LDS Doctrine and Covenants Critique
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The Doctrine and Covenants
SECTION 50
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at
Kirtland, Ohio, May 9, 1831. Joseph Smith’s history states that some of
the elders did not understand the manifestations of different spirits
abroad in the earth and that this revelation was given in response to
his special inquiry on the matter. So-called spiritual phenomena were
not uncommon among the members, some of whom claimed to be receiving
visions and revelations.
1–5, Many false spirits are abroad in the earth; 6–9, Wo unto the
hypocrites and those who are cut off from the Church; 10–14, Elders are
to preach the gospel by the Spirit; 15–22, Both preachers and hearers
need to be enlightened by the Spirit; 23–25, That which doth not edify
is not of God; 26–28, The faithful are possessors of all things; 29–36,
The prayers of the purified are answered; 37–46, Christ is the Good
Shepherd and the Stone of Israel.
1 Hearken, O ye elders of my church, and give ear to the voice of the
living God; and attend to the words of wisdom which shall be given unto
you, according as ye have asked and are agreed as touching the church,
and the spirits which have gone abroad in the earth. 2 Behold, verily I
say unto you, that there are many spirits which are false spirits,
which have gone forth in the earth, deceiving the world. 3 And also
Satan hath sought to deceive you, that he might overthrow you.
Note: Elders of the LDS church should have tested Joseph Smith.
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether
they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the
world. 1 John 4:1
4 Behold, I, the Lord, have looked upon you, and have seen abominations in the church that profess my name.
Note: Joseph Smith began the introduction of polygamy about this time.
Joseph may have introduced the concept as early as 1831, but he did not
practice it until the mid-1830s, probably starting in 1835 when he most
likely married Fanny Alger. After that, he waited about six years
before resuming the practice by marrying Louisa Beaman in 1841 and
began teaching plural marriage to close confidants, eventually bringing
them into the practice as well. He continued practicing plural marriage
until his death on June 27, 1844, at which time he had married at least
27 women.
5 But blessed are they who are faithful and endure, whether in life or in death, for they shall inherit eternal life.
Note: Believers inherit eternal life through sincere belief.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that
whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
John 3:16
6 But wo unto them that are deceivers and hypocrites, for, thus saith
the Lord, I will bring them to judgment. 7 Behold, verily I say unto
you, there are hypocrites among you, who have deceived some, which has
given the adversary power; but behold such shall be reclaimed; 8 But
the hypocrites shall be detected and shall be cut off, either in life
or in death, even as I will; and wo unto them who are cut off from my
church, for the same are overcome of the world.
Note: Hypocrite Joseph Smith was cut off.
The Smith brothers were detained at Carthage Jail awaiting trial when
an armed mob of 150–200 men stormed the building, their faces painted
black with wet gunpowder. Hyrum was killed almost immediately when he
was shot in the face, shouting as he fell, "I am a dead man!" After
emptying his pistol towards the attackers, Joseph tried to escape from
a second-story window, but was shot several times and fell to the
ground, where he was again shot by the mob.
9 Wherefore, let every man beware lest he do that which is not in truth and righteousness before me.
Note: Believers obtain the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ.
But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being
witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God,
through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there
is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of
God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is
in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood,
through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His
forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously
committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that
He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
Romans 3:21-26
10 And now come, saith the Lord, by the Spirit, unto the elders of his
church, and let us reason together, that ye may understand; 11 Let us
reason even as a man reasoneth one with another face to face. 12 Now,
when a man reasoneth he is understood of man, because he reasoneth as a
man; even so will I, the Lord, reason with you that you may understand.
Note: Joseph Smith used a strong delusion upon Mormon religious fanatics.
The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan,
with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous
deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love
of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will
send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they
all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in
unrighteousness. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12
13 Wherefore, I the Lord ask you this question—unto what were ye
ordained? 14 To preach my gospel by the Spirit, even the Comforter
which was sent forth to teach the truth.
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
15 And then received ye spirits which ye could not understand, and received them to be of God; and in this are ye justified?
Note: Believers have been justified by faith in Jesus Christ.
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by
faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the
glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations,
knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance,
character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because
the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit
who was given to us. Romans 5:1-5
16 Behold ye shall answer this question yourselves; nevertheless, I
will be merciful unto you; he that is weak among you hereafter shall be
made strong. 17 Verily I say unto you, he that is ordained of me and
sent forth to preach the word of truth by the Comforter, in the Spirit
of truth, doth he preach it by the Spirit of truth or some other way?
18 And if it be by some other way it is not of God. 19 And again, he
that receiveth the word of truth, doth he receive it by the Spirit of
truth or some other way? 20 If it be some other way it is not of God.
21 Therefore, why is it that ye cannot understand and know, that he
that receiveth the word by the Spirit of truth receiveth it as it is
preached by the Spirit of truth?
Note: Believers will preach Jesus Christ by the Spirit of truth.
“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
22 Wherefore, he that preacheth and he that receiveth, understand one
another, and both are edified and rejoice together. 23 And that which
doth not edify is not of God and is darkness.
Note: Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon taught confusion.
For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. 1 Corinthians 14:33
24 That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and
continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth
brighter and brighter until the perfect day. 25 And again, verily I say
unto you, and I say it that you may know the truth, that you may chase
darkness from among you;
Note: Jesus Christ is the light of the world.
Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world.
He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of
life.” John 8:12
26 He that is ordained of God and sent forth, the same is appointed to
be the greatest, notwithstanding he is the least and the servant of all.
Note: The Holy Bible was plagrized.
And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone
desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” Mark
9:35
27 Wherefore, he is possessor of all things; for all things are subject
unto him, both in heaven and on the earth, the life and the light, the
Spirit and the power, sent forth by the will of the Father through
Jesus Christ, his Son.
