Section 13
Overview
Section 13 of the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants (corresponding to D&C 42 in modern LDS editions) is a foundational text in early Mormonism, often referred to simply as 'The Law.' Dictated by Joseph Smith in February 1831 shortly after the church relocated to Kirtland, Ohio, the text is presented as the direct, first-person voice of Jesus Christ. It serves as a comprehensive constitution for the young movement. Theologically, it marks a significant shift from the relatively simple Protestant-leaning restorationism of the early Book of Mormon toward a highly structured, legalistic, and institutionally controlled religion. The text introduces the 'Law of Consecration,' requiring adherents to deed their physical property to the church bishop, receiving back a 'stewardship' while the surplus is used to build the prophesied 'New Jerusalem.' Furthermore, it establishes a strict moral code reminiscent of the Ten Commandments but adds severe spiritual penalties, such as declaring murder an unforgivable sin in this life and the next, and stating that lust causes the immediate loss of the Holy Spirit. Crucially, the text explicitly conditions salvation upon strict obedience to these new laws, fundamentally departing from the biblical doctrine of justification by faith alone. It also establishes protocols for church discipline, missionary work, and the healing of the sick, while promising continuous, ongoing revelation to those who ask.
Key Figures
- Jesus Christ (Presented as the first-person speaker and lawgiver of this text)
- Joseph Smith, jr. (The prophet receiving the revelation, exempted from immediate missionary travel)
- Sidney Rigdon (Early church leader, exempted alongside Joseph Smith)
- Edward Partridge (Appointed to an office, historically the first Bishop, tasked with managing consecrated properties)
Doctrines Analyzed
Key theological claims identified in this text:
Conditional Salvation (Works Righteousness)
Assertion
Salvation is explicitly contingent upon obeying the specific laws and commandments outlined in this text.
Evidence from Text
Thou shalt take the things which thou hast received, which have been given unto thee in my scriptures for a law, to be my law, to govern my church; and he that doeth according to these things, shall be saved, and he that doeth them not shall be damned, if he continues.
Evangelical Comparison
In this text, salvation is presented as a wage earned through obedience to a specific set of institutional and moral laws. The text explicitly states that 'he that doeth according to these things, shall be saved, and he that doeth them not shall be damned.' This creates a covenant of works. In stark contrast, Evangelical Christianity, based on the New Testament, teaches that salvation is a free gift of God's grace, received entirely through faith in the finished, substitutionary work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Ephesians 2:8-9 explicitly denies that salvation can be achieved by works, 'so that no one can boast.' Romans 3:20 further clarifies that 'by the works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight.' The introduction of 'The Law' in this text effectively places the believer back under a system of legalistic performance rather than resting in the grace of the New Covenant.
The Unforgivable Nature of Murder
Assertion
Murder is an unpardonable sin for which there is no forgiveness in this life or in eternity.
Evidence from Text
Thou shalt not kill; and he that kills shall not have forgiveness, in this world, nor in the world to come... For remember, that he hath no forgiveness
Evangelical Comparison
The text asserts an absolute limit on the grace of God and the efficacy of the atonement by declaring that a murderer 'shall not have forgiveness, in this world, nor in the world to come.' Evangelical Christianity teaches that while murder is a grievous sin with severe earthly consequences, it is not beyond the saving power of Christ's blood. 1 John 1:7 states that 'the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.' The biblical narrative provides profound examples of murderers who received God's grace, most notably King David (who orchestrated the murder of Uriah) and the Apostle Paul (who consented to the murder of Stephen and breathed threats and murder against the early church, Acts 9:1). By declaring murder unforgivable, this text diminishes the infinite value of Christ's sacrifice.
The Law of Consecration
Assertion
Believers are required to deed their physical property to the church bishop, receiving back a stewardship, with the surplus used by the church hierarchy.
Evidence from Text
thou wilt remember the poor, and consecrate of thy properties for their support, that which thou hast to impart unto them, with a covenant and a deed which cannot be broken... they shall be laid before the bishop of my church
Evangelical Comparison
The Law of Consecration mandates a communal economic system where private property is legally deeded to the church bishop. The bishop then assigns a 'stewardship' back to the family, keeping the 'residue' for church purposes (building the New Jerusalem, buying lands, supporting the poor). This creates a system of intense institutional control over the believer's livelihood. While the early Christian church in Acts 2 and 4 shared possessions voluntarily, it was not a mandated institutional law requiring legal deeds to church leaders. The Apostle Peter explicitly affirmed private property rights to Ananias in Acts 5:4 ('While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own?'). The New Testament model for giving is voluntary, proportional, and cheerful (2 Corinthians 9:7), not a compulsory transfer of wealth to a religious hierarchy.
Exclusive Institutional Authority
Assertion
Preaching and building the church requires specific ordination by recognized heads of this specific church organization.
Evidence from Text
it shall not be given to any one to go forth to preach my gospel, or to build up my church, except he be ordained by some one who has authority, and it is known to the church that he has authority, and has been regularly ordained by the heads of the church.
Evangelical Comparison
The text establishes a rigid, hierarchical chain of authority, invalidating any preaching or ministry not explicitly authorized by the 'heads of the church.' This creates an exclusive claim to legitimacy. Evangelical Christianity holds to the 'Priesthood of All Believers' (1 Peter 2:9), teaching that all true Christians are empowered by the Holy Spirit to share the Gospel and minister in Christ's name. While Evangelicals recognize the value of pastoral ordination for church order, they do not believe that the validity of the Gospel message or the right to proclaim it is restricted to a specific institutional lineage. The authority lies in the Word of God itself, not in the organizational pedigree of the messenger.
Continuing Revelation and Open Canon
Assertion
The text promises ongoing, new scriptural revelation that will govern the church, explicitly adding to the Bible and Book of Mormon.
Evidence from Text
If thou shalt ask, thou shalt receive revelation upon revelation; knowledge upon knowledge... Thou shalt ask, and my scriptures shall be given as I have appointed
Evangelical Comparison
The text normalizes the expectation of continuous, authoritative, new revelation ('revelation upon revelation') and anticipates the reception of new 'scriptures' that will serve as binding law. Evangelical Christianity adheres to Sola Scriptura, believing that the 66 books of the Bible are the complete, sufficient, and final revelation of God for faith and practice. Jude 1:3 speaks of the faith 'once for all delivered to the saints,' and Hebrews 1:1-2 declares that while God spoke through prophets in the past, in these last days He has spoken definitively through His Son. The expectation of ongoing, canon-level revelation undermines the sufficiency of the Bible and subjects believers to the shifting dictates of modern claimants to the prophetic office.
Comparative Analysis
Theological Gap (Summary)
The text replaces the grace-based New Covenant with a legalistic framework where salvation is explicitly contingent upon strict obedience to institutional rules, moral codes, and the transfer of private property to church leadership.
Theological Gap (Explained)
The fundamental theological gap between this text and Evangelical Christianity lies in the nature of the covenant between God and humanity. Evangelicalism operates on the New Covenant of grace, where justification is a forensic declaration by God, imputing Christ's righteousness to the believer solely through faith (Romans 4:5). The believer's obedience is a grateful response to salvation already secured. In contrast, Section 13 establishes a 'Law' that functions much like a reinstated, modified Mosaic covenant. It explicitly conditions salvation on performance: 'he that doeth according to these things, shall be saved' (v. 16). This creates a system of works-righteousness. Furthermore, the text intertwines spiritual salvation with economic submission (The Law of Consecration) and institutional loyalty. By declaring certain sins unforgivable (murder) and stating that the Holy Spirit departs upon a single lustful thought, the text strips the believer of the eternal security and assurance found in the biblical Gospel, replacing it with a perpetual treadmill of performance, surveillance, and fear of being 'cast out.'
