LDS Doctrine and Covenants Critique
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The Doctrine and Covenants
SECTION 38
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at
Fayette, New York, January 2, 1831. The occasion was a conference of
the Church.
1–6, Christ created all things; 7–8, He is in the midst of His Saints,
who will soon see Him; 9–12, All flesh is corrupted before Him; 13–22,
He has reserved a land of promise for His Saints in time and in
eternity; 23–27, The Saints are commanded to be one and esteem each
other as brethren; 28–29, Wars are predicted; 30–33, The Saints are to
be given power from on high and to go forth among all nations; 34–42,
The Church is commanded to care for the poor and needy and to seek the
riches of eternity.
1 Thus saith the Lord your God, even Jesus Christ, the Great I AM,
Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the same which looked upon
the wide expanse of eternity, and all the seraphic hosts of heaven,
before the world was made; 2 The same which knoweth all things, for all
things are present before mine eyes; 3 I am the same which spake, and
the world was made, and all things came by me. 4 I am the same which
have taken the Zion of Enoch into mine own bosom; and verily, I say,
even as many as have believed in my name, for I am Christ, and in mine
own name, by the virtue of the blood which I have spilt, have I pleaded
before the Father for them.
Note: Jesus Christ did not speak to Joseph Smith.
I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom
and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos
for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was in the
Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a
trumpet, saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the
Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven
churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to
Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.” Then I turned
to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven
golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like
the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded
about the chest with a golden band. His head and hair were white like
wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet
were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the
sound of many waters; He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His
mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the
sun shining in its strength. And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as
dead. Revelation 1:9-17
5 But behold, the residue of the wicked have I kept in chains of
darkness until the judgment of the great day, which shall come at the
end of the earth; 6 And even so will I cause the wicked to be kept,
that will not hear my voice but harden their hearts, and wo, wo, wo, is
their doom. 7 But behold, verily, verily, I say unto you that mine eyes
are upon you. I am in your midst and ye cannot see me;
Note: Jesus Christ did not appear to Joseph Smith.
As he journeyed, he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone
around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice
saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” And he said,
“Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are
persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” So, he,
trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then
the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told
what you must do.” Acts 9:3-6
8 But the day soon cometh that ye shall see me, and know that I am; for
the veil of darkness shall soon be rent, and he that is not purified
shall not abide the day.
Note: Believers have the veil of spiritual darkness removed by Jesus Christ.
Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech—
unlike Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the children of
Israel could not look steadily at the end of what was passing away. But
their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains
unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken
away in Christ. But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies
on their heart. Nevertheless, when one turns to the Lord, the veil is
taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the
Lord is, there is liberty. 2 Corinthians 3:12-17
9 Wherefore, gird up your loins and be prepared. Behold, the kingdom is
yours, and the enemy shall not overcome. 10 Verily I say unto you, ye
are clean, but not all; and there is none else with whom I am well
pleased; 11 For all flesh is corrupted before me; and the powers of
darkness prevail upon the earth, among the children of men, in the
presence of all the hosts of heaven—
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
12 Which causeth silence to reign, and all eternity is pained, and the
angels are waiting the great command to reap down the earth, to gather
the tares that they may be burned; and, behold, the enemy is combined.
Note: There is joy in heaven.
I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one
sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no
repentance. Luke 15:7
13 And now I show unto you a mystery, a thing which is had in secret
chambers, to bring to pass even your destruction in process of time,
and ye knew it not; 14 But now I tell it unto you, and ye are blessed,
not because of your iniquity, neither your hearts of unbelief; for
verily some of you are guilty before me, but I will be merciful unto
your weakness. 15 Therefore, be ye strong from henceforth; fear not,
for the kingdom is yours.
Note: Believers will do good and have peace and joy.
Therefore, do not let your good be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom
of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy
in the Holy Spirit. For he who serves Christ in these things is
acceptable to God and approved by men. Romans 14:16-18
16 And for your salvation I give unto you a commandment, for I have
heard your prayers, and the poor have complained before me, and the
rich have I made, and all flesh is mine, and I am no respecter of
persons. 17 And I have made the earth rich, and behold it is my
footstool, wherefore, again I will stand upon it. 18 And I hold forth
and deign to give unto you greater riches, even a land of promise, a
land flowing with milk and honey, upon which there shall be no curse
when the Lord cometh; 19 And I will give it unto you for the land of
your inheritance, if you seek it with all your hearts.
Note: Believers look forward to being gathered in heaven.
These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having
seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed
that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say
such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if
they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they
would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better,
that is, a heavenly country. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called
their God, for He has prepared a city for them. Hebrews 11:13-16
20 And this shall be my covenant with you, ye shall have it for the
land of your inheritance, and for the inheritance of your children
forever, while the earth shall stand, and ye shall possess it again in
eternity, no more to pass away.
Note: The New Covenant is the shed blood of Jesus Christ.
And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and
gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” Then
He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink
from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is
shed for many for the remission of sins. Matthew 26:26-28
21 But, verily I say unto you that in time ye shall have no king nor
ruler, for I will be your king and watch over you. 22 Wherefore, hear
my voice and follow me, and you shall be a free people, and ye shall
have no laws but my laws when I come, for I am your lawgiver, and what
can stay my hand?
