Section 84
Overview
Section 84 of the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants (canonized as Section 90 in the modern LDS Doctrine and Covenants) serves as a foundational administrative and theological document for the early Latter-day Saint movement. Given in March 1833, the text formally establishes the First Presidency by elevating Sidney Rigdon and Frederick G. Williams to be 'equal' with Joseph Smith in holding the keys of the kingdom. Theologically, it makes a profound assertion regarding Joseph Smith's eternal status, declaring that the keys of the kingdom will never be taken from him in this world or the world to come, positioning him as the perpetual conduit for divine 'oracles.' The revelation outlines a broad mandate for these leaders, including finishing the 'translation of the prophets' (the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible), presiding over the School of the Prophets, and studying secular subjects like languages and history. Administratively, it provides specific logistical commands regarding housing for church leaders, the management of church debts to avoid public disrepute, and instructions for specific individuals such as Vienna Jaques and William E. McLellin. The text concludes with an eschatological warning to the saints in Zion (Missouri), stating that the Lord will chasten them until they overcome and are clean, reflecting a theology of conditional standing based on obedience and institutional alignment.
Key Figures
- Joseph Smith, jr.: The primary recipient of the revelation, declared to hold the keys of the kingdom eternally and designated as the sole conduit through which the 'oracles' of God are given to the church.
- Sidney Rigdon: Forgiven of his sins and elevated to be accounted as equal with Joseph Smith in holding the keys of the kingdom; instructed to remain in his current residence.
- Frederick G. Williams: Forgiven of his sins, elevated to be equal with Joseph Smith in holding the keys, and designated to have a place provided for his family.
- Joseph Smith, sen.: Referred to as 'mine aged servant'; the text commands that he be allowed to remain with his family on his current property.
- Vienna Jaques: A 'handmaid' commanded to receive money for expenses, travel to Zion, consecrate her remaining funds, and receive an inheritance to settle in peace.
- William E. McLel[l]in: A church member explicitly named as one with whom the Lord is 'not well pleased.'
- Sidney Gilbert: Another church member explicitly named as one with whom the Lord is 'not well pleased.'
- The Bishop (Edward Partridge): Though unnamed, the presiding bishop in Zion is rebuked ('not well pleased with... the bishop also') and commanded to find a wealthy agent to discharge church debts.
Doctrines Analyzed
Key theological claims identified in this text:
Eternal Keys of the Priesthood
Assertion
Joseph Smith holds the keys of the kingdom perpetually, not only in his earthly life but also in the afterlife.
Evidence from Text
Verily I say unto you, the keys of this kingdom shall never be taken from you, while thou art in the world, neither in the world to come
Evangelical Comparison
In this text, the 'keys of the kingdom' represent exclusive, hierarchical authority to govern the church and administer salvation, and they are permanently vested in Joseph Smith. The assertion that he will hold these keys 'in the world to come' elevates him to an eternal mediatorial or administrative role in the afterlife. Evangelical Christianity, based on Sola Scriptura and the Universal Priesthood of all believers, rejects the concept of a human leader holding eternal administrative keys over the church. In Matthew 16:19, the 'keys of the kingdom' given to Peter (and by extension, the church) represent the authority to proclaim the Gospel, which opens the kingdom to those who believe and shuts it to those who reject it. Furthermore, 1 Timothy 2:5 declares that there is only one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. Assigning eternal keys to a human prophet infringes upon Christ's unique, eternal headship over the Church.
Living Oracles and Continuing Revelation
Assertion
God provides ongoing, binding revelation ('oracles') to the church exclusively through Joseph Smith, and rejecting or taking these lightly brings condemnation.
Evidence from Text
through you shall the oracles be given to another; yea, even unto the church. And all they who receive the oracles of God, let them beware how they hold them, lest they are accounted as a light thing, and are brought under condemnation thereby
Evangelical Comparison
The text establishes an epistemology where truth and divine direction are continuously dispensed through a living prophet. These 'oracles' carry the weight of scripture, and the text explicitly threatens spiritual ruin ('condemnation', 'stumble and fall') for those who treat them lightly. This creates a paradigm of continuous, open canon mediated by a single human leader. Evangelical Christianity operates on the doctrine of Sola Scriptura. Hebrews 1:1-2 states that while God spoke through prophets in the past, in these last days He has spoken definitively through His Son. Jude 1:3 speaks of the faith 'once for all delivered to the saints.' Evangelicals believe the 66-book Bible is entirely sufficient for salvation and godly living (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The requirement to heed new 'oracles' to avoid condemnation directly contradicts the evangelical understanding of biblical sufficiency and the closure of the canon.
Purification through Chastisement and Overcoming
Assertion
The Lord will contend with and chasten His people until they overcome their flaws and achieve cleanliness before Him.
