D&C 55

Section Overview

What happens in D&C 55

Received in June 1831 in Kirtland, Ohio. This revelation called William W. Phelps, a former newspaper editor and printer from New York, to assist Oliver Cowdery in the Church's printing operations. Phelps was also called to write and select books for Church schools.

Scripture

W.W. Phelps Called to Be Baptized and Ordained

Study note

Phelps is called to be baptized, receive the Holy Ghost, and be ordained an elder in the Church.

1 Behold, thus saith the Lord unto you, my servant William, yea, even the Lord of the whole earth, thou art called and chosen; and after thou hast been baptized by water, which if you do with an eye single to my glory, you shall have a remission of your sins and a reception of the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands;

2 And then thou shalt be ordained by the hand of my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., to be an elder unto this church, to preach repentance and remission of sins by way of baptism in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God.

3 And on whomsoever you shall lay your hands, if they are contrite before me, you shall have power to give the Holy Spirit.

Called to Printing and Church Education

Study note

He is specifically assigned to assist Oliver Cowdery in printing, writing, and selecting materials for schools in the Church.

4 And again, you shall be ordained to assist my servant Oliver Cowdery to do the work of printing, and of selecting and writing books for schools in this church, that little children also may receive instruction before me as is pleasing unto me.

5 And again, verily I say unto you, for this cause you shall take your journey with my servants Joseph Smith, Jun., and Sidney Rigdon, that you may be planted in the land of your inheritance to do this work.

6 And again, let my servant Joseph Coe also take his journey with them. The residue shall be made known hereafter, even as I will. Amen.

Key Themes

Themes in D&C 55

Consecrating professional talents to God's workThe importance of publishing and education in the ChurchUsing personal abilities in the service of the kingdomThe printed word as a tool for building Zion

Scripture Connections

How this section connects to Christ

D&C 55 4 2 Timothy 4:13

Paul's concern for books and parchments reflects the same priority the Lord places here on printing and preserving written materials for the Church.

D&C 55 4-6 Nehemiah 8:1-8

Ezra and the Levites read and taught the law to the people with understanding, paralleling the assignment to prepare educational materials for Church schools.

Apply This Today

Living D&C 55

W.W. Phelps had professional skills as a printer and writer that the Lord put to immediate use. This reminds us that God often calls us to serve with the very talents and skills we have developed in our secular lives. Our professional expertise, education, and natural abilities are not separate from our spiritual lives—they are resources the Lord can use. Whether we are writers, teachers, builders, or managers, consecrating our skills to the Lord's purposes magnifies both our contribution and our own growth.

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