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August 31, 1831

On August 31, 1831, Joseph Smith dictated a brief revelation instructing John Burk, David Elliott, and Erastus Babbitt to “journey . . . to the land of Zion.” In a revelation given a month prior, the Lord had already identified Missouri as the “land of Zion” and the town of Independence in Jackson County specifically as the place to begin the building of the “City of Zion” (Doctrine and Covenants 57:1–3, 14). The revelation pronounced on August 31, although direct, is sparse, omitting important details about these men’s sojourn to Zion, including the very reason for making the trip. Perhaps it had something to do with an injunction given earlier that month commanding the Prophet to send “workmen” to build up Zion and labor “for the saints of God” (Doctrine and Covenants 58:54). After all, each of the men had skills that would have been beneficial for the needs of the city: Burk was a farmer and may have had skills with the sawmill, Elliott was a blacksmith, and Babbitt a carpenter.[1] However, for reasons not entirely clear it appears that the men did not immediately heed the revelation and go to Zion.[2]

David Babbitt eventually settled in Illinois and would go on to join the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.[3] Both John Burk and David Elliot immigrated to Utah with the Saints and there would spend the rest of their lives.[4]

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Behold, thus saith the Lord by the voice of the Spirit: it is wisdom in me that my servants John Burk, David Elliott, and Erastus Babbitt should take their journey this fall to the land of Zion.

Notes

[1] JSP, D2:55–56. See further the biographical entries at https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/reference/people.

[2] JSP, D2:56.

[3] See “Babbitt, Erastus Aires” (biographical entry), The Joseph Smith Papers, https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/person/erastus-aires-babbitt.

[4] 15th Company of 50 report, 1852 June 23, CR 12345 5, box 1, folder 18, CHL; Ezra T. Benson’s 100, report, 1849 September 24, MS 14290, CHL.