51; First published as section 23 in the 1835 edition of the Doctrine and Covenants.

When: 7 June 1831 (Tuesday)
Where: Kirtland Township, Geauga County, Ohio, USA (Isaac Morley Farm)
Who: Joseph Smith to the Elders of the Church
What: Arrangements for the next Church conference in Missouri.
Source: D&C 52; First published as chapter 54 in the 1833 Book of Commandments.

When: June 1831 (on or before Sunday, 19 June)
Where: Kirtland Township, Geauga County, Ohio, USA (Isaac Morley Farm)
Who: Joseph Smith to Algernon Sidney Gilbert
What: Sidney Gilbert is called to be an elder and also to serve as a bishop’s agent.
Source: D&C 53; First published as chapter 55 in the 1833 Book of Commandments.

When: June 1831 (before leaving for Missouri on 19 June)
Where: Kirtland Township, Geauga County, Ohio, USA (Isaac Morley Farm)
Who: Joseph Smith to Newel Knight
What: Saints are to keep covenants in order to gain mercy and must be patient in times of tribulation.
Source: D&C 54; First published as chapter 56 in the 1833 Book of Commandments.

When: June 1831 (after 6 June and before 19 June)
Where: Kirtland Township, Geauga County, Ohio, USA (Isaac Morley Farm)
Who: Joseph Smith to William W. Phelps
What: Phelps is called and chosen to be baptized, ordained an elder, and to preach the gospel.
Source: D&C 55; First published as chapter 57 in the 1833 Book of Commandments.

When: 19 June 1831 (Sunday)
Where: Kirtland Township, Geauga County, Ohio, USA (Isaac Morley Farm)
Who: Joseph Smith
What: Follow Christ to gain salvation. Wo to the rich who will not help the poor, and wo unto the poor whose hearts are not broken. The poor and pure of heart inherit the earth.
Source: D&C 56; First published as chapter 58 in the 1833 Book of Commandments.

When: 20 July 1831 (Wednesday)
Where: Kaw Township, Jackson County, Missouri, USA (Independence, as per the “Kirtland Revelation Book,” p. 89) (Joshua Lewis Home)
Who: Joseph Smith
What: Independence, Missouri, USA, is the city of Zion and the temple. Sidney Gilbert is to establish a store, W.W. Phelps is to be a printer, and Oliver Cowdery is to edit material to be published.
Source: D&C 57; First published as section 27 in the 1835 edition of the Doctrine and Covenants.

When: 1 August 1831 (Monday)
Where: Kaw Township, Jackson County, Missouri, USA (Joshua Lewis Home)
Who: Joseph Smith
What: Those who endure tribulation shall be glorified, use agency to do good, the Lord commands and revokes. To repent, one must confess and forsake sin.
Source: D&C 58; First published as chapter 59 in the 1833 Book of Commandments.

When: 7 August 1831 (Sunday)
Where: Kaw Township, Jackson County, Missouri, USA (Joshua Lewis Home)
Who: Joseph Smith
What: Faithful Saints shall be blessed with peach and eternal life, keep the Sabbath day holy.
Source: D&C 59; First published in The Evening and the Morning Star (July 1833) and included as chapter 60 in the 1833 Book of Commandments.

When: 8 August 1831 (Monday)
Where: Kaw Township, Jackson County, Missouri, USA (Joshua Lewis Home)
Who: Joseph Smith
What: Elders are instructed to preach to the wicked. Also, they are told not to idle their time away or bury their talents.
Source: D&C 60; First published as chapter 61 in the 1833 Book of Commandments.

When: 12 August 1831 (Friday)
Where: McIlwaine’s Bend, Saline County, Missouri River, USA
Who: Joseph Smith
What: Joseph Smith and 10 elders were traveling down the Missouri River in canoes. After experiencing some dangers they were instructed concerning conditions of travel upon the waters Joseph and his party continued by land.
Source: D&C 61; First published in The Evening and the Morning Star (December 1833) and included as chapter 62 in the 1833 Book of Commandments.

When: 13 August 1831 (Saturday)
Where: Chariton, Chariton County, Missouri, USA (bank of the Missouri River)
Who: Joseph Smith
What: Prophet’s party encountered several elders on their way to Zion, instructions are given. Preach according to judgment and as directed by the Spirit.
Source: D&C 62; First published as chapter 63 in the 1833 Book of Commandments.

When: 30 August 1831 (Tuesday)
Where: Kirtland Township, Geauga County, Ohio, USA (Isaac Morley Farm)
Who: Joseph Smith (Before the recording of this revelation, Joseph wrote, “I inquired of the Lord for further information upon the gathering of the Saints.”)
What: The wicked will deny the faith, the Lord decrees wars and the wicked slay the wicked, those who use the Lord’s name without authority use it in vain. Signs come by faith, faithful receive inheritance upon the transfigured earth, Saints are to assemble in Zion and collect money to build it up.
Source: D&C 63; First published in The Evening and the Morning Star (February 1833) and included as chapter 64 in the 1833 Book of Commandments.

