LDS Doctrine and Covenants Critique
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The Doctrine and Covenants
SECTION 19
Revelation given through Joseph Smith, at Manchester,
New York, likely in the summer of 1829. In his history, the Prophet
introduces it as “a commandment of God and not of man, to Martin
Harris, given by him who is Eternal.”
1–3, Christ has all power; 4–5, All men must repent or suffer; 6–12,
Eternal punishment is God’s punishment; 13–20, Christ suffered for all,
that they might not suffer if they would repent; 21–28, Preach the
gospel of repentance; 29–41, Declare glad tidings.
1 I am Alpha and Omega, Christ the Lord; yea, even I am he, the beginning and the end, the Redeemer of the world.
Note: The Holy Bible was Plagiarized.
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord,” Revelation 1:8
2 I, having accomplished and finished the will of him whose I am, even
the Father, concerning me—having done this that I might subdue all
things unto myself—
Note: The Holy Bible was Plagiarized.
according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. Philippians 3:21
3 Retaining all power, even to the destroying of Satan and his works at
the end of the world, and the last great day of judgment, which I shall
pass upon the inhabitants thereof, judging every man according to his
works and the deeds which he hath done.
Note: The unholy trinity will be tormented forever.
Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from
his prison and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four
corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle,
whose number is as the sand of the sea. They went up on the breadth of
the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city.
And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. The devil,
who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where
the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and
night forever and ever. Revelation 20:7-10
4 And surely every man must repent or suffer, for I, God, am endless.
Note: Joseph Smith changed his idea about God being eternal.
Joseph Smith's Declaration: In 1844, during a speech known as the King
Follett discourse, church founder Joseph Smith stated that God the
Father "was once a man like us"
5 Wherefore, I revoke not the judgments which I shall pass, but woes
shall go forth, weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth, yea, to those
who are found on my left hand.
Note: The Holy Bible was plagiarized.
“Then He will also say to those on the left hand, Depart from Me, you
cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his
angels:” Matthew 25:41
“They threw dust on their heads and cried out, weeping and wailing,” Revelation 18:19
“Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him
away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and
gnashing of teeth.’” Matthew 22:13
6 Nevertheless, it is not written that there shall be no end to this
torment, but it is written endless torment. 7 Again, it is written
eternal damnation; wherefore it is more express than other scriptures,
that it might work upon the hearts of the children of men, altogether
for my name’s glory.
Note: The LDS church has defined eternal as temporary.
Temporary Hell: For those who do not repent and must suffer for their
sins, hell (often referred to in LDS doctrine as spirit prison) is a
temporary, remedial state of suffering.
8 Wherefore, I will explain unto you this mystery, for it is meet unto
you to know even as mine apostles. 9 I speak unto you that are chosen
in this thing, even as one, that you may enter into my rest.
Note: Believers will be diligent to enter that rest through faith in Jesus Christ.
Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall
according to the same example of disobedience. 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. And there is
no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to
the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:11-13
10 For, behold, the mystery of godliness, how great is it! For, behold,
I am endless, and the punishment which is given from my hand is endless
punishment, for Endless is my name. Wherefore 11 Eternal punishment is
God’s punishment. 12 Endless punishment is God’s punishment.
Note: The name of God is Yahweh not endless.
Then Moses said to God, “Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel
and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they
say to me, ‘What is His name?’ what shall I say to them?” And God said
to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the
children of Israel, I AM has sent me to you.’” Exodus 3:13-14
Note: Yahweh is the personal, sacred name for the God of the Bible, derived from the Hebrew verb meaning "to be" or "to exist".
13 Wherefore, I command you to repent, and keep the commandments which
you have received by the hand of my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., in my
name;
Note: Joseph Smith was rotten.
Joseph Smith and his family faced numerous allegations and legal
charges of fraud, primarily stemming from early 19th-century treasure
hunting, folk magic, and later financial ventures.
14 And it is by my almighty power that you have received them; 15
Therefore I command you to repent—repent, lest I smite you by the rod
of my mouth, and by my wrath, and by my anger, and your sufferings be
sore—how sore you know not, how exquisite you know not, yea, how hard
to bear you know not. 16 For behold, I, God, have suffered these things
for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent; 17 But if
they would not repent they must suffer even as I;
Note: The Smith family targeted Martin Harris to pay for the Book of Mormon.
Until 1831, Harris lived in Palmyra, New York, where he was a prosperous farmer.
18 Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to
tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both
body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and
shrink—19 Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and
finished my preparations unto the children of men. 20 Wherefore, I
command you again to repent, lest I humble you with my almighty power;
and that you confess your sins, lest you suffer these punishments of
which I have spoken, of which in the smallest, yea, even in the least
degree you have tasted at the time I withdrew my Spirit.
