Date of Revelation: February 24, 1834
Location: Kirtland, Ohio
Recipients: Joseph Smith, with Parley P. Pratt and Lyman Wight present as messengers from Missouri
Verses: 40 verses
Section Summary: A revelation calling for the organization of Zion's Camp to march to Missouri and assist the Saints who had been driven from Jackson County. The Lord promises conditional redemption of Zion through faith and sacrifice, establishes the number of volunteers needed, and gives specific instructions for the expedition.
Primary Doctrinal Principle: Zion must be redeemed through power, preceded by faith, sacrifice, and obedience to divine counsel.
Secondary Principle: The Lord fights the battles of His Saints when they follow His commandments precisely, but chastisement comes through disobedience.
Application Principle: Divine deliverance requires exact obedience, united effort, and willingness to sacrifice all things, even unto death if required.
Parley P. Pratt and Lyman Wight had just arrived from Missouri with desperate news of the Saints' expulsion from Jackson County. The Missouri Saints were refugees, having lost homes, property, and suffered violence. The Kirtland Saints were stirred with desire to help but unsure how to proceed. Many questioned whether armed resistance was appropriate for Saints.
The Church faced its first major crisis of physical persecution and property loss. Members in Missouri were scattered and suffering through winter without adequate shelter. The Church had no precedent for handling violent opposition at this scale. Questions arose about the relationship between temporal and spiritual salvation.
Missouri mobs had violently expelled the Saints from Jackson County in November 1833. Local Missouri officials refused to enforce the law or protect the Saints. Governor Dunklin expressed sympathy but claimed inability to help without legislative support. The Saints' legal appeals were moving slowly through the system.
American frontier justice often relied on vigilante action and militia force. The concept of states' rights limited federal intervention in local matters. Religious persecution was common, though usually not as violent as in Missouri. Military action by religious groups was viewed with suspicion following various religious conflicts in Europe.
Zion's Camp was organized with approximately 200 men marching nearly 1,000 miles to Missouri. Though they didn't engage in battle, their presence influenced negotiations. The experience tested faith and revealed the hearts of participants. Several members apostatized, while others were strengthened. The camp provided crucial relief supplies to Missouri Saints.
The majority of the original Quorum of Twelve Apostles and First Quorum of Seventy were chosen from Zion's Camp participants. The experience became a proving ground for future Church leaders. Principles learned about consecration, unity, and obedience shaped Church culture. The prophecy that Zion would be redeemed "by power" continues to have future application. The revelation established precedents for Church response to persecution.
Recognize that personal "Zions" require sacrifice and exact obedience to reclaim. Understand that the Lord may require uncomfortable actions to prove faith. Accept that divine deliverance often comes differently than expected. Prepare to sacrifice temporal things for spiritual blessings. Trust prophetic counsel even when it seems contrary to conventional wisdom.
Teach children about standing for truth even when it requires sacrifice. Demonstrate unity in following prophetic counsel as a family. Show how temporary trials prepare us for eternal blessings. Build faith that God will fight our battles when we're obedient. Create family traditions of supporting others in their trials.
Support Church initiatives even when we don't see the full picture. Unite with other Saints in common causes despite personal sacrifice. Recognize that the Lord prepares leaders through difficult experiences. Understand that building Zion requires more than good intentions. Maintain faith when divine intervention differs from expectations.
Stand for religious freedom and the rights of the persecuted. Organize lawful responses to injustice and oppression. Demonstrate that religious people can be good citizens while maintaining faith. Show compassion and provide practical help to refugees and displaced persons. Build bridges of understanding to prevent religious persecution.
In November 1833, violent mobs drove approximately 1,200 Latter-day Saints from Jackson County, Missouri. The destruction was devastating:
The refugees found temporary shelter in Clay County, but many lacked adequate clothing, food, or shelter for the harsh winter.
The expedition served multiple crucial purposes:
The immediate outcomes seemed disappointing to many:
These two brethren had traveled from Missouri to Kirtland in winter conditions to:
Their arrival prompted this revelation, which would change Church history.
The phrase "redemption of Zion must needs come by power" (v. 15) has multiple layers:
D&C 103 established critical precedents:
1 Verily I say unto you, my friends, behold, I will give unto you a revelation and commandment, that you may know how to act in the discharge of your duties concerning the salvation and redemption of your brethren, who have been scattered on the land of Zion;
2 Being driven and smitten by the hands of mine enemies, on whom I will pour out my wrath without measure in mine own time.
3 For I have suffered them thus far, that they might fill up the measure of their iniquities, that their cup might be full;
4 And that those who call themselves after my name might be chastened for a little season with a sore and grievous chastisement, because they did not hearken altogether unto the precepts and commandments which I gave unto them.
