Doctrine & Covenants 70
Overview
Date of Revelation: November 12, 1831
Location: Hiram, Ohio
Recipient(s): Joseph Smith, Martin Harris, Oliver Cowdery, John Whitmer, Sidney Rigdon, William W. Phelps
Section Summary: The Lord appoints six men as stewards over the publication of the revelations, granting them the right to receive temporal compensation for their spiritual labor. This stewardship is to be carried out in righteousness, with accountability before God and in harmony with the law of consecration. The revelation reinforces the principle of equality in temporal things and affirms the Lord’s blessing upon those who labor faithfully in His service.
Timeframe & Setting
During a series of special conferences from November 1–12, 1831, the early Saints discussed the publication of Joseph Smith’s revelations as a collection later titled the Book of Commandments. At the final conference, Church members voted unanimously that these revelations were “worth to the Church the riches of the whole Earth.” This section was given immediately after that vote, formalizing the stewardship of key Church leaders over the publishing work.
Joseph Smith described these revelations as “the foundation of the Church in these last days” and “a benefit to the world, showing that the keys of the mysteries of the kingdom of our Savior are again entrusted to man.” —Joseph Smith Papers: D&C 70
Key Circumstances
Questions arose about how to fund and manage the printing of revelations without compromising principles of consecration.
Concerns existed among Church members about compensating those involved in spiritual work.
The Lord provided this revelation to clarify that those laboring in the spiritual work of the Church were entitled to material support—not as personal gain, but as righteous recompense and stewardship under the law of the kingdom.
Purpose of the Revelation
To designate stewards over the revelations and entrust them with managing their publication.
To authorize compensation for those laboring in spiritual things, aligning with the law of consecration.
To reinforce the principle of equality in temporal matters among the Saints.
To declare that this labor is to be carried out with diligence, accountability, and unity—lest the Spirit’s abundance be withheld.
Significance
Introduces the doctrine of spiritual stewardship—responsibility over divine things, including revelation and Church publications.
Affirms that those who labor in spiritual things are worthy of their hire (1 Corinthians 9:14) but must still live by consecration and humility.
Connects temporal equality with spiritual abundance, showing that Zion cannot be built without both righteous organization and charitable unity.
Foreshadows enduring Restoration themes: sacred record-keeping, the law of the storehouse, and divine reward for faithful stewardship.
D&C 70:1–5 — Stewards Over the Revelations
Verses 1-5
1 Behold, and hearken, O ye inhabitants of Zion, and all ye people of my church who are afar off, and hear the word of the Lord which I give unto my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and also unto my servant Martin Harris, and also unto my servant Oliver Cowdery, and also unto my servant John Whitmer, and also unto my servant Sidney Rigdon, and also unto my servant William W. Phelps, by the way of commandment unto them.
2 For I give unto them a commandment; wherefore hearken and hear, for thus saith the Lord unto them—
3 I, the Lord, have appointed them, and ordained them to be stewards over the revelations and commandments which I have given unto them, and which I shall hereafter give unto them;
4 And an account of this stewardship will I require of them in the day of judgment.
5 Wherefore, I have appointed unto them, and this is their business in the church of God, to manage them and the concerns thereof, yea, the benefits thereof.
Summary
The Lord appoints six early Church leaders as stewards over the revelations—entrusted with the sacred task of preserving and publishing His word.
This stewardship is not symbolic; it carries divine weight and will be measured at the day of judgment.
Their “business” in the Church is spiritual, covenantal labor—not private enterprise. It involves accountability, trust, and reverent management of divine truths.
Language & Cultural Insights
Hearken
Hebrew: שָׁמַע (shamaʿ) — to hear, listen attentively, and obey. This term implies covenantal listening, as in Deuteronomy 6:4–5: “Hear, O Israel…” The Shema (שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל) is a foundational declaration of obedient love and faithfulness.
This call to “hearken” is not merely about hearing—it demands a faithful response, setting the tone for the entire revelation.
Steward / Stewardship
Hebrew: פָּקַד (pāqad) — to appoint, entrust, oversee; especially used for priestly, military, or tribal responsibility.
Greek: οἰκονομία (oikonomia) — administration of a household or estate; source of the word "economy."
In this context, “stewardship” over the revelations means handling sacred things with delegated divine authority, not as owners, but as accountable trustees.
Day of Judgment
Hebrew: יוֹם דִּין (yom din) — "day of reckoning" or divine court; tied to prophetic and apocalyptic imagery (cf. Ecclesiastes 12:14).
Greek: ἡμέρα κρίσεως (hēmera kriseōs) — day of separation or evaluation; used throughout the New Testament (cf. Romans 2:16).
The Lord is emphasizing that this stewardship has eternal consequences and will be judged accordingly.
Commandment
Hebrew: מִצְוָה (mitsvah) — covenant obligation or divine instruction. This reinforces the non-optional, sacred nature of the task.
Reflection Questions
What sacred responsibilities or stewardships has the Lord placed in your care?
In what ways do you practice covenantal listening when receiving instruction from the Lord?
How might seeing our Church service as “business in the Church of God” shift our attitude toward it?
Cross-References & Conference Connections
Luke 12:42–48: Parable of the faithful and wise steward
D&C 72:3–4: “Render an account of their stewardship”
Ecclesiastes 12:14: God shall bring every work into judgment
Elder David A. Bednar, “Called to the Work,” October 2017 General Conference
Reference Notes
The revelation frames Church administration as sacred labor, not bureaucracy.
The repetition of “hearken” in verses 1–2 echoes prophetic patterns in Isaiah and Jeremiah, where listening is equated with covenant fidelity.
The phrase “manage them and the concerns thereof” hints at an early administrative model of divine publishing—marking the beginning of what would become a formal effort to canonize and distribute God’s word through the Doctrine and Covenants.ownload library (e.g., Google Doc or CMS export).
Joseph Smith Papers: Revelations and Translations — Historical background for the publication of the revelations
D&C 70:6–13 — Spiritual Labor and Temporal Hire
Doctrine & Covenants 70:1–2 — Stewards Over the Revelations
D&C 70:6–13 — Spiritual Labor and Temporal Hire
D&C 70:14–18 — Equality and Inheritance in Zion