D&C 85:3 “It is contrary to the will and commandment of God that those who receive not their inheritance by consecration, agreeable to his law, which he has given, that he may tithe his people, to prepare them against the day of vengeance and burning, should have their names enrolled with the people of God.”
Study Insights
D&C 85:3 – A Sacred Record of the Names of the Saints (November 1832)
In the late autumn of 1832, the early Church of Jesus Christ was experiencing both growth and growing pains. The Saints were gathering in Missouri with the hope of building Zion, a holy city prepared for the Second Coming of Christ. However, the influx of members, the complexities of land inheritance, and disputes over stewardship called for clarity. It was in this backdrop that Doctrine and Covenants 85 was received—specifically on November 27, 1832—addressing order, responsibility, and recordkeeping within the Church. Verse 3 stands out as a declaration of divine precision and forethought: “It is contrary to the will and commandment of God that those who receive not their inheritance by consecration, agreeable to his law, which he has given, that he may tithe his people, to prepare them against the day of vengeance and burning, should have their names enrolled with the people of God.”
Names, Covenants, and Consecration
At the heart of D&C 85:3 is the powerful notion that names matter to God—not merely as identifiers, but as markers of covenant. This verse establishes a spiritual boundary: only those who have received their inheritance through the law of consecration should be officially recorded among the people of God. In an era when the law of consecration was a central principle, this statement reinforced the sacred nature of covenants and communal responsibilities. To be enrolled with the Saints wasn’t just a formality; it signified full participation in the covenant community.
The early Saints were expected to consecrate their properties to the Church, receiving a stewardship in return according to their needs. This wasn’t merely about land—it was about submitting one’s heart and means to the will of the Lord. D&C 85:3 serves as a warning that half-hearted commitment, or seeking the blessings of Zion without embracing its laws, was not acceptable to the Lord. Those who refused the Lord’s law were not to be included in the sacred records—symbolic of not being counted among the faithful when the Lord comes in judgment.
A Heavenly Ledger for the Faithful
The reference to a divine enrollment hints at the concept of a heavenly book of remembrance, wherein the names of the righteous are recorded. This imagery would later echo in future revelations (such as D&C 128), where we learn of angels recording acts of righteousness and priesthood ordinances. D&C 85:3 previews that same sacred recordkeeping on earth, emphasizing that temporal actions have eternal consequences.
Ultimately, D&C 85:3 is more than a logistical note—it’s a statement of eternal significance. It challenges all disciples to consider whether they are truly consecrated, fully committed, and ready to be enrolled among the people of God. In a time when Zion was being organized brick by brick and law by law, the Lord reminded His people that divine belonging comes through covenant, not convenience.
The Names That Matter Most
In a world that often values titles, popularity, or status, D&C 85:3 redirects our attention to a more sacred question: Is our name written among the faithful? This verse invites every follower of Christ to step fully into discipleship, to honor covenants, and to live in such a way that our name is known and recorded by God Himself—not just in earthly membership rolls, but in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
