Section 83
Overview
This revelation, classified as Section 83 in the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants (Section 94 in modern editions), outlines the urban planning and ecclesiastical infrastructure for the Church in Kirtland, Ohio. It designates Kirtland as a 'Stake of Zion,' a subsidiary gathering place to the central Zion (Independence, Missouri). The text provides specific architectural dimensions (55 by 65 feet) and functions for two proposed buildings: a house for the First Presidency to administer the church and receive revelations, and a printing office for the translation of scriptures and publishing. Crucially, the text emphasizes that these spaces must remain 'undefiled' to retain God's presence. It also assigns inheritance lots to Hyrum Smith, Reynolds Cahoon, and Jared Carter, appointing the latter two as a building committee. The revelation underscores the institutionalization of the movement, moving from charismatic spontaneity to organized hierarchy and physical permanence.
Key Figures
- The Lord (Speaker)
- Joseph Smith (Recipient/Prophet)
- Hyrum Smith (Designated for inheritance)
- Reynolds Cahoon (Building Committee)
- Jared Carter (Building Committee)
Doctrines Analyzed
Key theological claims identified in this text:
Institutionalized Revelation
Assertion
A physical structure is required for the Presidency to facilitate 'the work of the presidency, in obtaining revelations.'
Evidence from Text
consecrated unto me for the building of an house for the presidency... for the work of the presidency, in obtaining revelations
Evangelical Comparison
In Evangelical theology, the canon of Scripture is closed (Jude 1:3), and the Holy Spirit illuminates the text to believers anywhere (1 Corinthians 2:10-13). This text, however, institutionalizes revelation as an ongoing function of the church hierarchy ('the Presidency') and ties this function to a specific physical location ('an house... for obtaining revelations'). This suggests that divine guidance is not merely spiritual illumination but a continuous stream of new authoritative data requiring administrative management.
Conditional Divine Presence (Sacred Space)
Assertion
God's glory and presence in the holy house are conditional upon the total absence of any 'unclean thing.'
Evidence from Text
if there shall come into it any unclean thing my glory shall not be there; and my presence shall not come into it.
Evangelical Comparison
The text reverts to an Old Testament/Tabernacle theology where God's presence is localized and fragile, retreating if ritual or moral impurity enters the physical space (reminiscent of Ezekiel 10). Evangelical Christianity teaches that through the blood of Christ, the believer becomes the Temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19), and God's presence is guaranteed by the finished work of Christ (Hebrews 13:5), not by the maintenance of a physical building's purity.
The Stake of Zion
Assertion
Kirtland is designated as a 'Stake of Zion,' a physical gathering place requiring specific urban planning.
Evidence from Text
laying out and preparing a beginning and foundation of the city of the stake of Zion, here in the land of Kirtland
Evangelical Comparison
This doctrine emphasizes a geo-political gathering. The term 'Stake' (referencing Isaiah 54:2) is interpreted literally as a tent-peg for a physical city. Evangelicalism interprets New Testament ecclesiology as the spiritual gathering of believers (the invisible church) who are 'strangers and exiles' on earth (1 Peter 2:11), awaiting the New Jerusalem, rather than constructing a holy city in the present temporal age.
Comparative Analysis
Theological Gap
The fundamental gap lies in the locus of the holy. In Evangelicalism, the 'Holy of Holies' is accessible to every believer through Christ (Hebrews 10:19-22), and the church is a spiritual organism. In this text, the holy is re-localized to a geographic 'Stake' and specific buildings. Furthermore, the text formalizes the rejection of Sola Scriptura by constructing a facility specifically for 'obtaining revelations' and printing new translations, asserting that the Bible is insufficient for the governance of the Kingdom.
Friction Points
Sola Scriptura
Establishes a physical office for the production of new, extra-biblical revelations.
Universal Priesthood
Restricts the 'ministry' and 'obtaining revelations' to the Presidency and a specific 'order of the priesthood.'
