Section 34
Overview
Section 34 of the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants (known as Section 8 in modern LDS editions) is a pivotal text in Mormon epistemology and history. Dictated by Joseph Smith in April 1829, it addresses Oliver Cowdery, who was serving as Smith's scribe for the Book of Mormon translation. Cowdery desired the ability to translate, and this revelation grants him that permission while establishing the foundational Mormon definition of revelation: the Holy Ghost speaking directly to the 'mind and in your heart.' Furthermore, the text validates a secondary gift possessed by Cowdery, termed the 'gift of Aaron,' which he is told to hold in his hands to do marvelous works. Historically, early manuscript and 1833 Book of Commandments versions of this text referred to this as the 'gift of working with the sprout' or the 'rod of nature,' indicating Cowdery's use of a dowsing or divining rod. The text bridges early American folk magic with the emerging institutional theology of Mormonism, promising Cowdery that through faith and these gifts, he will uncover the mysteries of God and translate ancient sacred records.
Key Figures
- Oliver Cowdery: The recipient of the revelation, Joseph Smith's scribe, who is promised the gifts of revelation and translation.
- The Lord/Redeemer: The divine voice dictating the revelation, asserting authority over the gifts and the ancient records.
- Moses: Used as a historical archetype of one who used the Spirit of Revelation to perform physical miracles (parting the Red Sea).
- Aaron: Referenced typologically regarding Cowdery's physical instrument of revelation ('gift of Aaron'), drawing a parallel to Aaron's rod in the Old Testament.
Doctrines Analyzed
Key theological claims identified in this text:
Subjective Epistemology (The Spirit of Revelation)
Assertion
Divine revelation is primarily received and verified through internal, subjective impressions in the mind and heart via the Holy Ghost.
Evidence from Text
yea, behold I will tell you in your mind and in your heart by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart Now, behold this is the Spirit of Revelation
Evangelical Comparison
In Evangelical theology, the Holy Spirit illuminates the believer's mind to understand the objectively revealed, closed canon of Scripture (1 Corinthians 2:12-14). While the Spirit guides and convicts, subjective feelings or internal thoughts are never treated as infallible revelation, because the human heart is recognized as deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9). Truth claims must be tested against the written Word (Acts 17:11, 1 John 4:1). This text establishes a fundamentally different epistemology for Mormonism. By defining the 'Spirit of Revelation' as God telling a person something 'in your mind and in your heart,' it creates a paradigm where internal impressions are equated with the voice of God. This bypasses the objective standard of Sola Scriptura, making the individual's internal experience the ultimate arbiter of divine truth, which leaves the believer vulnerable to self-deception or spiritual manipulation.
Open Canon and Ancient Records
Assertion
There are ancient records hidden up that contain additional scripture beyond the Bible, which must be translated to reveal the mysteries of God.
Evidence from Text
a knowledge concerning the engravings of old records, which are ancient, which contain those parts of my scripture of which have been spoken
Evangelical Comparison
Evangelical Christianity affirms Sola Scriptura—the belief that the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments are the inspired, infallible, and sufficient Word of God. The canon is closed, having been delivered once for all to the saints (Jude 1:3), and warnings are given against adding to God's words (Revelation 22:18-19, Proverbs 30:6). This text directly contradicts Sola Scriptura by asserting the existence of 'old records' (the gold plates of the Book of Mormon) that contain 'parts of my scripture.' By validating these new records as divine scripture, the text lays the foundation for an open canon, requiring adherents to accept new revelations and translations as equal in authority to the biblical text.
Physical Instruments of Divination
Assertion
God works through physical objects held in the hands (the 'gift of Aaron') to reveal mysteries and translate languages.
Evidence from Text
you have another gift, which is the gift of Aaron: behold it has told you many things... you shall hold it in your hands, and do marvelous works... whatsoever you shall ask me to tell you by that means, that will I grant unto you
Evangelical Comparison
Evangelical theology strictly adheres to biblical prohibitions against divination, sorcery, and seeking hidden knowledge through physical objects or folk magic (Deuteronomy 18:10-12, Leviticus 19:26). God's revelation is communicated through His prophets, apostles, and ultimately His Son (Hebrews 1:1-2), not through dowsing rods or seer stones. The 'gift of Aaron' mentioned in this text historically refers to Oliver Cowdery's use of a divining rod (originally called the 'rod of nature' in earlier manuscripts). The text explicitly endorses asking God questions 'by that means' (using the rod held in the hands) to receive knowledge. This introduces a syncretic blend of 19th-century folk magic and divine revelation, which is fundamentally incompatible with biblical mandates against divination.
Comparative Analysis
Theological Gap (Summary)
The text diverges fundamentally from Evangelicalism by establishing a subjective epistemology (truth via feelings in the mind and heart), endorsing an open canon ('my scripture' in ancient records), and validating folk magic/divination ('gift of Aaron').
Theological Gap (Explained)
The theological gap between this text and Evangelical Christianity is severe, primarily concerning Epistemology, Bibliology, and the nature of divine interaction. Evangelicals hold to Sola Scriptura, maintaining that the 66 books of the Bible are the sole, infallible rule of faith and practice. This text shatters that boundary by explicitly validating 'old records' as 'my scripture,' thereby opening the canon and requiring adherents to accept extra-biblical texts as equally authoritative. Furthermore, the text redefines how humanity receives truth from God. By defining the 'Spirit of Revelation' as the Holy Ghost speaking to the 'mind and in your heart,' it establishes a highly subjective epistemology. In Evangelicalism, the Holy Spirit illuminates the objective, written Word; He does not provide new, infallible propositional truths through internal feelings. This subjective standard makes it nearly impossible to objectively test truth claims, violating the biblical command to 'test the spirits' (1 John 4:1) against the standard of Scripture. Finally, the text's endorsement of the 'gift of Aaron'—historically a dowsing or divining rod used by Oliver Cowdery—introduces folk magic into the mechanics of divine revelation. Evangelical theology views such practices as divination, which is strictly forbidden in the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 18:10-12). The idea that God would command a believer to hold a physical object 'in your hands' to 'ask me to tell you by that means' is entirely foreign to the New Testament model of prayer and the mediation of Jesus Christ.