Note: Joseph Smith practiced lawlessness most of his life.
Joseph Smith, the founder of the Latter Day Saint movement, was the
subject of approximately twenty-one documented criminal cases between
1826 and 1844 across New York, Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois.
23 But, verily I say unto you, teach one another according to the
office wherewith I have appointed you; 24 And let every man esteem his
brother as himself, and practice virtue and holiness before me. 25 And
again I say unto you, let every man esteem his brother as himself.
Note: Believers will esteem others better than themselves.
Therefore, if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of
love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy,
fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one
accord of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or
conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than
himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but
also for the interests of others. Philippians 2:1-4
26 For what man among you having twelve sons, and is no respecter of
them, and they serve him obediently, and he saith unto the one: Be thou
clothed in robes and sit thou here; and to the other: Be thou clothed
in rags and sit thou there—and looketh upon his sons and saith I am
just? 27 Behold, this I have given unto you as a parable, and it is
even as I am. I say unto you, be one; and if ye are not one ye are not
mine.
Note: Believers will not practice partiality.
My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord
of glory, with partiality. For if there should come into your assembly
a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a
poor man in filthy clothes, and you pay attention to the one wearing
the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and
say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,”
have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with
evil thoughts? James 2:1-4
28 And again, I say unto you that the enemy in the secret chambers
seeketh your lives. 29 Ye hear of wars in far countries, and you say
that there will soon be great wars in far countries, but ye know not
the hearts of men in your own land. 30 I tell you these things because
of your prayers; wherefore, treasure up wisdom in your bosoms, lest the
wickedness of men reveal these things unto you by their wickedness, in
a manner which shall speak in your ears with a voice louder than that
which shall shake the earth; but if ye are prepared ye shall not fear.
Note: God will shake the earth not wicked people.
See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape
who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we
turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, whose voice then shook the
earth; but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I shake not only
the earth, but also heaven.” Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the
removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are
made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore,
since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have
grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly
fear. For our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:25-29
31 And that ye might escape the power of the enemy, and be gathered
unto me a righteous people, without spot and blameless— 32 Wherefore,
for this cause I gave unto you the commandment that ye should go to the
Ohio; and there I will give unto you my law; and there you shall be
endowed with power from on high;
Note: Believers were endowed with power in Jerusalem.
When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord
in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a
rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were
sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and
one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy
Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them
utterance. Acts 2:1-4
33 And from thence, whosoever I will shall go forth among all nations,
and it shall be told them what they shall do; for I have a great work
laid up in store, for Israel shall be saved, and I will lead them
whithersoever I will, and no power shall stay my hand.
Note: Salvation went out to the Gentiles from God.
I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not!
But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come
to the Gentiles. Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their
failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness!
For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an apostle to the
Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, if by any means I may provoke to
jealousy those who are my flesh and save some of them. For if their
being cast away is the reconciling of the world, what will their
acceptance be but life from the dead? Romans 11:11-15
34 And now, I give unto the church in these parts a commandment, that
certain men among them shall be appointed, and they shall be appointed
by the voice of the church;
Note: Believers are appointed based on character not election.
For this reason, I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the
things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I
commanded you— if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having
faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination. For a
bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not
quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money,
but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy,
self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught,
that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict
those who contradict. Titus 1:5-9
35 And they shall look to the poor and the needy, and administer to
their relief that they shall not suffer; and send them forth to the
place which I have commanded them;
Note: Believers will provide for the poor.
They desired only that we should remember the poor, the very thing which I also was eager to do. Galatians 2:10
36 And this shall be their work, to govern the affairs of the property
of this church. 37 And they that have farms that cannot be sold, let
them be left or rented as seemeth them good. 38 See that all things are
preserved; and when men are endowed with power from on high and sent
forth, all these things shall be gathered unto the bosom of the church.
Note: Collectivist programs always fail in the long term.
In the Latter Day Saint movement, the United Order (also called the
United Order of Enoch) was one of several 19th-century church
collectivist programs. Early versions of the Order beginning in 1831
attempted to fully implement the law of consecration, a form of
Christian communism or communalism, modeled after the Community of
goods of the early church of Jerusalem which had "all things in common".
39 And if ye seek the riches which it is the will of the Father to give
unto you, ye shall be the richest of all people, for ye shall have the
riches of eternity; and it must needs be that the riches of the earth
are mine to give; but beware of pride, lest ye become as the Nephites
of old.
Note: The Book of Mormon was fiction.
Mainstream archaeology and genetics have not found support for the
massive civilizations, battles, or indigenous lineage described in the
book.
40 And again, I say unto you, I give unto you a commandment, that every
man, both elder, priest, teacher, and also member, go to with his
might, with the labor of his hands, to prepare and accomplish the
things which I have commanded. 41 And let your preaching be the warning
voice, every man to his neighbor, in mildness and in meekness.
Note: Believers will preach Jesus Christ.
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
42 And go ye out from among the wicked. Save yourselves. Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord. Even so. Amen.
Note: Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners.
And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He
counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was
formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I
obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace
of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in
Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance,
that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am
chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first
Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who
are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. Now to the King
eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and
glory forever and ever. Amen. 1 Timothy 1:12-17
Note: God the Father is invisible and never appeared to Joseph Smith.