Christology (Finished Work)
Re-institutes a conditional presence of God based on the purity of a physical building, obscuring the sufficiency of Christ's cleansing.
Eschatology/Ecclesiology
Focuses on building a temporal city (Zion) rather than the spiritual commission to make disciples of all nations.
Semantic Warnings
Terms that have different meanings between traditions:
"Zion"
In This Text
A literal city to be built in America (Kirtland, Independence) with physical infrastructure.
In Evangelicalism
The heavenly city of God (Hebrews 12:22) or the spiritual people of God.
"House of the Lord"
In This Text
A specific temple structure required for ordinances and revelation.
In Evangelicalism
The collective body of believers (1 Peter 2:5) or the church assembly.
Soteriology (Salvation)
Salvation Defined: Implicitly linked to gathering to Zion and participating in the 'work' of the priesthood.
How Attained: Through obedience to commandments (like building houses) and maintaining purity.
Basis of Assurance: The presence of God's glory in the house (which is conditional).
Comparison to Sola Fide: The text focuses entirely on works (building, consecrating, purifying) to secure God's presence, contrasting with Romans 5:1 where peace with God is secured by faith.
Mandates & Requirements
Explicit Commands
- Lay out and prepare the foundation of the city of the stake of Zion in Kirtland.
- Consecrate the first lot on the south for a house for the presidency.
- Dedicate the second lot on the south for a printing house.
- Ensure no unclean thing comes into the sacred houses.
- Reynolds Cahoon and Jared Carter must serve as a building committee.
Implicit Obligations
- Adherents must provide resources (labor/tithes) to build these structures.
- Adherents must accept the 'pattern' given by God through Joseph Smith.
- Adherents must maintain personal worthiness to enter these spaces to avoid driving away God's glory.
Ritual Requirements
- Dedication of land and buildings 'according to the order of the priesthood.'
- Maintenance of ritual purity within the buildings.
Evangelism Toolkit
Practical tools for engagement and dialogue:
Discovery Questions
Open-ended questions to promote reflection:
- The text says if an 'unclean thing' enters the house, God's presence leaves. How does this compare to the promise in Hebrews 13:5 that He will 'never leave you nor forsake you'?
- Why do you think the Presidency needed a specific building to 'obtain revelations' when the Apostle Paul received revelation in prison, at sea, and in homes?
- If the believer is the Temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19), why is there a need to build a physical structure to house God's glory?
Redemptive Analogies
Bridges from this text to the Gospel:
The Pattern
The text emphasizes building according to a strict pattern to please God. In the Gospel, Jesus is the true Pattern and the fulfillment of the Law. We cannot build a perfect life/house, so we trust in His perfect life.
Longing for God's Presence
The text reflects a deep human desire to be near God. The Gospel answers this not with a building we visit, but with the Indwelling Spirit.
Spiritual Weight
Burdens this text places on adherents:
The command to build specific, large structures places a heavy financial and labor burden on the adherents, equating their spiritual standing with their material contributions to the 'city.'
Believers are conditioned to believe they cannot access the fullness of God's will without the 'Presidency' obtaining it for them in a special house.
The threat that 'if there shall come into it any unclean thing my glory shall not be there' creates a hyper-vigilant anxiety. If God leaves because of an error or sin, the community is left vulnerable.
+ Epistemology
Knowledge Source: Prophetic Revelation via the Presidency
Verification Method: Obedience to the 'pattern' revealed to the prophet.
Evangelical Contrast: Evangelical epistemology relies on the objective standard of the written Word (Bible) illuminated by the Spirit (Psalm 119:105). This text relies on subjective, ongoing revelations channeled through a hierarchical office.
+ Textual Criticism
Dating: August 2, 1833
Authorship: Joseph Smith
Textual Issues: This section (now D&C 94) was originally withheld from early publication in the Book of Commandments to protect the church from persecution regarding their building plans, but included in the 1835 D&C.