LDS Doctrine and Covenants Critique
Downloaded from churchofjesuschrist.org in September 2026
The Doctrine and Covenants
SECTION 48
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at
Kirtland, Ohio, March 10, 1831. The Prophet had inquired of the Lord as
to the mode of procedure in procuring lands for the settlement of the
Saints. This was an important matter in view of the migration of
members of the Church from the eastern United States, in obedience to
the Lord’s command that they should assemble in Ohio (see sections
37:1–3; 45:64).
1–3, The Saints in Ohio are to share their lands with their brethren;
4–6, The Saints are to purchase lands, build a city, and follow the
counsel of their presiding officers.
1 It is necessary that ye should remain for the present time in your
places of abode, as it shall be suitable to your circumstances.
Note: Joseph Smith suddenly had to reverse a recent prophecy.
1 Behold, thus saith the Lord unto you my servants, it is expedient in
me that the elders of my church should be called together, from the
east and from the west, and from the north and from the south, by
letter or some other way. D&C 44, February, 1831.
2 And inasmuch as ye have lands, ye shall impart to the eastern
brethren; 3 And inasmuch as ye have not lands, let them buy for the
present time in those regions round about, as seemeth them good, for it
must needs be necessary that they have places to live for the present
time.
Note: Joseph Smith caused hyper-inflation by gathering his religious fanatics.
The city of Kirtland experienced a significant population increase,
growing from approximately 1,000 people in 1830 to 3,000 in 1836, with
a similar increase in surrounding agricultural areas. The population
growth was at least partially responsible for a rapid increase in land
prices between 1832 and 1837.
4 It must needs be necessary that ye save all the money that ye can,
and that ye obtain all that ye can in righteousness, that in time ye
may be enabled to purchase land for an inheritance, even the city.
Note: Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon resorted to financial fraud to get money.
Subscribers and organizers of the Kirtland Safety Society Anti Bank
Company were members of the Kirtland community (merchants, farmers,
etc.), many of whom became shareholders of the company. Sidney Rigdon
served as the KSSABC's chairman and president, Warren Parrish as
signatory, secretary and teller; Joseph Smith was cashier.
5 The place is not yet to be revealed; but after your brethren come
from the east there are to be certain men appointed, and to them it
shall be given to know the place, or to them it shall be revealed.
Note: Joseph Smith was hoping that eastern converts would bring money.
As practiced by the Latter-Day Saints in Smith's day, the law of
consecration was for the support of the poor and to ensure that all
members would be "equal according to his family, according to his
circumstances and his wants and needs." Adherents were asked to
voluntarily deed, or consecrate, their property to the Church of
Christ, and the church then would assign to each member a "stewardship"
of property "as much as is sufficient for himself and family." If
consecrated property became more than was sufficient for the assigned
steward, the "residue" was "to be consecrated unto the bishop" kept for
the benefit of "those who have not, from time to time, that every man
who has need may be amply supplied and receive according to his wants."
6 And they shall be appointed to purchase the lands, and to make a
commencement to lay the foundation of the city; and then shall ye begin
to be gathered with your families, every man according to his family,
according to his circumstances, and as is appointed to him by the
presidency and the bishop of the church, according to the laws and
commandments which ye have received, and which ye shall hereafter
receive. Even so. Amen.
Note: Financial fraud and communism doomed the Mormons in Ohio.
In the Latter Day Saint movement, the United Order (also called the
United Order of Enoch) was one of several 19th-century church
collectivist programs. Early versions of the Order beginning in 1831
attempted to fully implement the law of consecration, a form of
Christian communism or communalism.