LDS Doctrine and Covenants Critique
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The Doctrine and Covenants
Section 6
Revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet and Oliver
Cowdery, at Harmony, Pennsylvania, April 1829. Oliver Cowdery began his
labors as scribe in the translation of the Book of Mormon, April 7,
1829. He had already received a divine manifestation of the truth of
the Prophet’s testimony respecting the plates on which was engraved the
Book of Mormon record. The Prophet inquired of the Lord through the
Urim and Thummim and received this response.
1–6, Laborers in the Lord’s field gain salvation; 7–13, There is no
gift greater than the gift of salvation; 14–27, A witness of the truth
comes by the power of the Spirit; 28–37, Look unto Christ, and do good
continually.
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.
Most Bibles contain maps illustrating where important biblical events
took place. You can visit the ruins of cities described in the Bible.
If you get atheist, Christian, and Jewish scholars together, they can
roughly agree on where the events allegedly took place and confirm the
existence of cities and sites in those places, even if an atheist or a
Jew denies certain miracles or historical events took place there.
Nothing comparable can be said about the Book of Mormon. Catholic
Answers
2 Behold, I am God; give heed unto 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 words.
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: The Holy Bible was plagiarized.
Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the
harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the
fields, for they are already white for harvest! And he who reaps
receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who
sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. John 4:35-36
4 Yea, whosoever will thrust in his sickle and reap, the same is called of God.
Note: The Holy Bible was plagiarized in error as this is judgment.
Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like
the Son of Man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a
sharp sickle. And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a
loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, “Thrust in Your sickle and
reap, for the time has come for You to reap, for the harvest of the
earth is ripe.” So, He who sat on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the
earth, and the earth was reaped. Revelation 14:14-16
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. For everyone who asks receives, and he who
seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8
6 Now, as you have asked, behold, I say unto you, keep my commandments, and seek to bring forth and establish the cause of Zion;
Note: Believers will seek heaven where Jesus Christ is.
If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above,
where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on
things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:1-2
7 Seek not for riches but for wisdom, and behold, the mysteries of God
shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich. Behold, he
that hath eternal life is rich.
Note: Believers will glory in Jesus Christ.
But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from
God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— that, as it is
written, “He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.” 1 Corinthians
1:30-31
8 Verily, verily, I say unto you, even as you desire of me so it shall
be unto you; and if you desire, you shall be the means of doing much
good in this generation. 9 Say nothing but repentance unto this
generation; keep my commandments, and assist to bring forth my work,
according to my commandments, and you shall be blessed.
Note: The work of God is belief in Jesus Christ not the Book of Mormon.
Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of
God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that
you believe in Him whom He sent.” John 6:28-29
10 Behold thou hast a gift, and blessed art thou because of thy gift. Remember it is sacred and cometh from above—
Note: The Book of Mormon is not sacred.
Anachronisms: Scholars note the presence of flora, fauna, and
technologies in the text—such as horses, cattle, wheat, steel, and
wheeled chariots—that were not present in pre-Columbian ancient America.
11 And if thou wilt inquire, thou shalt know mysteries which are great
and marvelous; therefore thou shalt exercise thy gift, that thou mayest
find out mysteries, that thou mayest bring many to the knowledge of the
truth, yea, convince them of the error of their ways.
Note: The mystery of God was revealed to the Apostle Paul not Joseph Smith.
For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles—
if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which
was given to me for you, how that by revelation He made known to me the
mystery (as I have briefly written already, by which, when you read,
you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), which in
other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been
revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: that the
Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His
promise in Christ through the gospel, of which I became a minister
according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective
working of His power. Ephesians 3:1-7
12 Make not thy gift known unto any save it be those who are of thy faith. Trifle not with sacred things.
Note: The Book of Mormon is not sacred.
Lack of Historicity: Mainstream historians, archaeologists, and
scientists state there is no direct archaeological or non-Latter-day
Saint historical support for the civilizations and events described in
the Book of Mormon.
13 If thou wilt do good, yea, and hold out faithful to the end, thou
shalt be saved in the kingdom of God, which is the greatest of all the
gifts of God; for there is no gift greater than the gift of salvation.
Note: The kingdom of God concerns Jesus Christ not the Book of Mormon.
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
14 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, blessed art thou for what thou hast
done; for thou hast inquired of me, and behold, as often as thou hast
inquired thou hast received instruction of my Spirit. If it had not
been so, thou wouldst not have come to the place where thou art at this
time.
Note: The Holy Spirit will testify of Jesus Christ not the Book of Mormon.
“But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father,
the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of
Me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from
the beginning.” John 15:26-27
15 Behold, thou knowest that thou hast inquired of me and I did
enlighten thy mind; and now I tell thee these things that thou mayest
know that thou hast been enlightened by the Spirit of truth; 16 Yea, I
tell thee, that thou mayest know that there is none else save God that
knowest thy thoughts and the intents of thy heart.
Note: The Holy Spirit purifies believers’ souls through the Holy Bible.
Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the
Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with
a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but
incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever,
because “All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower
of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away, but the
word of the LORD endures forever.” 1 Peter 1:22-25
17 I tell thee these things as a witness unto thee—that the words or the work which thou hast been writing are true.
Note: The Book of Mormon is not true.