For All Ages
Imagine you have a rulebook for a game that everyone agrees is finished and complete. Evangelical Christians believe the Bible is that complete rulebook from God. But this text says, 'Wait, there are hidden, ancient rulebooks we need to find and translate.' That's the first big difference. Second, Christians believe we know what is true by reading the Bible. This text says you know what is true by a special feeling or thought in your mind and heart. The problem is, sometimes our feelings can trick us! Finally, this text talks about a special 'gift' held in the hands to get answers from God. Historically, this was a divining rod (like a magic stick). The Bible tells us not to use magic objects to try and talk to God, but to just pray to Him and read His Word.
Friction Points
Biblical Epistemology
Elevates subjective feelings (mind and heart) and physical divination tools (gift of Aaron) to the level of infallible divine revelation.
Sola Scriptura
Validates extra-biblical ancient records as 'my scripture,' denying the sufficiency and closure of the biblical canon.
Sufficiency of Scripture
Implies that the Bible is incomplete and that 'mysteries of God' must be obtained through new translations and revelations.
Theology Proper / Christian Living
Endorses the use of a physical object ('gift of Aaron' / divining rod) to receive answers from God, violating biblical prohibitions against divination.
Semantic Warnings
Terms that have different meanings between traditions:
"Holy Ghost"
In This Text
A spirit entity that communicates truth primarily by placing thoughts in the mind and feelings in the heart, acting as the mechanism for new revelation.
In Evangelicalism
The third Person of the Trinity, who convicts of sin, regenerates the believer, and illuminates the already-completed written Word of God.
"Scripture"
In This Text
An open-ended category that includes newly discovered or translated ancient records (like the Book of Mormon).
In Evangelicalism
The closed canon of the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments.
"Revelation"
In This Text
Ongoing, new propositional truths and instructions given directly to individuals' minds and hearts.
In Evangelicalism
God's completed self-disclosure, culminating in Jesus Christ and recorded infallibly in the Bible (Hebrews 1:1-2).
Soteriology (Salvation)
Salvation Defined: The text briefly mentions deliverance from enemies and avoiding the 'destruction' of the soul.
How Attained: Implied through obedience, keeping commandments, and exercising faith to utilize spiritual gifts.
Basis of Assurance: Assurance is based on the successful operation of spiritual gifts and internal feelings of revelation.
Comparison to Sola Fide: The text does not explicitly address justification, but its heavy emphasis on 'without faith you can do nothing' is tied to the *performance* of miracles and translation, rather than faith as the empty hand receiving Christ's imputed righteousness (Romans 4:5).
Mandates & Requirements
Explicit Commands
- ask in faith, with an honest heart, believing that you shall receive a knowledge
- apply unto it [the gift]
- remember these words
- keep my commandments
- doubt not
- ask me to tell you by that means [the gift of Aaron]
- ask in faith
- Trifle not with these things
- do not ask for that which you ought not
- ask that you may know the mysteries of God
- ask that you may translate and receive knowledge from all those ancient records
Implicit Obligations
- Accept Joseph Smith's authority as the conduit for this revelation
- Believe in the existence and sacred nature of the hidden ancient records
- Rely on internal feelings (mind and heart) as the ultimate proof of God's voice
Ritual Requirements
- Utilizing the 'gift of Aaron' (historically a divining rod) held in the hands to ask questions and receive knowledge
Evangelism Toolkit
Practical tools for engagement and dialogue:
Discovery Questions
Open-ended questions to promote reflection:
- When the text says God will tell you in your 'mind and in your heart,' how do you personally distinguish between a thought that comes from God and a thought that comes from your own desires?
- Were you aware that in the original 1833 Book of Commandments, the 'gift of Aaron' was actually called the 'rod of nature' and referred to a divining rod?
- If God's words are perfect, why do you think the wording about the 'rod of nature' was changed to the 'gift of Aaron' years after the revelation was given?
- How does the use of a physical object in your hands to get answers from God compare to the Old Testament warnings against divination?
Redemptive Analogies
Bridges from this text to the Gospel:
The desire for God's guidance and communication
Oliver's desire to hear from God is a universal human longing. While this text points him to a divining rod and subjective feelings, the Gospel offers something far better: the objective, unchanging, and living Word of God. We don't have to guess if our feelings are right; God has spoken clearly and finally in Jesus Christ.
Spiritual Weight
Burdens this text places on adherents:
By teaching that God speaks primarily through impressions in the 'mind and heart,' believers are placed under the constant, exhausting burden of trying to decipher their own internal psychology. Every thought or feeling must be analyzed to determine if it is the Holy Ghost, the devil, or just their own mind, leading to deep spiritual anxiety and a lack of objective assurance.
The text repeatedly emphasizes that 'without faith you can do nothing' and 'according to your faith shall it be done unto you.' If a believer fails to receive an answer or a revelation, the blame falls entirely on their lack of faith or failure to 'apply unto it,' creating a heavy burden of performance and self-blame.
The promise of endless 'mysteries of God' and new ancient records creates a theological environment where the believer's foundation is never truly settled. They must always be prepared to accept new, potentially contradictory revelations from leadership.