LDS Doctrine and Covenants Critique
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The Doctrine and Covenants
SECTION 63
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at
Kirtland, Ohio, August 30, 1831. The Prophet, Sidney Rigdon, and Oliver
Cowdery had arrived in Kirtland on August 27 from their visit to
Missouri. Joseph Smith’s history describes this revelation: “In these
infant days of the Church, there was a great anxiety to obtain the word
of the Lord upon every subject that in any way concerned our salvation;
and as the land of Zion was now the most important temporal object in
view, I enquired of the Lord for further information upon the gathering
of the Saints, and the purchase of the land, and other matters.”
1–6, A day of wrath will come upon the wicked; 7–12, Signs come by
faith; 13–19, The adulterous in heart will deny the faith and be cast
into the lake of fire; 20, The faithful will receive an inheritance
upon the transfigured earth; 21, A full account of the events on the
Mount of Transfiguration has not yet been revealed; 22–23, The obedient
receive the mysteries of the kingdom; 24–31, Inheritances in Zion are
to be purchased; 32–35, The Lord decrees wars, and the wicked slay the
wicked; 36–48, The Saints are to gather to Zion and provide moneys to
build it up; 49–54, Blessings are assured the faithful at the Second
Coming, in the Resurrection, and during the Millennium; 55–58, This is
a day of warning; 59–66, The Lord’s name is taken in vain by those who
use it without authority.
1 Hearken, O ye people, and open your hearts and give ear from afar;
and listen, you that call yourselves the people of the Lord and hear
the word of the Lord and his will concerning you.
Note: The will of God is that everyone will 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
2 Yea, verily, I say, hear the word of him whose anger is kindled
against the wicked and rebellious; 3 Who willeth to take even them whom
he will take, and preserveth in life them whom he will preserve; 4 Who
buildeth up at his own will and pleasure; and destroyeth when he
pleases, and is able to cast the soul down to hell. 5 Behold, I, the
Lord, utter my voice, and it shall be obeyed.
Note: The Christian Gospel is not of destruction.
How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how
shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall
they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are
sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach
the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!” Romans
10:14-15
6 Wherefore, verily I say, let the wicked take heed, and let the
rebellious fear and tremble; and let the unbelieving hold their lips,
for the day of wrath shall come upon them as a whirlwind, and all flesh
shall know that I am God.
Note: The Christian Gospel is not of destruction.
For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:17
7 And he that seeketh signs shall see signs, but not unto salvation. 8
Verily, I say unto you, there are those among you who seek signs, and
there have been such even from the beginning; 9 But, behold, faith
cometh not by signs, but signs follow those that believe. 10 Yea, signs
come by faith, not by the will of men, nor as they please, but by the
will of God.
Note: Faith did not come by the false prophet Joseph Smith.
So, then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17
11 Yea, signs come by faith, unto mighty works, for without faith no
man pleaseth God; and with whom God is angry he is not well pleased;
wherefore, unto such he showeth no signs, only in wrath unto their
condemnation.
Note: The Christian Gospel is not of destruction.
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
12 Wherefore, I, the Lord, am not pleased with those among you who have
sought after signs and wonders for faith, and not for the good of men
unto my glory.
Note: The LDS elders had a bad testimony.
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things
not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. Hebrews 11:1-2
13 Nevertheless, I give commandments, and many have turned away from my
commandments and have not kept them. 14 There were among you adulterers
and adulteresses; some of whom have turned away from you, and others
remain with you that hereafter shall be revealed.
Note: Joseph Smith was breaking the commandments of God.
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.
15 Let such beware and repent speedily, lest judgment shall come upon
them as a snare, and their folly shall be made manifest, and their
works shall follow them in the eyes of the people. 16 And verily I say
unto you, as I have said before, he that looketh on a woman to lust
after her, or if any shall commit adultery in their hearts, they shall
not have the Spirit, but shall deny the faith and shall fear.
Note: Joseph Smith denied the Christian faith.
Demographics of Wives: Smith's wives varied in age and status.
Approximately one-third were between 14 and 20 years old (with Helen
Mar Kimball being about 14), and some were already legally married to
other men (polyandry).
