LDS Doctrine and Covenants Critique
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The Doctrine and Covenants
SECTION 58
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, in
Zion, Jackson County, Missouri, August 1, 1831. Earlier, on the first
Sabbath after the arrival of the Prophet and his party in Jackson
County, Missouri, a religious service had been held, and two members
had been received by baptism. During that week, some of the Colesville
Saints from the Thompson Branch and others arrived (see section 54).
Many were eager to learn the will of the Lord concerning them in the
new place of gathering.
1–5, Those who endure tribulation will be crowned with glory; 6–12, The
Saints are to prepare for the marriage of the Lamb and the supper of
the Lord; 13–18, Bishops are judges in Israel; 19–23, The Saints are to
obey the laws of the land; 24–29, Men should use their agency to do
good; 30–33, The Lord commands and revokes; 34–43, To repent, men must
confess and forsake their sins; 44–58, The Saints are to purchase their
inheritance and gather in Missouri; 59–65, The gospel must be preached
unto every creature.
1 Hearken, O ye elders of my church, and give ear to my word, and learn
of me what I will concerning you, and also concerning this land unto
which I have sent you.
Note: God did not send religious fanatics to Independence Missouri.
Under the auspice of Mormon leaders in Kirtland, settlers trickled to
the county during the following months. By 1833, Mormons numbered over
a thousand, representing about a third and as much as half of the
county's population. The Mormon settlers' religious, cultural, and
political differences, economic cohesion, their perceived affinity for
neighboring Native American tribes, and their divine claims to the land
of "Zion" contributed to growing animosity.
2 For verily I say unto you, blessed is he that keepeth my
commandments, whether in life or in death; and he that is faithful in
tribulation, the reward of the same is greater in the kingdom of heaven.
Note: The kingdom of God concerns Jesus Christ.
Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received
all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the
things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one
forbidding him. Acts 28:30-31
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.
Note: Believers are blessed for suffering for Jesus Christ not Joseph Smith.
Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Matthew 5:11
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.
Note: Jesus Christ did not return to the earth in the 19th century.
“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be
darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall
from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the
sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes
of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the
clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” Matthew 24:29-30
5 Remember this, which I tell you before, that you may lay it to heart,
and receive that which is to follow. 6 Behold, verily I say unto you,
for this cause I have sent you—that you might be obedient, and that
your hearts might be prepared to bear testimony of the things which are
to come;
Note: Believers preach Jesus Christ not Zion in Missouri.
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing,
but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18
7 And also that you might be honored in laying the foundation, and in
bearing record of the land upon which the Zion of God shall stand;
Note: Zion is Jerusalem not Independence Missouri.
Now Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the
tribes, the chief fathers of the children of Israel, to King Solomon in
Jerusalem, that they might bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD
from the City of David, which is Zion. 1 Kings 8:1
8 And also that a feast of fat things might be prepared for the poor;
yea, a feast of fat things, of wine on the lees well refined, that the
earth may know that the mouths of the prophets shall not fail;
Note: The New Covenant eliminated the office of prophet.
God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the
fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His
Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He
made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express
image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power,
when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of
the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as
He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. Hebrews
1:1-4
9 Yea, a supper of the house of the Lord, well prepared, unto which all
nations shall be invited. 10 First, the rich and the learned, the wise
and the noble;
Note: Not many rich, wise, or noble people will be in the kingdom of God.
For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the
flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen
the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has
chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which
are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are
despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to
nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His
presence. 1 Corinthians 1:26-29
11 And after that cometh the day of my power; then shall the poor, the
lame, and the blind, and the deaf, come in unto the marriage of the
Lamb, and partake of the supper of the Lord, prepared for the great day
to come. 12 Behold, I, the Lord, have spoken it.
Note: The end of the world did not happen in the 19th century.
And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound
of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying,
“Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! Let us be glad and
rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and
His wife has made herself ready.” And to her it was granted to be
arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the
righteous acts of the saints. Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are
those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’” And he said
to me, “These are the true sayings of God.” Revelation 19:6-9
13 And that the testimony might go forth from Zion, yea, from the mouth of the city of the heritage of God—
Note: Zion is Jerusalem not Independence Missouri.
