Circumstances Among Recipients: John Murdock had been widowed for over a year since his wife Julia died in childbirth on April 30, 1831. His twin babies had been adopted by Joseph and Emma Smith, though one (Joseph Murdock Smith) had died during the March 1832 Hiram mob attack. John was struggling with grief while trying to care for his remaining children and determine how to balance his missionary desires with parental duties.
Circumstances Within the Church: The Church was recovering from the violent mob attack in Hiram, Ohio (March 1832) where Joseph Smith was tarred and feathered. Missionary work was expanding rapidly despite persecution. Many elders were being called to preach, leaving families behind. The Bishop's role in caring for missionaries' families was becoming more defined. Questions arose about how to provide for temporal needs while fulfilling spiritual callings.
Relevant Local Circumstances: The Hiram area remained tense after the mob violence. Local opposition to the Church was strong, with ministers actively preaching against the Saints. Economic conditions were difficult, making it challenging for widowers like Murdock to provide for children while serving missions. The community of Saints was developing systems of mutual support for families of missionaries.
Relevant Global Circumstances: The Second Great Awakening was at its height, creating both religious interest and sectarian competition. The 1830s saw increased mobility with improved roads and transportation, facilitating missionary travel. Social welfare systems were minimal, making family and church support crucial for orphans and widows. Child mortality rates were high, making Murdock's concern for his children's welfare particularly poignant.
Short Term:
Long Term:
Short Term: John Murdock faithfully fulfilled this mission call, traveling extensively through the eastern states. His children were cared for by the Saints in Ohio, with Bishop Whitney overseeing their welfare. The mission strengthened branches in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York.
Long Term: This revelation established important precedents for missionary service and family support that continue today. The Church's welfare system ensures missionaries' families are cared for. The principle of being a witness continues through modern missionary testimony bearing. The balance between Church service and family responsibilities remains a key principle. The childlike reception requirement influences how missionaries approach teaching.
Ancient:
Modern:
Personal Application: Seek balance between Church service and family responsibilities. Receive gospel messengers with humility and openness. Bear testimony even when rejected. Trust the Lord's timing in personal callings. Ensure family needs are met before accepting demanding callings.
Family Application: Support family members called to serve missions or demanding callings. Teach children to receive truth with humility. Create family plans for supporting each other during service. Share testimonies even when others don't accept them. Prepare temporally for times of service and sacrifice.
Church Application: Support missionary families through ward councils and Relief Society. Ensure converts are received with love regardless of background. Bear witness of truth even in hostile environments. Coordinate welfare assistance for families of those serving. Create mentoring programs for single-parent families.
Community Application: Demonstrate childlike openness to truth from unexpected sources. Share beliefs respectfully even when facing rejection. Support single-parent families in the community. Build networks of support for families with absent parents. Model balance between service and family responsibilities.
Key Doctrines Highlighted:
Previous Doctrines Clarified:
Covenant Principles Explained:
John Murdock's wife Julia died giving birth to twins on April 30, 1831. On the same day, Emma Smith gave birth to twins who died. In an act of compassion, John allowed Joseph and Emma to adopt his twins. During the Hiram mob attack (March 24, 1832), baby Joseph Murdock Smith died from exposure to the cold. Julia Murdock Smith survived and was raised by the Smiths.
The "eastern countries" referred to states east of Ohio, including Pennsylvania, New York, and New England. These areas had established branches needing strengthening. John Murdock had previously served successful missions in these regions and knew the territory well.
The Church was experiencing rapid growth but also severe persecution. The mob attack in Hiram, Ohio (March 24, 1832) where Joseph Smith was tarred and feathered had shaken the community. Despite this, missionary work was accelerating. The Lord was calling many to preach, requiring the development of systems to care for missionaries' families.