Note: Believers will be powered by the Holy Spirit to preach Jesus Christ.
Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also
are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish
one another. Nevertheless, brethren, I have written more boldly to you
on some points, as reminding you, because of the grace given to me by
God, that I might be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles,
ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might
be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. Therefore I have reason
to glory in Christ Jesus in the things which pertain to God. For I will
not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not
accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles
obedient— in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of
God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully
preached the gospel of Christ. Romans 15:14-19
28 But no man is possessor of all things except he be purified and
cleansed from all sin. 29 And if ye are purified and cleansed from all
sin, ye shall ask whatsoever you will in the name of Jesus and it shall
be done. 30 But know this, it shall be given you what you shall ask;
and as ye are appointed to the head, the spirits shall be subject unto
you.
Note: Only Jesus Christ was without sin.
Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the
heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we
do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses,
but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us
therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy
and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16
31 Wherefore, it shall come to pass, that if you behold a spirit
manifested that you cannot understand, and you receive not that spirit,
ye shall ask of the Father in the name of Jesus; and if he give not
unto you that spirit, then you may know that it is not of God. 32 And
it shall be given unto you, power over that spirit; and you shall
proclaim against that spirit with a loud voice that it is not of God—
33 Not with railing accusation, that ye be not overcome, neither with
boasting nor rejoicing, lest you be seized therewith.
Note: Joseph Smith is not of God since he said he saw God.
No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in
us, and His love has been perfected in us. By this we know that we
abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. And
we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of
the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides
in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God
has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and
God in him. 1 John 4:12-16
34 He that receiveth of God, let him account it of God; and let him
rejoice that he is accounted of God worthy to receive. 35 And by giving
heed and doing these things which ye have received, and which ye shall
hereafter receive—and the kingdom is given you of the Father, and power
to overcome all things which are not ordained of him—
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
36 And behold, verily I say unto you, blessed are you who are now
hearing these words of mine from the mouth of my servant, for your sins
are forgiven you.
Note: Joseph Wakefield realized Joseph Smith was a fraud.
Born in Dublin, Cheshire Co., New Hampshire. Son of Thomas Wakefield
and Elizabeth Hardy. Married first Eunice Sawyer, 13 Dec. 1812. Moved
to Watertown, Jefferson Co., New York, by 1820. Baptized into Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and ordained an elder, by 9 May 1831.
Ordained a high priest by Lyman Wight, 4 June 1831, in Geauga Co.,
Ohio. Served mission to New York and other eastern states, 1831–1832.
Married second, Miss Pepper, before 1833. Moved to area near Kirtland,
Geauga Co., 1833. Excommunicated, by Jan. 1834. Took part in actions
against Latter-day Saints in Kirtland.
37 Let my servant Joseph Wakefield, in whom I am well pleased, and my
servant Parley P. Pratt go forth among the churches and strengthen them
by the word of exhortation;
Note: Parley Pratt died stealing another man’s wife.
Some writers have viewed Pratt's death as the act of a jealous husband,
deeply angered by a man who had "run off" with his wife. A 2008 Provo
Daily Herald newspaper article characterized McLean as a man who had
"hunted down" Pratt in retribution for "ruining his marriage". A 2008
Deseret News article described McLean as a man who had "pursued Pratt
across Missouri, Oklahoma and Arkansas, angry that his estranged wife,
Eleanor, had become Pratt's 12th wife."
38 And also my servant John Corrill, or as many of my servants as are
ordained unto this office, and let them labor in the vineyard; and let
no man hinder them doing that which I have appointed unto them—
Note: John Corrill realized that Joseph Smith was a fraud.
Corrill was elected by the primarily Mormon residents of Caldwell
County to be the county's first representative to the Missouri State
Legislature in August 1838. During this same election, distrust between
Missourians and Mormons erupted into an armed conflict, known today as
the Missouri Mormon War. Corrill witnessed many key events and was
involved in surrendering and turning over Joseph Smith to the state
militia, which Smith saw as a betrayal. At the Richmond hearings in
November, Corrill testified for the state against Smith and the Mormon
actions in the conflict.
39 Wherefore, in this thing my servant Edward Partridge is not justified; nevertheless let him repent and he shall be forgiven.
Note: Edward Partridge should have realized Joseph Smith was a fraud.
Partridge died on May 27, 1840, in Nauvoo, Illinois, at the age of 46.
Partridge expended much of his wealth in support of the movement before
he died.
40 Behold, ye are little children and ye cannot bear all things now; ye must grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth.
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
41 Fear not, little children, for you are mine, and I have overcome the world, and you are of them that my Father hath given me;
Note: The Holy Bible was plagiarized.
“I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
42 And none of them that my Father hath given me shall be lost.
Note: The Holy Bible was plagiarized.
“All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.” John 6:37
43 And the Father and I are one. I am in the Father and the Father in
me; and inasmuch as ye have received me, ye are in me and I in you.
Note: The Holy Bible was plagiarized.
“I and My Father are one.” John 10:30
“You, Father, are in Me, and I in You;” John 17:21
“Abide in Me, and I in you.” John 15:4
44 Wherefore, I am in your midst, and I am the good shepherd, and the
stone of Israel. He that buildeth upon this rock shall never fall.
Note: The Holy Bible was plagiarized.
“I am there in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20
“I am the good shepherd.” John 10:11
As it is written: “Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense,
and whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” Romans 9:33
“and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.” Matthew 7:25
45 And the day cometh that you shall hear my voice and see me, and know that I am.
Note: Believers in Jesus Christ will hear His voice and live eternally.
Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the
dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will
live. John 5:25
46 Watch, therefore, that ye may be ready. Even so. Amen.
Note: Believers will be watching for Jesus Christ not a false prophet.
“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.” Matthew 25:13