Doctrine & Covenants 71 Section Overview
Overview
Date of Revelation: December 1, 1831
Location: Hiram, Ohio
Recipient(s): Joseph Smith Jr. and Sidney Rigdon
Section Summary:The Lord commands Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon to temporarily pause the work of the JST (Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible) and go forth to publicly proclaim the gospel, confronting false reports and defending the truth. This revelation responds directly to the vocal opposition of apostates such as Ezra Booth and Simon Ryder. The section emphasizes bold testimony, divine vindication, and the urgency of missionary work in the face of slander.
Timeframe & Setting
This revelation comes in the wake of increased hostility and public criticism, especially following Booth’s letters in the Ohio Star, which criticized Church leadership and doctrine.
Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon were living in Hiram, Ohio, working on the JST.
D&C 71 pauses that sacred work temporarily to address the damage being done by former members' published accusations.
This is one of the few times the Lord directly calls his servants to "confound their enemies" through public debate and clarification.
Key Circumstances
Apostates such as Ezra Booth and Simon Ryder had begun publishing accusations against Joseph Smith and the Church in local newspapers.
The Church's growth and increasing presence brought attention and opposition, requiring a clear public response.
Joseph and Sidney were deeply engaged in translation but received divine direction to prioritize public engagement for a time.
Purpose of the Revelation
To command Joseph and Sidney to go out in public and preach the gospel with power and clarity.
To defend truth and correct falsehoods spread by apostates and critics.
To show that truth has inherent power and the Lord will vindicate His servants when they act under divine commission.
Significance
Demonstrates a key Restoration principle: public witness of truth is sometimes necessary and divinely sanctioned.
Establishes the Lord’s pattern for responding to opposition with revelation, clarity, and boldness, not retaliation.
Serves as a model for faithful defense: truth will "cut its own way" (v. 9).
Anticipates modern challenges to faith and provides scriptural precedent for confronting misinformation with doctrinal integrity and divine guidance.
D&C 71:1–4 — A Missionary Mandate to Defend the Faith
Verses 1-4
1 Behold, thus saith the Lord unto you my servants Joseph Smith, Jun., and Sidney Rigdon, that the time has verily come that it is necessary and expedient in me that you should open your mouths in proclaiming my gospel, the things of the kingdom, expounding the mysteries thereof out of the scriptures, according to that portion of Spirit and power which shall be given unto you, even as I will.
2 Verily I say unto you, proclaim unto the world in the regions round about, and in the church also, for the space of a season, even until it shall be made known unto you.
3 Verily this is a mission for a season, which I give unto you.
4 Wherefore, labor ye in my vineyard. Call upon the inhabitants of the earth, and bear record, and prepare the way for the commandments and revelations which are to come.
Summary
Joseph and Sidney are commanded to pause the JST and undertake a time-bound mission to publicly preach and defend the gospel.
The emphasis is on Spirit-led proclamation—expounding the scriptures and mysteries of the kingdom with authority.
Their mission is temporary but preparatory—”plowing the soil” before further commandments and revelations are delivered.
This introduces a model of intermittent prophetic priorities: even sacred assignments may be reoriented to meet more urgent spiritual needs.
Language & Cultural Insights
“Open your mouths” – An idiom for bold, Spirit-led teaching. Compare D&C 33:8–10 and Exodus 4:12. This phrase implies a divine endowment of speech, not self-assertion.
“Proclaim” – Greek: κηρύσσω kēryssō — to herald, to declare with public authority, often used for royal or divine messengers.
“Mysteries of the kingdom”
Greek: μυστήριον (mystērion) — divine truths hidden from the world but revealed to the faithful (see Matthew 13:11).
Hebrew: סוֹד (sōd) — “secret counsel” of the Lord, often associated with prophets and divine assemblies (cf. Amos 3:7).
“Portion of Spirit” – This recalls the biblical pattern of measured endowment:
In Numbers 11:17, the Lord says, “I will take of the Spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them.”
Also seen in 2 Kings 2:9, where Elisha asks for a “double portion” of Elijah’s spirit.
The term implies that spiritual gifts are given in degree according to divine will and mission—D&C 46 expands on this.
“Space of a season” – This phrase reflects a temporary, divinely designated interval.
The Greek word kairos (καιρός) refers to an appointed time or season of opportunity (Ecclesiastes 3:1; Galatians 6:9).
In Hebrew, the root עֵת (ʿet) also means a season or fixed time (Psalm 1:3).
“Labor ye in my vineyard” – Symbolic of covenant service and prophetic labor:
See Jacob 5, where the vineyard represents Israel and its grafting/cultivation represents missionary work, repentance, and restoration.
Compare with Matthew 20:1–16 — parable of the laborers in the vineyard, emphasizing reward based on covenant loyalty, not just time.
In LDS theology, laboring in the vineyard represents active discipleship—working under divine direction to gather, nurture, and reclaim souls.
Reflection Questions
Have you ever had a divine assignment or goal interrupted by something more urgent? How did and should we respond?
What does it mean to receive only “a portion” of the Spirit? How do we act in faith while still dependent on divine timing and strength?
How can you personally “labor in the Lord’s vineyard” this season of your life?
Cross-References & Conference Connections
D&C 88:84 — “Go ye out from among the wicked. Save yourselves.”
Alma 29:9 — Alma glories in “laboring in the Lord’s vineyard.”
Isaiah 28:10 — truth is revealed “line upon line... here a little, there a little.”
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Your Great Adventure,” Oct. 2019 — calls us to be “engaged in the vineyard” and find joy in spiritual labor.
Reference Notes
Joseph and Sidney’s assignment recalls Old Testament prophetic patterns—interrupting sacred duties for public confrontation (e.g., Elijah on Mount Carmel).
Their mission helped stem public apostasy (at least temporarily) and showed that doctrinal defense was sometimes part of divine calling.
The Lord’s direction also foreshadows the needs of a growing public ministry, providing an established foundation for future development, especially as the Church expanded into national and global movements.
D&C 71:5–6 — Receive the Word and Be Given More
D&C 71:7–8 — Boldness Before Opposition
D&C 71:9–11 — The Lord’s Defense and Due Time