LDS Doctrine and Covenants Critique
Downloaded from churchofjesuschrist.org in September 2026
The Doctrine and Covenants
SECTION 8
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to
Oliver Cowdery, at Harmony, Pennsylvania, April 1829. In the course of
the translation of the Book of Mormon, Oliver, who continued to serve
as scribe, writing at the Prophet’s dictation, desired to be endowed
with the gift of translation. The Lord responded to his supplication by
granting this revelation.
1–5, Revelation comes by the power of the Holy Ghost; 6–12, Knowledge
of the mysteries of God and the power to translate ancient records come
by faith.
1 Oliver Cowdery, verily, verily, I say unto you, that assuredly as the
Lord liveth, who is your God and your Redeemer, even so surely shall
you receive a knowledge of whatsoever things you shall ask in faith,
with an honest heart, believing that you shall receive a knowledge
concerning the engravings of old records, which are ancient, which
contain those parts of my scripture of which has been spoken by the
manifestation of my Spirit.
Note: Jesus Christ wants believers to be witnesses of Himself.
“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
2 Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the
Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your
heart.
Note: The Holy Spirit will testify of Jesus Christ.
“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
3 Now, behold, this is the spirit of revelation; behold, this is the
spirit by which Moses brought the children of Israel through the Red
Sea on dry ground.
Note: Prophesy is the testimony of Jesus Christ.
“I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony
of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of
prophecy.” Revelation 19:10
4 Therefore this is thy gift; apply unto it, and blessed art thou, for
it shall deliver you out of the hands of your enemies, when, if it were
not so, they would slay you and bring your soul to destruction. 5 Oh,
remember these words, and keep my commandments. Remember, this is your
gift. 6 Now this is not all thy gift; for you have another gift, which
is the gift of Aaron; behold, it has told you many things; 7 Behold,
there is no other power, save the power of God, that can cause this
gift of Aaron to be with you. 8 Therefore, doubt not, for it is the
gift of God; and you shall hold it in your hands and do marvelous
works; and no power shall be able to take it away out of your hands,
for it is the work of God.
Note: The work of God is 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
9 And, therefore, whatsoever you shall ask me to tell you by that
means, that will I grant unto you, and you shall have knowledge
concerning it.
Note: Believers will grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ.
You, therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest
you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the
error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord
and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever.
Amen. 2 Peter 3:17-18
10 Remember that without faith you can do nothing; therefore ask in
faith. Trifle not with these things; do not ask for that which you
ought not.
Note: Nothing spiritually can be done apart from Jesus Christ.
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in
him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5
11 Ask that you may know the mysteries of God, and that you may
translate and receive knowledge from all those ancient records which
have been hid up, that are sacred; and according to your faith shall it
be done unto you.
Note: The Book of Mormon is not sacred.
Lack of Evidence: Mainstream archaeology and genetics have not found
support for the massive civilizations, battles, or indigenous lineage
described in the book.
12 Behold, it is I that have spoken it; and I am the same that spake unto you from the beginning. Amen.
Note: Once Sidney Rigdon contracted malaria in 1839, these wild revelations suddenly decreased.