Date of Revelation: October 12, 1833
Location: Perrysburg, New York
Recipients: Joseph Smith the Prophet and Sidney Rigdon
Section Summary: The Lord reassures Joseph and Sidney about their families' welfare during their mission to Canada, defines their complementary roles as revelator and spokesman, and promises that Zion will be redeemed despite temporary chastening.
Primary Doctrinal Principle: The Lord provides for missionaries' families and gives His servants the very words to speak in the moment they are needed.
Secondary Principle: Different members of the Church have complementary spiritual gifts that work together for the building of the kingdom.
Application Principle: When we follow the Lord's counsel and continue forward in faith, He is with us "even unto the end" and causes all things to work together for good.
Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon had been traveling for eight days on a mission to Upper Canada, leaving Kirtland on October 4, 1833. Both men felt anxious about their families—Joseph had left pregnant Emma with their young children, and Sidney had left his wife and several children. They were stopping in Perrysburg, New York, near Buffalo, when they sought the Lord about their concerns. Despite their worries, they pressed forward with their missionary duties.
The Church was experiencing simultaneous growth and severe persecution. While missionaries like Joseph and Sidney expanded the work in new areas, the Saints in Jackson County, Missouri, faced increasing violence. The July destruction of the printing press had scattered the revelations being prepared for publication. Members struggled to understand why Zion was suffering when they were trying to build it according to revelation. Questions arose about how to balance family responsibilities with missionary calls.
Western New York and Upper Canada represented potential growth areas for the Church. The region had been influenced by religious revivalism, making some receptive to new religious messages. Transportation improvements like the Erie Canal facilitated travel but journeys still took days or weeks. Economic depression in the region created both opportunities and challenges for missionary work. Local ministers often stirred up opposition when Mormon missionaries arrived.
The 1830s marked a period of religious experimentation and communal societies in America. Democratic ideals were spreading globally, influencing religious movements toward egalitarianism. Transportation improvements were connecting previously isolated regions. The Industrial Revolution was changing social structures, creating spiritual hunger among displaced populations. Political tensions between the United States and British Canada affected cross-border religious movements.
Joseph and Sidney continued their mission with renewed confidence, successfully establishing several branches in Canada. Their families remained safe in their absence, fulfilling the Lord's promise. The defined roles helped them work more effectively—Sidney's powerful preaching complemented Joseph's revelatory gifts. Several influential converts joined the Church through their efforts. The promise about Zion's redemption provided hope as persecution in Missouri intensified.
This revelation continues to comfort missionaries concerned about their families. The principle of complementary spiritual gifts shapes Church organization and callings. The promise of receiving divine words "in the very hour" strengthens members facing challenging conversations about faith. The prophecy of Zion's redemption, though taking different form than expected, continues to inspire hope. The revelation demonstrates how personal concerns (family welfare) connect to larger divine purposes (salvation of souls).
Trust the Lord with family concerns when fulfilling Church responsibilities. Recognize and develop your unique spiritual gifts. Speak boldly when prompted, trusting divine inspiration in the moment. Continue forward even when feeling anxious about those left behind. Let your heart rejoice knowing the Lord is with you in righteous endeavors.
Support family members called to demanding Church service. Trust the Lord's promise to care for families of those serving Him. Recognize different family members' complementary spiritual gifts. Practice speaking about faith "in solemnity of heart" and "spirit of meekness." Find comfort in promises that all things work together for good.
Organize callings to utilize complementary spiritual gifts effectively. Provide support systems for families of those in demanding callings. Train members to trust divine inspiration when speaking about faith. Build faith that temporary challenges don't negate eternal promises. Create partnerships that combine different strengths for kingdom building.
Speak about faith with solemnity and meekness in public settings. Trust that words will come when defending religious principles. Build interfaith partnerships that utilize different strengths. Maintain hope for community improvement despite temporary setbacks. Demonstrate balance between service responsibilities and family care.
Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon departed Kirtland, Ohio, on October 4, 1833, embarking on what would become a pivotal missionary journey to Upper Canada. Their route took them through the Western Reserve of Ohio, along the southern shore of Lake Erie, and into western New York. Eight days into their journey, they arrived in Perrysburg, a small settlement near Buffalo.
Freeman Nickerson, a recent convert to the Church, hosted Joseph and Sidney in Perrysburg. His hospitality provided the setting for this important revelation. Freeman's son, Moses Nickerson, would later become a faithful elder through the influence of this visit.
