Date of Revelation: July 8, 1838
Location: Far West, Missouri
Recipients: The Twelve Apostles (specifically mentioned: Thomas B. Marsh, John Taylor, John E. Page, Wilford Woodruff, Willard Richards)
Context: Received the same day as D&C 117, during height of tensions in Missouri (three months before the Mormon War). Several apostles had apostatized, leaving vacancies in the Quorum of the Twelve.
Section Summary: The Lord commands the Twelve to be reorganized, filling vacancies left by apostate members. They are to depart for a mission to England in spring 1839, leaving on April 26, 1839, from the temple site in Far West. Four new apostles are called: John Taylor, John E. Page, Wilford Woodruff, and Willard Richards. The Lord promises to provide for their families and open "an effectual door" for their mission if they serve with humility and meekness.
Primary Doctrinal Principle: The Lord's work continues despite apostasy—fallen servants are replaced, vacancies filled, and the kingdom moves forward under divine direction. God's purposes are not thwarted by human weakness or betrayal.
Secondary Principle: Divine missions require divine provision—when the Lord sends His servants on seemingly impossible tasks (leaving families during crisis to travel across oceans), He promises to provide for their families and open doors for success.
Application Principle: Faithful disciples serve in "lowliness of heart, meekness and humility, and long-suffering," trusting God's promises to provide and prosper their labor even when circumstances seem impossible.
By July 1838, the Quorum of the Twelve faced catastrophic apostasy. Four of the original Twelve had fallen away:
One-third of the quorum was gone. The revelation commanded immediate reorganization, demonstrating that the Lord's work continues despite human failure.
The Lord commanded the apostles to depart for England in spring 1839—a mission that seemed impossible when given (July 1838) and became even more impossible by the actual departure date:
Verse 5 specified that the apostles would take leave from Far West on April 26, 1839. By that date, Far West was controlled by hostile Missourians, and enemies mocked this prophecy as proof Joseph was a false prophet. Yet on April 26, 1839, seven apostles secretly returned to Far West at dawn:
This fulfilled the prophecy literally, demonstrating God's power over opposition and validating Joseph's prophetic calling.
The British Mission (1839-1841) became one of the Church's greatest missionary triumphs:
The Lord commands immediate action to address the apostasy crisis. Four apostles had fallen, leaving the Quorum critically weakened. The command contains three imperatives: (1) hold conference immediately, (2) organize the Twelve, (3) appoint replacements. The word "immediately" indicates urgency—the work can't wait for perfect timing or ideal circumstances.
The phrase "those who are fallen" acknowledges apostasy without dwelling on it—fallen apostles are replaced, and the work continues. This establishes the perpetual pattern: when apostles die or apostatize, new apostles are called by revelation to maintain the quorum.
Thomas B. Marsh, President of the Twelve, receives special assignment: remain in Missouri ("land of Zion") to "publish my word." This likely meant overseeing publication of revelations, Church literature, and missionary materials. The phrase "for a season" indicates temporary assignment.
Tragically, Marsh apostatized in October 1838 (just three months after this revelation) and never fulfilled this calling. His apostasy demonstrates that even receiving direct revelation and divine assignment doesn't guarantee faithfulness—human agency remains free even for apostles.
"The residue" (the remaining apostles) are commanded to "continue to preach from that hour"—immediate, continuous missionary work. But the command is conditional: success requires "lowliness of heart, meekness and humility, and long-suffering." These aren't optional character traits but essential qualifications.
The Lord then gives two-fold promise: (1) "I will provide for their families"—addressing the apostles' primary concern about leaving destitute families during crisis, and (2) "an effectual door shall be opened"—God will create missionary opportunities, receptive people, and success. The British Mission spectacularly fulfilled both promises.
Specific timing ("next spring" = spring 1839) and destination ("over the great waters" = Atlantic Ocean to England/Europe) are commanded. "Promulgate" means to proclaim publicly, announce officially, spread widely—not merely whisper but boldly declare. "The fulness thereof" indicates they must teach complete restored gospel, not watered-down version.
"Bear record of my name" emphasizes personal testimony—they must witness that Jesus is the Christ, that Joseph Smith is prophet, that the gospel is restored. The command seemed impossible when given (July 1838): within months, apostles would be refugees, Joseph imprisoned, Saints expelled. Yet by spring 1839, despite catastrophic circumstances, apostles departed for England exactly as commanded.
