Commentary for Doctrine and Covenants: Sections 77-80

Saint John on the Isle of Patmos, by Gaspar de Crayer

Section 77

Background Information 

The exact date section 77 was received is somewhat problematic, but the History of the Church and the Kirtland Revelation Book each provide some information that help clarify matters. 

The Kirtland Revelation Book contains a notation from Joseph Smith in the handwriting of Frederick G. Williams dated March 8, 1832, stating that “from the 26th of February [when section 76 was received] up to this date have been at home except a journey to Kirtland on the 29th of February and returned home [to Hiram] on the 4th of March.  We received a revelation in Kirtland and one since I returned home.” Since the Kirtland Revelation Book also records the dates of section 78 as March 1, and section 80 as March 7, it is likely that these are the two revelations referred to here (Kirtland Revelation Book, 11, 15, 18).  Moreover, in the History of the Church the brief introduction to Doctrine and Covenants 78-81 chronologically follows the references to section 77.  Here Joseph also noted that “previous to the 20th of March, I received the four following revelations.”  The four revelations mentioned are section 78 received on March 1, section 79 on March 12, section 80 on March 7, and section 81 on March 15. All of this indicates that section 77 was likely received on or before March 1, when Doctrine and Covenants 78 was received (most likely February 27th, 28th, 29th or March 1st).

Since Joseph was not scheduled to be translating from the book of Revelation in his work on the Joseph Smith Translation at that time, it is possible that the questions found in section 77 were put to him by the brethren in Kirtland upon his arrival there late on February 29 or early the next day before section 78 was received.  The informality of an impromptu question and answer session might explain why Joseph’s inspired responses were not included among his published revelations until later.

Section 77 is not a complete interpretation of the book, but rather gives only a few helps on the interpretation of some passages between chapters 4 and 11.  The world’s biblical scholars have seemed to be frustrated and confused by the book of Revelation.  This fact notwithstanding, the Prophet Joseph once said: “The book of Revelation is one of the plainest books God ever caused to be written” (TPJS, 290). 

While even today the book remains difficult to interpret, we in the Church do have a considerable advantage over the rest of the world.  Modern revelation has given us considerable insight into the meaning of the book. This revealed material includes sections 77, 88, 130, and 131 of the Doctrine and Covenants, 1 Nephi 14:10-27, Ether 4:16 in the Book of Mormon, Joseph’s inspired revision of the King James Bible, and some sermons of the Prophet’s which are recorded in his History of the Church. 

Joseph Smith is attributed to having said that the book of Revelation is a plain book.  Although on its face this may seem bizarre, section 77 provides, just like a key on a map, a key to unlocking the meaning of the book of Revelation.  

Section 

1 Q. What is the sea of glass spoken of by John, 4th chapter, and 6th verse of the Revelation? A. It is the earth, in its sanctified, immortal, and eternal state.

Questions About the Beasts John Saw 

2 Q. What are we to understand by the four beasts, spoken of in the same verse? A. They are figurative expressions, used by the Revelator, John, in describing heaven, the paradise of God, the happiness of man, and of beasts, and of creeping things, and of the fowls of the air; that which is spiritual being in the likeness of that which is temporal; and that which is temporal in the likeness of that which is spiritual; the spirit of man in the likeness of his person, as also the spirit of the beast, and every other creature which God has created.

3 Q. Are the four beasts limited to individual beasts, or do they represent classes or orders? A. They [the four beasts] are limited to four individual beasts, which were shown to John, to represent the glory of the classes of beings in their destined order or sphere of creation, in the enjoyment of their eternal felicity [there is a hierarchy in heaven.  Along that hierarchy consists of different classes and orders (position and offices) of heavenly beings].

4 Q. What are we to understand by the eyes and wings, which the beasts had? A. Their eyes are a representation of light and knowledge, that is, they are full of knowledge; and their wings are a representation of power, to move, to act, etc.

• Verse 4: Representation of Power, To Move, To Act
• The beasts John sees are those who occupy the throne room.  Just as there are different classes of heavenly beings, there are also different degrees of agency possessed by those heavenly beings.  Agency is the power to act. Our agency increased based on our knowledge of the reality -- of how things work.  God's commands are given so that we may acquire greater knowledge.  Knowledge of God's mysteries can only be taught to us through revelation.  Earth serves to teach us agency because it provides a chance to learn how to discern the good from the evil.  And knowing what is good, we can seek after it. 
• 35 Behold, I gave unto him that he should be an agent unto himself; and I gave unto him commandment, but no temporal commandment gave I unto him, for my commandments are spiritual; they are not natural nor temporal, neither carnal nor sensual... 39 And it must needs be that the devil should tempt the children of men, or they could not be agents unto themselves; for if they never should have bitter they could not know the sweet. (D&C 29)
• The beasts 6 wings represent the high degree of agency they possess.  And they possess this degree of agency because they are full of knowledge.  
• The greater our knowledge (knowledge are things that are intangible -- eternal truth), the greater our agency.  The greater the agency, the more freedom we have because we are able to do more.  As a comparison, consider a child and an adult.  The child's agency (power to act) is very limited.  Because of their ignorance, children aren't able to navigate the world on their own.  Adults are different.  Adults possess knowledge about the world that allows them to do more.    
• Everything temporal has a spiritual complement (see D&C 29:35).  Spiritually speaking, there are those of whose spiritual maturity is that of a child.  We possess limited agency due to our ignorance of the law governing the world and how to effectuate those law.  Conversely, there are a select few who possess great agency who, when called upon, can effectuate greater things.  They can heal diseases and illness that modern medicine can't solve.  They can raise the dead to life.  They can produce wonders that most only dream.  

Question About the 24 Elders

5 Q. What are we to understand by the four and twenty elders, spoken of by John? A. We are to understand that these elders whom John saw, were elders who had been faithful in the work of the ministry and were dead; who belonged to the seven churches, and were then in the paradise of God.

Questions About the Book and Its Seals

6 Q. What are we to understand by the book which John saw, which was sealed on the back with seven seals? A. We are to understand that it contains the revealed will, mysteries, and the works of God; the hidden things of his economy concerning this earth during the seven thousand years of its continuance, or its temporal existence.

7 Q. What are we to understand by the seven seals with which it was sealed? A. We are to understand that the first seal contains the things of the first thousand years, and the second also of the second thousand years, and so on until the seventh.

• Verse 7: Thousand Years
• The seals refers to in this verse are mentioned in Revelation chapters 6-8.  Here is a snipit. 
• 1 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. 2 And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer. 3 And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.
• According to verse 7, each seals represent a thousand years of the world.  Thus the first and second seal refer to events in the past.  However, this statement is incorrect.  
• To understand why, it's important to understand that that the revelations in Doctrine and Covenants are not perfect and went through many revisions after JS received them.  Some of these revisions were done without JS's knowledge.  According to the Joseph Smith Paper's Project, section 77 was highly edited by varying people. Some of these edits were redactions, while others were substantive changes.  Due to each person's handwriting, scholars have been able to identify some of the people who made revisions to section 77.  Rigdon appears to have made the most changes, with John Whitmer correcting Rigdon's changes.  Oliver Cowdery also seems to have made revisions as well. 
• In addition to this, we also have a record of JS' teaching about the Book of Revelation that he gave towards the end of his life, April 8th, 1843.   JS taught that the "things which John saw" had "no allusion to anything that had been on the earth previous to [his] time...because they were the representation of 'things which must shortly comes to pass,' and not of what has already transpired." Therefore, "the revelations do not give us to understand anything of the past in relations to the kingdom of God." (Words of Joseph Smith 1843) 
• Therefore, although verse 7 says that the seals John saw that were attached on the back of a book represent a thousand years, this is incorrect due to the fact that many revisions were made to section 77 and that JS later teachings directly refute it.  
• In other words, the seals represent future events, not past events. 