To declare the name of the LORD in Zion, and His praise in Jerusalem,
when the peoples are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the
LORD. Psalms 102:21-22
14 Yea, for this cause I have sent you hither, and have selected my
servant Edward Partridge, and have appointed unto him his mission in
this land. 15 But if he repent not of his sins, which are unbelief and
blindness of heart, let him take heed lest he fall. 16 Behold his
mission is given unto him, and it shall not be given again.
Note: Edward Partridge was worked to exhaustion and premature death.
Partridge served as bishop everywhere he lived in Missouri, holding the
title even when he was away on a mission. In 1839, when the members of
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints established a
settlement at Nauvoo, Illinois, Partidge was appointed as bishop of the
Upper Ward of Nauvoo. He was also seen as the senior among the bishops
of the church, who at that time numbered three. Partridge died on May
27, 1840, in Nauvoo, Illinois, at the age of 46.
17 And whoso standeth in this mission is appointed to be a judge in
Israel, like as it was in ancient days, to divide the lands of the
heritage of God unto his children; 18 And to judge his people by the
testimony of the just, and by the assistance of his counselors,
according to the laws of the kingdom which are given by the prophets of
God. 19 For verily I say unto you, my law shall be kept on this land.
Note: Joseph Smith did not care about the laws of the United States.
Joseph Smith, the founder of the Latter Day Saint movement, was
involved in approximately 175 to 200 legal proceedings throughout his
life, including roughly 30 to 50 criminal cases. His legal record
remains a subject of intense debate: while critics point to his
extensive record as evidence of a pattern of lawbreaking, Latter-day
Saints and some legal historians argue that the vast majority of these
suits were frivolous, malicious, or instances of religious and
political persecution.
20 Let no man think he is ruler; but let God rule him that judgeth,
according to the counsel of his own will, or, in other words, him that
counseleth or sitteth upon the judgment seat. 21 Let no man break the
laws of the land, for he that keepeth the laws of God hath no need to
break the laws of the land.
Note: Joseph Smith did not care about the laws of the United States.
Illegal Banking (1837): In Kirtland, Ohio, Smith co-founded the
Kirtland Safety Society. When the state denied them a bank charter,
they operated as an "anti-banking" joint-stock association. After the
institution collapsed during the Panic of 1837, Smith was fined for
violating Ohio’s banking laws, though he left the state for Missouri
before the appeal could be heard.
22 Wherefore, be subject to the powers that be, until he reigns whose
right it is to reign and subdues all enemies under his feet. 23 Behold,
the laws which ye have received from my hand are the laws of the
church, and in this light ye shall hold them forth. Behold, here is
wisdom.
Note: Joseph Smith did not care about the laws of the United States.
Following violent conflicts between Mormon settlers and Missouri
residents (the 1838 Mormon War), Smith was arrested and indicted for
treason against the state of Missouri. He spent several months in
Liberty Jail before escaping custody during a county transfer, later
using the writ of habeas corpus to fight multiple Missouri extradition
attempts from Illinois.
24 And now, as I spake concerning my servant Edward Partridge, this
land is the land of his residence, and those whom he has appointed for
his counselors; and also the land of the residence of him whom I have
appointed to keep my storehouse; 25 Wherefore, let them bring their
families to this land, as they shall counsel between themselves and me.
26 For behold, 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.
Note: Joseph Smith was a false prophet.
Edward Partridge was tarred and feathered by an anti-Mormon mob on July
20, 1833, in front of the courthouse in Independence, Missouri, where
he had been assigned to preside as bishop, then forced to move to Clay
County, Missouri, followed by Caldwell County in 1836. During 1835, he
served a mission in Illinois, Iowa, Ohio, and Indiana, then entered
into another mission in New York and New England. Following the 1838
Mormon War, Partridge was jailed in Richmond, Missouri for three or
four weeks. In 1839, he was expelled from the state.
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.
Note: The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God for believers.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of
God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also
for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from
faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”
Romans 1:16-17
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. 30 Who am I that made man, saith the Lord, that
will hold him guiltless that obeys not my commandments? 31 Who am I,
saith the Lord, that have promised and have not fulfilled?
Note: Non-believers in Jesus Christ will receive the wrath of God.