This verse became one of the most remarkable fulfilled prophecies in Church history. The Lord specified exact date (April 26, 1839), exact location (Far West temple building site), and specific action (take leave of the Saints). When given (July 8, 1838), this seemed reasonable. By April 1839, it seemed impossible:
Yet on April 26, 1839, seven apostles secretly returned to Far West at dawn, laid temple cornerstone, ordained Wilford Woodruff and George A. Smith, sang hymn, took leave, and departed before enemies discovered them. The prophecy was literally fulfilled despite impossible circumstances, validating Joseph's prophetic calling and demonstrating God's power over opposition.
Four men are called by name to fill the four vacancies: John Taylor, John E. Page, Wilford Woodruff, and Willard Richards. The specific naming demonstrates this is revelation, not human selection—these aren't voted in by popular choice but called by God.
Three of the four became giants in Church history:
Page, however, eventually apostatized (1846). This demonstrates that divine calling is genuine but doesn't override agency—even apostles called by revelation can later choose apostasy.
Etymology: From Latin promulgare - "to make publicly known, proclaim." From pro- (forth) + vulgare (make public, from vulgus, the common people).
Webster 1828: "To publish; to teach or make known to many. The gospel was promulgated by the apostles."
Doctrinal Significance: The apostles were commanded to "promulgate my gospel, the fulness thereof" (v. 4). Not whisper quietly but boldly proclaim. Not teach a partial gospel but "the fulness thereof"—complete restoration, all ordinances, full truth. This established the pattern for missionary work: declare the gospel publicly, completely, courageously.
Etymology: From Latin effectus - "accomplishment, performance." From efficere (to work out, accomplish), from ex- (out) + facere (to make, do).
Webster 1828: "Producing effects; having power to produce the effect intended; effectual medicines. That which produces a desired effect, or answers the purpose intended."
Doctrinal Significance: The Lord promised "an effectual door shall be opened" (v. 3). Not just opportunity but productive, successful opportunity. The British Mission fulfilled this spectacularly—thousands converted, branches established, the Church became international. When God opens doors, they lead to real results, not just activity.
Greek Parallel: Tapeinophrosune (ταπεινοφροσύνη) - "Humility, lowliness of mind." From tapeinos (lowly) + phren (mind) = "lowly-mindedness."
Webster 1828 - Meekness: "Softness of temper; mildness; gentleness; forbearance under injuries and provocations."
Doctrinal Significance: The promise of divine provision was conditional: "if they will do this in all lowliness of heart, in meekness and humility, and long-suffering" (v. 3). Apostolic authority without humility becomes tyranny. Success in God's kingdom requires these character qualities—not optional traits but essential prerequisites for receiving promised blessings.
Note: For complete word studies including Hebrew/Greek analysis and full linguistic layers, see the full study guide markdown files.
Note: This section contains 30 questions per verse (180 total) designed to facilitate deep personal study, family discussion, and class teaching. Questions are organized by verse and category: Understanding the Text, Personal Application, Doctrinal Understanding, and Modern Relevance.
Scripture: D&C 118:1 — "Verily, thus saith the Lord: Let a conference be held immediately; let the Twelve be organized; and let men be appointed to supply the place of those who are fallen."
Full Study Questions Available: The complete 06_Study_Questions.md markdown file contains 30 detailed questions for each of the 6 verses (180 total). This HTML version shows representative questions for verse 1. For comprehensive study of verses 2-6, please refer to the markdown source file.
Questions explore Thomas B. Marsh's role, his later apostasy, divine timing, and the irony of receiving revelation while destined to fall.
Questions examine the conditional promise ("If they will do this"), God's provision for missionaries' families, financial faith, and historical fulfillment.
Questions analyze what constitutes an "effectual door," the British Mission's success, Paul's similar language in 1 Corinthians 16:9, and modern missionary applications.
Questions detail the April 26, 1839 fulfillment, examine why enemies mocked it, explore how God fulfilled it literally despite impossibility, and apply principles to modern faith challenges.
Questions probe "lowliness of heart, meekness and humility, and long-suffering," explore how pride prevents promised blessings, and connect to discipleship requirements throughout scripture.
The complete study questions file provides 30 questions per verse organized in four categories: