D&C 125

Section Overview

What happens in D&C 125

Received in March 1841 at Nauvoo, Illinois. This brief revelation addresses the Saints living across the Mississippi River in Iowa, directing them to gather to the stakes of Zarahemla and Nashville, Iowa, rather than remaining scattered.

Scripture

Gathering to Iowa Stakes

Study note

The Saints in Iowa are told that it is the Lord's will for them to gather and build up the designated stakes rather than remain scattered. Zarahemla and Nashville are named as gathering places.

1 What is the will of the Lord concerning the saints in the Territory of Iowa?

2 Verily, thus saith the Lord, I say unto you, if those who call themselves by my name and are essaying to be my saints, if they will do my will and keep my commandments concerning them, let them gather themselves together unto the places which I shall appoint unto them by my servant Joseph, and build up cities unto my name, that they may be prepared for that which is in store for a time to come.

3 Let them build up a city unto my name upon the land opposite the city of Nauvoo, and let the name of Zarahemla be named upon it.

4 And let all those who come from the east, and the west, and the north, and the south, that have desires to dwell therein, take up their inheritance in the same, as well as in the city of Nashville, or in the city of Nauvoo, and in all the stakes which I have appointed, saith the Lord.

Key Themes

Themes in D&C 125

Gathering as a commandmentBuilding stakes in specific locationsUnity and consolidation of the SaintsObedience in practical relocation

Scripture Connections

How this section connects to Christ

D&C 125 2-3 Jeremiah 31:8-10

The call to gather connects to Jeremiah's prophecy that God would gather the scattered of Israel from the coasts of the earth and bring them together as a flock.

D&C 125 4 Hebrews 10:25

The instruction to gather rather than remain scattered echoes the New Testament counsel to not forsake the assembling of yourselves together.

Apply This Today

Living D&C 125

This brief revelation shows that the gathering of Israel is not just a grand prophetic concept—it requires practical, sometimes inconvenient, decisions about where to live and how to organize communities. The Lord cares about the details of our physical gathering because proximity enables mutual support, worship, and community building. Even today, belonging to a ward or branch and gathering with fellow Saints strengthens our discipleship.

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