Both men carried heavy hearts about their families left behind in Kirtland:
As Joseph and Sidney received this revelation, they were unaware that conditions in Missouri were deteriorating rapidly. Within weeks, the Saints would be driven from Jackson County entirely. The Lord's promise that "Zion shall be redeemed" would provide crucial hope when this news reached them.
The Kirtland Temple foundation had been laid on July 23, 1833, but construction proceeded slowly due to limited resources. Local opposition to the temple was growing, with threats against workers becoming increasingly common. This added to the missionaries' concerns about their families' safety.
The mission to Canada required crossing into British territory, just twenty years after the War of 1812. Religious movements crossing the border were viewed with suspicion by both governments. Despite these challenges, the region offered significant missionary potential:
This revelation formally acknowledged what had been developing naturally in the Church leadership structure:
This pattern would influence future Church organization, establishing the model of presidents and counselors with complementary gifts.
The Lord's promise that He would give them words "in the very hour, yea, in the very moment" addressed a practical concern. Joseph and Sidney would face hostile audiences, difficult questions, and educated critics. This promise echoed Christ's assurance to His apostles and would be fulfilled repeatedly during their mission.
Following this revelation, Joseph and Sidney continued into Upper Canada with renewed confidence. They preached in several communities including:
Several branches were established, and influential converts joined the Church. The "effectual door" mentioned in the revelation was literally fulfilled as many received their message despite opposition.
The 1830s saw dramatic improvements in transportation that facilitated missionary work:
The Lord's promises in this revelation were remarkably fulfilled:
This revelation established patterns that continue in the modern Church:
Missionaries and those in church service today face similar anxieties about families. This promise extends to all who sacrifice for the kingdom—God personally watches over the families of His servants.
Modern technology creates "effectual doors" unknown to early Saints—social media, video calls, and online teaching open entire regions instantly. Yet the principle remains: God prepares hearts and creates opportunities according to His timeline.
This promise applies in teaching callings, missionary work, and daily witnesses. When we prepare spiritually rather than relying solely on scripts, the Spirit provides words that reach specific hearts in ways our preparation alone never could.
In an age of social media debates and contentious discourse, this commandment provides crucial guidance. Truth proclaimed with arrogance repels; truth shared with meekness invites the Spirit's witness.
The pattern of revelator and spokesman continues in modern church leadership. Prophets receive revelation; counselors and apostles often serve as spokesmen, articulating and expounding revealed truths to the world.
The promises of multiplication apply to modern disciples who sacrifice for the kingdom. The Lord's pattern of offering healing before consequences demonstrates His merciful nature and desire for all to come unto Him.
This revelation establishes enduring patterns for church leadership and missionary work:
The revelation given to Joseph and Sidney in 1833 continues to guide modern missionaries and leaders in balancing family concerns, developing spiritual gifts, and serving with humility.
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Significance: The Lord prepares specific opportunities for gospel sharing that will produce intended results. These divinely orchestrated moments cannot be created by human effort alone. The Hebrew דֶּלֶת (delet) connects to the letter dalet (ד), symbolizing a doorway or portal between realms—fitting for missionary work opening spiritual doors.
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Significance: The spokesman role represents divine delegation—speaking on behalf of God's revelator. This pattern continues in modern Church leadership.
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Significance: The revelator receives direct divine communication, unveiling God's will for His people. This office is essential for the Church's continued guidance.
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Significance: Divine timing is precise. The Spirit provides exactly what is needed at the exact moment it is needed, requiring faith and spiritual preparation.
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Significance: Sacred matters require sacred attitudes. Solemnity is not sadness but appropriate reverence for holy things.
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Significance: Biblical meekness (עֲנָוָה anavah) is not weakness but rather humility combined with virtue and strength. The Hebrew חַיִל (chayil)—translated as "virtuous" in Proverbs 31:10—encompasses moral excellence, strength, and noble character. When these qualities combine with humility (anavah), it reveals that true meekness is virtuous power exercised with restraint and wisdom under God's direction. Moses exemplified this—called the meekest man yet displaying tremendous strength and leadership. It invites the Spirit's confirming witness.
This revelation teaches the importance of:
Help youth and young adults understand:
Section 100 builds faith by showing: