Section 33
Overview
Doctrine and Covenants 1835 Section 33 (known in modern LDS editions as D&C 7) addresses a dispute between Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery regarding the fate of John the Beloved, specifically interpreting the biblical passage of John 21:20-23. The text claims to be a direct translation of a hidden parchment written by John himself, accessed by Smith through revelation rather than physical discovery. The narrative asserts that John asked Jesus for 'power over death' so he could continue bringing souls to Christ until the Second Coming. Jesus grants this, contrasting John's 'greater work' with Peter's 'good desire' to speedily enter the kingdom of heaven. Theologically, this text introduces the Mormon concept of 'translated beings'—mortals who are changed so they do not experience death until the resurrection. Furthermore, the text establishes a hierarchical governance structure by explicitly stating that Peter, James, and John are given 'the keys of this ministry.' In the broader context of Mormon development, this revelation lays the foundational groundwork for the claim that these three ancient apostles possessed exclusive priesthood authority, which Joseph Smith later asserted they physically returned to earth to confer upon him and Oliver Cowdery.
Key Figures
- Jesus Christ (The Lord): The divine authority who grants desires, alters the mortal state of John, and dispenses priesthood keys.
- John the Beloved: The purported author of the hidden parchment who is granted power over death to remain on earth as a 'flaming fire and a ministering angel' to win souls.
- Peter: The apostle whose desire to go to heaven is validated as 'good,' but who is assigned to minister for John and is given shared keys of the ministry.
- James: Mentioned alongside Peter and John as a recipient of the 'keys of this ministry,' establishing the foundational apostolic triumvirate in Mormon theology.
Doctrines Analyzed
Key theological claims identified in this text:
Translated Beings (Immortality prior to Resurrection)
Assertion
Certain righteous individuals can be granted power over physical death to remain on earth indefinitely to perform ministry.
Evidence from Text
Lord, give unto me power over death, that I may live and bring souls unto thee. And the Lord said unto me, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, because thou desiredst this thou shalt tarry until I come in my glory
Evangelical Comparison
In Mormon theology, 'translated beings' are individuals whose mortal bodies are temporarily changed so they do not experience pain or death until the final resurrection, allowing them to minister on earth. This text explicitly claims John the Apostle is one such being. Evangelical Christianity firmly rejects this concept. Based on Hebrews 9:27 ('And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment'), Evangelicals believe all humans (except those alive at the immediate return of Christ, 1 Thess 4:17) experience physical death. Furthermore, the biblical text of John 21:23 explicitly corrects the early church rumor that John would not die: 'Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?"' This Mormon revelation directly contradicts the biblical author's own clarification.
Priesthood Keys and Apostolic Hierarchy
Assertion
Specific, exclusive authority ('keys') to govern the ministry and salvation was given to a triumvirate of Peter, James, and John.
Evidence from Text
unto you three I will give this power and the keys of this ministry until I come.
Evangelical Comparison
The text asserts that Peter, James, and John were given specific 'keys of this ministry' to hold until the Second Coming. In Mormonism, 'keys' refer to the exclusive right to direct the use of priesthood power, making this triumvirate the ultimate authority over the church. This sets the stage for the LDS claim that these three had to physically appear to Joseph Smith to ordain him. Evangelical Christianity, holding to the Universal Priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:9), interprets the 'keys of the kingdom' (Matthew 16:19) as the authority given to the church to proclaim the gospel (which opens the kingdom to those who believe) and to exercise church discipline. Evangelicals reject the necessity of a continuous, unbroken chain of hierarchical priesthood keys for the church to be valid or for ordinances to be efficacious.
Hierarchy of Righteous Desires (Works-Based Ministry Elevation)
Assertion
Desiring to stay on earth to do the 'work' of saving souls is a 'greater' desire than desiring to enter the kingdom of heaven.
Evidence from Text
I say unto thee, Peter, this was a good desire, but my beloved has desired that he might do more, or a greater work, yet among men than what he has before done
Evangelical Comparison
The text creates a spiritual hierarchy of desires: Peter's desire to go to heaven is 'good,' but John's desire to stay and work is 'greater.' This reflects a broader Mormon theological emphasis on continuous labor, progression, and works. In Evangelical Christianity, the Apostle Paul wrestles with this exact dilemma in Philippians 1:23-24: 'I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.' Paul acknowledges the necessity of earthly ministry, but explicitly states that departing to be with Christ is 'far better' (not an inferior desire). The Evangelical view balances the joy of earthly service with the ultimate, supreme hope of union with Christ in glory, without categorizing the longing for heaven as a lesser spiritual state.
Comparative Analysis
Theological Gap (Summary)
The text introduces the concept of mortals bypassing death to continue earthly ministry and establishes an exclusive, hierarchical system of priesthood keys necessary for salvation.
Theological Gap (Explained)
The theological gap between this text and Evangelicalism centers on the doctrines of mortality, canon, and ecclesiology. First, the text posits the existence of 'translated beings'—mortals who are granted power over death to continue earthly ministry. This violates the Evangelical understanding of the curse of sin and the universal appointment of death (Hebrews 9:27), as well as the specific biblical correction in John 21:23 regarding John's fate. It suggests that Christ's intercession and the Holy Spirit's omnipresence are somehow supplemented by immortal human ministers wandering the earth. Second, the text establishes a rigid ecclesiological hierarchy by granting exclusive 'keys of this ministry' to Peter, James, and John. In Mormon theology, these keys are literal rights of presidency that must be physically conferred by the laying on of hands. This directly opposes the Evangelical doctrine of the Universal Priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:9), which asserts that all Christians have direct access to God through the sole mediation of Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 2:5), without the need for an unbroken chain of apostolic priesthood keys. Finally, the text's very existence as a 'translated hidden parchment' violates Sola Scriptura, demanding adherents accept extra-biblical revelation that alters the meaning of the closed biblical canon.