“He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not
believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on
him.” John 3:36
32 I command and men obey not; I revoke and they receive not the
blessing. 33 Then they say in their hearts: This is not the work of the
Lord, for his promises are not fulfilled. But wo unto such, for their
reward lurketh beneath, and not from above. 34 And now I give unto you
further directions concerning this land.
Note: Zion is Jerusalem not Independence Missouri.
Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, Who dwells in Jerusalem! Praise the LORD! Psalms 135:21
35 It is wisdom in me that my servant Martin Harris should be an
example unto the church, in laying his moneys before the bishop of the
church. 36 And also, this is a law unto every man that cometh unto this
land to receive an inheritance; and he shall do with his moneys
according as the law directs. 37 And it is wisdom also that there
should be lands purchased in Independence, for the place of the
storehouse, and also for the house of the printing. 38 And other
directions concerning my servant Martin Harris shall be given him of
the Spirit, that he may receive his inheritance as seemeth him good; 39
And let him repent of his sins, for he seeketh the praise of the world.
Note: Martin Harris realized that Joseph Smith was a false prophet.
n 1837, dissension arose in Kirtland over the failure of the church's
Kirtland Safety Society bank. Harris called it a "fraud" and was among
the dissenters who broke with Smith and attempted to reorganize the
church, led by Warren Parrish. Smith and Rigdon relocated to Far West,
Missouri. In December 1837, Smith and the Kirtland High Council
excommunicated 28 individuals, Harris among them.
40 And also let my servant William W. Phelps stand in the office to
which I have appointed him, and receive his inheritance in the land; 41
And also 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.
Note: William Phelps realized Joseph Smith was a fraud but loved power.
But during the treason hearing of Smith in Richmond, beginning November
12, Phelps was one of several who bore witness against Smith and other
leaders, aiding in their imprisonment in Missouri until April 1839.
According to The Joseph Smith Papers, "his testimony helped lead to
Smith's incarceration in the Liberty, Missouri, jail in winter
1838–1839." This led to Phelps's excommunication in Quincy, Illinois on
March 17, 1839. He then moved to Dayton, Ohio. In June 1840, Phelps
pleaded for forgiveness in a letter to Smith.
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.
Note: Joseph Smith never forsook his sins.
Joseph Smith (1805–1844), founder of the Latter Day Saint movement,
taught and practiced religious polygamy, termed "plural marriage"
during his adulthood, marrying an estimated 30 to 40 wives throughout
his lifetime. Smith and some of the top leaders of the church he
founded publicly denied he taught or practiced it.
44 And now, verily, I say concerning the residue of the elders of my
church, the time has not yet come, for many years, for them to receive
their inheritance in this land, except they desire it through the
prayer of faith, only as it shall be appointed unto them of the Lord.
45 For, behold, they shall push the people together from the ends of
the earth.
Note: Joseph Smith was a false prophet.
General Clark cited Executive Order 44 soon after the Mormon settlers
surrendered in November 1838, saying that violence would have been used
had they chosen not to surrender. General Clark also stated that the
Mormons should expect no mercy and that their leaders would not be
returned to them. Clark furthermore stated: I do not say you shall go
now, but you must not think of staying here another season, or of
putting in crops, for the moment you do this, the citizens will be upon
you; and if I am called here again, in a case of a non-compliance of a
treaty made, do not think I will do as I have now. You need not expect
any mercy, but extermination, for I am determined the governor's orders
be executed. As for your leaders, do not think, do not imagine for a
moment, do not let it enter into your mind, that they will be delivered
and restored to you again, for their fate is fixed, their die is cast,
their doom is sealed.
46 Wherefore, assemble yourselves together; and they who are not
appointed to stay in this land, let them preach the gospel in the
regions round about; and after that let them return to their homes.
Note: Jesus Christ is the gospel.
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
47 Let them preach by the way, and bear testimony of the truth in all
places, and call upon the rich, the high and the low, and the poor to
repent.
Note: Jesus Christ is the truth.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6
48 And let them build up churches, inasmuch as the inhabitants of the
earth will repent. 49 And let there be an agent appointed by the voice
of the church, unto the church in Ohio, to receive moneys to purchase
lands in Zion.
Note: Zion is Jerusalem not Independence Missouri.
