Section 40
Overview
Section 40 of the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants (known as Section 15 in modern LDS editions) is a short, highly personalized oracle dictated by Joseph Smith for John Whitmer in June 1829. Historically, this occurred during the final stages of the Book of Mormon translation, a period when Smith was solidifying his prophetic authority among his earliest followers. The text functions as a direct revelation from Jesus Christ, utilizing a powerful psychological and epistemological hook: it claims to reveal the secret, unspoken desires of Whitmer's heart ('that which no man knoweth save me and thee alone'). By doing so, it validates Smith's status as a true conduit for the divine. Theologically, the text elevates missionary work—specifically the declaration of repentance—as the highest possible calling ('of the most worth'). Furthermore, it establishes a conditional soteriological framework by linking the believer's eschatological reward ('rest with them in the kingdom of my Father') directly to their success and effort in evangelism.
Key Figures
- Jesus Christ: Identified as the speaker, Lord, Redeemer, and omniscient revealer of secret thoughts.
- John Whitmer: The recipient of the revelation, addressed as a servant, and commanded to dedicate himself to preaching.
- The Father: Mentioned as the sovereign of the heavenly kingdom where faithful laborers will eventually rest.
Doctrines Analyzed
Key theological claims identified in this text:
Prophetic Omniscience and Direct Revelation
Assertion
Jesus Christ speaks directly through a modern prophet, revealing the secret, unspoken thoughts and desires of individuals.
Evidence from Text
I speak unto you with sharpness and with power... and I will tell you that which no man knoweth save me and thee alone: for many times you have desired of me to know...
Evangelical Comparison
This doctrine establishes the epistemological foundation of Mormonism: the living prophet as the mouthpiece of God. The text asserts that Jesus Christ is bypassing the closed canon of Scripture to deliver a personalized, verbatim message to John Whitmer through Joseph Smith. To validate this, the text employs a demonstration of divine omniscience, claiming to reveal a secret known only to God and Whitmer. In Evangelical theology, while God is absolutely omniscient and searches the heart (Psalm 139:1-4), the era of normative, authoritative prophetic revelation concluded with the Apostolic age and the completion of the New Testament canon (Hebrews 1:1-2, Jude 1:3). Evangelicals view claims of new, binding revelation as a violation of Sola Scriptura.
The Supreme Value of Evangelism
Assertion
The most valuable and worthy endeavor a person can undertake is to preach repentance and bring souls to Christ.
Evidence from Text
the thing which will be of the most worth unto you, will be to declare repentance unto this people, that you may bring souls unto me
Evangelical Comparison
The text elevates missionary work to the highest possible spiritual priority. For the early Mormon movement, 'declaring repentance' was synonymous with calling people to accept the newly restored gospel, the Book of Mormon, and Joseph Smith's prophetic calling. Evangelical Christianity also places a massive emphasis on evangelism, rooted in Christ's Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). However, the Evangelical message of repentance is strictly tied to turning from sin and trusting in the finished, substitutionary atonement of Christ (Mark 1:15), rather than joining a newly restored institutional church. Furthermore, Evangelicals do not view the act of evangelism as a means to secure one's own eternal rest.
Conditional Eschatological Rest
Assertion
Resting in the Father's kingdom is presented as a consequence or reward for the work of bringing souls to Christ.
Evidence from Text
declare repentance unto this people, that you may bring souls unto me, that you may rest with them in the kingdom of my Father.
Evangelical Comparison
The grammatical structure of verse 3 uses the conjunction 'that' to create a chain of dependency: declare repentance -> bring souls -> rest in the kingdom. This implies a works-based soteriology where the believer's eternal rest is contingent upon their evangelistic output. In stark contrast, Evangelical theology, rooted in Sola Fide and Sola Gratia, teaches that salvation and eternal rest are entirely the result of Christ's finished work on the cross. Believers enter God's rest through faith alone (Hebrews 4:3), and salvation is explicitly not a result of human works or effort (Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5). While Evangelicals preach to bring souls to Christ, they do not do so to earn their own place in heaven.
Comparative Analysis
Theological Gap (Summary)
While utilizing orthodox terminology, the text diverges by establishing a new channel of extra-biblical revelation and subtly linking the attainment of eternal rest to the human work of evangelism.