17 Wherefore, I, the Lord, have said that the fearful, and the
unbelieving, and all liars, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie, and
the whoremonger, and the sorcerer, shall have their part in that lake
which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. 18
Verily I say, that they shall not have part in the first resurrection.
Note: Joseph Smith is in the lake of fire and brimstone.
Public Denial vs. Private Practice: Throughout his life, Smith and
other church leaders publicly denied that he was practicing polygamy,
while privately teaching and entering into plural sealings. The LDS
Church formally acknowledged Smith's practice of plural marriage in
1852.
19 And now behold, I, the Lord, say unto you that ye are not justified,
because these things are among you. 20 Nevertheless, he that endureth
in faith and doeth my will, the same shall overcome, and shall receive
an inheritance upon the earth when the day of transfiguration shall
come; 21 When the earth shall be transfigured, even according to the
pattern which was shown unto mine apostles upon the mount; of which
account the fulness ye have not yet received.
Note: Believers have their inheritance reserved in heaven.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according
to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through
the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance
incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in
heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for
salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:3-5
22 And now, verily I say unto you, that as I said that I would make
known my will unto you, behold I will make it known unto you, not by
the way of commandment, for there are many who observe not to keep my
commandments. 23 But unto him that keepeth my commandments I will give
the mysteries of my kingdom, and the same shall be in him a well of
living water, springing up unto everlasting life.
Note: Believers will have the living water of the Holy Spirit.
On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried
out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who
believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow
rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom
those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet
given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. John 7:37-39
24 And now, behold, this is the will of the Lord your God concerning
his saints, that they should assemble themselves together unto the land
of Zion, not in haste, lest there should be confusion, which bringeth
pestilence. 25 Behold, the land of Zion—I, the Lord, hold it in mine
own hands; 26 Nevertheless, I, the Lord, render unto Cæsar the things
which are Cæsar’s.
Note: Caesar evicted the Mormons.
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 explicitly 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. Consequently, approximately 15,000 Mormons
promptly fled to Illinois, enduring the harsh winter conditions.
27 Wherefore, I the Lord will that you should purchase the lands, that
you may have advantage of the world, that you may have claim on the
world, that they may not be stirred up unto anger. 28 For Satan putteth
it into their hearts to anger against you, and to the shedding of
blood. 29 Wherefore, the land of Zion shall not be obtained but by
purchase or by blood, otherwise there is none inheritance for you. 30
And if by purchase, behold you are blessed; 31 And if by blood, as you
are forbidden to shed blood, lo, your enemies are upon you, and ye
shall be scourged from city to city, and from synagogue to synagogue,
and but few shall stand to receive an inheritance.
Note: Mormons were religious fanatics.
On July 4, 1838, First Presidency member Sidney Rigdon delivered an
oration in Far West, the county seat of Caldwell County. Rigdon wanted
to make clear that Mormons would meet any attacks on them with force.
Far from settling tensions, Rigdon's oration had the opposite effect:
it terrified and inflamed the residents of surrounding counties. By the
fall of that same year these tensions escalated into open conflict,
culminating in the siege of the Mormon settlement in Carroll County,
the sacking and burning of Gallatin by the Danites, and the taking of
Mormon hostages by Captain Samuel Bogart and his state militia unit,
operating in northern Ray County (to the south of Caldwell).
32 I, the Lord, am angry with the wicked; I am holding my Spirit from the inhabitants of the earth.
Note: A true prophet disagrees with the false prophet Joseph Smith.
“And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on
all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men
shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. And also, on My
menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those
days.” Joel 2:28-29
33 I have sworn in my wrath, and decreed wars upon the face of the
earth, and the wicked shall slay the wicked, and fear shall come upon
every man; 34 And the saints also shall hardly escape; nevertheless, I,
the Lord, am with them, and will come down in heaven from the presence
of my Father and consume the wicked with unquenchable fire. 35 And
behold, this is not yet, but by and by.
Note: The end of the world did not happen in the 19th century.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is
in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and
gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with
unquenchable fire.” Matthew 3:11-12
36 Wherefore, seeing that I, the Lord, have decreed all these things
upon the face of the earth, I will that my saints should be assembled
upon the land of Zion;
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
37 And that every man should take righteousness in his hands and
faithfulness upon his loins, and lift a warning voice unto the
inhabitants of the earth; and declare both by word and by flight that
desolation shall come upon the wicked.