For All Ages
Imagine you owe a billion dollars to a bank, and a very kind person pays the entire debt for you. That is what Jesus did for us on the cross—that's the biblical Gospel. Now, imagine someone else comes along and says, 'Yes, he paid it, but to actually be free, you now have to follow my huge list of strict rules, give all your money and your house to my club, and if you mess up, the debt comes back.' That is what this text does. It takes God's free gift of salvation and turns it into a heavy burden of chores and rules you have to do to earn your way to heaven.
Friction Points
Sola Fide (Justification by Faith Alone)
Verse 16 explicitly states that salvation is achieved by doing the works of the law outlined in the text.
Sola Gratia (Grace Alone) / Sufficiency of the Atonement
Verses 6 and 21 declare that murder has no forgiveness in this world or the next, limiting the power of Christ's atoning blood.
Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone)
Verses 5, 15, and 17 promise ongoing new scriptures and revelations that will serve as binding law for the church.
Universal Priesthood of Believers
Verse 4 restricts the preaching of the gospel and building of the church only to those ordained by the specific heads of this institution.
Semantic Warnings
Terms that have different meanings between traditions:
"Gospel"
In This Text
A comprehensive system of laws, ordinances, and covenants, including the Book of Mormon and the new mandates outlined in this text.
In Evangelicalism
The good news of Jesus Christ's incarnation, sinless life, substitutionary death, and resurrection for the justification of sinners (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).
"Salvation"
In This Text
A state attained by doing 'according to these things' (v. 16), meaning strict obedience to the laws and covenants of the church.
In Evangelicalism
Deliverance from the penalty of sin, received as a free gift by grace through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9).
"The Spirit"
In This Text
A divine presence that is highly conditional and immediately lost if one 'looketh upon a woman to lust after her' (v. 7).
In Evangelicalism
The third person of the Trinity who permanently indwells and seals the believer for the day of redemption (Ephesians 1:13-14, 4:30).
Soteriology (Salvation)
Salvation Defined: Being saved from damnation, remaining in the covenant community, and ultimately inheriting eternal life in the presence of God.
How Attained: Salvation is attained through strict obedience to the laws, moral codes, and economic requirements (consecration) dictated in the text.
Basis of Assurance: Assurance is based entirely on one's current performance, moral purity, and standing with church leadership. It is highly fragile, as a single unrepented sin or lustful thought can result in being 'cast out.'
Comparison to Sola Fide: The text is diametrically opposed to Sola Fide. Verse 16 ('he that doeth according to these things, shall be saved') is a textbook definition of works-righteousness. It stands in direct contradiction to Romans 11:6: 'But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.'
Mandates & Requirements
Explicit Commands
- Hearken and hear and obey the law (v. 1)
- Go forth in my name (v. 2)
- Preach my gospel two by two (v. 2)
- Baptize with water (v. 2)
- Say 'Repent ye' (v. 2)
- Go forth into the regions westward (v. 3)
- Build up my church in every region (v. 3)
- Teach the principles of my gospel in the bible and book of Mormon (v. 5)
- Observe the covenants and church articles (v. 5)
- Pray in faith for the Spirit (v. 5)
- Thou shalt not kill (v. 6, 7)
- Thou shalt not steal (v. 7)
- Thou shalt not lie (v. 7)
- Thou shalt love thy wife with all thy heart (v. 7)
- Cleave unto her and none else (v. 7)
- Thou shalt not commit adultery (v. 7)
- Thou shalt not speak evil of thy neighbor, nor do him any harm (v. 7)
- Forgive the adulterer who repents with all his heart (v. 7)
- Serve me and keep all my commandments (v. 8)
- Remember the poor (v. 8)
- Consecrate of thy properties for their support with a covenant and a deed (v. 8)
- Thou shalt not be proud in thy heart (v. 12)
- Let all thy garments be plain (v. 12)
- Let all things be done in cleanliness (v. 12)
- Thou shalt not be idle (v. 12)
- Nourish the sick with herbs and mild food (v. 12)
- Elders shall pray for and lay hands upon the sick (v. 12)
- Live together in love (v. 12)
- Weep for the loss of them that die (v. 12)
