Keywords

Doctrin and Covenants 125, church history, church doctrine

Abstract

On 19 January 1841, the Lord gave a revelation to Joseph Smith regarding the building of the Nauvoo Temple and issued a call for the faithful Saints to gather to assist in the building of this sacred edifice (see D&C 124: 25-55). With the emphasis on the gathering to Nauvoo and the building of the temple, the Iowa Saints on the eastern banks of the Mississippi were wondering if they should move across the river to Nauvoo. Therefore, in March 1841, the Prophet Joseph Smith posed the question, "What is the will of the Lord concerning the saints in the Territory of Iowa?" (D&C 125:1). The Lord responded, "Let them build up a city unto my name upon the land opposite the city of Nauvoo, and let the name of Zarahemla be named upon it" (D&C 125:3). This response stirs the question of why the Lord specifically asked the Iowa Saints to build a city named Zarahemla.

Original Publication Citation

Fred E. Woods, "Scripture Note: D&C 125," Religious Educator 4, no. 1 (2003): 87-88.