LDS Doctrine and Covenants Critique
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The Doctrine and Covenants
SECTION 14
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to
David Whitmer, at Fayette, New York, June 1829. The Whitmer family had
become greatly interested in the translating of the Book of Mormon. The
Prophet established his residence at the home of Peter Whitmer Sr.,
where he dwelt until the work of translation was carried to completion
and the copyright on the forthcoming book was secured. Three of the
Whitmer sons, each having received a testimony as to the genuineness of
the work, became deeply concerned over the matter of their individual
duty. This revelation and the two following (sections 15 and 16) were
given in answer to an inquiry through the Urim and Thummim. David
Whitmer later became one of the Three Witnesses to the Book of Mormon.
1–6, Laborers in the vineyard will gain salvation; 7–8, Eternal life is
the greatest of God’s gifts; 9–11, Christ created the heavens and the
earth.
1 A great and marvelous work is about to come forth unto the children of men.
Note: The Book of Mormon is not a marvelous work.
Critics highlight items in the text that appear out of place for
ancient America, including Old World cultural practices and
technologies. These anachronisms are a central part of scholarly
criticism.
2 Behold, I am God; give heed to my word, which is quick and powerful,
sharper than a two-edged sword, to the dividing asunder of both joints
and marrow; therefore, give heed unto my word.
Note: The Holy Bible was plagiarized.
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any
two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and
of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of
the heart. Hebrews 4:12
3 Behold, the field is white already to harvest; therefore, whoso
desireth to reap let him thrust in his sickle with his might, and reap
while the day lasts, that he may treasure up for his soul everlasting
salvation in the kingdom of God.
Note: Joseph Smith did not understand the judgment of God.
And another angel came out from the altar, who had power over fire, and
he cried with a loud cry to him who had the sharp sickle, saying,
“Thrust in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the vine of the
earth, for her grapes are fully ripe.” So, the angel thrust his sickle
into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth and threw it into the
great winepress of the wrath of God. Revelation 14:18-19
4 Yea, whosoever will thrust in his sickle and reap, the same is called of God.
Note: The angels of God will do the harvest at the end of the age.
The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of
His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness,
and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and
gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in
the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!
Matthew 13:41-43
5 Therefore, if you will ask of me you shall receive; if you will knock it shall be opened unto you.
Note: The Holy Bible was plagiarized.
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7
6 Seek to bring forth and establish my Zion. Keep my commandments in
all things. 7 And, if you keep my commandments and endure to the end
you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the
gifts of God.
Note: Whoever believes in Jesus Christ has eternal life.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that
whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
John 3:16
8 And it shall come to pass, that if you shall ask the Father in my
name, in faith believing, you shall receive the Holy Ghost, which
giveth utterance, that you may stand as a witness of the things of
which you shall both hear and see, and also that you may declare
repentance unto this generation.
Note: The Holy Spirit will be a witness for Jesus Christ.
“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you;
and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and
Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8
9 Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, who created the
heavens and the earth, a light which cannot be hid in darkness; 10
Wherefore, I must bring forth the fulness of my gospel from the
Gentiles unto the house of Israel.
Note: The Gospel of Jesus Christ began with the Jews at Jerusalem.
Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary
for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and
that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to
all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. Luke 24:46-47
11 And behold, thou art David, and thou art called to assist; which
thing if ye do, and are faithful, ye shall be blessed both spiritually
and temporally, and great shall be your reward. Amen.
Note: David Whitmer came to believe that Joseph Smith was rotten.
David Whitmer (January 7, 1805 – January 25, 1888) was an early leader
of the Latter Day Saint Movement and one of the Three Witnesses to the
gold plates of the Book of Mormon. Whitmer later distanced himself from
Joseph Smith and was excommunicated from the church in 1838.