- Bear the infirmities of those who have not faith to do miracles (v. 13)
- Stand in the place of thy stewardship (v. 14)
- Thou shalt not take thy brother's garment (v. 14)
- Pay for that which thou shalt receive of thy brother (v. 14)
- Give excess into my store house (v. 14)
- Ask, and my scriptures shall be given (v. 15)
- Hold thy peace concerning them until received in full (v. 15)
- Teach them unto all men (v. 15)
- Take the things received in scriptures for a law to govern my church (v. 16)
- Ask to receive revelation upon revelation (v. 17)
- Teach converts to flee to the west (v. 18)
- Observe all these things (v. 18)
- Observe the laws received and be faithful (v. 18)
- Ask of me for wisdom (v. 18)
- Lift up your hearts and rejoice (v. 18)
- Be watchful and careful regarding receiving divorced persons (v. 20)
- Observe to keep all the commandments and covenants (v. 21)
- Deliver murderers, robbers, thieves, liars to the law of the land (v. 21, 22)
- Try adulterers before two elders (v. 22)
- Take an offending brother/sister alone (v. 23)
- Deliver unrepentant offenders to the church/elders (v. 23)
- Rebuke open offenders openly (v. 23)
- Rebuke secret offenders in secret (v. 23)
Implicit Obligations
- Accept Joseph Smith as the sole, authoritative conduit for the voice of Jesus Christ.
- Submit entirely to the economic and disciplinary authority of the bishop and church elders.
- Believe that the literal 'New Jerusalem' will be built in the western United States.
- Accept that a single lustful thought results in the immediate loss of the Holy Spirit.
- Accept that the Book of Mormon contains the 'fulness of the gospel' despite the addition of these new laws.
Ritual Requirements
- Baptism with water.
- Ordination by recognized heads of the church.
- Consecration of property formalized with a legal covenant and deed.
- Laying on of hands by two or more elders for the healing of the sick.
- Formal church disciplinary councils involving the lifting up of hands against offenders.
Evangelism Toolkit
Practical tools for engagement and dialogue:
Discovery Questions
Open-ended questions to promote reflection:
- In verse 16, it says 'he that doeth according to these things, shall be saved.' How do you personally know if you have done enough of these things to be confident in your salvation?
- Verse 6 states that there is no forgiveness for murder in this world or the next. How do you reconcile this with the biblical story of the Apostle Paul, who consented to the murder of Stephen before becoming a Christian?
- If the Book of Mormon contains the 'fulness of the gospel' as verse 5 says, why was it necessary to receive this extensive new 'Law' with so many additional requirements for salvation?
- Verse 8 requires deeding property to the bishop. How does this compare to the Apostle Paul's teaching in 2 Corinthians 9:7 that giving should be voluntary and not under compulsion?
Redemptive Analogies
Bridges from this text to the Gospel:
Caring for the poor and needy.
The desire to care for the vulnerable reflects the heart of God. However, in the Gospel, this care is not a legalistic requirement to earn salvation or a mandated transfer of wealth to a hierarchy. Instead, it is a joyful, voluntary response to the ultimate grace we received when Christ, who was rich, became poor for our sakes so that we might become spiritually rich.
Spiritual Weight
Burdens this text places on adherents:
The text places a crushing burden of constant obedience to a strict moral and economic code. Because salvation is explicitly tied to 'doing according to these things,' the believer can never rest in the assurance of grace. The constant threat of being 'cast out' for failure creates a high-anxiety spiritual environment where one's standing before God is always in jeopardy based on daily performance.
The Law of Consecration requires believers to legally deed their property to the church bishop, receiving back only what the leadership deems necessary. This strips the individual of financial autonomy and places immense power in the hands of the church hierarchy, creating deep dependency and the fear of losing one's livelihood if excommunicated or disciplined.
The promise of 'revelation upon revelation' means the rules and doctrines can change at any time based on the dictates of the leadership. Believers cannot rely on a fixed, objective standard of truth (like the Bible), but must constantly adapt to new mandates, creating theological instability.