LDS Doctrine and Covenants Critique
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The Doctrine and Covenants
SECTION 39
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to
James Covel, at Fayette, New York, January 5, 1831. James Covel, who
had been a Methodist minister for about forty years, covenanted with
the Lord that he would obey any command that the Lord would give to him
through Joseph the Prophet.
1–4, The Saints have power to become the sons of God; 5–6, To receive
the gospel is to receive Christ; 7–14, James Covel is commanded to be
baptized and labor in the Lord’s vineyard; 15–21, The Lord’s servants
are to preach the gospel before the Second Coming; 22–24, Those who
receive the gospel will be gathered in time and in eternity.
1 Hearken and listen to the voice of him who is from all eternity to all eternity, the Great I AM, even Jesus Christ—
Note: LDS authorities have said that Jesus Christ was created through physical sex.
Apostle Bruce McConkie, in perhaps the most explicit denial of the
virgin birth, wrote, “Christ was begotten by an immortal Father in the
same way that mortal men are begotten by mortal fathers.” (Mormon
Doctrine, 1966, p. 547)
2 The light and the life of the world; a light which shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehendeth it not;
Note: The Holy Bible was plagiarized.
In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light
shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. John
1:4-5
3 The same which came in the meridian of time unto mine own, and mine own received me not;
Note: The Holy Bible was plagiarized.
He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. John 1:11
4 But to as many as received me, gave I power to become my sons; and
even so will I give unto as many as will receive me, power to become my
sons.
Note: The Holy Bible was plagiarized.
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, John 1:12
5 And verily, verily, I say unto you, he that receiveth my gospel
receiveth me; and he that receiveth not my gospel receiveth not me.
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
6 And this is my gospel—repentance and baptism by water, and then
cometh the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost, even the Comforter,
which showeth all things, and teacheth the peaceable things of the
kingdom.
Note: Baptism is not the Christian Gospel.
For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not
with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no
effect. 1 Corinthians 1:17
7 And now, behold, I say unto you, my servant James, I have looked upon
thy works and I know thee. 8 And verily I say unto thee, thine heart is
now right before me at this time; and, behold, I have bestowed great
blessings upon thy head; 9 Nevertheless, thou hast seen great sorrow,
for thou hast rejected me many times because of pride and the cares of
the world.
Note: James Covel recognized Joseph Smith as a conman.
A Jan. 1831 revelation counseled Covel to be baptized into Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; soon after, Covel rejected command
to be baptized.
10 But, behold, the days of thy deliverance are come, if thou wilt
hearken to my voice, which saith unto thee: Arise and be baptized, and
wash away your sins, calling on my name, and you shall receive my
Spirit, and a blessing so great as you never have known.
Note: Believers receive the Holy Spirit through sincere belief.
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
11 And if thou do this, I have prepared thee for a greater work. Thou
shalt preach the fulness of my gospel, which I have sent forth in these
last days, the covenant which I have sent forth to recover my people,
which are of the house of Israel.
Note: The New Covenant is the 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
12 And it shall come to pass that power shall rest upon thee; thou
shalt have great faith, and I will be with thee and go before thy face.
13 Thou art called to labor in my vineyard, and to build up my church,
and to bring forth Zion, that it may rejoice upon the hills and
flourish.
Note: Joseph Smith was spiritually confused.
For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. 1 Corinthians 14:33
14 Behold, verily, verily, I say unto thee, thou art not called to go
into the eastern countries, but thou art called to go to the Ohio. 15
And inasmuch as my people shall assemble themselves at the Ohio, I have
kept in store a blessing such as is not known among the children of
men, and it shall be poured forth upon their heads. And from thence men
shall go forth into all nations. 16 Behold, verily, verily, I say unto
you, that the people in Ohio call upon me in much faith, thinking I
will stay my hand in judgment upon the nations, but I cannot deny my
word.
Note: Believers are commanded to go into all the world not just Ohio.
“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
17 Wherefore lay to with your might and call faithful laborers into my vineyard, that it may be pruned for the last time.
Note: Believers will abide in Jesus Christ not Joseph Smith.
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in
Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears
fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean
because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in
you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the
vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. John 15:1-4
18 And inasmuch as they do repent and receive the fulness of my gospel,
and become sanctified, I will stay mine hand in judgment.
Note: Believers are sanctified in Jesus Christ not Joseph Smith.
Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God,
and Sosthenes our brother, to the church of God which is at Corinth, to
those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all
who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both
theirs and ours: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the
Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:1-3
19 Wherefore, go forth, crying with a loud voice, saying: The kingdom
of heaven is at hand; crying: Hosanna! blessed be the name of the Most
High God.
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
20 Go forth baptizing with water, preparing the way before my face for the time of my coming;
Note: Believers will preach Jesus Christ not baptism.
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
21 For the time is at hand; the day or the hour no man knoweth; but it surely shall come.
Note: The Holy Bible was plagiarized.
“But of that day and hour no one knows,” Mark 13:32
22 And he that receiveth these things receiveth me; and they shall be gathered unto me in time and in eternity.
Note: The Holy Bible was plagiarized.
“He who receives you receives Me,” Matthew 10:40
23 And again, it shall come to pass that on as many as ye shall baptize
with water, ye shall lay your hands, and they shall receive the gift of
the Holy Ghost, and shall be looking forth for the signs of my coming,
and shall know me.
Note: Believers receive the Holy Spirit through sincere belief.
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
24 Behold, I come quickly. Even so. Amen.
Note: The Holy Bible was plagiarized.
“Behold, I am coming quickly!” Revelation 22:7