Section 57
Overview
Doctrine and Covenants Section 57 is a pivotal text in early Mormon history and theology, marking the exact geographic identification of 'Zion' or the New Jerusalem. Given through Joseph Smith in July 1831 after a journey to the western frontier of Missouri, the text declares Independence, Missouri, as the 'center place' and designates a specific lot near the courthouse for a temple. The revelation shifts the theological concept of Zion from a purely spiritual or future heavenly reality into an immediate, physical real estate acquisition project. It commands the Saints to purchase land up to the 'line running directly between Jew and Gentile' (a reference to the US government's Indian Territory border, as Native Americans were considered 'Lamanites' of Israelite descent). Furthermore, the text provides highly specific, localized administrative commands to individual men: Sidney Gilbert is to open a store and obtain a mercantile license, Edward Partridge is to divide land inheritances, and W.W. Phelps and Oliver Cowdery are to establish a printing press. For the adherent, this text establishes the precedent of God directing the minute, temporal, and economic affairs of the church through the Prophet.
Key Figures
- The Lord God: The claimed divine author of the revelation, depicted as deeply involved in the geographic and economic administration of the church.
- Joseph Smith: The Prophet and recipient of the revelation, establishing his authority to direct the physical relocation and financial investments of his followers.
- Sidney Gilbert: Appointed as an agent to the church, commanded to establish a store, obtain a license, and use profits to buy land for the Saints.
- Edward Partridge: The Bishop, commanded to stand in his office and divide the purchased lands among the Saints as their inheritances.
- William W. Phelps: Commanded to relocate to Missouri and establish a printing press for the church.
- Oliver Cowdery: Commanded to assist Phelps in editing, copying, and selecting writings for publication, guided by the Spirit.
Doctrines Analyzed
Key theological claims identified in this text:
Physical, Geographic Zion in America
Assertion
The text claims that Independence, Missouri, is the literal, geographic 'center place' for the city of Zion and the gathering of the Saints.
Evidence from Text
Behold, the place which is now called Independence is the center place; and a spot for the temple is lying westward, upon a lot which is not far from the courthouse.
Evangelical Comparison
In Mormon theology, Zion is a literal city to be built on the American continent, specifically in Jackson County, Missouri. This text is the foundational revelation identifying that exact location. The Saints are commanded to buy land to establish this kingdom. In stark contrast, Evangelical Christianity, relying on the New Testament, views the New Jerusalem as a heavenly city whose architect and builder is God (Hebrews 11:10). Revelation 21 describes the holy city coming down out of heaven from God, not being built through frontier land acquisitions. The evangelical view of the Kingdom of God in the present age is spiritual—existing in the hearts of believers and the invisible church—until Christ's physical return.
Everlasting Inheritance via Real Estate
Assertion
The text asserts that purchasing physical land in Missouri provides the Saints with an 'everlasting inheritance.'
Evidence from Text
Behold, this is wisdom, that they may obtain it for an everlasting inheritance.
Evangelical Comparison
The text conflates temporal land ownership with eternal spiritual reward, promising an 'everlasting inheritance' through the purchase of tracts of land in Missouri. Evangelical Christianity teaches that the believer's inheritance is entirely the result of being adopted into God's family through faith in Christ. 1 Peter 1:3-4 explicitly states that believers have 'an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.' By tying an 'everlasting inheritance' to financial transactions and geographic relocation, the text shifts the focus from Christ's finished work to human effort and earthly real estate.
Divine Micro-Management of Commerce
Assertion
God gives direct, infallible revelation regarding the establishment of retail stores, the obtaining of mercantile licenses, and the hiring of clerks.
Evidence from Text
And also let my servant Sidney Gilbert obtain a license... that he may send goods also unto the people, even by whom he will as clerks employed in his service
Evangelical Comparison
This text presents a highly immanent, administrative view of God, where divine revelation is used to direct the opening of a store, the acquisition of a business license, and the hiring of clerks. In Evangelical theology, while God cares about the believer's vocation and ethics (doing business 'without fraud'), the closed canon of Scripture (Sola Scriptura) is sufficient for salvation and moral living (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Evangelicals reject the idea that God provides new, binding scriptural mandates for specific, temporal business ventures, viewing such claims as a misuse of divine authority to enforce human administrative control.
Comparative Analysis
Theological Gap (Summary)
The text conflates the Kingdom of God with a physical, socio-economic settlement in 19th-century America, shifting the focus of redemption from Christ's spiritual work to human real estate development.
Theological Gap (Explained)
The fundamental theological gap between D&C 57 and Evangelical Christianity lies in eschatology and the nature of the Kingdom of God. Mormonism, as demonstrated in this text, operates with a highly materialized theology where 'Zion' is a literal city to be built by human hands, through financial transactions, in Jackson County, Missouri. The 'everlasting inheritance' is tied to physical property deeds divided by a bishop. Evangelical Christianity, rooted in the New Testament, understands the Kingdom of God as an 'already/not yet' spiritual reality. Christ declared, 'My kingdom is not of this world' (John 18:36). The believer's inheritance is not earthly real estate, but eternal life and co-heirship with Christ, 'kept in heaven for you' (1 Peter 1:4). By localizing God's ultimate plan to a specific American frontier town and requiring financial buy-in for an 'inheritance,' this text replaces the transcendent, grace-based hope of the Gospel with a temporal, works-based, and geographically restricted burden.
