dccanon
Doctrine & Covenants
Section 37
Jehovah halts further translation work and issues the first command to gather — the church is to move to Ohio. The prohibition is not permanent but conditional: preach first in the eastern branches, strengthen what has been planted, attend especially to Colesville where faith is already alive in prayer, then assemble when Oliver Cowdery returns. The gathering command is not metaphor; it is a literal, geographical, covenant-community movement ordered by the Lord Himself. The closing word places the choice in each person's hands until He comes — covenant agency intact, the gathering nonetheless commanded.
1
Behold, I say unto you that it is not expedient in me that ye should translate any more until ye shall go to the Ohio, and this because of the enemy and for your sakes.
2
And again, I say unto you that ye shall not go until ye have preached my gospel in those parts, and have strengthened up the church whithersoever it is found, and more especially in Colesville; for, behold, they pray unto me in much faith.
3
And again, a commandment I give unto the church, that it is expedient in me that they should assemble together at the Ohio, against the time that my servant Oliver Cowdery shall return unto them.
4
Behold, here is wisdom, and let every man choose for himself until I come. Even so. Amen.
