D&C 78

Section Overview

What happens in D&C 78

Received in March 1832, in Kirtland, Ohio. The Lord commanded the establishment of a storehouse for the poor and a united order (originally called the 'United Firm') to manage the temporal affairs of the Church. This revelation emphasizes equality in temporal things as a foundation for receiving greater spiritual blessings, and it establishes a binding covenant among Church leaders for the management of resources.

Scripture

Organize Yourselves and Establish a Storehouse

Study note

The Lord commands the Saints to organize a storehouse and bind themselves in a covenant of equality. Equal access to temporal things is necessary for spiritual advancement.

1 The Lord spake unto Joseph Smith, Jun., saying: Hearken unto me, saith the Lord your God, who are ordained unto the high priesthood of my church, who have assembled yourselves together;

2 And listen to the counsel of him who has ordained you from on high, who shall speak in your ears the words of wisdom, that salvation may be unto you in that thing which you have presented before me, saith the Lord God.

3 For verily I say unto you, the time has come, and is now at hand; and behold, and lo, it must needs be that there be an organization of my people, in regulating and establishing the affairs of the storehouse for the poor of my people, both in this place and in the land of Zion—

4 For a permanent and everlasting establishment and order unto my church, to advance the cause, which ye have espoused, to the salvation of man, and to the glory of your Father who is in heaven;

5 That you may be equal in the bonds of heavenly things, yea, and earthly things also, for the obtaining of heavenly things.

6 For if ye are not equal in earthly things ye cannot be equal in obtaining heavenly things;

7 For if you will that I give unto you a place in the celestial world, you must prepare yourselves by doing the things which I have commanded you and required of you.

Eternal Purpose Behind Temporal Equality

Study note

The Lord reveals that these temporal preparations have eternal significance. The earth is the Lord's and its fulness, and He prepares the Saints for a celestial glory through learning to share.

8 And now, verily thus saith the Lord, it is expedient that all things be done unto my glory, by you who are joined together in this order;

9 Or, in other words, let my servant Newel K. Whitney and my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and my servant Sidney Rigdon sit in council with the saints which are in Zion;

10 Otherwise Satan seeketh to turn their hearts away from the truth, that they become blinded and understand not the things which are prepared for them.

11 Wherefore, a commandment I give unto you, to prepare and organize yourselves by a bond or everlasting covenant that cannot be broken.

12 And he who breaketh it shall lose his office and standing in the church, and shall be delivered over to the buffetings of Satan until the day of redemption.

13 Behold, this is the preparation wherewith I prepare you, and the foundation, and the ensample which I give unto you, whereby you may accomplish the commandments which are given you;

14 That through my providence, notwithstanding the tribulation which shall descend upon you, that the church may stand independent above all other creatures beneath the celestial world;

Covenant of the United Order

Study note

Leaders are bound together as equal partners. Whoever breaks this covenant shall lose their standing and must answer to God. Unity and mutual accountability are paramount.

15 That you may come up unto the crown prepared for you, and be made rulers over many kingdoms, saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Zion, who hath established the foundations of Adam-ondi-Ahman;

16 Who hath appointed Michael your prince, and established his feet, and set him upon high, and given unto him the keys of salvation under the counsel and direction of the Holy One, who is without beginning of days or end of life.

17 Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye are little children, and ye have not as yet understood how great blessings the Father hath in his own hands and prepared for you;

18 And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours.

19 And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more.

20 Wherefore, do the things which I have commanded you, saith your Redeemer, even the Son Ahman, who prepareth all things before he taketh you;

21 For ye are the church of the Firstborn, and he will take you up in a cloud, and appoint every man his portion.

22 And he that is a faithful and wise steward shall inherit all things. Amen.

Key Themes

Themes in D&C 78

Temporal equality among the SaintsThe storehouse system for caring for the poorUnited Order covenant and accountabilityTemporal preparation for eternal gloryThe earth is the Lord's to distribute

Scripture Connections

How this section connects to Christ

D&C 78 3-7 Acts 2:44-45

The establishment of a storehouse and covenant of equality mirrors the early Christian church where believers shared all things in common and distributed to each as any had need.

D&C 78 8-12 Psalms 24:1

The declaration that the earth and its fulness belong to the Lord echoes David's psalm affirming God's ultimate ownership of all creation.

D&C 78 15-22 Matthew 25:40

The covenant to care for one another reflects Christ's teaching that service to the least of His brethren is service rendered directly to Him.

Apply This Today

Living D&C 78

The Lord connects temporal generosity directly to spiritual readiness. We cannot compartmentalize our lives into spiritual and temporal—how we handle money, resources, and care for the poor reflects our discipleship. The principle of equality does not mean identical outcomes but rather that no one should have too much while others suffer want. In a world of vast economic inequality, this revelation challenges us to view our resources as stewardships from God, to be shared generously. Our willingness to covenant with others and keep those covenants reveals the depth of our commitment to Christ.

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