Many people shall come and say, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain
of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His
ways, and we shall walk in His paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth
the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. Isaiah 2:3
50 And I give unto my servant Sidney Rigdon a commandment, that he
shall write a description of the land of Zion, and a statement of the
will of God, as it shall be made known by the Spirit unto him; 51 And
an epistle and subscription, to be presented unto all the churches to
obtain moneys, to be put into the hands of the bishop, of himself or
the agent, as seemeth him good or as he shall direct, to purchase lands
for an inheritance for the children of God.
Note: Zion is Jerusalem not Independence Missouri.
And it shall come to pass that he who is left in Zion and remains in
Jerusalem will be called holy—everyone who is recorded among the living
in Jerusalem. Isaiah 4:3
52 For, behold, verily I say unto you, the Lord willeth that the
disciples and the children of men should open their hearts, even to
purchase this whole region of country, as soon as time will permit. 53
Behold, here is wisdom. Let them do this lest they receive none
inheritance, save it be by the shedding of blood.
Note: Zion is Jerusalem not Independence Missouri.
Then the moon will be disgraced and the sun ashamed; For the LORD of
hosts will reign on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem and before His elders,
gloriously. Isaiah 24:23
54 And again, inasmuch as there is land obtained, let there be workmen
sent forth of all kinds unto this land, to labor for the saints of God.
55 Let all these things be done in order; and let the privileges of the
lands be made known from time to time, by the bishop or the agent of
the church. 56 And let the work of the gathering be not in haste, nor
by flight; but let it be done as it shall be counseled by the elders of
the church at the conferences, according to the knowledge which they
receive from time to time.
Note: Zion is Jerusalem not Independence Missouri.
For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem; You shall weep no
more. He will be very gracious to you at the sound of your cry; When He
hears it, He will answer you. Isaiah 30:19
57 And let my servant Sidney Rigdon consecrate and dedicate this land, and the spot for the temple, unto the Lord.
Note: The New Covenant eliminated the tangible temple.
Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of
God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will
destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are. 1
Corinthians 3:16-17
58 And let a conference meeting be called; and after that let my
servants Sidney Rigdon and Joseph Smith, Jun., return, and also Oliver
Cowdery with them, to accomplish the residue of the work which I have
appointed unto them in their own land, and the residue as shall be
ruled by the conferences. 59 And let no man return from this land
except he bear record by the way, of that which he knows and most
assuredly believes.
Note: Zion is Jerusalem not Independence Missouri.
Look upon Zion, the city of our appointed feasts; Your
eyes will see Jerusalem, a quiet home, a tabernacle that will not be
taken down; Not one of its stakes will ever be removed, nor will any of
its cords be broken. Isaiah 33:20
60 Let that which has been bestowed upon Ziba Peterson be taken from
him; and let him stand as a member in the church, and labor with his
own hands, with the brethren, until he is sufficiently chastened for
all his sins; for he confesseth them not, and he thinketh to hide them.
Note: Ziba Peterson realized that Joseph Smith was a false prophet.
While still in Missouri, Smith delivered a revelation that included a
reprimand of Peterson for unspecified sins.[8] Days later, on August 4,
1831, in public at a conference of the church, Peterson was again
reprimanded and he confessed his transgression. Peterson was reordained
an elder by Lyman Wight on October 2, 1832, but when the church was
driven out of Jackson County in 1833, Peterson stayed and left the
Church.
61 Let the residue of the elders of this church, who are coming to this
land, some of whom are exceedingly blessed even above measure, also
hold a conference upon this land. 62 And let my servant Edward
Partridge direct the conference which shall be held by them. 63 And let
them also return, preaching the gospel by the way, bearing record of
the things which are revealed unto them.
Note: The Gospel is Jesus Christ.
Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the
preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery
kept secret since the world began but now made manifest, and by the
prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the
commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith— to God,
alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen. Romans 16:25-27
64 For, verily, the sound must go forth from this place into all the
world, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth—the gospel must be
preached unto every creature, with signs following them that believe.
Note: The Gospel is Jesus Christ.
Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the
dead according to my gospel, for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer,
even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained.
Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also
may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 2
Timothy 2:8-10
65 And behold the Son of Man cometh. Amen.
Note: The Gospel is Jesus Christ.
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Mark 1:1