The Fulness of the Earth

Many of the revelations contained in the Doctrine & Covenants contained commandments or doctrine that was obviously against the wisdom of the time, but have proven correct with time. However, I had never seen the radical nature of the revelation concerning the use of the earth contained in D&C 59. It seems obvious given our present knowledge, but at the time of Joseph Smith, the revelation as truly revolutionary. It went against the wisdom and knowledge of the time, but has been proven correct with time, just like all the other revelations given through the Prophet Joseph Smith.

D&C 59 was given in 1831, when manifest destiny was running through the country, and settlers continually moved west. The common idea at the time was that the earth had inexhaustible resources. Settlers burned down forests to make room for farms, and never considered it necessary to replant them. Settlers considered it a right to take land it convert it to their own purposes, regardless of the long-term effects. These actions were supported by the U.S. government, and it was not until many years later that the land and resources started to be depleted. Many of the local and national elections centered on helping settlers acquire land and on forcing the Native Americans west. The land was there to be taken and used by the American settlers.

Verses 16-19 seem to support this idea. The fulness of the earth is given to the Saints. With it, they should build homes and barns, raise crops and animals, grow orchards, and multiply and replenish the earth. Verse 18 states that the resources of the earth are "both to please the eye and to gladden the heart." The Lord later says that the earth is "to strengthen the body and to enliven the soul." This makes it sound like the Saints could do whatever they want with the land if it strengthened their bodies or helped them spiritually, or even if it just pleases the eye. The land could be used for aesthetic purposes, and to make the lives of the people better and more fulfilling. The revelation was also utilitarian. The earth was to be used, not just to exist. The purpose of its creation is to bring us fulfillment and allow us to support our families and bring up children in the Gospel.

However, the Lord explains the limits to this promise in verses 20-21. The Lord is not pleased by extortion or excess. The earth is to be used with judgment and self-control. While the earth may appear limitless, the Saints were to control their consumption of it. This probably appeared ridiculous at the time, given that the huge majority of the land had not been used, but today we can see the wisdom of this commandment. Today, most of the land available is being used, and many parts of the earth have already been depleted. This revelation has new relevance for us today, and it falls to us to apply it and act prudently with the earth and its resources. We should use the land to bring up our families and make our lives better, but we also should not use the land beyond limits, what could be considered excess.