Section 17
Overview
Given in May 1831 (known in modern LDS editions as D&C 50), this text addresses a period of ecstatic and chaotic spiritual manifestations among early Mormon converts in Ohio. Joseph Smith speaks as the direct mouthpiece of God to establish order and provide a framework for discerning true from false spirits. The text introduces an experiential epistemology: truth and divine origin are verified by mutual edification and increasing 'light,' whereas darkness and confusion indicate false spirits. It mandates that elders must preach by the Spirit of truth, and hearers must receive by that same Spirit, resulting in shared rejoicing. The revelation also establishes strict institutional boundaries, warning that hypocrites will be 'cut off' and thereby 'overcome of the world.' Significantly, it links the forgiveness of sins directly to the act of hearing the Lord's words through the mouth of Joseph Smith. The text concludes with heavy borrowing from Johannine literature, offering pastoral comfort and assurance of salvation to the 'little children' who remain faithful, while demanding absolute purification from sin as a prerequisite for spiritual power and answered prayer.
Key Figures
- The Lord / Jesus Christ (The claimed divine author speaking in the first person, identifying as the Good Shepherd and Stone of Israel)
- Joseph Smith (The 'servant' through whose mouth the Lord speaks, and through whose words sins are declared forgiven)
- Joseph Wakefield (An elder commanded to go forth among the churches to strengthen them)
- Parley P. Pratt (An elder commanded to accompany Wakefield to labor in the vineyard)
- John Corrill (An elder appointed to labor in the vineyard)
- Edward Partridge (The first LDS Bishop, who is explicitly rebuked, declared 'not justified' in a specific matter, and commanded to repent)
Doctrines Analyzed
Key theological claims identified in this text:
Experiential Epistemology (Edification as Truth)
Assertion
Truth and divine origin are determined by whether a teaching or spiritual manifestation produces mutual edification, rejoicing, and a feeling of increasing light.
Evidence from Text
he that preacheth and he that receiveth, understandeth one another, and both are edified and rejoice together; and that which doth not edify, is not of God, and is darkness: that which is of God is light
Evangelical Comparison
In Evangelical theology, the ultimate arbiter of truth is the written Word of God (Sola Scriptura). While the Holy Spirit illuminates the text and provides internal witness, the objective standard for testing spirits or doctrines is whether they align with the 66 books of the Bible (Acts 17:11, 1 John 4:1-6, Isaiah 8:20). A teaching that is false can still emotionally 'edify' or excite a deceived person, and a hard biblical truth might initially cause distress rather than rejoicing. This text establishes a highly subjective epistemology. It claims that if a spirit or teaching does not 'edify' (cause mutual understanding and rejoicing), it is 'darkness' and not of God. Conversely, that which is of God is 'light' that grows brighter. This shifts the locus of authority from the objective, historical revelation of Scripture to the subjective, internal experience of the adherent. This creates a vulnerability to emotionalism and deception, as human feelings are fallen and unreliable (Jeremiah 17:9).
Prophetic Mediation of Forgiveness
Assertion
The forgiveness of sins is directly linked to the act of hearing the words of the Lord as spoken through the mouth of the living prophet.
Evidence from Text
blessed are you who are now hearing these words of mine from the mouth of my servant, for your sins are forgiven you.
Evangelical Comparison
Evangelical Christianity holds strictly to Solus Christus (Christ alone) and Sola Fide (Faith alone). Forgiveness of sins is an objective legal declaration (justification) granted by God the Father solely on the basis of Christ's finished atoning work, received through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 5:1). No human mediator, priest, or prophet is required to dispense or declare this forgiveness, as all believers have direct access to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16, 1 Timothy 2:5). In this text, the Lord declares that the adherents' sins are forgiven specifically because they are 'now hearing these words of mine from the mouth of my servant' (Joseph Smith). This elevates the prophet to a mediatorial role, where submission to and reception of his specific, contemporary revelations becomes a conduit for, or at least intimately tied to, the forgiveness of sins. This undermines the sufficiency of Christ's once-for-all mediation.
Perfectionism as Prerequisite for Power
Assertion
A person must be completely purified and cleansed from all sin in order to possess all things and have their prayers unconditionally answered.
