LDS Doctrine and Covenants Critique
Downloaded from churchofjesuschrist.org in September 2026
The Doctrine and Covenants
SECTION 34
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to
Orson Pratt, at Fayette, New York, November 4, 1830. Brother Pratt was
nineteen years old at the time. He had been converted and baptized when
he first heard the preaching of the restored gospel by his older
brother, Parley P. Pratt, six weeks before. This revelation was
received in the Peter Whitmer Sr. home.
1–4, The faithful become the sons of God through the Atonement; 5–9,
The preaching of the gospel prepares the way for the Second Coming;
10–12, Prophecy comes by the power of the Holy Ghost.
1 My son Orson, hearken and hear and behold what I, the Lord God, shall say unto you, even Jesus Christ your Redeemer;
Note: Orson Pratt had a problem with Joseph Smith.
He rebelled against Joseph Smith when a report by disaffected Mormon
John C. Bennett accused Smith of proposing marriage to Pratt's wife,
Sarah Pratt, which Smith denied. Sarah also claimed that Smith had
proposed, and Pratt believed his wife. After days of Smith and the
other members of the Twelve remonstrating with Pratt, they decided that
he would not yield, and thus Pratt was excommunicated on August 20,
1842. Bennett claimed that Joseph approached Sarah while Orson was on a
mission and solicited her to be one of his "spiritual wives."
2 The light and the life of the world, a light which shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehendeth it not;
Note: The Holy Bible was plagiarized.
In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light
shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. John
1:4-5
3 Who so loved the world that he gave his own life, that as many as
would believe might become the sons of God. Wherefore you are my son;
Note: The Holy Bible was plagiarized.
“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
4 And blessed are you because you have believed;
Note: The Holy Bible was plagiarized.
“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:29
5 And more blessed are you because you are called of me to preach my gospel—
Note: The Christian Gospel is Jesus Christ.
Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to
you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you
are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless
you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I
also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the
Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third
day according to the Scriptures, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
6 To lift up your voice as with the sound of a trump, both long and
loud, and cry repentance unto a crooked and perverse generation,
preparing the way of the Lord for his second coming.
Note: Believers will be witnesses 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
7 For behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, the time is soon at hand that I shall come in a cloud with power and great glory.
Note: The Holy Bible was plagiarized.
“Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” Luke 21:27
8 And it shall be a great day at the time of my coming, for all nations
shall tremble. 9 But before that great day shall come, the sun shall be
darkened, and the moon be turned into blood; and the stars shall refuse
their shining, and some shall fall, and great destructions await the
wicked.
Note: The Holy Bible was plagiarized.
“And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and
on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the
waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation
of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the
heavens will be shaken.” Luke 21:25-26
10 Wherefore, lift up your voice and spare not, for the Lord God hath
spoken; therefore prophesy, and it shall be given by the power of the
Holy Ghost.
Note: The spirit of prophesy is the testimony of Jesus Christ.
“I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony
of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of
prophecy.” Revelation 19:10
11 And if you are faithful, behold, I am with you until I come— 12 And
verily, verily, I say unto you, I come quickly. I am your Lord and your
Redeemer. Even so. Amen.
Note Orson Pratt had many problems with Brigham Young.
As an apostle under Young's leadership, Pratt tended to disagree with
him on a variety of topics but found little support from the other
apostles. Young expressed an appreciation for Pratt's ability to preach
but added regrettably that Pratt preached "false doctrine" more often
than not. A few examples of conflicts with Young include opposition by
Pratt to reestablishing a First Presidency in 1847, the legalization of
slavery in Utah Territory in 1852, and Young's Adam-God teachings.