5 But verily I say unto you, that I have decreed a decree which my people shall realize, inasmuch as they hearken from this very hour unto the counsel which I, the Lord their God, shall give unto them.
6 Behold they shall, for I have decreed it, begin to prevail against mine enemies from this very hour.
Understanding that both trials and deliverance come from God helps us maintain faith during difficult times, knowing that immediate obedience brings immediate blessings, even if full deliverance takes time.
7 And by hearkening to observe all the words which I, the Lord their God, shall speak unto them, they shall never cease to prevail until the kingdoms of the world are subdued under my feet, and the earth is given unto the saints, to possess it forever and ever.
8 But inasmuch as they keep not my commandments, and hearken not to observe all my words, the kingdoms of the world shall prevail against them.
9 For they were set to be a light unto the world, and to be the saviors of men;
10 And inasmuch as they are not the saviors of men, they are as salt that has lost its savor, and is thenceforth good for nothing but to be cast out and trodden under foot of men.
11 But verily I say unto you, I have decreed that your brethren which have been scattered shall return to the lands of their inheritances, and shall build up the waste places of Zion.
12 For after much tribulation, as I have said unto you in a former commandment, cometh the blessing.
13 Behold, this is the blessing which I have promised after your tribulations, and the tribulations of your brethren—your redemption, and the redemption of your brethren, even their restoration to the land of Zion, to be established, no more to be thrown down.
14 Nevertheless, if they pollute their inheritances they shall be thrown down; for I will not spare them if they pollute their inheritances.
15 Behold, I say unto you, the redemption of Zion must needs come by power;
We must understand that building Zion—whether in our homes, communities, or the Church—requires both spiritual power and complete consecration, not partial efforts or worldly methods alone.
16 Therefore, let my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., say unto the strength of my house, my young men and the middle aged—Gather yourselves together unto the land of Zion, upon the lands which I have bought with money that has been consecrated unto me.
17 And let all the churches send up wise men with their moneys, and purchase lands even as I have commanded them.
18 And inasmuch as mine enemies come against you to drive you from my goodly land, which I have consecrated to be the land of Zion, even from your own lands after these testimonies, which ye have brought before me against them, ye shall curse them;
19 And whomsoever ye curse, I will curse, and ye shall avenge me of mine enemies.
20 And my presence shall be with you even in avenging me of mine enemies, unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me.
21 Let no man be afraid to lay down his life for my sake; for whoso layeth down his life for my sake shall find it again.
22 And whoso is not willing to lay down his life for my sake is not my disciple.
23 It is my will that my servant Sidney Rigdon shall lift up his voice in the congregations in the eastern countries, in preparing the churches to keep the commandments which I have given unto them concerning the restoration and redemption of Zion.
24 It is my will that my servant Parley P. Pratt and my servant Lyman Wight should not return to the land of their brethren, until they have obtained companies to go up unto the land of Zion, by tens, or by twenties, or by fifties, or by an hundred, until they have obtained to the number of five hundred of the strength of my house.
True discipleship requires complete consecration—of possessions, efforts, and even life if necessary. We organize effectively for righteous causes while trusting in divine protection and justice.
25 Behold, I say unto you, that it is my will that as many as have come up hither, that can stay in the region round about, let them stay;
26 And those that cannot stay, who have families in the east, let them tarry for a little season, inasmuch as my servant Sidney shall appoint them;
27 For I will counsel him concerning this matter, and all things whatever shall be made known unto them.
28 And let my servant Parley P. Pratt journey with my servant Joseph Smith, Jun.
29 Let my servant Lyman Wight journey with my servant Sidney Rigdon.
30 Let my servant Hyrum Smith journey with my servant Frederick G. Williams.
31 Let my servant Orson Hyde journey with my servant Orson Pratt, whithersoever my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., shall counsel them, in obtaining the fulfillment of these commandments which I have given unto you, and leave the residue in my hands. Even so. Amen.
32 And again, verily I say unto you, if my servant Sidney will serve me and be counselor unto my servant Joseph, let him arise and come up and stand in the office of his calling, and humble himself before me.
33 And if he will offer unto me an acceptable offering, and acknowledgments, and remain with my people, behold, I, the Lord your God, will heal him that he shall be healed; and he shall lift up his voice again on the mountains, and be a spokesman before my face.
34-40 [Verses contain instructions about the first elders remaining in Kirtland and repetition of verses 18-22 regarding cursing enemies and ultimate discipleship]
Church leadership requires wisdom in deploying resources—both human and financial. Some are called to go while others are called to stay and strengthen the home base. All must be willing to sacrifice everything for the cause of Zion.
