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Doctrine & Covenants 61 — Study Guide

Doctrine & Covenants Section 61 Overview Summary


Overview

  • Date: August 12, 1831

  • Location: McIlwaine’s Bend, Missouri River

  • Recipient: Joseph Smith and the elders traveling with him

  • Verses: 39

  • Revelation Context:This revelation was received after a dangerous canoe journey down the Missouri River. William W. Phelps received a vision of the "destroyer riding upon the waters," prompting Joseph to inquire of the Lord. The revelation addresses dangers on the waters, the proper method of travel, missionary assignments, and spiritual preparedness.


    🔗 Joseph Smith Papers – D&C 61 Historical Intro

    🔗 Doctrine and Covenants Historical Resources (2025):


Timeframe & Setting

  • Joseph Smith and 10 elders were returning from Independence to Kirtland by canoe, traveling down the Missouri River.

  • Tensions were high; the group had experienced near-disasters and internal discord.

  • At McIlwaine’s Bend, they stopped to rest. Phelps had a daylight vision of a destroying angel on the waters.

  • The revelation followed immediately after this event, with instructions for how the elders should proceed.


Key Circumstances

  • The Lord acknowledges the Saints’ forgiven sins but warns of destruction upon the waters.

  • The Missouri River is declared cursed in the last days, a reversal of the blessing given at Creation.

  • The destroyer (interpreted as an angel of death or divine justice) is riding the waters as a symbol of chaos and judgment.

  • Travel instructions are adjusted: some should proceed quickly by land; others may journey by water if spiritually directed.

  • The group is chastened for lack of unity and urged to fulfill their missions.


Purpose of the Revelation

  • To explain the dangers of traveling by water and reveal a divine decree concerning the Missouri River.

  • To assign travel responsibilities for elders returning to Kirtland.

  • To spiritually prepare the Saints for future trials, including the gathering to Zion.

  • To reinforce the necessity of obedience, unity, and discernment through the Spirit.


Significance

  • Doctrinally: Introduces the symbolic use of water as both chaos and covenantal cleansing, tying into themes of creation and divine order.

  • Historically: This revelation reveals tensions and dangers in the early Church's westward missions and clarifies why the Saints were later instructed to travel by land.

  • Symbolically: The destroyer on the waters echoes apocalyptic imagery from Exodus and the Book of Revelation. Water becomes a boundary of faith and obedience.

  • Prophetic Patterns: The Lord's consistent voice guides the Saints, separating the righteous for preservation, as with ancient Israel.


Verse-by-Verse Summary



Doctrine and Covenants 61:1–12 Dangers Upon the Waters

Verses 1-12

1 Behold, and hearken unto the voice of him who has all power, who is from everlasting to everlasting, even Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.


 2 Behold, verily thus saith the Lord unto you, O ye elders of my church, who are assembled upon this spot, whose sins are now forgiven you, for I, the Lord, forgive sins, and am merciful unto those who confess their sins with humble hearts;


 3 But verily I say unto you, that it is not needful for this whole company of mine elders to be moving swiftly upon the waters, whilst the inhabitants on either side are perishing in unbelief.


 4 Nevertheless, I suffered it that ye might bear record; behold, there are many dangers upon the waters, and more especially hereafter;


 5 For I, the Lord, have decreed in mine anger many destructions upon the waters; yea, and especially upon these waters.


 6 Nevertheless, all flesh is in mine hand, and he that is faithful among you shall not perish by the waters.


 7 Wherefore, it is expedient that my servant Sidney Gilbert and my servant William W. Phelps be in haste upon their errand and mission.


 8 Nevertheless, I would not suffer that ye should part until you were chastened for all your sins, that you might be one, that you might not perish in wickedness;


 9 But now, verily I say, it behooveth me that ye should part. Wherefore let my servants Sidney Gilbert and William W. Phelps take their former company, and let them take their journey in haste that they may fill their mission, and through faith they shall overcome;


 10 And inasmuch as they are faithful they shall be preserved, and I, the Lord, will be with them.


 11 And let the residue take that which is needful for clothing.


 12 Let my servant Sidney Gilbert take that which is not needful with him, as you shall agree.

Doctrinal Summary:

The Lord speaks directly to the elders after a harrowing journey on the Missouri River, warning them of dangers to come and affirming His authority as Alpha and Omega. He reveals that the dangers on the water are not just physical but spiritual—divinely decreed judgments that symbolize the chaos of a fallen world. The call to part ways and fulfill missions underlines the principle of divine timing and covenant obedience.


Language & Cultural Insights:

  • “Alpha and Omega” – Greek: Ἄλφα καὶ τὸ Ὦ (Revelation 1:8, 22:13); the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, paralleled in Hebrew by Aleph-Tav (א–ת). This title affirms Christ as the beginning and end of all creation and purpose (link).

  • “Dangers upon the waters” – In Hebrew symbolism, waters (Hebrew: מַיִם, mayim) can have positive or negative connotations. This symbol often represent chaos, judgment, danger, or the unknown. This theme runs from Genesis 1:2 (unformed waters) to Revelation (seas as boundaries of the old order, God cursing the waters through John referred to in vs 14, (See Revalation 8:8-11, 1 Nephi 12:16).

  • “Decreed in mine anger” – The Hebrew root gazar (גָּזַר) can mean to “cut” or “decree” with authority. This denotes a permanent divine judgment (see also Job 22:28).

  • “All flesh is in mine hand” – A covenantal assurance, emphasizing both justice and mercy. This echoes Isaiah 40:5–7 and Moses 1:39: God’s work is to bring to pass immortality and eternal life.

  • “Chastened… that you might be one” – This reflects the recurring scriptural theme that unity is only possible through repentance, humility, and divine correction (cf. D&C 38:27).


 Reflection Questions:

  • How do you interpret “dangers upon the waters” in both literal and symbolic terms?

  • What does the Lord’s role as Alpha and Omega mean in your personal discipleship?

  • How does divine chastening relate to spiritual unity?


References:

Scripture Cross-References:

Conference Addresses:

Additional Word Studies:

  • Chasten – Greek: paideuō (παιδεύω), meaning “to instruct, discipline as a child”

  • Forgive – Hebrew: sālaḥ (סָלַח), divine forgiveness used almost exclusively of God (H5545)


Scientific Demonstrations

Doctrine & Covenants 61:13–22 — Cursed Waters, Destroyer Rides

Doctrine & Covenants 61:23–29 — Power to Command the Waters & the Saints’ Course Revealed

Doctrine & Covenants 61:30–39 — Final Instructions and Words of Comfort


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