Question About the Angels 

8 Q. What are we to understand by the four angels, spoken of in the 7th chapter and 1st verse of Revelation? A. We are to understand that they are four angels sent forth from God, to whom is given power over the four parts of the earth, to save life and to destroy; these are they [the angels] who have the everlasting gospel to commit to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people; having power to shut up the heavens, to seal up unto life, or to cast down to the regions of darkness [In the hierarchy of heaven, their are four angels who have power over the earth.  Each angel having jurisdiction over a quarter of the earth.  They have power to "shut up" the heavens, to share the gospel, to "seal up" unto eternal life].

9 Q. What are we to understand by the angel ascending from the east, Revelation 7th chapter and 2nd verse? A. We are to understand that the angel ascending from the east is he to whom is given the seal of the living God over the twelve tribes of Israel; wherefore, he crieth unto the four angels having the everlasting gospel, saying: Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And, if you will receive it, this is Elias (Elijah) [the angel "ascending for the east" is Elias (Elijah)] which was to come to gather together the tribes of Israel and restore all things [The duty of the Elias is to gather the tribes of Israel].

10 Q. What time are the things spoken of in this chapter [chapter 7] to be accomplished? A. They are to be accomplished in the sixth thousand years, or the opening of the sixth seal.

• Verse 10: Things Spoken of In This Chapter 
• As explained above, the seal represent future time period.  Before Christ appears, the earth will go through seven seals -- with each seal getting progressively worse.  The events in chapter seven pertain to the sixth seal.  The events that occur in the 6th seal are as follows: 
  
• Great earthquake
• The sun becoming black 
• Stars (asteroids?) falling from heaven and people hiding themselves from them
• The sealing of the 144 Thousand (see below) 
• The martyrdom and death of many (a "great multitude') saints.  Their faithfulness during the period of tribulation allows them to be clothes in white -- in other words, to be sanctified.  These dwell in God's presence. 

Questions about the Sealing of the 144 Thousand

11 Q. What are we to understand by sealing the one hundred and forty-four thousand, out of all the tribes of Israel—twelve thousand out of every tribe? A. We are to understand that those who are sealed are high priests, ordained unto the holy order of God, to administer the everlasting gospel; for they are they who are ordained out of every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, by the angels to whom is given power over the nations of the earth, to bring as many as will come to the church of the Firstborn.

• Verse 11: The Sealing of the 144 Thousand
• As we learned above and as I have explained in previous posts, there will be an Elias figure whose obligation is to gather Israel.  But he will not do this alone.  He will have help.  His helpers are called the 144 Thousand -- consisting of 12 Thousand people from each tribe.  Chapter 14 of Revelation is our reference. These are ordained to their office by the four angels who have power over the earth. 
• Chapters 14 describes the 144 Thousand standing with the Lord on mount Zion.  John observed that they have the Father's name written in their foreheads.  These imagery of the Father's name being written on the foreheads has a couple layers of meaning.  One layer is that "name" refers to a person's essence.  Thus to have the Father's name means to embody the Father's character.  This idea is supported by verse 14:5 where we learn that the 144 Thousand are "without fault."  
• A second layer of meaning derives from the Old Testament.  And this has to do with the imagery of having a name on one's forehead.  Upon Aaron's call to be the High Priest, the Lord instructs him to wear the Lord's name upon his forehead.
• 36 ¶ And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD. 37 And thou shalt put it [the engraving] on a blue lace, that it may be upon the mitre; upon the forefront of the mitre it shall be. 38 And it shall be upon Aaron’s forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall be always upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the Lord. (Exodus 28) 

12 Q. What are we to understand by the sounding of the trumpets, mentioned in the 8th chapter of Revelation? A. We are to understand that as God made the world in six days, and on the seventh day he finished his work, and sanctified it, and also formed man out of the dust of the earth, even so, in the beginning of the seventh thousand years will the Lord God sanctify the earth, and complete the salvation of man, and judge all things, and shall redeem all things, except that which he hath not put into his power, when he shall have sealed all things, unto the end of all things; and the sounding of the trumpets of the seven angels are the preparing and finishing of his work, in the beginning of the seventh thousand years—the preparing of the way before the time of his coming.

