Doctrine and Covenants Section 37

Historical Background

In December of 1830 the Church became something different from what it had been before. Prior to this time, the Church had consisted of three families: the Smiths in Manchester, New York; the Whitmers in Fayette, New York; and the Knights in Colesville, New York. Added together, this group consisted of less than 100 souls. When Oliver Cowdery and his associates went to Missouri, they stopped and preached along the way. In the village of Mentor, Ohio, and surrounding communities, people accepted the gospel in large numbers. Within a matter of weeks there were more people in Ohio who had accepted the gospel than there were in New York State. With increased persecution against this new religion the Prophet Joseph asked the Lord for direction. Section 37 is the Lord’s revelation concerning the fate of the Church. It is the first time, and certainly not the last, that the Church was called upon to “gather” together to a new location.

D&C 37:1 Translate No More
The word “translate” in this verse refers to Joseph Smith’s effort to revise the King James Version of the Bible. In this task he was assisted by Sidney Rigdon, who acted as his scribe. Why were they told to stop the translation project?

D&C 37:2-4 Strengthen the Church
What was Joseph commanded to do before the Saints were to gather to Ohio? How do you think you would feel if you had lived in a place all your life and were asked by the Prophet to leave your property and move to a new place? What questions would you have? What would you want to know? Where has the Lord asked His Saints to gather in this generation? Cross-reference: D&C 115:5-6.