From Latin *redemptio* via Old French, literally "a buying back," from re- "back" + emere "to buy"
Webster 1828: Redemption — "Repurchase of captured goods or prisoners; the liberation of an estate from mortgage; deliverance from bondage"
In D&C 103, redemption encompasses both temporal (recovering lands) and spiritual (delivering the Saints) dimensions. It requires divine power, not just human effort or money, linking to the ancient Hebrew concept of the go'el (kinsman-redeemer) who had both the right and power to redeem.
"Redemption of Zion must needs come by power" (v. 15) refers not to military might but to divine power manifest through consecrated people. This echoes Zechariah 4:6: "Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit."
"Strength of my house" (v. 16) refers to able-bodied priesthood holders willing to defend Zion. It combines military terminology with covenant language, indicating those consecrated to the Lord's service.
The Lord's promise to curse those whom His servants curse (v. 19, 38) reveals divine justice operating through authorized channels. This isn't personal vengeance but the execution of divine law.
Topic: "Building Zion in Our Day"
Opening Question: What "Zions" in our lives need to be redeemed through divine power rather than human effort?
Main Points:
Activity: Create two columns: "By Money/Human Effort" vs. "By Divine Power" and categorize how we approach various challenges
Topic: "The Ultimate Test of Discipleship"
Key Concepts for Youth:
Interactive Element: "Disciple or Not?" scenarios—students determine if actions reflect true discipleship
For Younger Children: Tell the story of Zion's Camp as an adventure
For Teenagers: Discuss what causes are worth sacrifice
Family Activity: Create a "Family Zion's Camp"—identify a family goal requiring everyone's contribution and sacrifice
1. What areas of my life need to be "redeemed by power" rather than my own efforts?
Consider: Where am I relying too heavily on temporal solutions when spiritual power is needed?
2. Am I truly a disciple, or merely a believer? What's the difference?
Consider: The Lord said those not willing to lay down their lives are not His disciples.
3. How do I respond when the Lord's solutions differ from my expectations?
Consider: The Saints expected to reclaim their lands but received a different outcome.
4. What would I be willing to sacrifice if the prophet asked today?
Consider: Zion's Camp members walked 1,000 miles at great personal cost.
5. How has the Lord used trials to prepare me for greater responsibilities?
Consider: Most of the Twelve Apostles came from Zion's Camp participants.
1. What modern "Zion's Camps" might the Lord ask us to join?
Discuss: Mission service, temple work, gathering of Israel, humanitarian efforts.
2. How do we balance family needs with Church service calls?
Discuss: Verses 25-26 address those with families in the east.
3. What does it mean that the Lord will "fight our battles"?
Discuss: Times when spiritual solutions succeeded where temporal efforts failed.
4. How can our family be "saviors of men" as mentioned in verse 9?
Discuss: Temple work, missionary work, ministering, service projects.
5. What sacrifices has our family made for the gospel?
Discuss: Share family stories of faith and sacrifice.
1. Research the 200+ participants of Zion's Camp. How many became Church leaders?
Study: Joseph Smith Papers, Church History documents, biographical records.
2. How did the Lord evaluate Zion's Camp in D&C 105?
Compare: D&C 103 promises with D&C 105 outcomes and explanations.
3. What parallels exist between Zion's Camp and ancient Israel's military campaigns?
Research: Organization by tens and fifties, divine intervention in battle.
4. How did Zion's Camp shape Church culture regarding persecution?
Study: Patterns established that influenced Nauvoo and Utah periods.
5. What role did Zion's Camp play in preparing leaders for the western exodus?
Research: Leadership skills developed during the march.
1. How can I be a "savior of men" in my current circumstances?
Consider: Ministering, temple work, sharing the gospel, serving those in need.
2. What would modern consecration look like in my profession?
Consider: Using professional skills for kingdom building, ethical practices, service.
3. How do I sustain leaders when they ask difficult things of me?
Consider: Trust in prophetic vision, willingness to sacrifice, avoiding murmuring.
4. What evidences do I see that the Lord fights my battles?
Consider: Past experiences of divine intervention, unexpected solutions, protection.
5. How can I prepare now for greater tests of faith that may come?
Consider: Daily discipleship, temple covenants, spiritual preparation, physical readiness.
Compare D&C 103:15-20 with D&C 98:23-48. How do these revelations establish the Lord's laws of war?
Read Zechariah 4:6. How does "not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit" relate to D&C 103?
Study Alma 56:45-48. What similarities exist between the stripling warriors and Zion's Camp?
Examine Luke 14:25-33. How does Christ's teaching about discipleship relate to verses 21-22?
Consider D&C 105:1-6. What did the Lord teach about why Zion wasn't immediately redeemed?