Theological Gap (Explained)
The primary theological gap lies in the domains of revelation (epistemology) and soteriology. Epistemologically, the text asserts that Jesus Christ is speaking directly through Joseph Smith, providing new, normative revelation. This violates the Evangelical doctrine of Sola Scriptura, which maintains that the biblical canon is closed and sufficient for all matters of faith and practice (2 Timothy 3:16-17, Revelation 22:18-19). Soteriologically, the text subtly shifts the basis of eternal rest. By stating 'declare repentance... that you may bring souls unto me, that you may rest with them,' it links eschatological reward to the human effort of evangelism. In contrast, Evangelical theology teaches that rest is found entirely in the finished work of Christ (Matthew 11:28-29) and salvation is by grace through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9), not by works of righteousness or missionary success.
For All Ages
Imagine you have a rulebook for a game that everyone agrees is finished and complete. Suddenly, someone comes along and says, 'The creator of the game just told me a brand new rule specifically for you.' Evangelical Christians believe the Bible is the finished rulebook. This text claims Jesus is giving brand new instructions outside the Bible. Also, the text makes it sound like you get to rest in heaven *because* you did a good job bringing other people to the game. Christians believe we get to rest in heaven only because Jesus already won the game for us, and we just have to trust Him.
Friction Points
Sola Scriptura
The text claims to be new, direct, verbatim revelation from Jesus Christ, adding to the closed canon of Scripture.
Sola Fide
The text implies that resting in the Father's kingdom is contingent upon the believer's work of bringing souls to Christ.
Semantic Warnings
Terms that have different meanings between traditions:
"Repentance"
In This Text
In the context of 1829 Mormonism, turning toward the new revelations of Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon, and the forthcoming restored church.
In Evangelicalism
A fundamental change of mind leading to a turning away from sin and toward God, relying solely on Christ's finished work for salvation.
Soteriology (Salvation)
Salvation Defined: Resting with brought souls in the kingdom of the Father.
How Attained: The text links attaining this rest to the active obedience of declaring repentance and the successful bringing of souls to Christ.
Basis of Assurance: Assurance is derived from obedience to the prophetic command to preach and the resulting fruit of converted souls.
Comparison to Sola Fide: The text conditions eschatological rest on the work of evangelism ('declare repentance... that you may rest'), whereas Sola Fide asserts that rest and salvation are granted solely through faith in Christ's work, apart from our own works (Romans 4:4-5, Ephesians 2:8-9).
Mandates & Requirements
Explicit Commands
- Hearken
- listen to the words of Jesus Christ
- declare repentance unto this people
Implicit Obligations
- Accept Joseph Smith as the legitimate and exclusive mouthpiece of Jesus Christ
- Prioritize missionary work above secular, financial, or personal pursuits
Evangelism Toolkit
Practical tools for engagement and dialogue:
Discovery Questions
Open-ended questions to promote reflection:
- When Jesus says 'declare repentance... that you may rest with them in the kingdom,' do you feel your eternal rest depends on how successful you are at missionary work?
- If our rest in the Father's kingdom requires us to bring souls to Him, how many souls are enough to secure that rest?
- How do you distinguish between a true revelation from God and someone simply claiming to speak for God?
- Have you ever felt the pressure of needing to perform well in your callings to ensure your standing with God?
Redemptive Analogies
Bridges from this text to the Gospel:
The desire to know what is of 'most worth.'
Every human heart longs for purpose and to know what truly matters in eternity. The biblical Gospel answers this: knowing Christ and being found in Him is of surpassing worth, far above any human effort or religious performance.
Spiritual Weight
Burdens this text places on adherents:
By linking eternal rest in the Father's kingdom to the act of bringing souls to Christ, the believer is placed on a performance treadmill. They may constantly wonder if they have shared the message enough, or successfully converted enough people, to truly earn their rest. This shifts the focus from Christ's finished work to the believer's ongoing effort.
Because the requirement for rest is tied to an ongoing action (declaring repentance) and an external result (bringing souls), the believer lacks the objective assurance of salvation that comes from trusting solely in Christ's finished work. There is no clear metric for 'enough.'