Section 27
Overview
Given in July 1831, this text represents a pivotal moment in early Mormon history and theology: the geographical identification of 'Zion' or the New Jerusalem. Joseph Smith declares through revelation that Independence, Jackson County, Missouri, is the 'center place' and the promised land for the gathering of the saints. The text shifts the concept of Zion from a purely spiritual ideal to a literal, physical real estate acquisition. God is portrayed as directly commanding the purchase of specific tracts of land, including the exact lot for a future temple. Furthermore, the revelation serves as an administrative decree, appointing specific individuals to manage the church's temporal affairs. Sidney Gilbert is commanded to open a retail store and obtain a merchant's license to generate funds, Edward Partridge is tasked with dividing the purchased land into inheritances for the members, and W.W. Phelps and Oliver Cowdery are assigned to establish a printing press. The text intertwines divine mandate with 19th-century American frontier commerce, establishing a precedent in Mormonism where spiritual salvation and obedience are deeply connected to physical relocation, financial consecration, and institutional business operations.
Key Figures
- The Lord God: The claimed author of the revelation, depicted as actively managing real estate purchases, retail licensing, and printing operations.
- Elders of the church: The primary audience, commanded to hearken and gather to Missouri.
- Sidney Gilbert: Appointed as a church agent to receive money, buy land, establish a store, sell goods without fraud, and obtain a merchant's license to fund the church.
- Edward Partridge: The presiding bishop, commanded to divide the purchased lands among the saints as their inheritances.
- William W. Phelps: Commanded to relocate to Missouri and establish himself as the official printer for the church.
- Oliver Cowdery: Commanded to assist Phelps in copying, correcting, and selecting texts for publication, guided by the Spirit.
Doctrines Analyzed
Key theological claims identified in this text:
Physical Zion and Geographic Gathering
Assertion
Zion is a literal, physical location centered in Independence, Missouri, to which God's followers must physically relocate.
Evidence from Text
Behold the place which is now called Independence, is the center place, and the spot for the temple is lying westward upon a lot which is not far from the court house
Evangelical Comparison
In this text, the concept of Zion is localized to Jackson County, Missouri. The text mandates a physical 'gathering' of saints to this specific geographic coordinate to build a literal city and temple. This reflects a highly physical and territorial theology. In contrast, Evangelical Christianity, drawing on the New Testament, understands Zion primarily in spiritual and eschatological terms. Hebrews 12:22 states, 'But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem.' The requirement to physically migrate to a specific earthly location to participate fully in God's kingdom contradicts the omnipresent nature of the New Covenant church, where believers worship 'in spirit and truth' (John 4:21-24) regardless of geographic location.
Purchased Everlasting Inheritance
Assertion
An 'everlasting inheritance' in God's kingdom is obtained, in part, through the financial purchase of physical land by church agents.
Evidence from Text
wherefore it is wisdom that the land should be purchased by the saints... Behold this is wisdom, that they may obtain it for an everlasting inheritance.
Evangelical Comparison
The text explicitly links the acquisition of an 'everlasting inheritance' to the financial purchase of land in Missouri ('inasmuch as my disciples are enabled to buy lands... that they may obtain it for an everlasting inheritance'). This commodifies eternal blessings, tying them to temporal wealth, real estate transactions, and the administrative division of property by a church bishop. Evangelical theology strictly rejects the idea that eternal inheritance can be bought or is tied to earthly land. According to 1 Peter 1:3-4, believers are born again into 'an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.' It is secured entirely by the finished work of Christ and received by faith alone (Ephesians 1:11-14), completely divorced from financial transactions or physical property.
Divine Micromanagement of Commerce
Assertion
God gives direct, canonical revelation regarding the establishment of retail stores, merchant licenses, and printing presses.
