D&C 115

Section Overview

What happens in D&C 115

Received April 26, 1838, at Far West, Missouri. This revelation officially names the Church as 'The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,' commands the building of a temple at Far West, and defines the concept of Zion and her stakes as places of defense and refuge.

Scripture

The Church Officially Named

Study note

The Lord declares that the Church shall be called 'The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.' This distinguishes it from all other churches and centers its identity in Jesus Christ.

1 Verily thus saith the Lord unto you, my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and also my servant Sidney Rigdon, and also my servant Hyrum Smith, and your counselors who are and shall be appointed hereafter;

2 And also unto you, my servant Edward Partridge, and his counselors;

3 And also unto my faithful servants who are of the high council of my church in Zion, for thus it shall be called, and unto all the elders and people of my Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, scattered abroad in all the world;

4 For thus shall my church be called in the last days, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Zion and Her Stakes

Study note

Far West is designated as a holy and consecrated land. The Saints are commanded to gather and build up Zion and her stakes, which are to be places of defense and refuge.

5 Verily I say unto you all: Arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations;

6 And that the gathering together upon the land of Zion, and upon her stakes, may be for a defense, and for a refuge from the storm, and from wrath when it shall be poured out without mixture upon the whole earth.

7 Let the city, Far West, be a holy and consecrated land unto me; and it shall be called most holy, for the ground upon which thou standest is holy.

8 Therefore, I command you to build a house unto me, for the gathering together of my saints, that they may worship me.

9 And let there be a beginning of this work, and a foundation, and a preparatory work, this following summer;

10 And let the beginning be made on the fourth day of July next; and from that time forth let my people labor diligently to build a house unto my name;

11 And in one year from this day let them re-commence laying the foundation of my house.

12 Thus let them from that time forth labor diligently until it shall be finished, from the cornerstone thereof unto the top thereof, until there shall not anything remain that is not finished.

Command to Build the Far West Temple

Study note

The Saints are commanded to begin laying the foundation of a temple in Far West. Specific instructions and a timeline are given for the work.

13 Verily I say unto you, let not my servant Joseph, neither my servant Sidney, neither my servant Hyrum, get in debt any more for the building of a house unto my name;

14 But let a house be built unto my name according to the pattern which I will show unto them.

15 And if my people build it not according to the pattern which I shall show unto their presidency, I will not accept it at their hands.

16 But if my people do build it according to the pattern which I shall show unto their presidency, even my servant Joseph and his counselors, then I will accept it at the hands of my people.

17 And again, verily I say unto you, it is my will that the city of Far West should be built up speedily by the gathering of my saints;

18 And also that other places should be appointed for stakes in the regions round about, as they shall be manifested unto my servant Joseph, from time to time.

19 For behold, I will be with him, and I will sanctify him before the people; for unto him have I given the keys of this kingdom and ministry. Even so. Amen.

Key Themes

Themes in D&C 115

The official name of the Church bears Christ's nameZion and her stakes as refuge and defenseTemple building as a divine priorityFar West as a gathering placeIdentity centered in Jesus Christ

Scripture Connections

How this section connects to Christ

D&C 115 4 Acts 11:26

The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch; similarly, the Lord now formally names his restored Church to bear the name of Jesus Christ.

D&C 115 5-6 Isaiah 33:20-21

The concept of Zion and stakes of defense echoes Isaiah's vision of Zion as a quiet habitation with stakes that shall not be removed.

D&C 115 13-16 Haggai 1:8

The command to build a temple parallels Haggai's prophetic instruction to the Jews to go up to the mountain and build the house of the Lord.

Apply This Today

Living D&C 115

The naming of the Church is not a trivial administrative detail—it is a declaration of identity. Bearing the name of Jesus Christ means every member represents him. The concept of stakes as places of defense and refuge teaches that congregations should be sanctuaries where people feel safe, supported, and strengthened against the challenges of the world.

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