Commentary on Section 125

Not everything specified by the Lord in Section 125 has yet to come to pass, like the cities being built. But prophecies often have multiple fulfillments, both immediately and in the future.

Moses 4:30
30 For as I, the Lord God, liveth, even so my words cannot return void, for as they go forth out of my mouth they must be fulfilled.

Doctrine & Covenants 1:30
38 What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.

Doctrine & Covenants 125 (March 1 1841)
1 What is the will of the Lord concerning the saints in the Territory of Iowa?

This question was posed to the Lord by Joseph Smith. British converts were coming in and starting to settle in Nauvoo and wherever else they could. There were concerns for their safety and exactly what to do with the incoming Saints.

2 Verily, thus saith the Lord, I say unto you, if those who call themselves by my name and are essaying to be my saints,

That should be all of us.

if they will do my will and keep my commandments concerning them,

This should be us too.

let them gather themselves together unto the places which I shall appoint unto them by my servant Joseph, and build up cities unto my name,

More than one city is named in verses 3 and 4.

that they may be prepared for that which is in store for a time to come.

Here the Lord is speaking of the future. I think it is our time.

3 Let them build up a city unto my name upon the land opposite the city of Nauvoo,

It has not happened yet but this is where Moses 4:30 comes in. Directly across Nauvoo are the two lots owned by different Heartland groups today. Just a small start.

and let the name of Zarahemla be named upon it.

The angel Moroni specified the Hill of Cumorah but Adam-Ondi-Ahman, the New Jerusalem, and Zarahemla are the only three place names specified by the Lord himself. Therefore faithful latter-day saints honor the location as Zarahemla whether they believe it is the same as the Book of Mormon Zarahemla or not.

4 And let all those who come from the east, and the west, and the north, and the south,

Early 1841 is when the British converts were arriving. They came in three ways: 1) via Quebec and the St Lawrence Seaway to the Great Lakes; 2) via the Erie Canal to the Great Lakes; and 3) up the Mississippi via New Orleans. The first two ways still required a land journey to get to Nauvoo. The New Orleans route required 19 more days on the Atlantic but then it was Mississippi river travel nearly all the way. The New Orleans route was the most popular for those who could get it. Interestingly the Saints came from the west when fleeing attack and persecution but that was concluded in 1839. There was no one coming from the west in 1841. Not until the reverse exodus which is happening in our day.

that have desires to dwell therein, take up their inheritance in the same,

It is an open invitation. Not an edict.

as well as in the city of Nashville,

There is a Nashville in eastern Iowa but it was founded about 1870 and is 139 miles north of Fort Madison. The Nashville being referred to in section 125 is what is now known as the unincorporated community of Galland, Iowa which is near the Mississippi River Road and about 3.5 miles south of Montrose.

or in the city of Nauvoo, and in all the stakes which I have appointed, saith the Lord.

Nauvoo and other stakes were also approved as gathering places. There are currently 12 church units in the Nauvoo Stake, with two new wards including the Fort Madison Ward.

Jay Mackley
theheartlandresearchgroup.org
jay@theholyscriptures.info