This section is all about Zion, what it is and what a Zion people are. The saints in Jackson County, starting on Oct. 31st and through the next four or five weeks, are attacked by mobs who destroy their homes and furnishing, beat the men, and drive the women and children out of the settlements. Of the three surrounding counties, only the people in Clay County are somewhat sympathetic in receiving them but this will not last. By November 7th, the shores of the river are lined with hundreds of displaced families who are forced to live out in the open under a cold driving rain. Joseph eventually hears of this and writes them a letter on December 1st. In the letter, he confesses that he has received no inspiration regarding what has happened. I personally think a false prophet would have been quick to relay some type of revelation. But it wasn't until the 16th of December that he received Section 101.
In this section, the Lord explains why this has happened to the saints, what they should do, and teaches more of what Zion is and when it will be redeemed. The reason this has happened is disobedience. The people were covetous, contentious, and had set aside the Lord's counsel. In one of the three parables the Lord gives in the section, the longest (verses 43 to 64) specifically states that the saints expulsion was also a result of their failing to move forward in building the temple. Had they done this and lived according to the Lord's commandments, they would have been protected. When you read the parable, the Nobleman is Christ, the vineyard is the earth, the choice piece of land is Jackson County, the servants are the church members, the olive trees are the settlements of the saints, the watchmen are the officers of the church, the tower is the temple, and the servant is Joseph Smith.
The Lord promises that he will redeem Zion but it will be "when I will." In the meantime, the Lord counsels the saints to build up the church and continue gathering. He instructs them to seek redress from the authorities from the lowest to the highest levels. Joseph will eventually go to Washington but assistance and justice will never come at any level. It is in verse 80 that the Lord states that he established the Constitution by the hands of wise men who he raised up. He says that he established the constitution for the purpose that all men would be able to be free, have rights and protection, have the ability to act according to their own moral agency, and that there would be no bondage of one man to another. While the Lord promises he will not abandon the saints, they are left with no doubt that there will still be consequences for their disobedience.
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