D&C 117

Section Overview

What happens in D&C 117

Received July 8, 1838, at Far West, Missouri. William Marks, Newel K. Whitney, and Oliver Granger are called to specific duties and warned against covetousness. The Lord asks pointedly: 'Is not the earth the Lord's, and the fulness thereof?'

Scripture

Warning Against Covetousness

Study note

The Lord rebukes those who are not willing to consecrate their properties and warns against coveting worldly possessions. The lands of Zion are the Lord's, and the earth and its fulness belong to him.

1 Verily thus saith the Lord unto my servant William Marks, and also unto my servant Newel K. Whitney, let them settle up their business speedily and journey from the land of Kirtland, before I, the Lord, send again the snows upon the earth.

2 Let them awake, and arise, and come forth, and not tarry, for I, the Lord, command it.

3 Therefore, if they tarry it shall not be well with them.

4 Let them repent of all their sins, and of all their covetous desires, before me, saith the Lord; for what is property unto me? saith the Lord.

5 Let the properties of Kirtland be turned out for debts, saith the Lord. Let them go, saith the Lord, and whatsoever remaineth, let it remain in your hands, saith the Lord.

6 For have I not the fowls of heaven, and also the fish of the sea, and the beasts of the mountains? Have I not made the earth? Do I not hold the destinies of all the armies of the nations of the earth?

7 Therefore, will I not make solitary places to bud and to blossom, and to bring forth in abundance? saith the Lord.

8 Is there not room enough on the mountains of Adam-ondi-Ahman, and on the plains of Olaha Shinehah, or the land where Adam dwelt, that you should covet that which is but the drop, and neglect the more weighty matters?

Specific Callings for Marks, Whitney, and Granger

Study note

William Marks is called to preside in a specific location. Newel K. Whitney is to manage temporal affairs faithfully. Oliver Granger is commended and told his name will be held in sacred remembrance.

9 Therefore, come up hither unto the land of my people, even Zion.

10 Let my servant William Marks be faithful over a few things, and he shall be a ruler over many. Let him preside in the midst of my people in the city of Far West, and let him be blessed with the blessings of my people.

11 Let my servant Newel K. Whitney be ashamed of the Nicolaitane band and of all their secret abominations, and of all his littleness of soul before me, saith the Lord, and come up to the land of Adam-ondi-Ahman, and be a bishop unto my people, saith the Lord, not in name but in deed, saith the Lord.

12 And again, I say unto you, I remember my servant Oliver Granger; behold, verily I say unto him that his name shall be had in sacred remembrance from generation to generation, forever and ever, saith the Lord.

13 Therefore, let him contend earnestly for the redemption of the First Presidency of my Church, saith the Lord; and when he falls he shall rise again, for his sacrifice shall be more sacred unto me than his increase, saith the Lord.

14 Therefore, let him come up hither speedily, unto the land of Zion; and in the due time he shall be made a merchant unto my name, saith the Lord, for the benefit of my people.

15 Therefore let no man despise my servant Oliver Granger, but let the blessings of my people be on him forever and ever.

16 And again, verily I say unto you, let all my servants in the land of Kirtland remember the Lord their God, and mine house also, to keep and preserve it holy, and to overthrow the moneychangers in mine own due time, saith the Lord. Even so. Amen.

Key Themes

Themes in D&C 117

The earth belongs to the LordWarning against covetousness and materialismConsecration of temporal resourcesFaithfulness in temporal stewardshipNames remembered or forgotten based on faithfulness

Scripture Connections

How this section connects to Christ

D&C 117 1-6 Psalms 24:1

The declaration that the earth is the Lord's directly echoes David's psalm: 'The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.'

D&C 117 4 Luke 12:15

The warning against covetousness echoes Jesus' teaching to take heed and beware of covetousness, for a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.

D&C 117 12-15 Matthew 25:21

Oliver Granger's commendation for faithful service mirrors the Lord's praise in the parable of the talents: 'Well done, good and faithful servant.'

Apply This Today

Living D&C 117

The pointed question 'Is not the earth the Lord's?' puts all material possessions into perspective. Everything we have is a stewardship from God. When we cling too tightly to possessions, we forget that God is the true owner. Oliver Granger's promise that his name would be held in sacred remembrance shows that faithful service—even in temporal matters—is eternally valued by God.

Go Deeper

Study the Doctrine and Covenants in Covenant Path

Read every section with study aids and daily reading plans — free in the app.

Download for iOS Download for Android