For All Ages
Imagine you have a favorite book that ends by saying a certain character eventually died, just like everyone else. But then, someone writes a new chapter claiming they found a secret, invisible page saying that character actually never died and is still walking around today! That's what this text does with the Apostle John. The Bible says John was just a normal man who would die, but this text says Jesus made him immortal so he could keep working on earth. Also, this text says Jesus gave special 'keys' or VIP passes to Peter, James, and John, and that only people who get those passes from them can lead the church. Evangelical Christians believe that when Jesus died on the cross, He gave the 'keys' of His love and forgiveness to everyone who believes in Him, not just a special club of leaders. We don't need immortal apostles walking the earth because we have the Holy Spirit living inside us!
Friction Points
Sola Scriptura
Adds to the biblical canon by claiming to be a lost writing of the Apostle John, and directly contradicts the biblical text of John 21:23.
Theology Proper / Anthropology
Introduces the concept of humans bypassing death (translated beings) to continue earthly ministry, violating Hebrews 9:27.
Universal Priesthood
Establishes exclusive 'keys' of ministry restricted to a specific hierarchy, denying the equal priesthood of all believers.
Sola Gratia / Sola Fide
Elevates human works (doing a 'greater work') as the metric for superior spiritual desire and status.
Semantic Warnings
Terms that have different meanings between traditions:
"Keys of this ministry"
In This Text
Exclusive, hierarchical priesthood authority required to govern the church and administer saving ordinances.
In Evangelicalism
The authority given to the church to proclaim the gospel (opening the kingdom to believers) and exercise church discipline.
"Ministering angel"
In This Text
A translated, immortal human being (John) who operates on earth to bring souls to Christ.
In Evangelicalism
Created spiritual beings (not humans) sent by God to serve those who will inherit salvation (Hebrews 1:14).
Soteriology (Salvation)
Salvation Defined: The text refers to 'heirs of salvation' who dwell on the earth, implying those who will inherit eternal life or exaltation.
How Attained: Implicitly attained through the ministry of those holding the 'keys' (Peter, James, John) and the ongoing earthly work of translated beings.
Basis of Assurance: Assurance is tied to alignment with the authorized priesthood hierarchy and the continuous labor of bringing souls to Christ.
Comparison to Sola Fide: The text shifts the focus from Christ's finished, sufficient work on the cross to the necessity of ongoing, immortal human ministers and exclusive priesthood keys. While not explicitly denying faith, it adds layers of necessary human mediation (keys) that Sola Fide rejects (1 Timothy 2:5).
Mandates & Requirements
Implicit Obligations
- Accept Joseph Smith's prophetic ability to translate hidden, unseen ancient documents.
- Acknowledge the supreme authority of the 'keys' held by Peter, James, and John (and by extension, those they purportedly ordained: Joseph Smith and subsequent LDS leaders).
- Value the active work of bringing souls to Christ as the highest spiritual pursuit.
Ritual Requirements
- Implicitly, participation in ordinances administered by those who hold the 'keys of this ministry' mentioned in the text.
Evangelism Toolkit
Practical tools for engagement and dialogue:
Discovery Questions
Open-ended questions to promote reflection:
- In John 21:23, the author of the Gospel specifically writes that Jesus did *not* say John wouldn't die, but was just making a hypothetical point to Peter. Why do you think this revelation says the exact opposite of what the biblical author clarified?
- If this text is a translation of a parchment written by John, how do we understand the changes made to it between the 1833 Book of Commandments and the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants, specifically the addition about the 'keys'?
- When Paul says in Philippians 1 that his desire to depart and be with Christ is 'far better' than staying on earth, how does that fit with this text saying Peter's desire to go to heaven was lesser than John's desire to stay?
Redemptive Analogies
Bridges from this text to the Gospel:
A deep desire to see souls saved.
John's heart for the lost is a beautiful reflection of God's own heart. We can affirm the LDS friend's desire to share their faith and pivot to the true Gospel—that souls are saved not by our continuous works or priesthood keys, but by the finished work of Christ.
Spiritual Weight
Burdens this text places on adherents:
By categorizing the desire to go to heaven as merely 'good' but the desire to stay and work as 'greater,' the text places a heavy burden of performance on the believer. It subtly suggests that resting in Christ's presence is inferior to endless labor, fostering a mindset where a believer never feels they have done enough 'work' to prove their devotion.
By establishing that salvation and ministry are governed by exclusive 'keys' held by a select hierarchy, believers are tethered to an institution rather than directly to Christ. Their spiritual standing becomes dependent on their obedience to the men who claim to hold these keys today.
Because the text relies on a 'hidden parchment' that no one can verify, and because it contradicts the plain reading of the Bible, believers must suppress critical thinking and historical evidence in favor of blind trust in a single man's (Joseph Smith's) untestable claims.