D&C 81

Section Overview

What happens in D&C 81

Received in March 1832, in Hiram, Ohio. Originally given to Jesse Gause as a counselor in the Presidency of the High Priesthood, this revelation was later applied to Frederick G. Williams when Gause was excommunicated. It outlines the sacred responsibility of serving as a counselor to the Prophet and describes the keys of the kingdom entrusted to the First Presidency.

Scripture

Keys of the Kingdom and the Counselor's Calling

Study note

The counselor is given the keys of the kingdom, which belong always to the First Presidency. This calling carries tremendous responsibility and sacred trust.

1 Verily, verily, I say unto you my servant Frederick G. Williams: Listen to the voice of him who speaketh, to the word of the Lord your God, and hearken to the calling wherewith you are called, even to be a high priest in my church, and a counselor unto my servant Joseph Smith, Jun.;

2 Unto whom I have given the keys of the kingdom, which belong always unto the Presidency of the High Priesthood:

3 Therefore, verily I acknowledge him and will bless him, and also thee, inasmuch as thou art faithful in counsel, in the office which I have appointed unto you, in prayer always, vocally and in thy heart, in public and in private, also in thy ministry in proclaiming the gospel in the land of the living, and among thy brethren.

Duties of a Faithful Counselor

Study note

The counselor must pray, be faithful, and serve the weak, sick, and afflicted. A promise is given that faithfulness in this calling leads to a place in the celestial kingdom.

4 And in doing these things thou wilt do the greatest good unto thy fellow beings, and wilt promote the glory of him who is your Lord.

5 Wherefore, be faithful; stand in the office which I have appointed unto you; succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.

6 And if thou art faithful unto the end thou shalt have a crown of immortality, and eternal life in the mansions which I have prepared in the house of my Father.

7 Behold, and lo, these are the words of Alpha and Omega, even Jesus Christ. Amen.

Key Themes

Themes in D&C 81

Keys of the kingdom in the First PresidencySacred duty of counselors to the ProphetServing the weak and afflicted as ministryFaithfulness in calling leads to eternal rewardLeadership as service to others

Scripture Connections

How this section connects to Christ

D&C 81 1-2 Matthew 16:19

The keys of the kingdom given to the Presidency echo Christ's bestowal of the keys upon Peter, with the power to bind on earth and in heaven.

D&C 81 4-6 James 1:27

The call to minister to the weak, sick, and afflicted reflects James's definition of pure religion as visiting the fatherless and widows in their affliction.

Apply This Today

Living D&C 81

This revelation shows that leadership in God's kingdom is fundamentally about service, not status. The counselor's duties focus not on prestige but on praying, lifting the weak, strengthening the feeble, and comforting the afflicted. Whether we serve in the First Presidency or the nursery, the pattern is the same—true leadership means bending down to lift others. The promise that faithfulness in our calling leads to a 'place in the celestial kingdom' applies to every disciple who serves wholeheartedly wherever they are placed.

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