This was not the first mention of this ordinance (see D&C 24:15; 60:15; 75:20), but this revelation provides additional context about it being done "in secret places." The practice was taken seriously by early missionaries, in part as a final testimony for those who rejected the gospel, but the fact that they performed it "in secret" indicates that this was not intended to be a public spectacle, shaming or casting judgment on others. Rather, it was intended as a personal interaction between the missionary and the Lord, allowing the missionary to demonstrate that he had done all he could, and that he was free from further obligations of responsibility to that community or person. This allowed the missionary to relinquish burdens of remorse, disappointment, guilt, etc., removing those spiritual pollutants and allowing them to move on without regret, preventing them from carrying those feelings into the next assignment.
Following this revelation, John Murdock:
1 Behold, thus saith the Lord unto my servant John Murdock—thou art called to go into the eastern countries from house to house, from village to village, and from city to city, to proclaim mine everlasting gospel unto the inhabitants thereof, in the midst of persecution and wickedness.
2 And who receiveth you receiveth me; and you shall have power to declare my word in the demonstration of my Holy Spirit.
Modern Application: This personal pattern of ministry—house to house—remains effective today. While we may use technology and social media, the principle of personal, individual outreach continues. The promise that those who receive us receive the Lord gives confidence in sharing the gospel.
3 And who receiveth you as a little child, receiveth my kingdom; and blessed are they, for they shall obtain mercy.
4 And whoso rejecteth you shall be rejected of my Father and his house; and you shall cleanse your feet in the secret places by the way for a testimony against them.
Modern Application: The principle of childlike reception challenges our intellectual pride and calls us to humble learning. The private nature of "cleansing feet" reminds us that judgment belongs to God, not public condemnation by us.
5 And behold, and lo, I come quickly to judgment, to convince all of their ungodly deeds which they have committed against me, as it is written of me in the volume of the book.
6 And now, verily I say unto you, that it is not expedient that you should go until your children are provided for, and sent up kindly unto the bishop of Zion.
Modern Application: This balance between missionary service and family responsibility continues today. The Church's welfare system, like the ancient role of the bishop, ensures families are cared for when parents serve. We must never neglect family duties for Church service.
7 And after a few years, if thou desirest of me, thou mayest go up also unto the goodly land, to possess thine inheritance;
8 Otherwise thou shalt continue proclaiming my gospel until thou be taken. Amen.
Modern Application: This personalized revelation shows the Lord knows our individual circumstances and offers choices within His will. Not all callings are identical; the Lord adapts His requirements to our situations while maintaining high standards of service.
Doctrine and Covenants 99 provides intimate insight into the Lord's individual care for His servants. Key principles include:
This section demonstrates that the Lord knows each servant personally, understands family circumstances, and provides ways to balance competing responsibilities. John Murdock's example of sacrifice—giving up his children to serve—stands as a powerful witness of consecration.
The revelation's promise that those who receive missionaries "as a little child" receive the kingdom reminds us that humility and teachability are essential for spiritual growth. The unique choice offered to John shows the Lord's flexibility within His perfect plan.
For modern readers, this revelation affirms that God knows our individual circumstances and will provide ways to serve Him while caring for family responsibilities. The Church's welfare system continues this pattern of supporting those who sacrifice for the kingdom.
Cross-References:
Significance: Divine calling represents both invitation and commission, establishing covenant responsibility for ministry.
Cross-References:
Significance: Childlike reception requires humility, teachability, and trust without skepticism. The Hebrew connection between "children" and "builders" suggests that those who receive the gospel as children become builders of God's kingdom.
Cross-References:
Significance: This ordinance serves as a testimony against those who reject the gospel, transferring accountability.
John Murdock's call to go "from house to house, from village to village, and from city to city" teaches us about personal ministry. In our digital age, this pattern reminds us that genuine gospel sharing happens through personal relationships and individual connections, not just mass communication.
The Lord's instruction that John should not depart until his children were "provided for, and sent up kindly unto the bishop" establishes an eternal principle: family responsibilities must be balanced with Church service. The Lord never asks us to neglect family duties for His work.
The promise that those who receive missionaries "as a little child" receive the kingdom challenges our sophisticated age. Childlike qualities include:
The instruction to cleanse feet "in secret places" teaches important principles about handling rejection:
When teaching from D&C 99, consider these approaches: