Section 68
Overview
Given in June 1831, this revelation (which corresponds to modern LDS Doctrine and Covenants Section 55) is directed primarily to William W. Phelps, a recent convert who would become a significant publisher and writer for the early Mormon church. The text outlines a strict, ritualistic soteriology: Phelps is commanded to be baptized by water to receive a remission of sins, and to receive the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands. Crucially, the text establishes a hierarchical, mediating priesthood by mandating that Phelps must be ordained specifically by Joseph Smith, Jr. Once ordained, Phelps is granted the 'power to give the Holy Spirit' to others who are contrite. Beyond theological mechanics, the revelation dictates practical and vocational commands, instructing Phelps to assist Oliver Cowdery in printing and writing school books to indoctrinate children. Finally, it commands Phelps, along with Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, and Joseph Coe, to migrate to the 'land of your inheritance' (Missouri), demonstrating the early movement's high degree of control over its adherents' vocations, locations, and spiritual standing.
Key Figures
- William W. Phelps: The primary recipient of the revelation, commanded to be baptized, ordained, and to serve as a printer and educator for the church.
- Joseph Smith, jr.: The prophet and exclusive mediator of priesthood authority in this text, whose physical ordination of Phelps is required.
- Jesus Christ: Identified as the Son of the living God, in whose name baptism must be performed.
- Oliver Cowdery: A church leader whom Phelps is commanded to assist in printing and writing educational materials.
- Sidney Rigdon: A prominent early church leader designated to travel with Phelps and Smith to the land of inheritance.
- Joseph Coe: An early adherent commanded to join the journey to the land of inheritance.
Doctrines Analyzed
Key theological claims identified in this text:
Baptismal Regeneration
Assertion
Remission of sins is achieved conditionally through the physical act of water baptism.
Evidence from Text
...after thou hast been baptized by water, which if you do with an eye single to my glory, you shall have a remission of your sins...
Evangelical Comparison
This text explicitly links the forgiveness of sins to the physical ordinance of water baptism. In Evangelical theology, based on Sola Fide, justification and the remission of sins occur at the moment of saving faith in Jesus Christ's finished work on the cross (Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 5:1). Baptism is viewed as an outward sign of an inward reality—a step of obedience following salvation, not the mechanism that triggers forgiveness. By making water baptism a prerequisite for the remission of sins, the text adds a human work to the gospel, contradicting the biblical teaching that Christ's blood alone cleanses from sin (1 John 1:7).
Priesthood Mediation of the Holy Spirit
Assertion
The Holy Spirit is imparted to believers exclusively through the physical laying on of hands by an authorized priesthood holder.
Evidence from Text
...and a reception of the Holy Spirit, by the laying on of hands... and on whomsoever you shall lay your hands, if they are contrite before me, you shall have power to give the Holy Spirit.
Evangelical Comparison
The text asserts that a human being, once properly ordained, possesses the 'power to give the Holy Spirit' to others through a physical ritual. This directly conflicts with the Evangelical understanding of the Holy Spirit's sovereign indwelling. According to Ephesians 1:13-14 and Romans 8:9, believers are sealed with the Holy Spirit at the exact moment they hear and believe the gospel. The Spirit is a divine person given by God, not a substance or power dispensed at the discretion of a human priesthood holder. This doctrine elevates human mediators to a position that belongs solely to God.
Exclusive Priesthood Authority
Assertion
Legitimate ministry and the authority to perform saving ordinances must be conferred by Joseph Smith, Jr.
Evidence from Text
And then thou shalt be ordained by the hand of my servant Joseph Smith, jr. to be an elder unto this church...
Evangelical Comparison
The text mandates that Phelps must be physically ordained by Joseph Smith, Jr. to possess the authority to preach, baptize, and impart the Holy Spirit. This establishes a rigid, hierarchical priesthood structure where grace and authority flow through a single human prophet. Evangelical Christianity holds to the 'Priesthood of All Believers' (1 Peter 2:9), teaching that Christ is the only mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5). Every born-again Christian has direct access to God and the authority to share the gospel and make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20) without needing validation from a modern prophetic office.
Comparative Analysis
Theological Gap (Summary)
The text replaces justification by faith alone with a system of ritual compliance (baptismal regeneration) and establishes a human mediator (Joseph Smith) as the necessary conduit for priesthood authority and the Holy Spirit.
Theological Gap (Explained)
The theological gap between this text and Evangelical Christianity is profound, centering primarily on Soteriology (how one is saved) and Ecclesiology (the nature of church authority). The text explicitly teaches baptismal regeneration—that the 'remission of sins' is contingent upon the physical act of water baptism. Furthermore, it teaches that the Holy Spirit is not given immediately upon faith, but must be imparted through the 'laying on of hands' by someone possessing specific authority. This directly violates the Evangelical pillars of Sola Fide (Faith Alone) and Sola Gratia (Grace Alone), which maintain that justification is a forensic declaration by God based solely on the imputed righteousness of Christ, received through faith apart from any works or rituals (Romans 3:28, Ephesians 2:8-9). Additionally, the text violates the doctrine of the Universal Priesthood of all believers. By mandating that Phelps must be 'ordained by the hand of my servant Joseph Smith, jr.' to have the 'power to give the Holy Spirit,' the text establishes a mediatorial priesthood. In Evangelical theology, Christ is the sole mediator (1 Timothy 2:5), and all believers are indwelt by the Spirit and authorized to minister (1 Peter 2:9). The insertion of Joseph Smith as a necessary bottleneck for divine authority and the impartation of the Spirit fundamentally alters the biblical gospel, replacing direct access to God through Christ with conditional access mediated by a human institution.
For All Ages
Imagine you owe a billion dollars, and a wealthy king pays it off completely. All you have to do is believe him and accept his gift. That is what Evangelical Christians believe Jesus did for our sins on the cross. But this text says that to get your debt forgiven, you have to be dunked in water by a very specific person who belongs to a specific group, and then that person has to put their hands on your head so you can get God's Spirit. This creates a big difference. Christians believe Jesus did 100% of the work to save us, and we just trust Him (this is called Faith Alone). This text teaches that Jesus's work isn't enough on its own; you also need to do physical rituals, and you need a modern leader (Joseph Smith) to give you the authority to do them. It puts human actions and human leaders in the middle of your relationship with God.
Friction Points
Sola Fide (Faith Alone)
The text requires water baptism as a necessary prerequisite for the remission of sins, denying that faith in Christ is sufficient for justification.
Universal Priesthood
The text requires ordination by a specific human leader (Joseph Smith) to possess authority and the ability to impart the Holy Spirit, creating a mediatorial class.
Sola Scriptura
The text presents itself as new, binding divine revelation that adds to the requirements for salvation and church governance.
Semantic Warnings
Terms that have different meanings between traditions:
"Remission of sins"
In This Text
Forgiveness achieved conditionally through the physical ordinance of water baptism administered by proper priesthood authority.
In Evangelicalism
Forgiveness granted entirely by God's grace through faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ, apart from any physical ritual.
"Holy Spirit"
In This Text
A divine presence or power that is 'given' to a person by a priesthood holder through the physical laying on of hands.
In Evangelicalism
The third Person of the Trinity who sovereignly and immediately indwells every believer at the moment of saving faith.
Soteriology (Salvation)
Salvation Defined: In the immediate context of this text, salvation is framed as receiving a 'remission of your sins' and the 'reception of the Holy Spirit'.
How Attained: Attained through a sequential process: contrition/repentance, water baptism, and the laying on of hands by an authorized priesthood holder.
Basis of Assurance: Assurance is based on having the rituals performed correctly by someone with the proper, traceable authority (originating from Joseph Smith).
Comparison to Sola Fide: This text stands in direct opposition to Sola Fide. While it mentions being 'contrite' (an element of faith/repentance), it explicitly makes the remission of sins contingent upon being 'baptized by water'. This contradicts Romans 3:28, 'For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.'
Mandates & Requirements
Explicit Commands
- Be baptized by water with an eye single to God's glory.
- Be ordained by the hand of Joseph Smith, jr. to be an elder.
- Preach repentance and remission of sins by way of baptism in the name of Jesus Christ.
- Lay hands on the contrite to give the Holy Spirit.
- Assist Oliver Cowdery in printing.
- Assist in selecting and writing books for schools in the church.
- Take a journey with Joseph Smith, jr. and Sidney Rigdon to the land of inheritance.
- Joseph Coe must also take his journey with them.
Implicit Obligations
- Submit entirely to the prophetic authority and directives of Joseph Smith, jr.
- Relocate one's family and life based on the dictates of the revelation.
- Ensure that the next generation (little children) is indoctrinated into the specific teachings of this new church.
Ritual Requirements
- Water baptism for the remission of sins.
- The laying on of hands for the reception of the Holy Spirit.
- Ordination to the office of elder by a specific priesthood authority.
Evangelism Toolkit
Practical tools for engagement and dialogue:
Discovery Questions
Open-ended questions to promote reflection:
- If the remission of sins requires water baptism, how was the thief on the cross saved when Jesus told him, 'Today you will be with me in paradise'?
- When the text says a person has the 'power to give the Holy Spirit,' how does that compare to the biblical teaching that the Spirit is a sovereign Person of the Trinity who gives Himself to believers?
- If Jesus is our only mediator between God and man, why was it necessary for William Phelps to be physically ordained by Joseph Smith to have a valid ministry?
Redemptive Analogies
Bridges from this text to the Gospel:
The desire for a 'remission of sins' and a 'contrite' heart.
The text rightly identifies the human need for forgiveness and the posture of a broken, contrite heart. This can be bridged to the Gospel by showing that God honors a contrite heart by providing a perfect, finished sacrifice in Christ, meaning we don't have to rely on our own ability to perform rituals perfectly to be forgiven.
Spiritual Weight
Burdens this text places on adherents:
By tying the remission of sins and the reception of the Holy Spirit to physical ordinances performed by specific human authorities, the believer is placed under a burden of performance. Their standing before God is not secure in Christ's finished work, but is contingent upon the validity of their baptism and the unbroken chain of authority of the man who laid hands on them. This creates a subtle but pervasive anxiety about whether one has 'done enough' or done it 'correctly.'
The text demonstrates how early adherents were expected to uproot their lives, change their vocations (printing/writing), and migrate across the country based solely on the dictation of one man (Joseph Smith). This creates a spiritual environment where questioning the leader is equated with disobeying God, leading to a loss of personal autonomy and heavy reliance on institutional direction.