D&C 58

Keeping in perspective the circumstances, this revelation was given as some of the most valiant of the early saints including the members of the Colesville branch assembled for the first time at Zion. To these saints, the Lord gave a great blessing in "...that you might be honored in laying the foundation, and in bearing record of the land upon which the Zion of God shall stand;" (Doctrine and Covenants Section 58:7)

But with love, the Lord knowing the tribulation they were yet to experience said-

"...and he that is faithful in tribulation, the reward of the same is greater in the kingdom of heaven.
3 Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation.
4 For after much tribulation come the blessings. Wherefore the day cometh that ye shall be crowned with much glory; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand.
5 Remember this, which I tell you before, that you may lay it to heart, and receive that which is to follow." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 58:2 - 5)

Whether they understood or not, church history testifies of the fulfillment of these words.

As valiant as these saints were, they still had much to learn of what was expected of them. There is a higher law than only doing what is commanded of them. The Lord counseled -

"...it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.
27 Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;
28 For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward.
29 But he that doeth not anything until he is commanded, and receiveth a commandment with doubtful heart, and keepeth it with slothfulness, the same is damned." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 58:26 - 29)

Many were called to repentance. All of which applies to eveyone. Of Bro. Phelps the Lord said -

"...he hath need to repent, for I, the Lord, am not well pleased with him, for he seeketh to excel, and he is not sufficiently meek before me.
42 Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more.
43 By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins—behold, he will confess them and forsake them." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 58:41 - 43)

To those that gathered that Sunday in Zion, must have been felt direct love and concern of the Savior.