• Verse 12: As God Made The World in Six Days
• As we recall in Genesis, the Lord made the world in six days.  The seventh days was ordained to be a day of rest.  Adam and Eve broke this commandment by partaking from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This resulted in the fall requiring a redeemer to set things straight.  The establishment of Zion represents the ideal seventh day rest.  
• In verse 12 of section 77, we learn that the seven seals are a representation of the creation of the world.  Each seal represents a day of creation.  However, unlike the creation in Genesis, where God ordered the world out of nothingness (chaos).  God will use chaos to to eventually bring order.  He will allow chaos to destroy Babylon, paving the way for Zion, ushering in the 7th day of rest -- a paradisiacal glory. 

13 Q. When are the things to be accomplished, which are written in the 9th chapter of Revelation? A. They are to be accomplished after the opening of the seventh seal, before the coming of Christ.

• Verse 13: Accomplished After the Opening of the Seventh Seal 
• As explained above, the end-time judgment will occur through a seven seal interval.  For those interested in learning more, it's worthwhile to write down what occurs in each of the seals.  In 77:10, we learned about the events to occur in the sixth seal.  Now we'll focus, broadly, on what is to occur in the seventh seal. 
• When the seventh seal immediately open there will be silence in heaven for a space of half and hour.  Later, 7 angels will sound their trumpet is succession.  Each sound will signal an event. The seventh trump will signal the end of judgment.  It proceeds Christ's coming. 

14 Q. What are we to understand by the little book which was eaten by John, as mentioned in the 10th chapter of Revelation? A. We are to understand that it was a mission, and an ordinance, for him to gather the tribes of Israel; behold, this is Elias, who, as it is written, must come and restore all things.

15 Q. What is to be understood by the two witnesses, in the eleventh chapter of Revelation? A. They are two prophets that are to be raised up to the Jewish nation in the last days, at the time of the restoration, and to prophesy to the Jews after they are gathered and have built the city of Jerusalem in the land of their fathers.

• Verse 15: The Two Witnesses
• Interesting detail is the phrase "time of the restoration."  The word restoration carries a particular, a unique, meaning in the LDS church, which refers to the restoring of the gospel through JS.  However, another meaning of restoration is the restoring of the tribes.  This is the meaning most used in the scriptures.  The ultimate objective of the Lord is to restore the tribes unto him.  
• Applied to verse 15, the time of the restoration refers to the gathering of the tribes.  What this likely means is that as the tribes are being gathered, the Lord will send two prophets to Jerusalem as part of that gathering.  They will preach specifically to the Jews.  We learn from Revelation 11:3 that these prophets will prophesy for 3.5 years.  Afterwards, they will be killed. Their bodies will lay in the streets for 3.5 days, arising afterwards.  Isaiah prophesies about this event. 
• 17 Awake, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem, which hast drunk at the hand of the Lord the cup of his fury—thou hast drunken the dregs of the cup of trembling wrung out—18 And none to guide her among all the sons she hath brought forth; neither that taketh her by the hand, of all the sons she hath brought up. 19 These two sons [two prophets] are come unto thee, who shall be sorry for thee—thy desolation and destruction, and the famine and the sword—and by whom shall I comfort thee? 20 Thy sons have fainted, save these two; they lie at the head of all the streets; as a wild bull in a net, they are full of the fury of the Lord, the rebuke of thy God.

Section 78

Background Information 

Section 78 was received on March 1, 1832, in Kirtland, Ohio, while Joseph was visiting there from Hiram, Ohio.  This revelation deals with the church's mercantile and publishing endeavors.  As more church members gathered to Jackson Country, Missouri, in 1831 to establish Zion, the need for money to purchase land become an issue. Money was also needed to fund the publication of JS' revelations. 

