LDS Doctrine and Covenants Critique
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The Doctrine and Covenants
SECTION 64
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to
the elders of the Church, at Kirtland, Ohio, September 11, 1831. The
Prophet was preparing to move to Hiram, Ohio, to renew his work on the
translation of the Bible, which had been laid aside while he had been
in Missouri. A company of brethren who had been commanded to journey to
Zion (Missouri) was earnestly engaged in making preparations to leave
in October. At this busy time, the revelation was received.
1–11, The Saints are commanded to forgive one another, lest there
remain in them the greater sin; 12–22, The unrepentant are to be
brought before the Church; 23–25, He that is tithed will not be burned
at the Lord’s coming; 26–32, The Saints are warned against debt; 33–36,
The rebellious will be cut off out of Zion; 37–40, The Church will
judge the nations; 41–43, Zion will flourish.
1 Behold, thus saith the Lord your God unto you, O ye elders of my
church, hearken ye and hear, and receive my will concerning you. 2 For
verily I say unto you, I will that ye should overcome the world;
wherefore I will have compassion upon you.
Note: Born again believers 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
3 There are those among you who have sinned; but verily I say, for this
once, for mine own glory, and for the salvation of souls, I have
forgiven you your sins. 4 I will be merciful unto you, for I have given
unto you the kingdom.
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
5 And the keys of the mysteries of the kingdom shall not be taken from
my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., through the means I have appointed,
while he liveth, inasmuch as he obeyeth mine ordinances.
Note: Joseph Smith never had the keys of the kingdom to begin with.
So, when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging,
to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God,
persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the
Prophets, from morning till evening. Acts 28:23
6 There are those who have sought occasion against him without cause; 7
Nevertheless, he has sinned; but verily I say unto you, I, the Lord,
forgive sins unto those who confess their sins before me and ask
forgiveness, who have not sinned unto death.
Note: Joseph Smith never stopped sinning.
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.
8 My disciples, in days of old, sought occasion against one another and
forgave not one another in their hearts; and for this evil they were
afflicted and sorely chastened.
Note: Believers are afflicted for Jesus Christ.
But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and
persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You
will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake. But it will
turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. Therefore, settle it in
your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; for I
will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be
able to contradict or resist. Luke 21:12-15
9 Wherefore, I say unto you, that ye ought to forgive one another; for
he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses standeth condemned
before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin. 10 I, the
Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to
forgive all men.
Note: Joseph Smith pretended to be holy.
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).
11 And ye ought to say in your hearts—let God judge between me and
thee, and reward thee according to thy deeds. 12 And him that repenteth
not of his sins, and confesseth them not, ye shall bring before the
church, and do with him as the scripture saith unto you, either by
commandment or by revelation. 13 And this ye shall do that God may be
glorified—not because ye forgive not, having not compassion, but that
ye may be justified in the eyes of the law, that ye may not offend him
who is your lawgiver— 14 Verily I say, for this cause ye shall do these
things.
Note: Believers will privately meet with each other first then publicly if needed.
“Moreover, if your brother sins against you, go and tell him about his
fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your
brother. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that
by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’
And if he refuses to hear them, tell the church. But if he refuses even
to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax
collector. Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be
bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in
heaven. Again, I say to you that if two of you agree on earth
concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My
Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My
name, I am there in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:15-20
15 Behold, I, the Lord, was angry with him who was my servant Ezra
Booth, and also my servant Isaac Morley, for they kept not the law,
neither the commandment;
Note: Ezra Booth publicly exposed the LDS church for their numerous sins.
Less than three days after being "silenced from preaching as an Elder"
and after being a member for only five months, Booth renounced
Mormonism in the first of nine letters to be published in the Ohio
Star, beginning in November 1831. The letters were addressed to the
Reverend Ira Eddy of the Methodist Church, whom Booth knew from his
days as a Methodist minister and "circuit rider". The Vermont
Telegraph reported that Booth's published documents composed "an expose
of their [the Mormons'] diabolical pretensions and impositions."
Booth's letters focused on three main types of criticism:
"inconsistencies he saw in the revelations of Joseph Smith, what he
called the 'despotic' tendencies of the Church, and the 'manifest
weakness' in the personality of Joseph Smith and other leaders.
16 They sought evil in their hearts, and I, the Lord, withheld my
Spirit. They condemned for evil that thing in which there was no evil;
nevertheless I have forgiven my servant Isaac Morley.
Note: Isaac Morley was an easy prey for Joseph Smith.
Morley was also the leader of a utopian group that practiced communal
principals, holding goods in common for the benefit of all. Members of
this group included Lyman Wight and Morley's brother-in-law Titus
Billings. Eight additional families joined in 1830. The society was
sometimes called the "Morley Family," as Rigdon caused a row of log
houses to be built on Morley's farm, where a number of the society's
members could live periodically.
17 And also my servant Edward Partridge, behold, he hath sinned, and
Satan seeketh to destroy his soul; but when these things are made known
unto them, and they repent of the evil, they shall be forgiven.
Note: Edward Partridge was worked into exhaustion and early death.
He 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[2] for three or four
weeks.[1] In 1839, he was expelled from the state. Partridge died on
May 27, 1840, in Nauvoo, Illinois, at the age of 46.
18 And now, verily I say that it is expedient in me that my servant
Sidney Gilbert, after a few weeks, shall return upon his business, and
to his agency in the land of Zion; 19 And that which he hath seen and
heard may be made known unto my disciples, that they perish not. And
for this cause have I spoken these things.
Note: Sidney Gilbert should never have joined the LDS church.