Evidence from Text
I the Lord will contend with Zion and plead with her strong ones, and chasten her, until she overcomes and is clean before me
Evangelical Comparison
The text presents a soteriological framework where the community ('Zion') must be chastened until it 'overcomes and is clean.' This implies a process of progressive purification where human effort (overcoming) combined with divine punishment (chastisement) eventually results in a state of cleanliness acceptable to God. Evangelical theology distinguishes sharply between justification (being declared clean/righteous) and sanctification (growing in holiness). According to Sola Fide, a believer is made entirely clean before God at the moment of salvation through faith in Christ's finished work (1 John 1:7, 2 Corinthians 5:21). While God does discipline believers out of love (Hebrews 12:6), this discipline is not the mechanism that makes them 'clean before me' in a justifying sense. The Mormon text blends discipline with the actual attainment of a clean status, placing a heavy burden of performance on the believer.
Comparative Analysis
Theological Gap (Summary)
The text fundamentally diverges from Evangelicalism by establishing a human mediator (Joseph Smith) who holds eternal keys to the kingdom and serves as the exclusive conduit for ongoing, binding 'oracles' from God.
Theological Gap (Explained)
The theological gap between this text and Evangelical Christianity is severe, centering primarily on the doctrines of Sola Scriptura, the Universal Priesthood, and Christology. The text asserts that Joseph Smith holds the 'keys of the kingdom' not just in this life, but 'in the world to come.' This establishes an eternal, hierarchical priesthood structure that directly violates the Evangelical understanding of the Universal Priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:9) and the unique, unshared mediatorial role of Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 2:5). Furthermore, the text institutionalizes ongoing revelation by declaring that the 'oracles' of God will be given to the church through Joseph Smith, and that treating these oracles lightly brings condemnation. This obliterates the Evangelical pillar of Sola Scriptura, which maintains that the 66-book biblical canon is closed, sufficient, and the sole infallible rule of faith and practice (2 Timothy 3:16-17, Jude 1:3). By binding the believer's spiritual standing to their acceptance of extra-biblical oracles mediated by a human leader, the text replaces the sufficiency of Christ's finished work and the completed Word with a dependency on an ongoing prophetic office. Finally, the text's assertion that Zion must be chastened 'until she overcomes and is clean' introduces a works-righteousness paradigm. It suggests that cleanliness before God is achieved through a combination of divine punishment and human overcoming, directly contradicting Sola Fide—the doctrine that believers are declared entirely clean and righteous at the moment of faith based solely on the imputed righteousness of Christ (Romans 4:5, 2 Corinthians 5:21).
For All Ages
Imagine you have a rulebook for a game that the creator of the game says is completely finished. That's how Evangelical Christians view the Bible. But in this text, it's like someone saying, 'The creator of the game gave me special, permanent keys, and I will keep giving you new rules that you have to follow, or you'll lose the game.' Evangelical Christians believe that Jesus is the only one who holds the eternal keys and that He is the only mediator between us and God. We don't need a human leader to stand between us and God to give us new 'oracles' (messages). We believe the Bible is enough. This text says that Joseph Smith will hold these keys forever, even in heaven, and that people must listen to his new messages or they will be condemned. This goes against the Christian belief that Jesus's work is totally finished and the Bible is complete.
Friction Points
Universal Priesthood / Christology
Assigns eternal 'keys of the kingdom' to a human leader (Joseph Smith) in this world and the world to come, infringing on Christ's unique eternal headship.
Sola Scriptura
Mandates obedience to ongoing, extra-biblical 'oracles' given through a human prophet, threatening condemnation for treating them lightly.
Sola Fide
Requires believers to 'walk uprightly' and 'remember the covenant' to ensure things work for their good, and mandates that they must 'overcome' to be 'clean'.
Semantic Warnings
Terms that have different meanings between traditions:
"Keys of the kingdom"
In This Text
Exclusive, hierarchical priesthood authority to govern the church, administer ordinances, and receive revelation, held eternally by the First Presidency.
In Evangelicalism
The authority given to the apostles and the church to proclaim the Gospel, which opens the kingdom of heaven to believers and shuts it to unbelievers (Matthew 16:19).
"The Comforter"
In This Text
The Holy Ghost, specifically associated here with the power to ordain men and shed forth ongoing, new revelations ('oracles').
In Evangelicalism
The third person of the Trinity who indwells believers, convicts of sin, and illuminates the already-completed revelation of Christ in Scripture (John 14:26, 16:8-14).
"Clean"
In This Text
A state of spiritual purity achieved after a process of chastisement and personal overcoming.
In Evangelicalism
The immediate, imputed state of righteousness granted to a believer by grace through faith in Christ's atoning blood (1 John 1:7).