On March 1, 1832, JS, who was visiting Kirtland, assembled a group of high priests to discuss the coordination of the church's publication and mercantile endeavors.  At this meeting, JS received this revelation, which instructed himself, SR, and Newel K. Whitney to organize a "firm" to manage the "Literary and Merchantile establishments” of the church (later edited in the revelation to read "in regulating and establishing the affairs of the storehouse for the poor of my people” ).  The revelation also required JS, Rigdon, and Whitney to travel to Zion and “sit in councel” with the church there and emphasized the need for church members to be equal in temporal things in order for unity to prevail in spiritual matters.

The Literary and Mercantile establishments refers to two firms.  The Literary Firm and the United Firm.  We learned about the organization of the Literary Firm in section 70. The United Firm was formally organized on April 1832.  The United Firm was an organization that supervised the management of church enterprises and properties from 1832 to 1834.  It managed church farmland properties in the Kirtland area and the Gilbert and Whitney stores in Kirtland and Independence, a tannery, a printing shop, an ashery, and a steam saw mill.  It consisted of nine elders who had a specific stewardship.  Six were stewards of the Literary Firm, which oversaw the Church's publishing operations.  Three (Partridge, Whitney, and Gilbert) were charged with managing the Church storehouse in Ohio and Missouri.  In 1833, two additional members—Frederick G. Williams and John Johnson—were added to the firm, both by revelation.

Yet, the United Firm did not last for long.  

The firm’s Missouri operations were halted by the November 1833 expulsion of Saints from Jackson County, and the firm faced substantial indebtedness for mortgage payments and a printing press. After efforts to raise funds to repay the firm’s debts failed, an April 1834 revelation directed that the United Firm in Kirtland be separated from that in Missouri.  The revelation also called for a redistribution of the Kirtland firm’s assets to its officers and cancellation of all debts they owed each other. In effect, this marked the end of the United Firm since its supervisory function was largely assumed by the Kirtland high council thereafter.

Due to the failures and challenges, the Lord revealed the law of tithing (recorded in section 119) to help finance the church's operations.  

Section

1 The Lord spake unto Joseph Smith, Jun., saying: Hearken unto me, saith the Lord your God, who are ordained unto the high priesthood of my church, who have assembled yourselves together [this revelation is addressed to those of the high priesthood]; 2 And listen to the counsel of him who has ordained you from on high, who shall speak in your ears the words of wisdom, that salvation may be unto you in that thing which you have presented before me, saith the Lord God.

3 For verily I say unto you, the time has come, and is now at hand; and behold, and lo, it must needs be that there be an organization of my people, in regulating and establishing the affairs of the storehouse for the poor of my people [original revelation called for the organization of "the Literary and Mercantile establishments of my church."], both in this place [Ohio] and in the land of Zion [Missouri]— 4 For a permanent and everlasting establishment and order unto my church, to advance the cause, which ye have espoused, to the salvation of man, and to the glory of your Father who is in heaven; 5 That you may be equal in the bonds of heavenly things, yea, and earthly things also, for the obtaining of heavenly things. 6 For if ye are not equal in earthly things ye cannot be equal in obtaining heavenly things; 7 For if you will that I give unto you a place in the celestial world, you must prepare yourselves by doing the things which I have commanded you and required of you.

