LDS Doctrine and Covenants Critique
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The Doctrine and Covenants
SECTION 60
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, in
Independence, Jackson County, Missouri, August 8, 1831. On this
occasion the elders who had traveled to Jackson County and participated
in the dedication of the land and the temple site desired to know what
they were to do.
1–9, The elders are to preach the gospel in the congregations of the
wicked; 10–14, They should not idle away their time, nor bury their
talents; 15–17, They may wash their feet as a testimony against those
who reject the gospel.
1 Behold, thus saith the Lord unto the elders of his church, who are to
return speedily to the land from whence they came: Behold, it pleaseth
me, that you have come up hither; 2 But with some I am not well
pleased, for they will not open their mouths, but they hide the talent
which I have given unto them, because of the fear of man. Wo unto such,
for mine anger is kindled against them.
Note: Believers will confess Jesus Christ for eternal life.
But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your
heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you
confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that
God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart
one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made
unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will
not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and
Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For
“whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” Romans 10:8-13
3 And it shall come to pass, if they are not more faithful unto me, it
shall be taken away, even that which they have. 4 For I, the Lord, rule
in the heavens above, and among the armies of the earth; and in the day
when I shall make up my jewels, all men shall know what it is that
bespeaketh the power of God.
Note: Jesus Christ is the power of God.
For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know
God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to
save those who believe. For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after
wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block
and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews
and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 1
Corinthians 1:21-24
5 But, verily, I will speak unto you concerning your journey unto the
land from whence you came. Let there be a craft made, or bought, as
seemeth you good, it mattereth not unto me, and take your journey
speedily for the place which is called St. Louis. 6 And from thence let
my servants, Sidney Rigdon, Joseph Smith, Jun., and Oliver Cowdery,
take their journey for Cincinnati;
Note: Paul traveled with purpose.
And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many
disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening
the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith,
and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of
God.” So, when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed
with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had
believed. And after they had passed through Pisidia, they came to
Pamphylia. Now when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down
to Attalia. From there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been
commended to the grace of God for the work which they had completed.
Acts 14:21-26
7 And in this place let them lift up their voice and declare my word
with loud voices, without wrath or doubting, lifting up holy hands upon
them. For I am able to make you holy, and your sins are forgiven you.
Note: Paul declared Jesus Christ.
“Men and brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you
who fear God, to you the word of this salvation has been sent. For
those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they did not
know Him, nor even the voices of the Prophets which are read every
Sabbath, have fulfilled them in condemning Him. And though they found
no cause for death in Him, they asked Pilate that He should be put to
death. Now when they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him,
they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb. But God raised
Him from the dead. He was seen for many days by those who came up with
Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are His witnesses to the people. And
we declare to you glad tidings—that promise which was made to the
fathers. God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has
raised up Jesus.” Acts 13:26-33
8 And let the residue take their journey from St. Louis, two by two,
and preach the word, not in haste, among the congregations of the
wicked, until they return to the churches from whence they came. 9 And
all this for the good of the churches; for this intent have I sent them.
Note: Believers will preach Jesus Christ.
For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and
ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. For it is the God who
commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts
to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of
Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:5-6
10 And let my servant Edward Partridge impart of the money which I have
given him, a portion unto mine elders who are commanded to return; 11
And he that is able, let him return it by the way of the agent; and he
that is not, of him it is not required.
Note: Joseph Smith was not a follower of Jesus Christ.
“And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’
Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons.
Freely you have received, freely give. Provide neither gold nor silver
nor copper in your money belts, nor bag for your journey, nor two
tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food.”
Matthew 10:7-10
12 And now I speak of the residue who are to come unto this land. 13
Behold, they have been sent to preach my gospel among the congregations
of the wicked; wherefore, I give unto them a commandment, thus: Thou
shalt not idle away thy time, neither shalt thou bury thy talent that
it may not be known.
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
14 And after thou hast come up unto the land of Zion, and hast
proclaimed my word, thou shalt speedily return, proclaiming my word
among the congregations of the wicked, not in haste, neither in wrath
nor with strife.
Note: Believers will preach Jesus Christ.
Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to
Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. Then Paul, as
his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with
them from the Scriptures, explaining and demonstrating that the Christ
had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus
whom I preach to you is the Christ.” And some of them were persuaded;
and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the
leading women, joined Paul and Silas. Acts 17:1-4
15 And shake off the dust of thy feet against those who receive thee
not, not in their presence, lest thou provoke them, but in secret; and
wash thy feet, as a testimony against them in the day of judgment.
Note: Paul was not afraid of unbelieving Jews.
Now when we heard these things, both we and those from that place
pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, “What
do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only
to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord
Jesus.” Acts 21:12-13
16 Behold, this is sufficient for you, and the will of him who hath sent you.
Note: The will of God is that everyone sincerely believe in Jesus Christ.
“And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the
Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him
up at the last day.” John 6:40
17 And by the mouth of my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., it shall be made
known concerning Sidney Rigdon and Oliver Cowdery. The residue
hereafter. Even so. Amen.
Note: False prophet Joseph Smith could not predict the immediate future.
In August 1831, on the return trip from Jackson County, Missouri, to
Kirtland, Ohio, Joseph Smith and a group of elders faced dangerous
conditions and internal arguments while traveling by water down the
Missouri River.