Evidence from Text
no man is possessor of all things, except he be purified and cleansed from all sin; 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
Evangelical Comparison
Evangelical theology teaches the doctrine of imputed righteousness. When a person believes in Christ, Christ's perfect righteousness is credited to their account (2 Corinthians 5:21). Because of this, believers are already co-heirs with Christ and possess all spiritual blessings in the heavenly places (Ephesians 1:3, Romans 8:32), even while they continue to struggle with indwelling sin (1 John 1:8). This text introduces a strict perfectionism. It states that 'no man is possessor of all things, except he be purified and cleansed from all sin.' It makes the unconditional answering of prayer ('ask whatsoever you will... and it shall be done') contingent upon this absolute state of purification. This places an impossible burden of works-righteousness on the believer, as it implies that spiritual power and inheritance are earned through achieving a state of sinless perfection in this life, rather than resting in the finished work of Christ.
Institutional Exclusivity and Damnation
Assertion
Being cut off from this specific church organization equates to being overcome by the world and facing divine woe.
Evidence from Text
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
Evangelical Comparison
In Evangelical ecclesiology, the 'Church' is the invisible, universal body of Christ, consisting of all truly regenerate believers across all denominations and times (1 Corinthians 12:12-13). While local church discipline exists (Matthew 18), being excommunicated from a specific local body does not inherently mean one has lost their salvation or is 'overcome of the world,' provided they are truly in Christ. This text equates 'my church' with the specific organization led by Joseph Smith. It asserts that those who are 'cut off' from this specific earthly institution are simultaneously 'overcome of the world' and subject to divine 'wo.' This creates a system of institutional exclusivity where spiritual survival is inextricably linked to maintaining good standing within the organizational hierarchy of the LDS church.
Comparative Analysis
Theological Gap (Summary)
The text diverges fundamentally by establishing a subjective, feeling-based epistemology for discerning truth, requiring absolute sinless perfection to possess spiritual power, and positioning the modern prophet as a necessary mediator for hearing God's voice and receiving forgiveness.
Theological Gap (Explained)
The theological gap between this text and Evangelical Christianity is rooted in epistemology, soteriology, and ecclesiology. Epistemologically, the text violates Sola Scriptura by introducing ongoing, binding revelation through a modern prophet. Furthermore, it establishes an experiential test for truth: doctrines and spirits are validated by whether they produce mutual 'edification' and 'light.' This subjective standard replaces the objective standard of the closed biblical canon, making adherents vulnerable to emotional manipulation and spiritual deception, directly contradicting the biblical mandate to test all things against Scripture (Acts 17:11). Soteriologically, the text undermines Sola Fide and Solus Christus. It introduces a perfectionistic requirement, stating that one must be 'purified and cleansed from all sin' to possess all things and have prayers unconditionally answered. This denies the sufficiency of Christ's imputed righteousness. Additionally, it mediates the forgiveness of sins through the hearing of the modern prophet's words, subtly shifting the focus of faith from the historical work of Christ on the cross to the contemporary authority of the LDS leadership. Ecclesiologically, it equates being 'cut off' from the LDS church with being 'overcome of the world,' denying the universal, invisible nature of Christ's true Church.
For All Ages
Imagine you have a map to find a hidden treasure. Evangelical Christians believe the Bible is the only map we need, and it's perfectly drawn. If someone says, 'Go left,' we check the map. If the map says 'Go right,' we know they are wrong, no matter how good 'going left' feels. This text from Joseph Smith says that you know you are going the right way if you feel a warm, happy, 'edified' feeling inside, and if you don't feel that, it's darkness. The problem is, sometimes our feelings trick us! Also, the Bible says Jesus forgives us completely just by trusting in Him, even though we still make mistakes. But this text says you have to be completely 'purified and cleansed from all sin' before you can have all the things God wants to give you. It also says that hearing Joseph Smith's words is how you know your sins are forgiven. Christians believe we only need to hear Jesus's words in the Bible, and we don't need to be perfect first, because Jesus was perfect for us.
Friction Points
Sola Scriptura
Establishes subjective feelings of 'edification' and 'light' as the ultimate test for discerning true spirits and doctrines, rather than the objective written Word of God.
Solus Christus
Links the forgiveness of sins directly to hearing the words of the Lord through the mouth of Joseph Smith, elevating the prophet to a mediatorial role.
Sola Fide
Demands that a person be 'purified and cleansed from all sin' (perfectionism) as a prerequisite to possessing all things and having prayers answered, denying imputed righteousness.
Universal Priesthood / Ecclesiology
Equates being 'cut off' from the specific LDS church organization with being 'overcome of the world' and facing divine woe.
Semantic Warnings
Terms that have different meanings between traditions:
"The Comforter"
In This Text
The Spirit sent forth to teach truth, often associated in LDS theology with a specific manifestation or the gift of the Holy Ghost conferred by priesthood authority.
In Evangelicalism
The third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, who indwells all true believers permanently at the moment of salvation (Ephesians 1:13-14).
"My Church"
In This Text
The specific, earthly organization established by Joseph Smith (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints).