• Verse 3: Must Needs Be That There Be An Organization of My People
• The Lord directs the high priests to organize a firm in both Ohio and Missouri.  The firm was to be a "permanent and everlasting" establishment in order to advance the cause of Zion by ensuring that church may be equal in temporal and heavenly things and for the salvation of men.  The organization of this firm, as the Lord points out, is essential because it was given to prepare the church to live a celestial law and therefore inherit the celestial kingdom.  Therefore within the commands for the Firm is a glimpse into the law of the celestial kingdom
• George Q. Cannon taught: “The organization of society that exists in the heavens must exist on the earth; the same condition of society, so far as it is applicable to mortal beings, must exist here” (JD, 13:99).  This is the mirror image concept.  The heavenly Zion won't come to earth until earth establishes a similar society, that abides by the same laws. 
• As one scholar has pointed out, to be equal in the bonds of heavenly things includes being equal in power, as those who dwell in the presence of the Father are made "equal in power, and in might, and in dominion." (see D&C 76:95); see also A. Don Sorenson, Being Equal in Earthly and Heavenly Power: The Idea of Stewardship in the United Order,” BYU Studies [1977], 18:1)
• Most of use the terms law of consecration and the united order synonymously .  But this is incorrect.  As one scholar notes, the law of consecration was primarily an agrarian endeavor.  Namely, it involved the deeding of land to the church, which the church then deed back to the person a portion.  That portion was the person's stewardship.  The Literary Firm and United Firm arose due to the need for other types of enterprises. 
• The Literary Firm oversaw the printing and selling scriptures and other publications produced by the Church.  The United Firm was established to conduct business ventures to furnish surplus to help stabilize the both the agrarian efforts under the law of consecration and the literary firm. 

8 And now, verily thus saith the Lord, it is expedient that all things be done unto my glory, by you who are joined together in this order; 9 Or, in other words, let my servant Newel K. Whitney and my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and my servant Sidney Rigdon sit in council with the saints which are in Zion; 10 Otherwise Satan seeketh to turn their hearts away from the truth, that they become blinded and understand not the things which are prepared for them. 11 Wherefore, a commandment I give unto you, to prepare and organize yourselves by a bond or everlasting covenant that cannot be broken. 12 And he who breaketh it shall lose his office and standing in the church, and shall be delivered over to the buffetings of Satan until the day of redemption.

• Verse 9: Sit in Council 
• The Lord calls three members of the United Firm to travel to Independence, Missouri. Obedient to this commandment, these three brethren, accompanied by Jesse Gause, traveled to Independence, met with the members and the leaders, and inducted Oliver Cowdery, Edward Partridge, Sidney Gilbert, John Whitmer, and W. W. Phelps into the United Firm. Martin Harris, Jesse Gause, and eventually Frederick G. Williams and John Johnson were also members of the Firm. The retail store that had been established in Independence by Sidney Gilbert, Newel K. Whitney’s former associate in Kirtland, became the bishop’s storehouse in Zion (see D&C 57:8).
• Verse 10: Satan Seeketh to Turn Their Hearts Away from the Truth 
• One commentator explained:
• Apparently the saints in Zion were having as much difficulty implementing the principles of consecration and establishing a viable storehouse as the saints in Kirtland.  JS and others were to travel there to assist the elders so they are not turned from the truth.  
• When one has truth and then turns from it, the result is spiritual blindness.  To understand this principle, consider what one has to do to ignore the sun.  They have to "blind" themselves, in a sense, to the light.  They either close their eyes or remove themselves from its penetrating light.  When one rejects truth (which is light), one is, in effect, doing the same thing.  They are choosing to "close" their eyes.  But without the light they have rejected, they are unable to understand greater spiritual things. 
• The Lord intended to prepare the saints in Missouri to establish Zion the place.  But to do so required that they understood the principles of building it.  The economic principles and law governing Zion are not part of this world, therefore they would need to be guided line-upon-line until they comprehended what was required. 
• The organizing model for United Firm serves as a glimpse into this pattern.  Unfortunately the firm was disbanded because the saints failed to live the law for its successful implementation.  And it was only a preparation for the law of the celestial kingdom (see verse 13)  

13 Behold, this is the preparation wherewith I prepare you, and the foundation, and the ensample which I give unto you, whereby you may accomplish the commandments which are given you; 14 That through my providence, notwithstanding the tribulation which shall descend upon you [Zion will only be established by passing through tribulation], that the church may stand independent above all other creatures beneath the celestial world; 15 That you may come up unto the crown prepared for you, and be made rulers over many kingdoms, saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Zion, who hath established the foundations of Adam-ondi-Ahman; 16 Who hath appointed Michael your prince, and established his feet, and set him upon high, and given unto him [Michael] the keys of salvation under the counsel and direction of the Holy One, who is without beginning of days or end of life.

