I hold forth and deign to give unto you greater riches, even a land of promise, a land flowing with milk and honey, upon which there shall be no curse when the Lord cometh.
Doctrine & Covenants 38:18
“A land of promise…flowing with milk and honey, upon which there shall be no curse when the Lord cometh.” Perhaps the people that day thought that would be at the Ohio where they had previously been instructed to gather. Maybe some thought the location was yet to be revealed as had been spoken about a new Jerusalem to be built. I can imagine later saints thinking that it was the Salt Lake Valley, either as they gathered there or while building it up.
It occurs to me that the people of the church expected revelations at any conference the same way that we have come to expect new temple announcements in our day.
The later part of the revelation makes it clear that a Hallmark of this land with no curse is that there will be no great inequality where some are excitement rich while others are in great want. Having some people more wealthy than others is fine but having some who do not have their basic needs met is not acceptable—so we have work yet to do.
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