When the Prophet Joseph and his brethren arrived in Jackson County they were all anxious for the Lord to make known to them the location for the city of Zion-New Jerusalem. In answer to their pleading they received the revelation (Sec. 57) in which the Lord said:
"Wherefore, this is the land of promise (1), and the place for the city of Zion. And thus saith the Lord your God, if you will receive wisdom here is wisdom. Behold, the place which is now called Independence is the center place; and a spot for the temple (2) is lying westward, upon a lot which is not far from the courthouse. Wherefore, it is wisdom that the land should be purchased by the Saints, and also every (3) tract lying westward, even unto the line running directly between Jew and Gentile."
This expression "lying westward, even unto the line running between Jew and Gentile," has reference to the line separating the Lamanites from the settlers in Jackson County. At this time the United States Government had given to the Indians the lands west of the Missouri, only later to take them away again. The Lamanites, who are Israelites, were referred to as Jews, and the Gentiles were the people, many of whom were of the lawless element, living east of the river.
Here the Saints were commanded to purchase land for their (4) inheritance. Edward Partridge, assisted by Algernon Sidney Gilbert, as his agent, was to stand in his office to divide to the Saints their inheritance. Sidney Gilbert was also to open a store and sell goods "without fraud," for the good of Zion. These men were to make preparation as soon as possible for the Saints who had been commanded to come to the land. On this land the Saints were informed by the Lord (5) that they would have to keep the law of the Lord-consecration.
Among those who were appointed to locate in the land of Missouri was William W. Phelps, who was chosen to establish a printing plant where he could be a printer to the Church. In this he was to be assisted by Oliver Cowdery. William W. Phelps had been a printer and it was because of his experience that he was chosen for this important office. These two men were also appointed to select books and to write books for schools in the Church, that the members might receive instruction. This appointment was given to Brother Phelps before he left Kirtland (Sec. 55) and therefore he took his family with him to Missouri. (See Doc. Hist. of Church, Vol. 1:173, 189.) Church History and Modern Revelation, Joseph Fielding Smith, Salt Lake City, p. 188-190.
Note: Joseph Smith, Jr. was a false prophet according to the following facts.
1) Independence, Missouri never became the land of promise for Mormons.
2) A LDS temple was never built just west of the courthouse in Independence.
3) All the land was never purchased just west of the courthouse in Independence.
4) An everlasting inheritance was never obtained by Mormons in this false prophecy.
5) Mormons have never kept the law of the Lord on the land specified by Joseph Smith.
Note: Joseph Smith, Jr. was a false prophet according to the Holy Bible.
Deuteronomy 18:21-22 "And if you say in your heart, 'How shall we know the word which the LORD has not spoken?'; when a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him."