“I have much treasure in this city for you, for the benefit of Zion, and many people in this city, whom I will gather out in due time for the benefit of Zion, through your instrumentality.” —Doctrine and Covenants 111:2¹

Salem, Massachusetts, was a port city located northeast of Boston and had a population of about 14,000 in 1830. Joseph Smith had visited Salem as a boy when he was recovering from a leg surgery.² After hearing there may be hidden treasure in Salem, Joseph, Hyrum Smith, Oliver Cowdery, and Sidney Rigdon visited Salem in August 1836, hoping to help alleviate the church's debt.³ While there, Joseph received a revelation, comforting him that the Lord was not displeased with their journey and promising that debts would be paid and Zion would be dealt with mercifully.⁴ Although no treasure was found, the revelation mentioned that there were many treasures in Salem for the benefit of Zion, including financial resources, spiritual blessings, and important knowledge. Five years later, missionary Erastus Snow preached the gospel in Salem and formed a branch of the Church there.³

1. Doctrine and Covenants 111

2. “Salem, Massachusetts,” josephsmithpapers.org

3. “More Treasures Than One,” Revelations in Context, churchofjesuschrist.org

4. Saints, Volume 1, Chapter 22, 258-259;