Gilbert condemned church leaders in a letter in 1832; the church
leaders promised Gilbert that God would bless him with prosperity if he
was faithful. A mob came to Independence, Missouri, in July 1833 and
destroyed many things. Gilbert sold what he could before leaving
Missouri. On November 4, 1833, Gilbert was arrested and imprisoned for
seven days at Independence and was among the Latter-day Saints driven
from Jackson into Clay County, Missouri, later that month. He died of
cholera in Clay County on June 29, 1834.
20 And again, I say unto you, that my servant Isaac Morley may not be
tempted above that which he is able to bear, and counsel wrongfully to
your hurt, I gave commandment that his farm should be sold.
Note: Isaac Morley lost his farm, business, and wife following Joseph Smith.
On June 7, 1831, Morley was asked to sell his farm and act as a
missionary. Upon leaving Missouri with the expelled Saints, Morley
settled in Hancock County, Illinois, in a settlement called Yelrome
(from the reverse spelling of "Morley"). There, he established a
prosperous business as a cooper. However, in September 1845, his
houses, cooper's shop, property, and grain were burned by a mob, and
his family took refuge in the Mormon center of Nauvoo. From there, they
moved to Winter Quarters, where Morley's first wife, Lucy, died.
21 I will not that my servant Frederick G. Williams should sell his
farm, for I, the Lord, will to retain a strong hold in the land of
Kirtland, for the space of five years, in the which I will not
overthrow the wicked, that thereby I may save some.
Note: Frederick Williams lost his life following Joseph Smith.
Although there is no record of an excommunication, Williams was
rebaptized in August 1838. He was excommunicated in absentia in March
1839 by proceedings in Nauvoo, Illinois, while Joseph Smith was in
Liberty Jail, Missouri. Williams was at Liberty Jail to see Joseph
Smith about the time he was excommunicated. Williams was restored to
fellowship at a church conference presided over by Smith in April 1840.
Williams died of a pulmonary hemorrhage at Quincy, Illinois in October
1842.
22 And after that day, I, the Lord, will not hold any guilty that shall
go with an open heart up to the land of Zion; for I, the Lord, require
the hearts of the children of men.
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
23 Behold, now it is called today until the coming of the Son of Man,
and verily it is a day of sacrifice, and a day for the tithing of my
people; for he that is tithed shall not be burned at his coming.
Note: Joseph Smith was greedy for money.
Church Property and Commandments: Critics point to various sections of
the Doctrine and Covenants where revelations directed members to
contribute money and property to Smith and the church, or excused him
from manual labor. Some argue his prophetic role provided a means to
gain personal status, wealth, and influence.
24 For after today cometh the burning—this is speaking after the manner
of the Lord—for verily I say, tomorrow all the proud and they that do
wickedly shall be as stubble; and I will burn them up, for I am the
Lord of Hosts; and I will not spare any that remain in Babylon. 25
Wherefore, if ye believe me, ye will labor while it is called today.
Note: Joseph Smith was proud that led to his premature death.
Outside observers and historical critics have sometimes accused Joseph
Smith of narcissism, ambition, or ego, pointing to his prominent
leadership role, political and military involvement in Nauvoo, and the
expansive nature of his religious claims.
26 And it is not meet that my servants, Newel K. Whitney and Sidney
Gilbert, should sell their store and their possessions here; for this
is not wisdom until the residue of the church, which remaineth in this
place, shall go up unto the land of Zion.
Note: Zion is Jerusalem not Independence Missouri.
Do good in Your good pleasure to Zion; Build the walls of Jerusalem. Psalms 51:18
27 Behold, it is said in my laws, or forbidden, to get in debt to thine enemies;
28 But behold, it is not said at any time that the Lord should not take
when he please, and pay as seemeth him good. 29 Wherefore, as ye are
agents, ye are on the Lord’s errand; and whatever ye do according to
the will of the Lord is the Lord’s business.
Note: The will of God is for people to believe in Jesus Christ.
Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” John 6:29
30 And he hath set you to provide for his saints in these last days,
that they may obtain an inheritance in the land of Zion. 31 And behold,
I, the Lord, declare unto you, and my words are sure and shall not
fail, that they shall obtain it. 32 But all things must come to pass in
their time.
Note: Zion is Jerusalem not Independence Missouri.
The LORD bless you out of Zion, and may you see the good of Jerusalem all the days of your life. Psalms 128:5
33 Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the
foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that
which is great. 34 Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing
mind; and the willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land of
Zion in these last days.
Note: Zion is Jerusalem not Independence Missouri.
Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem! Praise your God, O Zion! Psalms 147:12
35 And the rebellious shall be cut off out of the land of Zion, and
shall be sent away, and shall not inherit the land. 36 For, verily I
say that the rebellious are not of the blood of Ephraim, wherefore they
shall be plucked out.
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
37 Behold, I, the Lord, have made my church in these last days like
unto a judge sitting on a hill, or in a high place, to judge the
nations. 38 For it shall come to pass that the inhabitants of Zion
shall judge all things pertaining to Zion.
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
39 And liars and hypocrites shall be proved by them, and they who are not apostles and prophets shall be known.
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
40 And even the bishop, who is a judge, and his counselors, if they are
not faithful in their stewardships shall be condemned, and others shall
be planted in their stead.
Note: Zion is Jerusalem not Independence Missouri.
When the Lord has washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and
purged the blood of Jerusalem from her midst, by the spirit of judgment
and by the spirit of burning, then the LORD will create above every
dwelling place of Mount Zion, and above her assemblies, a cloud and
smoke by day and the shining of a flaming fire by night. Isaiah 4:4-5
41 For, behold, I say unto you that Zion shall flourish, and the glory
of the Lord shall be upon her; 42 And she shall be an ensign unto the
people, and there shall come unto her out of every nation under heaven.
43 And the day shall come when the nations of the earth shall tremble
because of her and shall fear because of her terrible ones. The Lord
hath spoken it. Amen.
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