Soteriology (Salvation)
Salvation Defined: The text speaks of the 'salvation of Zion, and of the nations of Israel, and of the Gentiles', implying a communal and eschatological deliverance, as well as individual purification ('clean before me').
How Attained: Attained through the administration of the word by ordained leaders, repentance, walking uprightly, keeping covenants, and enduring chastisement until one 'overcomes'.
Basis of Assurance: Assurance is conditional, based on not treating the oracles lightly, avoiding pride/slothfulness, and successfully overcoming through the chastening process.
Comparison to Sola Fide: The text stands in stark contrast to Sola Fide. While it mentions sins being forgiven due to prayer (v. 1, 3), the overarching framework requires continuous obedience, submission to the First Presidency, and personal overcoming to achieve cleanliness. Ephesians 2:8-9 teaches that salvation is a gift of grace, not of works, whereas this text demands works (overcoming, walking uprightly) to maintain standing and avoid condemnation.
Mandates & Requirements
Explicit Commands
- Beware how you hold the oracles
- Continue in the ministry and presidency
- Finish the translation of the prophets
- Preside over the affairs of the church and the school
- Receive revelations to unfold the mysteries of the kingdom
- Set in order the churches
- Study and learn
- Become acquainted with all good books, and with languages, tongues and people
- Preside in counsel
- Set in order all the affairs of this church and kingdom
- Be not ashamed neither confounded
- Be admonished in all your highmindedness and pride
- Set in order your houses
- Keep slothfulness and uncleanness far from you
- Provide a place as soon as possible for the family of Frederick G. Williams
- Let Joseph Smith, sen. continue with his family upon the place where he now lives
- Let the place where Joseph Smith, sen. lives not be sold until the mouth of the Lord shall name
- Let Sidney Rigdon remain where he now resides until the mouth of the Lord shall name
- Let the bishop search diligently to obtain an agent
- Let the agent be a man who has got riches in store, a man of God and of strong faith
- Search diligently
- Pray always
- Be believing
- Walk uprightly
- Remember the covenant wherewith ye have covenanted one with another
- Let your families be small (pertaining to those who do not belong to your families)
- Vienna Jaques should receive money to bear her expenses
- Vienna Jaques should go up unto the land of Zion
- Consecrate the residue of the money unto me
- Vienna Jaques should receive an inheritance from the hand of the bishop
- Vienna Jaques should settle down in peace
- Vienna Jaques should not be idle in her days
- Write this commandment
- Say unto your brethren in Zion that I have called you also to preside over Zion
- Let them cease wearying me concerning this matter
Implicit Obligations
- Submit absolutely to the hierarchical authority of the First Presidency
- Accept the 'translation of the prophets' (Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible) as divinely mandated and authoritative
- Financially support the church's endeavors and leadership
- Maintain strict personal purity to avoid spiritual snares and condemnation
- Accept divine chastisement as a necessary means of achieving spiritual cleanliness
Ritual Requirements
- Administration of the Comforter (implied laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost and ordination)
- Consecration of money and property to the church
Evangelism Toolkit
Practical tools for engagement and dialogue:
Discovery Questions
Open-ended questions to promote reflection:
- In verse 2, it says the keys of the kingdom will never be taken from Joseph Smith, even in the world to come. How do you understand his role in the afterlife compared to Jesus Christ, who the Bible says holds the keys of death and Hades?
- The text warns against treating the 'oracles' lightly. If a modern prophet's oracle seems to contradict something in the Bible, how do you determine which one to follow?
- Verse 8 talks about Zion being chastened until she 'overcomes and is clean.' How does this compare to 1 John 1:7, which says the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin? Do we make ourselves clean by overcoming, or does Jesus make us clean?
Redemptive Analogies
Bridges from this text to the Gospel:
The desire for a pure 'storehouse' that is not brought into disrepute.
The text shows a deep concern for the purity and reputation of God's work and His people. This mirrors the biblical truth that Christ desires a pure, unblemished Church. However, while the text relies on human agents and money to protect this reputation, the Gospel teaches that Christ Himself washes and purifies the Church with His own blood to present her without spot or blemish.
Spiritual Weight
Burdens this text places on adherents:
The text places a heavy burden on the believer to 'walk uprightly,' 'remember the covenant,' and 'overcome' in order to be considered clean and avoid divine chastisement. This creates a constant anxiety about whether one has done enough to satisfy God's demands.
By declaring that the oracles of God come exclusively through Joseph Smith and the First Presidency, the believer is stripped of the ability to rely solely on Scripture and the Holy Spirit. Their spiritual survival is entirely dependent on absolute loyalty to the human church hierarchy.
The explicit threat of condemnation, stumbling, and falling for those who treat the oracles as a 'light thing' instills a fear-based obedience. Believers may fear questioning leadership lest they bring upon themselves the 'storms and winds' of divine wrath.