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
38 Wherefore, let my disciples in Kirtland arrange their temporal
concerns, who dwell upon this farm. 39 Let my servant Titus Billings,
who has the care thereof, dispose of the land, that he may be prepared
in the coming spring to take his journey up unto the land of Zion, with
those that dwell upon the face thereof, excepting those whom I shall
reserve unto myself, that shall not go until I shall command them.
Note: Titus Billings followed Brigham Young into polygamy.
On January 20, 1854, Titus married Mary Ann Tuttle as his second wife
under the practice of polygamy. Mary Ann was the divorced ex-plural
wife of Howard Egan. She bore four children with Titus before they too
divorced.
40 And let all the moneys which can be spared, it mattereth not unto me
whether it be little or much, be sent up unto the land of Zion, unto
them whom I have appointed to receive.
Note: Titus Billings was an easy prey for Joseph Smith.
On February 16, 1817, Titus Billings married Diantha Morley. Diantha
and her older brother Isaac Morley were members of Sidney Rigdon's
congregation of Campbellites. This utopian group practiced communal
principles, holding goods in common for the benefit of all of the
members. They also held the belief, called Restorationism, that a purer
form of Christianity should be restored using the early Christian
church as a model. These beliefs would serve as a backdrop for
Billings's membership in the "Church of Christ", as The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter Day Saints was first called, including his future
participation in the United Order.
41 Behold, I, the Lord, will give unto my servant Joseph Smith, Jun.,
power that he shall be enabled to discern by the Spirit those who shall
go up unto the land of Zion, and those of my disciples who shall tarry.
Note: The Holy Spirit will testify of Jesus Christ not Independence Missouri.
“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
42 Let my servant Newel K. Whitney retain his store, or in other words,
the store, yet for a little season. 43 Nevertheless, let him impart all
the money which he can impart, to be sent up unto the land of Zion. 44
Behold, these things are in his own hands, let him do according to
wisdom. 45 Verily I say, let him be ordained as an agent unto the
disciples that shall tarry, and let him be ordained unto this power; 46
And now speedily visit the churches, expounding these things unto them,
with my servant Oliver Cowdery. Behold, this is my will, obtaining
moneys even as I have directed.
Note: Newel Whitney was rewarded with many wives.
In 1842, after being taught the doctrine of polygamy, Whitney and
Elizabeth Ann agreed to let their daughter, Sarah Ann, become a plural
wife of Joseph Smith. Two years later, Whitney married Olive M. Bishop
as a plural wife. In 1845 he married Emmeline B. Woodward Harris,
Almira Elizabeth Pond, Abigail A. Pond, Elizabeth M. More, and
Henrietta Keyes. He married Ann Houston in 1846.
47 He that is faithful and endureth shall overcome the world.
Note: Believers will overcome the world through faith in Jesus Christ.
For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the
victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes
the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John
5:4-5
48 He that sendeth up treasures unto the land of Zion shall receive an
inheritance in this world, and his works shall follow him, and also a
reward in the world to come.
Note: LDS fanatics lost everything believing Joseph Smith.
The nineteenth-century Mormons knew what had happened—and so did these
Missourians who reaped the benefits. The Mormon tragedy in Missouri
ended with a slow, painful walk to the Mississippi River, where the
people crossed to Illinois to start rebuilding their lives. The
optimism of Zion planted in Jackson County and the efforts to build
refuge communities in Caldwell and Daviess counties were transferred to
the founding of the “City of Joseph.”
49 Yea, and blessed are the dead that die in the Lord, from henceforth,
when the Lord shall come, and old things shall pass away, and all
things become new, they shall rise from the dead and shall not die
after, and shall receive an inheritance before the Lord, in the holy
city.
Note: The end of the world did not happen in the 19th century.
Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’” Revelation 14:13
50 And he that liveth when the Lord shall come, and hath kept the
faith, blessed is he; nevertheless, it is appointed to him to die at
the age of man. 51 Wherefore, children shall grow up until they become
old; old men shall die; but they shall not sleep in the dust, but they
shall be changed in the twinkling of an eye.
Note: Jesus Christ did not return in the 19th century.
Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all
be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last
trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised
incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 1 Corinthians 15:51-52
52 Wherefore, for this cause preached the apostles unto the world the resurrection of the dead.
Note: The apostles preached Jesus Christ.
So, the eunuch answered Philip and said, “I ask you, of whom does the
prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?” Then Philip opened
his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. Acts
8:34-35
53 These things are the things that ye must look for; and, speaking
after the manner of the Lord, they are now nigh at hand, and in a time
to come, even in the day of the coming of the Son of Man.
Note: Jesus Christ did not return 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
54 And until that hour there will be foolish virgins among the wise;
and at that hour cometh an entire separation of the righteous and the
wicked; and in that day will I send mine angels to pluck out the wicked
and cast them into unquenchable fire.
Note: Jesus Christ did not return in the 19th century.
“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took
their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were
wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps
and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with
their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered
and slept. And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is
coming; go out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins arose and trimmed
their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your
oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘No,
lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those
who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy, the
bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the
wedding; and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also,
saying, Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly,
I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither
the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.” Matthew 25:1-13
55 And now behold, verily I say unto you, I, the Lord, am not pleased
with my servant Sidney Rigdon; he exalted himself in his heart, and
received not counsel, but grieved the Spirit; 56 Wherefore his writing
is not acceptable unto the Lord, and he shall make another; and if the
Lord receive it not, behold he standeth no longer in the office to
which I have appointed him.
Note: Sidney Rigdon tried to control Joseph Smith’s wild revelations.
Rigdon reportedly received visions jointly with Smith. According to one
account: "Joseph would, at intervals, say: 'What do I see?' as one
might say while looking out the window and beholding what all in the
room could not see. Then he would relate what he had seen or what he
was looking at. Then Sidney replied, 'I see the same.' Presently Sidney
would say 'What do I see?' and would repeat what he had seen or was
seeing, and Joseph would reply, 'I see the same.' This manner of
conversation was repeated at short intervals to the end of the vision."
57 And again, verily I say unto you, those who desire in their hearts,
in meekness, to warn sinners to repentance, let them be ordained unto
this power. 58 For this is a day of warning, and not a day of many
words. For I, the Lord, am not to be mocked in the last days.
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
59 Behold, I am from above, and my power lieth beneath. I am over all,
and in all, and through all, and search all things, and the day cometh
that all things shall be subject unto me. 60 Behold, I am Alpha and
Omega, even Jesus Christ. 61 Wherefore, let all men beware how they
take my name in their lips— 62 For behold, verily I say, that many
there be who are under this condemnation, who use the name of the Lord,
and use it in vain, having not authority.
Note: Unbelievers will demand authority.
But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of
the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise
authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever
desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever
desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— just as the Son
of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a
ransom for many.” Matthew 20:25-28
63 Wherefore, let the church repent of their sins, and I, the Lord,
will own them; otherwise they shall be cut off. 64 Remember that that
which cometh from above is sacred, and must be spoken with care, and by
constraint of the Spirit; and in this there is no condemnation, and ye
receive the Spirit through prayer; wherefore, without this there
remaineth condemnation.
Note: The Holy Spirit is received through sincere belief in Jesus Christ.
Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God
shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works
righteousness is accepted by Him. The word which God sent to the
children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of
all— that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and
began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: how God
anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who
went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil,
for God was with Him. And we are witnesses of all things which He did
both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by
hanging on a tree. Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him
openly, not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God,
even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. And
He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He
who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. To Him
all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in
Him will receive remission of sins.” While Peter was still speaking
these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word.
And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as
came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured
out on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speak with tongues and
magnify God. Acts 10:34-46
65 Let my servants, Joseph Smith, Jun., and Sidney Rigdon, seek them a home, as they are taught through prayer by the Spirit.
Note: Joseph Smith eventually convinced religious fanatics to build a mansion for himself.
The Joseph Smith Mansion House in Nauvoo, Illinois, is a large
residence first occupied by Joseph Smith, the founder of the Latter Day
Saint movement.
66 These things remain to overcome through patience, that such may
receive a more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, otherwise, a
greater condemnation. Amen.
Note: Joseph Smith was a non-believer.
Therefore, we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is
perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our
light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far
more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the
things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the
things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen
are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18