When: 11 September 1831 (Sunday)
Where: Kirtland Township, Geauga County, Ohio, USA (Morley Farm)
Who: Joseph Smith to the Elders of the Church
What: Forgive one another lest you remain in greater sin, the unrepentant are to be tried in Church courts, the tithed will not be burned at the Second Coming, the Saints are warned against debt, Zion shall flourish.
Source: D&C 64; First Published as chapter 65 in the 1833 Book of Commandments (excluding the last 7 verses).

When: October 1831 (30 October, according to “Kirtland Revelation Book,” p.87, and The Evening and the Morning Star)
Where: Hiram, Portage County, Ohio, USA (Johnson Farm)
Who: Joseph Smith
What: Keys of the kingdom of God are committed to man on earth and the gospel cause shall triumph. The millennial kingdom of heaven shall come and join the kingdom of God on earth.
Source: D&C 65; First Published in The Evening and the Morning Star (September 1832) and included as section 24 in the 1835 edition of the Doctrine and Covenants.

When: 29 October 1831 (Saturday)
Where: Hiram, Portage County, Ohio, USA (John Johnson Home)
Who: Joseph Smith (The prophet wrote, “At the request of William E. McLellin, I inquired of the Lord, and received the following.”)
What: Given the first day of an important conference. Everlasting covenants is the fullness of the gospel, elders are to preach, testify, and reason with the people. Faithful ministerial service assures eternal life.
Source: D&C 66; First published as section 74 in the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants.

When: 1 November 1831 (Tuesday)
Where: Hiram, Ohio, Portage County, USA (John Johnson Home)
Who: Joseph Smith
What: This revelation, known as the Lord’s Preface, was received by Joseph in a special conference. It is revealed that the Book of Mormon is true, that Joseph is a prophet of God, and that the only true and living church on the earth is the one organized by Joseph Smith.
Source: D&C 1; First published in the Evening and Morning Star (March 1833), was also included in the Book of Commandments in 1833; History of the Church 1: 221-224

When: 1 November 1831 (Tuesday)
Where: Hiram, Portage County, Ohio, USA (John Johnson Home)
Who: Joseph Smith
What: The Lord hears the prayers and watches over his elders, faithful elders will be quickened by the Spirit and see the face of God. The Lord challenges the wisest person to duplicate any of the revelations.
Source: D&C 67; First published as section 25 in the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants.

When: November 1831
Where: Hiram, Portage County, Ohio, USA
Who: Joseph Smith
What: The testimony of the witnesses to the book of the Lord’s commandments
Source: History of the Church 1:226.

When: November 1831
Where: Hiram, Portage County, Ohio, USA (John Johnson Home)
Who: Joseph Smith
What: Words of the elders are scripture, first born among the sons of Aaron may hold the keys of the Presiding Bishop, parents are to teach their children the gospel, Saints are to observe the Sabbath, pray, and labor diligently.
Source: D&C 68; First published in The Evening and the Morning Star (October 1832) and included as section 22 in the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants.

When: November 1831 (on or before November 12)
Where: Hiram, Portage County, Ohio, USA (John Johnson Home)
Who: Joseph Smith
What: John Whitmer is to accompany Oliver Cowdery to Missouri (Oliver was appointed to carry the compiled revelations to Missouri for printing). John Whitmer is also to preach and to collect, record, and write historical data.
Source: D&C 69; First published as section 28 in the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants.

When: November 1831 (after November 12)
Where: Kirtland, Geauga County, Ohio, USA (Newel K. Whitney Home)
Who: Joseph Smith
What: Stewards are appointed to publish the revelations, those that labor spiritually are worthy of their hire, Saints should be equal in temporal things.
Source: D&C 70; First published as section 26 in the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants.

When: 1 December 1831 (Thursday)
Where: Hiram, Portage County, Ohio, USA (John Johnson Home)
Who: Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon
What: Joseph was working on the translation of the Bible with Sidney as his scribe until they given the call to go forth and proclaim the gospel. Enemies of the Saints shall be confounded.
Source: D&C 71; First published as section 90 in the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants.

When: 4 December 1831 (Sunday)
Where: Kirtland, Geauga County, Ohio (Newel K. Whitney Home)
Who: Joseph Smith
What: Verses 1–8 are Newel K. Whitney’s call to be a bishop. The remaining verses are further instructions for the duties of a bishop.
Source: D&C 72; First published in The Evening and the Morning Star (December 1832) and included as section 89 in the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants.