Character of Inhabitants

About the middle of July, 1831, the missionaries commenced to arrive in western Missouri, and were met with tears of joy by their brethren there. Here, on the borders of the United States, had gathered renegades from the east; lawless and vile outcasts, who had been forced to flee to the west for safety. “How natural it was,” wrote the Prophet, “to observe the degradation, leanness of intellect, ferocity, and jealousy, of a people that were nearly a century behind the times.”

First Sabbath in Zion

The first Sabbath (July 17, 1831), the elders spent in Jackson County, William W. Phelps preached a public discourse. His congregation was composed of “specimens of all the families of the earth.” After this meeting two persons, who had previously believed, were baptized.

Arrival of the Colesville Branch

A few days later the members of the Colesville branch, from Thompson, Ohio, arrived in Missouri and were located on lands in Kaw township, where a portion of Kansas City is now built.

Assignment of Labors

The duty devolved on the Prophet to assign the labors to the several elders who were to remain in the Land. Some of them were called by revelation to make their permanent settlement in Missouri, while others were instructed to return to the eastern lands, after their mission in the west was finished. William W. Phelps, who joined the Church at the time the little band of missionaries were leaving Ohio for Missouri, had previously been instructed by the Lord (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 55) to engage with Oliver Cowdery, in the work of printing and selecting and writing books for schools in the Church, that “little children also may receive instruction” which would be pleasing to the Lord. Upon his arrival in Jackson County, this commandment was repeated.

Algernon Sidney Gilbert was appointed to act as agent for the Church in receiving moneys and buying lands on which the Saints might locate. Edward Partridge was to act in his calling as bishop of the Church. His great duty was to divide the inheritances of the members, severally, according to their needs. In this manner duties were assigned to each of those expected to remain as a nucleus for the building up of Zion (Doc. and Cov. Sections 57–58).

Location of the City Revealed

As the Lord had promised, he now fulfilled. In answer to the questions: “When will the wilderness blossom as the rose? When will Zion be built up in her glory, and where will thy temple stand, unto which all nations shall come in the last days?” the Lord gave the following:

“Hearken, O ye elders of my Church, saith the Lord your God, who have assembled yourselves together, according to my commandments, in this land, which is the land of Missouri, which is the land which I have appointed and consecrated for the gathering of the Saints: wherefore this is the land of promise, and the place for the city of Zion. And thus saith the Lord your God, if you will receive wisdom, here is wisdom: behold, the place which is now called Independence, is the center place, and the spot for the temple is lying westward, upon a lot which is not far from the court house. Wherefore it is wisdom that the land should be purchased by the Saints; and also every tract lying westward even unto the line running directly between Jew and Gentile. And also every tract bordering by the prairies, inasmuch as my disciples are enabled to buy lands. Behold, this is wisdom, that they may obtain it for an everlasting inheritance” (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 57).

The Saints to Keep the Law

In another revelation (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 58) given at this time, the members of the Church were commanded to keep the law the Lord had given them, as well as to observe the laws of the land. “Let no man think he is ruler,” it read, “but let God rule him that judgeth, according to the counsel of his own will; or, in other words, him that counseleth or sitteth upon the judgment seat. Let no man break the laws of the land, for he that keepeth the laws of God hath no need to break the laws of the land: wherefore, be subject to the powers that be, until he reigns whose right it is to reign, and subdues all enemies under his feet.”

After Much Tribulation, the Blessings

That Zion was to be established and the city built at once, was evidently the idea possessed by some of the Saints; moreover, that they were at liberty to establish their own laws, independent of all else. Hence the instructions as here given by the Lord regarding the keeping of the law. The Lord had warned them previously and given instruction in regard to their duties and requirements in that land. That the city was not to be built at that time is indicated in his word: “Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation. For after much tribulation cometh the blessings. Wherefore the day cometh that ye shall be crowned with much glory; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand. Remember this, which I tell you before, that you may lay it to heart, and receive that which shall follow. Behold, verily I say unto you, for this cause I have sent you that you might be obedient, and that your hearts might be prepared to bear testimony of the things which are to come and also that you might be honored of laying the foundation, and of bearing record of the land upon which the Zion of God shall stand” (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 58).

From this we see that the glory and greatness of the city Zion was reserved for the future; although in the scriptural sense, the time “is nigh at hand.” These early settlers were to lay the foundation, and prepare the way for the Saints, who were yet to come, after the preaching of the Gospel “to the uttermost parts of the earth;” for the elders were to “push the people together from the ends of the earth.” It was a great honor conferred upon the first laborers in the vineyard, if they would be faithful to every command.

Dedication of the Land

The Colesville Saints were located in Kaw township. The Prophet assisted them in laying the first log, “for a house, as a foundation of Zion” in that place. The log was carried by twelve men representing the twelve tribes of Israel. At the same time it was made manifest through prayer that the land should be consecrated and dedicated by Sidney Rigdon. “It was a season of joy,” the Prophet said, “to those present, and afforded a glimpse of the future, which time will yet unfold to the satisfaction of the faithful.” All this took place on the second day of August, 1831.

Sidney Rigdon, according to his appointment, stood up and asked:

“Do you receive this land for the land of your inheritance, with thankful hearts, from the Lord?”

“We do.”

“Do you pledge yourselves to keep the law of God on this land, which you never have kept in your own lands?”

“We do.”

“Do you pledge yourselves to see that others of your brethren who shall come hither do keep the laws of God?”

“We do.”

After prayer, Elder Rigdon arose and said: “I now pronounce this land consecrated and dedicated unto the Lord for a possession and inheritance for the Saints, and for all the faithful servants of the Lord, to the uttermost ages of time, in the name of Jesus Christ, having authority from him. Amen” (Documentary History of the Church, vol. 1:196).

Description of the Land

In addition to the appointment to dedicate the land, Sidney Rigdon was also called by revelation to write a description of it, to be sent “unto all the churches.” One object of this description was to stir up the Saints to donate for the purchase of the lands, by placing in the hands of the bishop money for that purpose. Those who would do this should be given an inheritance, for Zion was to be built by purchase; otherwise they could not obtain it except by the shedding of blood, which was forbidden. The first description written was rejected by the Lord, and Sidney Rigdon was commanded to write another.

The Future Glory of Zion

Many of the ancient prophets spoke of Zion and her glory. Isaiah declared that in the latter days “out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem,” in that day when swords will be made into plowshares, and spears into pruning-hooks.”¹ Moreover, again he prophesied, saying:

“For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted. The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of my feet glorious. The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of the Lord, The Zion of the Holy one of Israel. Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated, so that no man went through thee, I will make thee an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations... . For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron: I will also make thy officers peace, and thine exactors righteousness. Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shall call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise. The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee; but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory. Thy son shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself; for the Lord shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended. Thy people also shall be all righteous; they shall inherit the land forever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified. A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the Lord will hasten it in his time.”²

Dedication of the Temple Site

On the 3rd day of August, Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, Sidney Rigdon, Edward Partridge, William W. Phelps, Martin Harris and Joseph Coe, met on a spot a little west of the Independence court house, and there they dedicated the site for the great temple of the latter days. The 87th Psalm was read, and the scene was most impressive; for here the house of the Lord was to be reared in the holy city Zion, which had been spoken of by ancient seers, from whence should go forth the law to the ends of the earth.

First Conference in Zion

On the 4th day of August (1831) the first conference in that land was held at the home of Joshua Lewis, in Kaw township. The members of the Colesville branch formed the greater part of the congregation—a total of thirty-one souls. The Spirit of the Lord was with them and they rejoiced. Sidney Rigdon preached and exhorted the Saints “to obedience to the requisition of heaven,” that they might be planted in their inheritances in Zion. Ziba Peterson, who had been silenced for wrongdoing, humbled himself and made confession; by unanimous vote he was reinstated. Joseph Smith addressed the conference and admonished the people to be true to their covenants that they might receive the blessings.

A Commandment and a Promised Blessing

On the 7th, Polly Knight wife of Joseph Knight, Sen., died; she had been in failing health while on the westward journey. The same day the Prophet received a revelation of commandment and blessing to the Saints, in which they were admonished again to keep the commandments of the Lord. Their course of action was pointed out for them with a statement that all who had come up to the land to keep the commandments should be blessed; if they lived they should inherit the earth; if they died they should rest in the mansions of the Father. On the Lord’s day they were to rest from all labor and assemble in the house of prayer to partake of the sacrament and confess their sins (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 59).

The Return to Kirtland

On the 9th day of August Joseph Smith and the elders who were to return, started on their journey back to Kirtland. They traveled down the Missouri River towards St. Louis. On the third day out they encountered some of the dangers common on these waters. At a place called McIlwaine’s Bend, William W. Phelps, in open vision, saw the destroyer in his power, riding upon the waters. The next morning the Prophet Joseph received a revelation in confirmation of the vision of Elder Phelps.

Dangers on the Waters

The Lord revealed (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 61) to Joseph Smith the great dangers that would be upon the waters in these latter days. “Behold, I, the Lord, in the beginning blessed the waters, but in the last days, by the mouth of my servant John, I cursed the waters. Wherefore, the days will come that no flesh shall be safe upon the waters. ... I, the Lord, have decreed, and the destroyer rideth upon the face thereof, and I revoke not the decree.” It was further stated that the time would come when none would dare go upon the waters but those who were pure in heart, and the elders were counseled to travel by other means than by the rivers, that their faith fail not.

Object of the Mission to Zion

On the 27th day of August Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery and Sidney Rigdon arrived in Kirtland; others of the elders had previously arrived. Their mission had been fulfilled. They had gone to Missouri for the purpose of receiving definite knowledge concerning the location of the land and site for the future city of Zion; to dedicate the land as the “inheritance of the Saints,” also to choose and dedicate a spot for the building of the temple. Those who were to remain were instructed in their duties and given commandments by which they were to be governed in that land and upon which their inheritances, and those of the Saints who should follow after, might be made secure.

Notes