LDS Doctrine and Covenants Critique
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The Doctrine and Covenants
SECTION 44
Revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet and Sidney
Rigdon, at Kirtland, Ohio, in the latter part of February 1831. In
compliance with the requirement herein set forth, the Church appointed
a conference to be held early in the month of June following.
1–3, Elders are to assemble in conference; 4–6, They are to organize according to the laws of the land and to care for the poor.
1 Behold, thus saith the Lord unto you my servants, it is expedient in
me that the elders of my church should be called together, from the
east and from the west, and from the north and from the south, by
letter or some other way.
Note: Jesus Christ commanded believers to go to all nations.
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given
to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all
the nations,” Matthew 28:18-19
2 And it shall come to pass, that inasmuch as they are faithful, and
exercise faith in me, I will pour out my Spirit upon them in the day
that they assemble themselves together.
Note: The Holy Spirit was poured out at Pentecost.
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
3 And it shall come to pass that they shall go forth into the regions round about, and preach repentance unto the people.
Note: Believers will preach Jesus Christ.
“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by
God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in
your midst, as you yourselves also know— Him, being delivered by the
determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless
hands, have crucified, and put to death; whom God raised up, having
loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should
be held by it.” Acts 2:22-24
4 And many shall be converted, insomuch that ye shall obtain power to organize yourselves according to the laws of man;
Note: LDS church members were lawless.
During the 1838 Mormon War, a paramilitary group of Latter-day Saints
known as the Danites and other armed Church members raided and burned
the towns of Gallatin and Millport.
5 That your enemies may not have power over you; that you may be
preserved in all things; that you may be enabled to keep my laws; that
every bond may be broken wherewith the enemy seeketh to destroy my
people.
Note: Joseph Smith declared war upon non-Mormons in Missouri.
On July 4, Rigdon gave an oration characterized by Mormon historian
Brigham Henry Roberts as a "'Declaration of Independence' from all mobs
and persecutions". The text of this speech was endorsed by Joseph
Smith, who appeared at the event and participated in the raising of a
liberty pole. In the speech, Rigdon declared that the Latter Day Saints
would no longer be driven from their homes by persecution from without
or dissension from within: "and at mob that comes on us to disturb us,
it shall be between us and them a war of extermination; for we will
follow them until the last drop of their blood is spilled; or else they
will have to exterminate us, for we will carry the seat of war to their
own houses and their own families, and one party or the other shall be
utterly destroyed"
6 Behold, I say unto you, that ye must visit the poor and the needy and
administer to their relief, that they may be kept until all things may
be done according to my law which ye have received. Amen.
Note: Joseph Smith created a communistic community to take care of the poor.
When Joseph Smith introduced the Law of Consecration in Kirtland, Ohio,
in 1831, church members deeded their property to the church to
redistribute based on family needs.
Note: Communism never works for society.
However, by November 1837, Kirtland Safety Society failed and its
business closed. In the aftermath, Joseph Smith, founder of the Latter
Day Saint movement, was fined for "running an illegal bank," though he
was employed as the institution's Cashier.