D&C 96:3-4 “3 And again, let it be divided into lots, according to wisdom, for the benefit of those who seek inheritances, as it shall be determined in council among you. 4 Therefore, take heed that ye see to this matter, and that portion that is necessary to benefit mine order, for the purpose of bringing forth my word to the children of men.”
Study Insights
Dividing the Land with Wisdom (June 4, 1833)
A Revelation of Order and Stewardship
Doctrine and Covenants 96:3–4, revealed on June 4, 1833, in Kirtland, Ohio, offers profound insight into how the Lord views stewardship, unity, and divine order. In these verses, the Lord instructs that the sacred land acquired by the Saints—such as the French farm—be divided “into lots, according to wisdom,” and managed “for the benefit of those who seek inheritances.” Though it may appear to concern land distribution, this passage represents something far greater: the heavenly pattern for organizing temporal affairs to accomplish spiritual purposes. It reveals that the Lord’s work thrives through structure, council, and consecrated intent.
Dividing by Wisdom, Not Ambition
The phrase “according to wisdom” shows that the Lord expected the Saints to make decisions not based on personal preference or worldly ambition but through revelation and unity. Every lot or portion of land carried both physical and spiritual meaning. Each decision about property had to reflect faith, fairness, and foresight. In a growing community of believers who had consecrated their means to build Zion, this process required humility and collaboration. The Lord reminded them that wisdom is not merely intelligence or experience—it is divine understanding applied through righteous intent. Thus, the division of the land was not just a real estate matter but a spiritual exercise in seeking God’s will.
Inheritances in Zion
The instruction to distribute lots “for the benefit of those who seek inheritances” connected the early Saints to ancient Israelite patterns of covenant inheritance. Just as the tribes of Israel were allotted land as part of their covenant with God, the Saints in Kirtland were being organized into a modern Zion—each person or family receiving a place to build, worship, and serve. These inheritances were symbols of belonging, community, and covenant faithfulness. They represented the Saints’ willingness to sacrifice comfort and individual gain for the greater good of God’s kingdom. The Lord’s command taught that true inheritance is not found in ownership, but in consecration and shared purpose.
The Order of the Lord’s Work
In verse 4, the Lord emphasizes stewardship with urgency: “Therefore, take heed that ye see to this matter, and that portion that is necessary to benefit mine order.” The “order” referred to here is the United Firm—a sacred organization established to manage the Church’s temporal resources. This was not a mere business arrangement; it was a divine order designed to sustain the spiritual mission of the Church. Every portion of land, every resource, and every decision was to serve one higher purpose: “bringing forth my word to the children of men.” The Saints were learning that even temporal work—such as dividing property—was part of preaching the gospel. Every structure built, every field cultivated, and every council held contributed to the larger mission of spreading light and truth.
Bringing Forth the Word of God
Ultimately, these verses remind us that all earthly stewardship points toward a divine mission. The Lord’s command to manage resources “for the purpose of bringing forth my word” reveals the inseparable bond between temporal labor and spiritual creation. The Saints’ careful management of land would make possible the construction of the Kirtland Temple, the printing of sacred texts, and the gathering of believers. Through wisdom, unity, and consecration, the Lord’s word would reach nations and generations far beyond Kirtland. Doctrine and Covenants 96:3–4 thus stands as a timeless reminder that when our temporal affairs are governed by divine order, they become instruments for eternal good.
