Commentary on Doctrine & Covenants 125

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Casey Paul Griffiths (LDS Scholar)

Doctrine and Covenants 125 is a brief but powerful reminder that after the persecutions in Kirtland and Missouri, the doctrine of gathering was changed in nature but not ended. In the aftermath of the expulsion from Missouri and the apostasy in Kirtland, some Saints may have had fears about gathering together again in large numbers. Concentrations of Church members could at times lead to hostility, fear, and antagonism rising from the Saints’ neighbors. However, the Saints needed to gather to create communities and to build temples; thus, gathering was still an essential part of the work of the Lord in this early phase of the Restoration. In section 125, the Lord reminded the Saints in Iowa that their labors entailed not just providing for themselves and their families but also “build[ing] up cities unto my name that they may be prepared for that which is in store for a time to come” (D&C 125:2).

Today Church members are not asked to create physical townships, but the idea of community remains at the heart of the gospel. Even though there are enough Church members to fill many megachurches over and over, the size of wards and branches in the Church are kept relatively small. While it is valuable for the entire Church to gather together from time to time, most of the work of the Church is best carried out in small groups of Saints who know each other personally. The law of consecration and other principles of the gospel require the Saints to gather together to bless and minister to each other.