Evidence from Text
let my servant Sidney Gilbert plant himself in this place, and establish a store... And also let my servant Sidney Gilbert obtain a licence
Evangelical Comparison
This text elevates administrative and commercial directives—such as opening a store, getting a merchant's license, and setting up a printing press—to the level of infallible divine revelation ('saith the Lord your God'). This expands the scope of canonical scripture to include temporal, 19th-century business plans. Evangelical Christianity holds to Sola Scriptura, believing the 66-book Bible is sufficient for faith and practice (2 Timothy 3:16-17). While the Bible provides ethical boundaries for commerce (e.g., honest scales, paying workers), it does not dictate specific business ventures as binding revelation. The Evangelical view maintains a distinction between divine, eternal truth and temporal administrative wisdom.
Comparative Analysis
Theological Gap (Summary)
The text diverges fundamentally by localizing God's kingdom to a specific American frontier town and commodifying eternal inheritance through the financial purchase of real estate.
Theological Gap (Explained)
The theological gap between this text and Evangelical Christianity centers on the nature of the Kingdom of God and the basis of eternal inheritance. In this text, the Kingdom of God (Zion) is heavily materialized. It is reduced to a specific geographic coordinate (Independence, Missouri) and its establishment is dependent on human commerce—buying land, running a retail store, and obtaining merchant licenses. The text explicitly states that purchasing this land is how the saints will 'obtain it for an everlasting inheritance.' This creates a theology where spiritual security and eschatological participation are inextricably linked to financial consecration and physical migration. Evangelical theology, rooted in the New Testament, views the Kingdom of God as inaugurated spiritually by Christ and consummated eschatologically by Him alone, not built through human real estate acquisitions. Jesus explicitly stated, 'My kingdom is not of this world' (John 18:36). Furthermore, the Evangelical understanding of 'inheritance' is strictly soteriological and Christological. According to Ephesians 1:11-14 and 1 Peter 1:3-4, a believer's inheritance is eternal life, secured entirely by the blood of Christ, guaranteed by the Holy Spirit, and kept safely in heaven. It cannot be bought with money, nor is it subject to the temporal loss that physical land is (as the Mormons later experienced when driven from Missouri). By tying everlasting inheritance to financial purchase and geographic location, this text fundamentally alters the biblical doctrine of grace.
For All Ages
Imagine if someone told you that to truly be part of God's family and get your heavenly reward, you had to pack up your bags, move to a specific town in Missouri, and give your money to a church leader to buy a piece of land for you. That's what this text is saying. It makes God's promises about physical land and money. But the Bible teaches something very different. The Bible says that our home with God isn't a piece of land we buy in America; it's a free gift in heaven that Jesus already paid for when He died on the cross. We don't have to move to Missouri to be close to God, because God's Spirit lives inside everyone who believes in Jesus, no matter where they live.
Friction Points
Sola Scriptura
Adds new, binding revelation to the canon, specifically dictating 19th-century business and real estate transactions as the direct voice of God.
Theology Proper / Ecclesiology
Localizes the center of God's kingdom to a specific North American town, requiring physical gathering rather than spiritual unity in Christ.
Sola Fide / Sola Gratia
Implies that an 'everlasting inheritance' is obtained through the financial purchase of land and obedience to administrative leaders, rather than by faith alone.
Semantic Warnings
Terms that have different meanings between traditions:
"Zion"
In This Text
A literal, physical city to be built in Independence, Jackson County, Missouri.
In Evangelicalism
Historically, Jerusalem/City of David. In the New Covenant, it represents the spiritual reality of the church and the future heavenly city of God (Hebrews 12:22).
"Inheritance"
In This Text
A physical tract of land in Missouri purchased with money and assigned by a bishop.
In Evangelicalism
The eternal salvation and heavenly promises secured by Christ for believers.
Soteriology (Salvation)
Salvation Defined: While not using the word 'salvation,' the text speaks of obtaining an 'everlasting inheritance,' which in LDS theology is tied to exaltation and eternal life in God's presence.
How Attained: Attained by obeying the command to gather to Zion, consecrating funds to the church agent to buy land, and receiving a land assignment from the Bishop.
Basis of Assurance: Physical presence in Missouri and the possession of a deed/inheritance granted by the church leadership.
