Doctrine and Covenants Revelation Sites

Salem, Massachusetts

Site of a boarding house on Union Street

Section 111

August 1836

Scripture

"I have much treasure in this city for you, for the benefit of Zion, and many people in this city, whom I will gather out in due time for the benefit of Zion, through your instrumentality.

"And the place where it is my will that you should tarry, for the main, shall be signalized unto you by the peace and power of my Spirit, that shall flow unto you.

"Therefore, be ye as wise as serpents and yet without sin; and I will order all things for your good, as fast as ye are able to receive them. Amen."

During a period of intense financial difficulty for the young church, a member from Massachusetts advised church leaders that he knew of a large amount of money located in the cellar of a house in Salem. The leaders decided to visit Salem hoping the money would help alleviate the financial crisis, but the money was never found.

Doctrine and Covenants 111:2, 8, 11

Joseph and Hyrum Smith, Oliver Cowdery, and Sidney Rigdon traveled from Kirtland to Salem, arriving in August 1836. They stayed for several weeks at a rented boarding house on Union Street. The specific place they stayed is not known.

Key Events

Joseph Smith and several companions arrived in Salem in August 1836.

While in Salem, Joseph and his companions preached the Gospel, but had little success.

In 1841, Erastus Snow was sent by the Prophet to establish the Church in Salem. Within several years, the Salem Branch numbered about 100 members.

Nathaniel Felt, a Salem convert and successful businessman, was called as President of the Salem Branch at the end of 1843. He moved to Missouri in 1847, and was called to be president of the St. Louis Conference. There, he provided financial and other assistance to thousands of Church members emigrating from Europe, and Saints displaced from Nauvoo preparing to go to Salt Lake City. Nathaniel Felt was truly a "treasure for the benefit of Zion."

Joseph received the revelation on 6 August 1836. That same day, Sidney Rigdon and Oliver Cowdery visited the East India Museum, which still stands today.

Words of Joseph Smith

"Why will not man learn wisdom by precept at this late age of the world, when we have such a cloud of witnesses and examples before us, and not be obliged to learn by sad experience everything we know?" (History of the Church 3:383)

"I never told you I was perfect; but there is no error in the revelations which I have taught." (History of the Church 6:366)

"Thus you see, my dear brother, the willingness of our heavenly Father to forgive sins, and restore to favor all those who are willing to humble themselves before Him, and confess their sins, and forsake them, and return to Him with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy, to serve Him to the end." (History of the Church 2:315)