Doctrine and Covenants 81 to 83 – Where “Much Is Given Much Is Required”

In Ohio, Joseph Smith received revelation about organizing the First Presidency, and Jesse Gause was called. Joseph traveled to Independence, Missouri, and received revelation about a cooperative of the Church mercantile and publishing efforts and providing for those in need.

“Jesse Gause: Counselor to the Prophet,” Robin Scott Jensen, Revelations in Context

Jesse Gause, as a counselor to Joseph Smith, served a mission, traveled to Missouri on Church business, and served as a scribe. But less than a year later, he had left the Church.

“Jesse Gause: Counselor to the Prophet,” Robert J. Woodford, BYU Studies 15, no. 3

A short study of Jesse Gause’s involvement in the Church: after he was ordained, he appeared in a leading role in the Church for only a short time.

“Joseph Smith and the United Firm: The Growth and Decline of the Church’s First Master Plan of Business and Finance, Ohio and Missouri, 1832–1834,” Max H Parkin, BYU Studies, Vol. 46, no. 3
The United Firm was a business management company that oversaw the Church’s economic pursuits, such as maintaining properties, and some spiritual matters, such as publishing revelations and planning the city of Zion. An unpublished part of the revelation that became D&C 78 states that leaders needed “an organization of the literary and mercantile establishments of my church both in this place [Kirtland] and in the land of Zion [Missouri].” This article gives the history of the United Firm’s activities in land purchases, publications, and stewardships.

“Newel K. Whitney and the United Firm,” Matthew C. Godfrey, Revelations in Context

Just days after a mob attacked Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon, they with others left for Missouri to work toward getting a Church store and publishing set up. Section 82 tells how these partners were to be bound by a covenant.

“The Bishops’ Storehouse,” Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints website

Section 83 teaches that widows and children have claim first upon their families, and then upon the church. Today’s storehouse system provides for many people in need.