D&C 125

As the question was asked if the saints should gather in Iowa, the Lord answered -

"...if those who call themselves by my name and are essaying to be my saints, if they will do my will and keep my commandments concerning them, let them gather themselves together unto the places which I shall appoint unto them..." (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 125:2)

The Lord had previously revealed and substantiated herein -

"...there is none other place appointed than that which I have appointed; neither shall there be any other place appointed than that which I have appointed, for the work of the gathering of my saints—
21 Until the day cometh when there is found no more room for them; and then I have other places which I will appoint unto them, and they shall be called stakes, for the curtains or the strength of Zion." (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 101:20 - 21)

It is clear that the saints were to be appointed to reside in stakes of Zion are they are organized. The saints were to attend and be a part of stakes in which they dwell as the Lord said -

"...let all those who come from the east, and the west, and the north, and the south, that have desires to dwell therein, take up their inheritance in the same, as well as in the city of Nashville, or in the city of Nauvoo, and in all the stakes which I have appointed, saith the Lord." (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 125:4)

These combination of all stakes were to be under the administration of the Quorum of the Twelve as we read in the History of the Church -

"It should, further, be remembered that, at a Conference held at Nauvoo, August 16th, 1841, the Prophet Joseph, with this Revelation in mind, stated that, 'The time has come when the Twelve should be called upon to stand in their place next to the First Presidency, and attend to the settling of emigrants and the business of the Church at the Stakes, and to assist to bear off the kingdom victoriously to the nations.' (HC 4:403.)