D&C 136 — Brigham’s One Revelation
📜 D&C 136 — Brigham’s One Revelation
Why did Brigham Young only receive one revelation?
Let’s walk this one out slowly.
👁️ How Joseph Spoke for God
Here’s how Howard Coray described it when Joseph Smith dictated a revelation:
“The Spirit of God descended upon him… I could fully realize that God, or the Holy Ghost, was talking through him. I felt so small and humble I could have freely kissed his feet.”
(The Words of Joseph Smith, p. 51)
There was power.
There was presence.
There was no doubt—God was speaking.
🗣️ Brigham’s View on Apostles Speaking for God
Brigham Young once said:
“The words of an Apostle who magnifies his calling are the words of the Almighty… He never need be called in question.”
(April 1852 General Conference)
That’s not how Joseph talked.
That’s how a man uncertain of revelation asserts his authority.
By blurring the line between his voice and God’s voice.
🛶 The Making of D&C 136
January 14, 1847.
The Twelve meet for several hours.
They’re planning how to move the Saints west.
Brigham gives instructions.
Later that night, he and Willard Richards go to the Octagon office
and write out what would become known as:
“The Word and Will of the Lord concerning the Camp of Israel.”
Forty-two verses.
Written in about 7–8 hours.
A committee-style document, crafted through discussion, then polished by Brigham and Richards.
🏕️ Was It Revelation… or Administration?
Let’s be clear—D&C 136 contains practical wisdom:
Organize by captains of 100s, 50s, and 10s
Care for the poor and widows
Prepare fields and houses
Move the people west
But here’s the issue:
🧭 Almost the same instructions were given in March 1846, nearly a year earlier.
(See Journal History, March 27, 1846)
So was this really revelation?
Or was it logistics dressed in scripture style?
🧠 Brigham’s Style vs. Joseph’s Spirit
Joseph didn’t edit his revelations.
He dictated them under fire—one draft, from the mouth of the Lord.
Brigham?
He edited.
He discussed.
He co-wrote with a scribe.
And after this? He never gave another “revelation.”
🧍♂️ Brigham Admits: “I Am Not a Prophet”
Let’s go to the record:
“You are now without a prophet present with you in the flesh to guide you…”
(Times and Seasons, Aug 15, 1844)
“I am not a visionary man… I call on brother Heber—he is my prophet.”
(April 6, 1853, Journal of Discourses 1:132)
“I don’t profess to be such a prophet as were Joseph Smith and Daniel.”
(July 26, 1857, JD 5:77)
He even refused the title during General Conference:
“I never dictated that part of the sentence—Prophet, Seer, and Revelator… I am Brigham Young, an Apostle of Joseph Smith.”
(Oct 6, 1857, JD 5:296)
🧱 He Built an Empire. But Did He Build It by Revelation?
Brigham led the Saints.
He got them across the plains.
He organized and built and governed.
But was it by revelation?
Or was it by administration?
He didn’t stand and declare: “Thus saith the Lord.”
He delegated. He guessed. He governed.
And that’s not how the restoration began.
🌿 Final Thought: Joseph Still Holds the Keys
Brigham himself said it best:
“Joseph… still holds the keys of this dispensation and always will.”
(Times and Seasons, 1844)
That means:
No one replaces him.
No one rewrites his teachings.
No one adds doctrines he condemned.
D&C 136 may contain wisdom.
But it doesn’t carry the same fire.
Because Brigham knew what we’re just beginning to rediscover:
You can’t fake the voice of God.
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