Note: Joseph Smith’s father targeted Martin Harris for fraud.
Smith Sr. reportedly told Harris about the gold plates in 1824.
21 And I command you that you preach naught but repentance, and show
not these things unto the world until it is wisdom in me. 22 For they
cannot bear meat now, but milk they must receive; wherefore, they must
not know these things, lest they perish. 23 Learn of me, and listen to
my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace
in me. 24 I am Jesus Christ; I came by the will of the Father, and I do
his will. 25 And again, I command thee that thou shalt not covet thy
neighbor’s wife; nor seek thy neighbor’s life.
Note: Martin Harris was given over to wide revelations and was ripe for fraud.
Around the age of 35, Harris had a religious awakening influenced by
itinerant preachers during the Second Great Awakening, and reportedly
started attending churches occasionally. Acquaintances described him as
being "tossed to and fro" by the differing views of the revivalists,
"the more extravagant the better."
26 And again, I command thee that thou shalt not covet thine own
property, but impart it freely to the printing of the Book of Mormon,
which contains the truth and the word of God—27 Which is my word to the
Gentile, that soon it may go to the Jew, of whom the Lamanites are a
remnant, that they may believe the gospel, and look not for a Messiah
to come who has already come. 28 And again, I command thee that thou
shalt pray vocally as well as in thy heart; yea, before the world as
well as in secret, in public as well as in private. 29 And thou shalt
declare glad tidings, yea, publish it upon the mountains, and upon
every high place, and among every people that thou shalt be permitted
to see. 30 And thou shalt do it with all humility, trusting in me,
reviling not against revilers.
Note: Joseph Smith set up Martin Harris to be defrauded.
Harris later recounted the first time he saw Joseph Smith use a seer
stone, when the latter used it to locate a lost object for Harris.
31 And of tenets thou shalt not talk, but thou shalt declare repentance
and faith on the Savior, and remission of sins by baptism, and by fire,
yea, even the Holy Ghost.
Note: Baptism is not the Christian Gospel.
For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not
with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no
effect. 1 Corinthians 1:17
32 Behold, this is a great and the last commandment which I shall give
unto you concerning this matter; for this shall suffice for thy daily
walk, even unto the end of thy life. 33 And misery thou shalt receive
if thou wilt slight these counsels, yea, even the destruction of
thyself and property. 34 Impart a portion of thy property, yea, even
part of thy lands, and all save the support of thy family. 35 Pay the
debt thou hast contracted with the printer. Release thyself from
bondage.
Note: Joseph Smith needed Martin Harris to pay for the printing costs.
The translation was completed in June 1829. By August, Smith contracted
with publisher E. B. Grandin of Palmyra to print the Book of Mormon.
Harris mortgaged his farm to Grandin to ensure payment of the printing
costs, and he later sold 151 acres (61 ha) of his farm to pay off the
mortgage.
36 Leave thy house and home, except when thou shalt desire to see thy
family; 37 And speak freely to all; yea, preach, exhort, declare the
truth, even with a loud voice, with a sound of rejoicing,
crying—Hosanna, hosanna, blessed be the name of the Lord God!
Note: The Book of Mormon is not the truth.
Subjects of criticism of the Book of Mormon include its origins,
authenticity, and historicity, which have been subject to considerable
criticism from scholars and skeptics since it was first published in
1830.
38 Pray always, and I will pour out my Spirit upon you, and great shall
be your blessing—yea, even more than if you should obtain treasures of
earth and corruptibleness to the extent thereof. 39 Behold, canst thou
read this without rejoicing and lifting up thy heart for gladness? 40
Or canst thou run about longer as a blind guide? 41 Or canst thou be
humble and meek, and conduct thyself wisely before me? Yea, come unto
me thy Savior. Amen.
Note: Martin Harris finally discovered Joseph Smith was a fraud in 1837.
As the Kirtland banking venture struggled, Martin purchased land in
Palmyra for $900, and when he returned to Kirtland in May, he spent
more than $5,000 on a 250-acre farm there. Why Martin withheld of his
financial means at this time and instead made substantial purchases for
his own ends is unclear. Martin may have held anti-banking sentiments,
and reportedly clashed with Sidney Rigdon over it. This may have led to
him distrusting the paper money distributed by the Safety Society and
refusing to invest. Whatever the reason, the Martin clearly acted in
opposition to the council of Church leaders by refusing to aid the
Church’s economic needs in Kirtland.