The “Revelation” That Never Was

The LDS Doctrine and Covenants says that Section 109, the dedication prayer for the House of The Lord in Kirtland, was given to Joseph Smith via revelation. But is that reflected in the historical sources? Does it have anything to do with Brigham Young’s misbegotten and enormously expensive temple projects? Let’s find out.

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Sources:
- D&C 109: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/109?lang=eng
- Prayer in broadside: https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/prayer-of-dedication-27-march-1836-dc-109/1#source-note
- Prayer in Messenger and Advocate: https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/minutes-and-prayer-of-dedication-27-march-1836-dc-109/4
- Prayer in Journal: https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/journal-1835-1836/179
- Joseph’s journal of the day before: https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/journal-1835-1836/174
- Oliver’s Journal of the day before: https://catalog.churchofjesuschrist.org/assets/d11962ee-4618-4177-90aa-aa72cedc0f98/0/26?lang=eng
- Prayer in JS History: https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/history-1838-1856-volume-b-1-1-september-1834-2-november-1838/171
- For different versions of the Doctrine and Covenants: https://comparedandc.com/
- History of Joseph Smith in Deseret News: https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/history-of-joseph-smith/301
- History of the Church: volume 2, page 420: https://archive.org/details/church-history-vol.-2/page/420/mode/2up