In Evangelicalism
The universal body of all regenerate believers across all time and locations, regardless of earthly denomination (1 Corinthians 12:12-13).
"Purified and cleansed from all sin"
In This Text
A state of actual, behavioral perfection and sanctification required to possess all things and have prayers answered.
In Evangelicalism
The positional reality of justification where a believer is declared righteous by the imputation of Christ's righteousness, even while practical sanctification is ongoing (Hebrews 10:14).
Soteriology (Salvation)
Salvation Defined: Inheriting eternal life, possessing all things, and not being lost.
How Attained: By being faithful, enduring to the end, being purified from all sin, and remaining in good standing within the church (not being cut off).
Basis of Assurance: Assurance is offered pastorally ('Fear not, little children... none of them that my Father hath given me shall be lost'), but it is heavily conditioned on behavioral endurance, achieving purification from all sin, and remaining loyal to the prophet's words.
Comparison to Sola Fide: The text severely compromises Sola Fide. While it offers comforting words about the Good Shepherd keeping His sheep, it simultaneously demands that one must be 'purified and cleansed from all sin' to possess all things. In Evangelicalism, believers possess all things immediately upon faith because they are co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17), not because they have achieved sinless perfection.
Mandates & Requirements
Explicit Commands
- Hearken, O ye elders of my church
- Give ear to the voice of the living God
- Attend to the words of wisdom which shall be given unto you
- Let every man beware lest he do that which is not in truth and righteousness
- Let us reason together
- Answer this question yourselves
- Ask of the Father in the name of Jesus (if you behold a spirit you cannot understand)
- Proclaim against that spirit with a loud voice, that it is not of God
- Do not proclaim with railing accusation
- Do not proclaim with boasting, nor rejoicing
- Let him account it of God (he that receiveth of God)
- Let him rejoice that he is accounted of God worthy to receive
- Give heed and do these things which ye have received
- Let my servant Joseph Wakefield... and Parley P. Pratt, go forth among the churches
- Let my servant John Corrill... labor in the vineyard
- Let no man hinder them
- Let him [Edward Partridge] repent
- Grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth
- Fear not, little children
- Watch, therefore, that ye may be ready
Implicit Obligations
- Submit to the authority and revelations of Joseph Smith as the voice of God
- Actively discern and judge spiritual manifestations within the community
- Strive for absolute purification from all sin to gain spiritual power
- Maintain active membership and avoid being 'cut off' from the church
Ritual Requirements
- Ordination (required to preach the gospel by the Spirit, as noted in verse 4 and 5)
Evangelism Toolkit
Practical tools for engagement and dialogue:
Discovery Questions
Open-ended questions to promote reflection:
- The text says we can know a spirit is of God if it 'edifies' us and brings 'light.' Have you ever felt deeply edified or moved by something that later turned out to be untrue?
- If someone from a completely different religion feels 'edified' and experiences 'light' when reading their scriptures, does that mean their scriptures are true? How do we objectively test our feelings?
- Verse 6 says 'no man is possessor of all things, except he be purified and cleansed from all sin.' Do you feel you have achieved this level of complete purification? If not, how does that affect your confidence in your prayers being answered?
- In verse 7, the Lord says sins are forgiven because the people are hearing His words from the mouth of Joseph Smith. How does this compare to the biblical teaching that we can go directly to God through Jesus for forgiveness?
Redemptive Analogies
Bridges from this text to the Gospel:
The Good Shepherd who loses none of His sheep
This is a direct quote from the biblical Jesus. You can use this shared language to pivot to the true biblical Gospel. Ask the adherent: 'If Jesus is the Good Shepherd who promises to lose NONE of His sheep, doesn't that mean our salvation is secure in His grip, rather than dependent on our ability to perfectly purify ourselves from all sin?'
Spiritual Weight
Burdens this text places on adherents:
By teaching that truth is known through feelings of 'edification' and 'light,' the text places believers on an emotional rollercoaster. When they feel good, they feel secure in the truth; when they experience depression, doubt, or spiritual dryness, they may fear they are in 'darkness' or deceived by false spirits. This removes the solid rock of objective truth.
The explicit threat that being 'cut off' from the church equates to being 'overcome of the world' and facing divine 'wo' creates a powerful fear of excommunication. This binds the believer's conscience to the organization and its leaders, making it terrifying to question or leave, even if they discover theological errors.
The mandate that one must be 'purified and cleansed from all sin' to possess all things and have prayers answered creates an impossible standard. Honest believers will recognize their ongoing sin and may conclude that God is not answering their prayers because they simply haven't worked hard enough to purify themselves.