Comparison to Sola Fide: This text stands in stark contrast to Sola Fide. Justification by faith alone (Romans 3:28) requires no financial transaction, no physical relocation, and no earthly mediator (like a Bishop dividing land). This text makes eternal inheritance contingent on human works, financial means ('inasmuch as my disciples are enabled to buy lands'), and geographic compliance.
Mandates & Requirements
Explicit Commands
- Hearken, O ye elders of my church
- Receive wisdom
- Purchase the land (Independence, Missouri)
- Purchase every tract lying westward unto the line running directly between Jew and Gentile
- Purchase every tract bordering by the prairies
- Sidney Gilbert must stand in the office appointed to him
- Sidney Gilbert must receive moneys
- Sidney Gilbert must be an agent unto the church
- Sidney Gilbert must buy land in all the regions round about
- Edward Partridge must stand in the office appointed to him
- Edward Partridge must divide the saints their inheritance
- Sidney Gilbert must plant himself in this place (Independence)
- Sidney Gilbert must establish a store
- Sidney Gilbert must sell goods without fraud
- Sidney Gilbert must obtain money to buy lands
- Sidney Gilbert must obtain whatsoever things the disciples may need
- Sidney Gilbert must obtain a licence
- Sidney Gilbert must send goods unto the people by clerks
- William W. Phelps must be planted in this place
- William W. Phelps must be established as a printer unto the church
- William W. Phelps must obtain whatsoever he can obtain in righteousness for the good of the saints
- Oliver Cowdery must assist William W. Phelps
- Oliver Cowdery must copy, correct, and select writings
- Those spoken of must be planted in the land of Zion as speedily as can be with their families
- The bishop and agent must make preparations for families commanded to come to this land
- Plant the families in their inheritance
Implicit Obligations
- Members must donate or consecrate their personal money to Sidney Gilbert so he can buy land
- Members must physically uproot their lives and move to the Missouri frontier
- Members must submit to Edward Partridge's authority in determining what land they receive
- Members must patronize Sidney Gilbert's store to ensure it generates profit for the church
- Members must accept the writings printed by W.W. Phelps and Oliver Cowdery as authoritative
Ritual Requirements
- Preparation for the building of a literal temple on the designated spot westward of the courthouse
Evangelism Toolkit
Practical tools for engagement and dialogue:
Discovery Questions
Open-ended questions to promote reflection:
- When you read about God commanding the establishment of a retail store and getting a merchant's license, how do you view the relationship between divine revelation and everyday business?
- The text says the land in Independence was to be an 'everlasting inheritance.' Since the early saints were driven out of Missouri just a few years later, how do you understand the fulfillment of this promise?
- If an 'everlasting inheritance' in this text required buying physical land, how does that compare to Peter's description of our inheritance being 'kept in heaven' in 1 Peter 1:4?
Redemptive Analogies
Bridges from this text to the Gospel:
The longing for a Promised Land / Zion
The desire for a physical Zion reflects a deep, God-given human longing for Eden—a place of peace, belonging, and the direct presence of God. While this text tries to fulfill that longing with real estate in Missouri, the Gospel promises that Christ Himself is our peace, and He is preparing a place for us. We don't need to build it ourselves; we look forward to the city whose designer and builder is God.
Spiritual Weight
Burdens this text places on adherents:
Believers are placed under the burden of having to financially contribute to the church's real estate and business ventures to secure their spiritual standing and 'inheritance.' This creates a works-righteousness dynamic where one's eternal security is tied to their financial capacity and obedience to administrative leaders.
Because the text makes absolute, divine promises about a specific geographic location being an 'everlasting inheritance,' the historical reality of the saints being driven from that land creates immense cognitive dissonance. Believers must rationalize why God's explicit, physical promises failed to materialize.
The text places the believer's inheritance entirely in the hands of church administrators (the Bishop who divides the land, the Agent who buys it). This strips the believer of direct assurance before God, forcing them to rely on the institutional hierarchy for their spiritual security.