Linguistic and Textual Concerns: The book contains heavy utilization of
King James Bible phrasing (including italicized words unique to the
KJV) alongside overlapping plot points, such as the missing 116 pages
of the Book of Lehi manuscript.
18 Therefore be diligent; stand by my servant Joseph, faithfully, in
whatsoever difficult circumstances he may be for the word’s sake. 19
Admonish him in his faults, and also receive admonition of him. Be
patient; be sober; be temperate; have patience, faith, hope and charity.
Note: Joseph Smith was rotten.
Between 1819 and 1844, Smith participated in approximately 78 civil
lawsuits in New York, many involving financial disputes, debt
collection, and property matters.
20 Behold, thou art Oliver, and I have spoken unto thee because of thy
desires; therefore treasure up these words in thy heart. Be faithful
and diligent in keeping the commandments of God, and I will encircle
thee in the arms of my love.
Note: Oliver Cowdery realized that Joseph Smith was rotten.
Cowdery's relationship with Joseph Smith and the church's leadership
deteriorated in the mid-1830s, and in 1838 he was excommunicated with
several other prominent Missouri leaders amid a leadership struggle
with Smith. Wikipedia Encyclopedia.
21 Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I am the same that came
unto mine own, and mine own received me not. I am the light which
shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not.
Note: The Holy Bible was plagiarized.
And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. John 1:5
He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. John 1:11
22 Verily, verily, I say unto you, if you desire a further witness,
cast your mind upon the night that you cried unto me in your heart,
that you might know concerning the truth of these things. 23 Did I not
speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness
can you have than from God? 24 And now, behold, you have received a
witness; for if I have told you things which no man knoweth have you
not received a witness?
Note: Believers are witnesses of Jesus Christ not the Book of Mormon.
“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
25 And, behold, I grant unto you a gift, if you desire of me, to translate, even as my servant Joseph.
Note: The gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ.
Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who
it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and
He would have given you living water.” John 4:10
26 Verily, verily, I say unto you, that there are records which contain
much of my gospel, which have been kept back because of the wickedness
of the people;
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
27 And now I command you, that if you have good desires—a desire to lay
up treasures for yourself in heaven—then shall you assist in bringing
to light, with your gift, those parts of my scriptures which have been
hidden because of iniquity.
Note: The Book of Mormon is Joseph Smith’s stolen scriptures.
Early observers, presuming Smith incapable of writing something as long
or as complex as the Book of Mormon, often searched for a possible
source from which he might have plagiarized. In the nineteenth century,
one popular hypothesis was that Smith collaborated with Sidney Rigdon
to plagiarize an unpublished manuscript written by Solomon Spalding,
which he then turned into the Book of Mormon. Wikipedia Encyclopedia
28 And now, behold, I give unto you, and also unto my servant Joseph,
the keys of this gift, which shall bring to light this ministry; and in
the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.
Note: Believers are witnesses of Jesus Christ not the Book of Mormon.
“Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David,
that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.
Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath
to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would
raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, he, foreseeing this, spoke
concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left
in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption. This Jesus God has raised
up, of which we are all witnesses.” Acts 2:29-32
29 Verily, verily, I say unto you, if they reject my words, and this
part of my gospel and ministry, blessed are ye, for they can do no more
unto you than unto me. 30 And even if they do unto you even as they
have done unto me, blessed are ye, for you shall dwell with me in
glory. 31 But if they reject not my words, which shall be established
by the testimony which shall be given, blessed are they, and then shall
ye have joy in the fruit of your labors.
Note: Believer’s testimony will be Jesus Christ.
The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His
servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and
signified it by His angel to His servant John, who bore witness to the
word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that
he saw. Revelation 1:1-2
32 Verily, verily, I say unto you, as I said unto my disciples, where
two or three are gathered together in my name, as touching one thing,
behold, there will I be in the midst of them—even so am I in the midst
of you.
Note: The Holy Bible was plagiarized.
“For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20
33 Fear not to do good, my sons, for whatsoever ye sow, that shall ye
also reap; therefore, if ye sow good ye shall also reap good for your
reward.
Note: Believers will sow the message of Jesus Christ.
So, when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: “Men of Israel, why
do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our
own power or godliness we had made this man walk? The God of Abraham,
Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus,
whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was
determined to let Him go. But you denied the Holy One and the Just and
asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and killed the Prince of
life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses. Acts
3:12-15
34 Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell
combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot
prevail.
Note: The Holy Bible was plagiarized.
“Do not fear, little flock,” Luke 12:32
“I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:” Matthew 7:24
35 Behold, I do not condemn you; go your ways and sin no more; perform with soberness the work which I have commanded you.
Note: Believers will preach the Holy Bible not the Book of Mormon.
I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will
judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach
the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke,
exhort, with all long suffering and teaching. For the time will come
when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own
desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for
themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth
and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things,
endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your
ministry. 2 Timothy 4:1-5
36 Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not. 37 Behold the
wounds which pierced my side, and also the prints of the nails in my
hands and feet; be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit
the kingdom of heaven. Amen.
Note: Believers will look unto Jesus Christ not a false prophet.
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of
witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily
ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before
us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for
the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame,
and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2