• Verse 13: This is the Preparation...and the Ensample
• One commentator explained:
• The creation of the United Firm was not the ultimate fulfillment of the law of consecration, but it was a beginning and an example of how the principle could be implemented and the commandment obeyed.  It was an excellent model for all of the Church to watch -- and even the world.  The United Firm was designed to serve as an example for the nations -- for the church to stand independent, to stand unique, in front of the world. 
• The commandment will only be fulfilled or accomplished when the saints have collectively established Zion in preparation for the second coming of the Lord by living the law of consecration and becoming equal in temporal things. 
• Verse 15: Adam-ondi-Ahman
• One commentator explained:
• Adam-ondi-Ahman is the name of the place where Adam and Eve settled after they were expelled from the Garden of Eden (see D&C 117:8) (See Orson Pratt, JD, 18:343).  It was there that the Lord appeared to Adam and his righteous posterity three years before Adam’s death, and it is there that another great meeting with the Savior will take place before his second coming.
• This phrase in verse 15 and all of verse 16 were not in the original revelation of section 78, but were added to the text by the Prophet Joseph in the first printed edition in 1835.  By that time the name and the significance of Adam-ondi-Ahman had apparently been revealed to the Prophet, and three years later in May 1838, Joseph indicated that Adam-ondi-Ahman had been located at a place the saints called Spring Hill in Daviess County, about sixty miles north of Independence (HC, 3:35).
• Verse 16: Michael Your Prince
• One commentator explained:
• Michael, or Adam, is not the king, for Christ is King (see Revelation 19:16).  But Michael is the next in authority and is the prince of the kingdom of God.  In this role he represents all of us as heirs to the kingdom.  Adam still stands at the head of his posterity, the human family, but in subjection to Christ his King.  Next to Christ, Adam holds the keys of salvation and works for the benefit of his posterity.  According to Joseph Smith, “The Priesthood was first given to Adam; he obtained the First Presidency and held the keys of it from generation to generation. . . . The keys have to be brought from heaven whenever the Gospel is sent.  When they are revealed from heaven, it is by Adam’s authority” (HC, 3:385-86).

17 Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye are little children, and ye have not as yet understood how great blessings the Father hath in his own hands and prepared for you; 18 And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along [line upon line]. The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours. 19 And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more. 20 Wherefore, do the things which I have commanded you, saith your Redeemer, even the Son Ahman, who prepareth all things before he taketh you; 21 For ye are the church of the Firstborn, and he will take you up in a cloud, and appoint every man his portion. 22 And he that is a faithful and wise steward shall inherit all things. Amen.

• Verse 20: Son Ahman
• Orson Pratt taught: There is one revelation that this people are not generally acquainted with. I think it has never been published, but probably it will be in the Church History.  It is given in questions and answers.  The first question is, “What is the name of God in the pure language?”  The answer is “Ahman.”  “What is the name of the Son of God?”  Answer, “Son Ahman” (JD, 2:342).
• In Moses 6:57 we find that the interpretation of “Ahman” is “Man of Holiness,” and thus “Son Ahman” means the “Son of Man of Holiness”.  Or, in a shortened form, “Son of Man.”
• Wherefore teach it unto your children, that all men, everywhere, must repent, or they can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God, for no unclean thing can dwell there, or dwell in his presence; for, in the language of Adam, Man of Holiness is his name, and the name of his Only Begotten is the Son of Man, even Jesus Christ, a righteous Judge, who shall come in the meridian of time.

