D&C 100

Section Overview

What happens in D&C 100

Received October 12, 1833, in Perrysburg, New York. Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon were away from their families on a preaching mission and were anxious about their loved ones' welfare. The Lord comforted them with the assurance that their families were well, that their missionary journey was necessary, and that Zion would ultimately be redeemed.

Scripture

Comfort: Your Families Are Well

Study note

The Lord reassures Joseph and Sidney that their families are well and in good hands. Their anxieties are addressed with direct, personal comfort from God.

1 Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you, my friends Sidney and Joseph, your families are well; they are in mine hands, and I will do with them as seemeth me good; for in me there is all power.

2 Therefore, follow me, and listen to the counsel which I shall give unto you.

3 Behold, and lo, I have much people in this place, in the regions round about; and an effectual door shall be opened in the regions round about in this eastern land.

4 Therefore, I, the Lord, have suffered you to come unto this place; for thus it was expedient in me for the salvation of souls.

Preach the Gospel Without Fear

Study note

Joseph and Sidney are promised that they will be given what to say in the very moment they need it. They are not to fear, for the Lord will be with them.

5 Therefore, verily I say unto you, lift up your voices unto this people; speak the thoughts that I shall put into your hearts, and you shall not be confounded before men;

6 For it shall be given you in the very hour, yea, in the very moment, what ye shall say.

7 But a commandment I give unto you, that ye shall declare whatsoever thing ye declare in my name, in solemnity of heart, in the spirit of meekness, in all things.

8 And I give unto you this promise, that inasmuch as ye do this the Holy Ghost shall be shed forth in bearing record unto all things whatsoever ye shall say.

The Redemption of Zion Promised

Study note

Despite the persecutions in Missouri, Zion will be redeemed. The Lord promises to gather His people and pour out His Spirit on all flesh. Sidney is given the role of spokesman.

9 And it is expedient in me that you, my servant Sidney, should be a spokesman unto this people; yea, verily, I will ordain you unto this calling, even to be a spokesman unto my servant Joseph.

10 And I will give unto him power to be mighty in testimony.

11 And I will give unto thee power to be mighty in expounding all scriptures, that thou mayest be a spokesman unto him, and he shall be a revelator unto thee, that thou mayest know the certainty of all things pertaining to the things of my kingdom on the earth.

12 Therefore, continue your journey and let your hearts rejoice; for behold, and lo, I am with you even unto the end.

13 And now I give unto you a word concerning Zion. Zion shall be redeemed, although she is chastened for a little season.

14 Thy brethren, my servants Orson Hyde and John Gould, are in my hands; and inasmuch as they keep my commandments they shall be saved.

15 Therefore, let your hearts be comforted; for all things shall work together for good to them that walk uprightly, and to the sanctification of the church.

16 For I will raise up unto myself a pure people, that will serve me in righteousness;

17 And all that call upon the name of the Lord, and keep his commandments, shall be saved. Even so. Amen.

Key Themes

Themes in D&C 100

God's personal comfort in times of anxietyTrust in the Lord when separated from familyThe Spirit provides words in the moment of needZion will ultimately be redeemed despite setbacksSidney Rigdon as spokesman for the Lord's cause

Scripture Connections

How this section connects to Christ

D&C 100 5-8 Matthew 10:19-20

The promise that the Spirit would give them words in the moment of need directly mirrors Jesus' assurance to His disciples that they would be given what to say when brought before authorities.

D&C 100 13-17 Joel 2:28-29

The promise to pour out the Spirit on all flesh echoes Joel's messianic prophecy of the Spirit being poured upon sons, daughters, old men, and young men in the latter days.

D&C 100 1-4 Philippians 4:6-7

The Lord addressing their anxiety with peace parallels Paul's counsel to be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer let your requests be known to God, whose peace surpasses understanding.

Apply This Today

Living D&C 100

Every parent who has been separated from their children for work, service, or necessity knows the anxiety Joseph and Sidney felt. The Lord's response is tender and specific: 'Your families are well.' God is not distant from our daily worries. He knows our hearts and addresses our fears with personal reassurance. The promise that the Spirit will provide the right words in the right moment applies not just to missionaries but to every believer who faces a difficult conversation, a public challenge, or a moment of uncertainty. The redemption of Zion, despite the immediate chaos in Missouri, reminds us that God's long-term plan is never derailed by short-term setbacks.

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