The setting was the west bank of the Missouri River on the Iowa-Nebraska border, Jan. 13, 1847. Mobs had driven the Latter-day Saints from Nauvoo, Ill. On this day came sorely needed direction in the form of "the Word and Will of the Lord" (Doctrine and Covenants 136). President Brigham Young conveyed it to the people the next day. The Pioneers' 1846-47 flight becomes for us today an allegory of the journey we are making toward eternal life. As they fled from murderous mobs, we have been commanded to go out from the wickedness and perils of "spiritual Babylon." (See Doctrine and Covenants 133:14.) We are trekking through a wilderness of separation from the immediate presence of our Heavenly Father and journeying toward our heavenly home, the promised "place which God for us prepared." (See Hymns, No. 30; and John 14:2.)

Thus, the Word and Will of the Lord given to Brigham Young should and does hold deep meaning for us. Consider a few parallels and applications:

It unequivocally identified,for that time, the Twelve as the Lord's duly established authority to lead the Church.

In Nauvoo and on the trail, there were efforts to undermine the leadership of President Young and the apostles. Now, the Lord revealed clearly that the camp should be organized "under the direction of the Twelve Apostles." (See verse 3.) Under their leadership, the survival and ultimate prosperity of the Church was accomplished.

Today, we are led by the same apostolic authority vested in the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve. There have been and will continue to be those who murmur against their leadership, who stray from the right path and try to get others to follow. Wise Church members keep their eyes trained on the course set by the prophets and apostles under inspiration from Christ.

The revelation set forth wise principles of leadership and delegation.

Consistent with the Old Testament model (see Exodus 18:21-27), the Lord commanded that the Camp of Israel be organized into companies with captains of hundreds, fifties and tens. (See verse 3.) Each company had a president and two counselors; these in turn selected the captains.

Today, a system of presidencies and councils distributes the burden and responsibility of administering the day-to-day affairs of the kingdom of God on earth.

The revelation unified the Church as a body according to principles of charity and preparedness.

Able-bodied men from each company were to go in advance to cultivate spring crops in the new settlement, and provision was to be made for those who would come along the trail later. The companies were to share equally the burden of caring for the needy. And everyone was to use all his influence and property to see that all who so desired could go west with the Church. (See verses 7-10.)

Today in the Church, we strive to live according to principles of consecration in temporal and spiritual matters, assisting the less advantaged through such means as the welfare plan and the Perpetual Education Fund. Consistent with the three-fold mission of the Church, we perfect one another and bring others, living and dead, to Christ.

The revelation prescribed principles of conduct to ensure spirituality and worthiness for the continued guidance of the Holy Spirit.

The saints in the camp were to avoid profanity, contention, evil speaking, drunkenness. They were to edify one another, be wise stewards and praise the Lord with singing, dancing, music, prayer and thanksgiving. (See verses 20-30.) Likewise today, we invite the protection of the Lord and guidance of His Spirit as we follow the counsel in verse 42: "Be diligent in keeping all my commandments, lest judgments come upon you, and your faith fail you, and your enemies triumph over you."

This year on July 24, as we celebrate the entrance of Brigham Young and the advance company into the valley of the Great Salt Lake, let us ponder and apply the eternal teachings of the Word and Will of the Lord revealed through him at Winter Quarters.