Chapter Eight

GATHERING TO OHIO The revelations to Joseph Smithconcerning the law of consecration beganwith the revelations in February 1831, soonafter the Prophet Joseph arrived in Ohio.Over the next 4 1/2 years the Lord revealedmany principles connected with the law ofconsecration. As can be seen in theaccompanying chart, most of them weregiven in Kirtland.year’s end they would have a net gain called a surplus (profit). Any surplusremaining beyond the wants and needs of the family was to be turned over tothe storehouse to be used by the bishop to “administer to the poor and needy”(D&C 42:34). The law of consecration was designed to bring about relativeeconomic equality and eliminate greed and poverty. 27The Church gradually learned more about the law of consecration asadditional revelations were given. For example, the Prophet asked the Lordhow the Church should acquire lands for the settlement of the incomingSaints. Those with property in Kirtland were commanded to impart freely oftheir lands. Other funds were to be consecrated to buy more land (see D&C48:2–3). The bedraggled New York Saints began arriving in May, and it wasnecessary to get them settled. The responsibility rested with Bishop Partridge,so he sought direction from the Prophet. The bishop was instructed to beginapportioning stewardships to the immigrants (see D&C 51:3). “And let everyman deal honestly, and be alike among this people, and receive alike, that yemay be one, even as I have commanded you” (v. 9).Joseph Smith directed the Colesville immigrants to settle in Thompson,Ohio, a few miles east of Kirtland, on property owned by Leman Copley. TheSaints in Seneca County were assigned to live on the Isaac Morley farm,where they erected log cabins and planted crops. Although Bishop Partridgetried to inaugurate the law of consecration in Thompson, conflicts preventedits full implementation. Because of the failure of his mission to the Shakers,Leman Copley broke his contract that allowed Latter-day Saints to occupyhis farmland and ordered them off his property. When informed of thedifficulties, the Prophet sought and obtained a revelation instructing NewelKnight, president of the Colesville branch, and others living on the Copleyfarm to “repent of all their sins, and . . . journey into the regions westward,unto the land of Missouri, unto the borders of the Lamanites” (D&C 54:3, 8).Shortly thereafter, at least fourteen families under Newel Knight’s directionleft for the Missouri frontier. 28In the February revelation calling Edward Partridge to be bishop, theLord had directed Joseph and Sidney to resume the inspired translation ofthe Bible. “And again, it is meet that my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., shouldhave a house built, in which to live and translate” (D&C 41:7). Five dayslater the Prophet received the following instruction:“Thou shalt ask, and my scriptures shall be given as I have appointed,and they shall be preserved in safety;“And it is expedient that thou shouldst hold thy peace concerning them,and not teach them until ye have received them in full” (D&C 42:56–57). Thepair diligently continued their work almost daily throughout the spring ina small house constructed for Joseph and Emma on Isaac Morley’s farm.At this time Emma went into labor. She had not yet recovered from herillness and the arduous midwinter journey from New York. On 30 April shedelivered twins, but they only lived three hours. She and Joseph had now lostall three children born to them. Coincidentally, twins were born on 1 May to99