D&C 101:22-23 “22 Behold, it is my will, that all they who call on my name, and worship me according to mine everlasting gospel, should gather together, and stand in holy places; 23 And prepare for the revelation which is to come, when the veil of the covering of my temple, in my tabernacle, which hideth the earth, shall be taken off, and all flesh shall see me together.”
Study Insights
D&C 101:22–23 — Standing in Holy Places and Preparing for the Revelation to Come (December 16–17, 1833)
Historical Setting and Divine Context
Doctrine and Covenants 101 was revealed in December 1833 during a moment of intense hardship for the early Saints, particularly those suffering persecution and displacement in Missouri. Violence, expulsion, and uncertainty surrounded the Church, and many were asking why God would allow His people to endure such trials. Into this turmoil, the Lord offered revelation that acknowledged suffering while redirecting attention to His eternal purposes. Verses 22–23 stand out as forward-looking promises, assuring the Saints that present affliction did not negate future glory or divine justice.
Calling on the Name of Christ
The Lord begins with an inclusive declaration that all who call upon His name and worship Him according to His everlasting gospel are invited into His covenant promises. This calling goes beyond spoken devotion and reflects a life shaped by faith, obedience, and reliance on Jesus Christ. Worship is framed not as ceremony alone, but as loyalty to gospel principles that remain constant across generations. In times of confusion and fear, this assurance reaffirmed that sincere discipleship still placed believers within God’s divine care.
Gathering and Standing in Holy Places
The instruction to gather together and stand in holy places carries layered meaning. Historically, gathering involved physical assembly, shared worship, and temple-centered living. Spiritually, it points to establishing sanctified spaces where faith is protected and nurtured. Holy places are created wherever covenant commitments are honored, whether in organized worship, family life, or personal devotion. Rather than promising immediate relief from adversity, the Lord emphasizes holiness as the source of stability and strength in uncertain times.
Preparing for the Coming Revelation
Verse 23 shifts attention toward a future moment of divine unveiling. The imagery of a veil being removed from the Lord’s temple symbolizes the end of mortal limitation and spiritual obscurity. Mortality itself is described as a covering that hides the full presence of God. When that covering is taken away, all flesh will see Christ together. This promise underscores the universality and certainty of the coming revelation, portraying it as a literal, collective event rather than an abstract hope.
Endurance with Eternal Perspective
Together, these verses teach that preparation for Christ’s revelation is an active, ongoing process. Standing in holy places now is how believers prepare for what is yet to come. For the Saints in 1833, this message reframed suffering within a larger eternal narrative. For modern readers, it offers reassurance that faithfulness amid turmoil has lasting purpose. The promise that all flesh will see Him together affirms that God’s plan moves forward steadily, transforming present trials into part of an eternal unfolding of truth and redemption.