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 house, move to a specific town in Missouri, and give your money to a church leader to buy land. That's what this text is saying. But the Bible teaches something very different. The Bible says that heaven is a free gift that Jesus already paid for. We don't have to buy land or move to a certain state to get our 'inheritance.' Our inheritance is kept safe in heaven for us, just because we believe in Jesus.
Friction Points
Sola Scriptura
Adds new revelation to the canon, specifically using God's voice to dictate temporal business affairs and real estate purchases.
Eschatology / Kingdom of God
Reduces the New Jerusalem to a 19th-century American real estate development project.
Sola Gratia / Sola Fide
Implies that an 'everlasting inheritance' is obtained through the purchase of land and obedience to geographic relocation commands.
Semantic Warnings
Terms that have different meanings between traditions:
"Zion"
In This Text
A specific physical city to be built in Independence, Jackson County, Missouri.
In Evangelicalism
Historically, Jerusalem/the city of David; prophetically and spiritually, the heavenly city of God and the assembly of believers (Hebrews 12:22).
"Inheritance"
In This Text
Physical tracts of land in Missouri purchased by the church and divided among members.
In Evangelicalism
The eternal salvation and glorified state promised to believers, secured by Christ.
"Jew"
In This Text
In the context of 1831 Mormonism, this refers to Native Americans (Lamanites), believed to be descendants of Israelites.
In Evangelicalism
Ethnic descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Soteriology (Salvation)
Salvation Defined: In the context of this specific text, salvation/redemption is framed as receiving an 'everlasting inheritance' in the physical city of Zion.
How Attained: By obeying the Prophet, gathering to Missouri, and consecrating financial resources to buy land.
Basis of Assurance: Being physically 'planted' in the land of Zion by the Bishop and receiving a deed of inheritance.
Comparison to Sola Fide: This text stands in stark contrast to Sola Fide. Rather than justification by faith alone in Christ's finished work (Romans 3:28), the believer's inheritance here is contingent upon physical relocation, financial contribution, and submission to church administration.
Mandates & Requirements
Explicit Commands
- Receive the wisdom that Independence is the center place of Zion (v. 3)
- Purchase the land in Independence and every tract lying westward to the Jew/Gentile line (v. 4)
- Purchase every tract bordering the prairies (v. 5)
- Sidney Gilbert must stand in his appointed office as agent to receive money and buy land (v. 6)
- Edward Partridge must stand in his office and divide inheritances to the Saints (v. 7)
- Sidney Gilbert must plant himself in Independence and establish a store (v. 8)
- Sidney Gilbert must sell goods without fraud to obtain money for land (v. 8)
- Sidney Gilbert must obtain a license to send goods to the people via clerks (v. 9)
- William W. Phelps must be planted in Independence and established as a church printer (v. 11)
- Oliver Cowdery must assist Phelps to copy, correct, and select writings (v. 13)
- The specified men must be planted in Zion as speedily as possible with their families (v. 14)
- The bishop and agent must make preparations for families commanded to come to the land (v. 15)
- The bishop and agent must plant the incoming families in their inheritance (v. 15)
Implicit Obligations
- Submit entirely to Joseph Smith's prophetic authority regarding where to live and how to spend money
- Consecrate personal wealth and resources to the church's land acquisition project
- Accept the theological premise that Native Americans are 'Jews' (Israelites/Lamanites)
- Trust that the Spirit will validate Oliver Cowdery's editorial decisions
Ritual Requirements
- The land of Missouri is 'appointed and consecrated' for the gathering, implying a ritual dedication of the physical space (v. 1)
Evangelism Toolkit
Practical tools for engagement and dialogue:
Discovery Questions
Open-ended questions to promote reflection:
- When you read about the 'everlasting inheritance' in verse 5 being tied to buying land in Missouri, how does that compare to the inheritance Peter describes in 1 Peter 1:4?
- Given that the early Saints were driven out of Jackson County just two years after this revelation, how do you understand the promise that this land would be an 'everlasting' inheritance?
- In the New Testament, we see God giving revelation about the Gospel and the nature of Christ. Here, we see God giving revelation about obtaining a store license and hiring clerks. Why do you think there is such a difference in the focus of God's voice?
- If Zion is a physical place that requires money to build, what happens to those who are too poor or physically unable to gather there?
Redemptive Analogies
Bridges from this text to the Gospel:
The longing for Zion (a place of peace, belonging, and divine presence)
The early Mormons' willingness to uproot their lives and travel to the frontier shows a deep, universal human longing for a true home with God—a place free from sin and suffering. We can affirm this beautiful desire for 'Zion,' while gently pointing out that this longing cannot be satisfied by earthly real estate, but only by the presence of Christ Himself, who is preparing a place for us.
Spiritual Weight
Burdens this text places on adherents:
The text places a heavy burden on believers to prove their faithfulness through extreme physical and financial sacrifices—uprooting families, moving to a dangerous frontier, and giving money to church leaders to buy land. Faith is measured by geographic and economic compliance.
By framing administrative and business directives (like opening a store or moving to a specific town) as the direct, infallible voice of God, the text strips the believer of personal agency and binds their conscience to the micro-management of church leaders.
Because the historical promise of an 'everlasting inheritance' in Jackson County failed (the Saints were expelled), adherents must carry the cognitive dissonance of trusting a prophecy that did not come to pass, often internalizing the failure as the result of their own or their ancestors' lack of righteousness.