Section 79

Background Information 

Section 79 was received by JS on March 12, 1832 in Hiram, Ohio.  The revelations was directed to Jared Carter who spent much of late 1831 and early 1832 proselytizing in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and Vermont.  A few weeks after he returned to Ohio, he traveled to Hiram, Ohio where JS with living in the home of John and Alice Johnson.  Carter recorded in his journal that his purpose in visting the prophet was was to visit “the Seaer to enquier the will of the Lord concerning my minestry the ensuin[g] season.” In response to the Carter's inquiry, the Lord directed Carter to preach the gospel again the eastern United States.  Carter was 30 years old when section 79 was given. 

Section

1 [Lord beings the revelation by addressing Carter in the third person] Verily I say unto you, that it is my will that my servant Jared Carter should go again into the eastern countries, from place to place, and from city to city, in the power of the ordination wherewith he has been ordained, proclaiming glad tidings of great joy, even the everlasting gospel. 2 And I will send upon him the Comforter, which shall teach him the truth and the way whither he shall go [The Lord promises to given Carter the comforter]; 3 And inasmuch as he is faithful, I will crown him again with sheaves [The Lord gives Cater a conditional promise -- if Cater is faithful, he will have success]. 4 Wherefore, [Lord shifts to addressing Carter directly] let your heart be glad, my servant Jared Carter, and fear not, saith your Lord, even Jesus Christ. Amen.

• Verse 3: I Will Crown Him...With Sheaves 
• Jared Cater was obedient to the Lord and after this revelation was given spent many months in eastern Vermont preaching the word of God.  When he returned, he recorded: "I have been gone six months and two days.  The Lord has permitted me to administer the Gospel to 79 souls, and many other by my instrumentality have been convinced of this glorious work." He later went on to add: "God has blessed me according to the prophecy of Brother Joseph before I went from Ohio." 
• Despite Cater's success, he later left the church and settled in Chicago after the events in the Nauvoo period.  Prior to leaving, he noted in his journal that "the Spirit of God in a measure has left me." 

Section 80

Background Information

Although this revelation is comes after section 79 in Doctrine and Covenants, it most likely was received, chronologically, before section 79.  Frederick G. Williams, who was in charge of recording and keeping the revelations, dates this revelation on March 7, 1832 to a Stephen Burnett.  Burnett was ordained to the high priesthood at the age of 17 at the October 1831 conference held in Orange, Ohio.  Three months later, at the January 25, 1832 conference in Amherst, Ohio, JS dictated a revelation appointing Burnett to travel and preach with Ruggles Eames -- though it is not known if Burnett and Eames fulfilled that assignment.  He was 18 when section 80 was given.  

This March 7 revelation appointed Burnett to travel and preach again, this time with Eden Smith. However, the two did not preach together until August 1832 because Eden Smith became sick on  March 7 and remained ill “for sometime.”  Instead, two weeks after this revelation was dictated, Burnett began his mission with John Smith, Eden’s father.  Section 80 was likely a mission reassignment. 

Section 

1 Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you my servant Stephen Burnett: Go ye, go ye into the world and preach the gospel to every creature that cometh under the sound of your voice. 2 And inasmuch as you desire a companion, I will give unto you my servant Eden Smith. 3 Wherefore, go ye and preach my gospel, whether to the north or to the south, to the east or to the west, it mattereth not, for ye cannot go amiss. 4 Therefore, declare the things which ye have heard, and verily believe, and know to be true. 5 Behold, this is the will of him who hath called you, your Redeemer, even Jesus Christ. Amen.

Burnett's life after section 80.  

Despite Burnett's prodigious pedigree, he, like Cater, eventually left the church and joined with Warren Parrish in denouncing JS as a fallen prophet and in vilifying those who continued to stand by JS.  In the Elder's Journal, published in 1838 and edited by JS, it described Burnett at this time has becoming "a little ignorant blockhead whose heart was so set on money, that he would ay any time, sell his soul for fifty dollars."  It further noted that Stephen "had got wearied of the restraints of religion.  [And then, in apostasy] rejoiced in the great victory he had obtained over the great God and all the holy angels, how he had discovered them as liars and impostures." 

Both these section can teach us an important lesson that no matter the blessings or the potential we have, we must endure to the end.