D&C 94

Section Overview

What happens in D&C 94

Received August 2, 1833, in Kirtland, Ohio. This revelation instructs the Saints to build a meetinghouse for the presidency and a printing office in Kirtland, with specific instructions about the purpose and construction of these buildings.

Scripture

Command to Build a Meetinghouse

Study note

A house is to be built for the work of the presidency. A committee is appointed to oversee construction. The building is dedicated to the Lord's work.

1 And again, verily I say unto you, my friends, a commandment I give unto you, that ye shall commence a work of laying out and preparing a beginning and foundation of the city of the stake of Zion, here in the land of Kirtland, beginning at my house.

2 And behold, it must be done according to the pattern which I have given unto you.

3 And let the first lot on the south be consecrated unto me for the building of a house for the presidency, for the work of the presidency, in obtaining revelations; and for the work of the ministry of the presidency, in all things pertaining to the church and kingdom.

4 Verily I say unto you, that it shall be built fifty-five by sixty-five feet in the width thereof and in the length thereof, in the inner court.

5 And there shall be a lower court and a higher court, according to the pattern which shall be given unto you hereafter.

6 And it shall be dedicated unto the Lord from the foundation thereof, according to the order of the priesthood, according to the pattern which shall be given unto you hereafter.

7 And it shall be wholly dedicated unto the Lord for the work of the presidency.

8 And ye shall not suffer any unclean thing to come in unto it; and my glory shall be there, and my presence shall be there.

9 But if there shall come into it any unclean thing, my glory shall not be there; and my presence shall not come into it.

Command to Build a Printing Office

Study note

A printing office is to be built for the translation and publication of scriptures. The lot and design are specified. The printing of sacred materials is treated as a holy endeavor.

10 And again, verily I say unto you, the second lot on the south shall be dedicated unto me for the building of a house unto me, for the work of the printing of the translation of my scriptures, and all things whatsoever I shall command you.

11 And it shall be fifty-five by sixty-five feet in the width thereof and the length thereof, in the inner court; and there shall be a lower and a higher court.

12 And this house shall be wholly dedicated unto the Lord from the foundation thereof, for the work of the printing, in all things whatsoever I shall command you, to be holy, undefiled, according to the pattern in all things as it shall be given unto you.

13 And on the third lot shall my servant Hyrum Smith receive his inheritance.

14 And on the first and second lots on the north shall my servants Reynolds Cahoon and Jared Carter receive their inheritances—

15 That they may do the work which I have appointed unto them, to be a committee to build mine houses, according to the commandment, which I, the Lord God, have given unto you.

16 These two houses are not to be built until I give unto you a commandment concerning them.

17 And now I give unto you no more at this time. Amen.

Key Themes

Themes in D&C 94

Building sacred structures for the Lord's workPhysical infrastructure supports spiritual missionsThe importance of printing and distributing scriptureOrganized construction under divine directionCommunity investment in the kingdom of God

Scripture Connections

How this section connects to Christ

D&C 94 1-9 Exodus 25:8-9

The divine command to build a specific structure according to the Lord's pattern echoes God's instructions to Moses to build the tabernacle according to the exact pattern shown on the mount.

D&C 94 10-12 Isaiah 52:7

The printing office for publishing scripture and good tidings connects to Isaiah's beautiful vision of those who publish peace and bring good tidings upon the mountains.

Apply This Today

Living D&C 94

This revelation reminds us that building God's kingdom requires physical as well as spiritual effort. Sacred work needs sacred spaces—whether it is a temple, a meetinghouse, or a printing press for scripture. The fact that God gave specific instructions about buildings shows His interest in the practical details of our lives. Every chapel built, every missionary training center erected, and every scripture printed carries forward the spirit of this revelation. God cares about where and how we worship, and He is willing to guide even the construction details when we ask.

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