Section 13
Overview
Doctrine and Covenants Section 13 is a foundational text for Latter-day Saint claims of exclusive divine authority. It consists of a single verse, extracted from Joseph Smith's history, detailing an event alleged to have occurred on May 15, 1829. The text asserts that John the Baptist appeared as an angelic messenger to confer the 'Priesthood of Aaron' upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. This priesthood is explicitly defined as holding the 'keys' (divine authorization) for the ministering of angels, the gospel of repentance, and baptism by immersion for the remission of sins. Furthermore, it prophesies that this priesthood will remain on earth until the 'sons of Levi' once again offer a righteous offering to the Lord. For the Evangelical Christian, this text represents a critical point of theological divergence. It fundamentally denies the sufficiency of Christ's finished work and His eternal Melchizedekian priesthood by reinstating the obsolete Old Covenant Aaronic priesthood. Additionally, by tying the 'remission of sins' directly to a physical ritual (baptism) performed by a specific human organization (LDS priesthood holders), the text explicitly rejects the biblical doctrines of Sola Fide (justification by faith alone) and the universal priesthood of all believers.
Key Figures
- John the Baptist: The purported angelic messenger who physically conferred the Aaronic Priesthood upon Smith and Cowdery.
- Joseph Smith: The primary recipient of this priesthood, establishing his claim as the sole authorized prophet of the restoration.
- Oliver Cowdery: The co-recipient of the priesthood and scribe to Joseph Smith.
- Peter, James, and John: Mentioned in the historical preamble as the ancient Apostles directing John the Baptist, holding the higher Melchizedek Priesthood.
- Sons of Levi: A prophetic reference to future individuals who will supposedly offer a righteous offering to the Lord, implying a return to Levitical sacrifices.
Doctrines Analyzed
Key theological claims identified in this text:
Restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood
Assertion
The Aaronic Priesthood, lost from the earth, was physically restored by John the Baptist and is necessary for church administration.
Evidence from Text
Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah I confer the Priesthood of Aaron
Evangelical Comparison
In LDS theology, the Aaronic Priesthood is a lesser, preparatory authority required to perform temporal ordinances like baptism. D&C 13 claims this was literally restored to the earth. In stark contrast, Evangelical Christianity, relying heavily on the Epistle to the Hebrews (specifically chapters 7-10), teaches that the Aaronic (Levitical) priesthood was intentionally temporary, weak, and useless for actual justification (Hebrews 7:18-19). Jesus Christ, serving as the eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek, offered a single, perfect sacrifice that fulfilled the requirements of the Law. Therefore, the Aaronic priesthood was not 'lost' and in need of restoration; it was successfully completed and retired. Reinstating it is viewed by Evangelicals as a regression from the New Covenant back to the shadows of the Old Covenant.
Priesthood Keys for Remission of Sins
Assertion
The Aaronic Priesthood holds the exclusive authority (keys) to perform baptism by immersion, which is required for the remission of sins.
Evidence from Text
...which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins
Evangelical Comparison
This doctrine establishes the LDS framework of mediated grace. It asserts that forgiveness (remission of sins) is inextricably linked to the physical act of baptism, which must be performed by a male holding this specific, restored Aaronic Priesthood. Evangelical theology vehemently rejects this on two fronts. First, it violates Sola Fide (Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 3:28), which declares that justification is an instantaneous legal declaration by God based solely on the believer's faith in Christ's finished work, independent of any works or rituals. Second, it violates the Universal Priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:5, 9), which teaches that all Christians have direct access to God through Christ without the need for a mediating human priest or exclusive institutional 'keys.'
Future Levitical Offerings
Assertion
The sons of Levi will at some future point offer a righteous offering to the Lord, implying a return to temple sacrifices.
Evidence from Text
...until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness.
Evangelical Comparison
D&C 13 concludes with a prophecy that the Aaronic priesthood will remain until the 'sons of Levi' offer an offering in righteousness, echoing Malachi 3:3. In LDS theology, this is often interpreted as a literal future event where animal sacrifice will be temporarily reinstated as part of the 'restitution of all things.' Evangelicals interpret Malachi 3:3 as being fulfilled spiritually in the church or ultimately in Christ's purification of His people. The idea of reinstating literal Levitical offerings directly contradicts Hebrews 10:11-14, which contrasts the daily, ineffective sacrifices of earthly priests with Christ's single, eternally effective sacrifice. To offer Levitical sacrifices again implies that Christ's atonement was insufficient.
Comparative Analysis
Theological Gap (Summary)
D&C 13 reinstates the obsolete Aaronic priesthood and makes it a prerequisite for the remission of sins, directly denying the sufficiency of Christ's Melchizedekian priesthood and the doctrine of justification by faith alone.
Theological Gap (Explained)
The theological gap centers on the nature of the priesthood and the requirements for justification. In Evangelical theology, based heavily on the Epistle to the Hebrews, the Aaronic (Levitical) priesthood was a temporary, imperfect shadow that was entirely fulfilled and superseded by Jesus Christ. Christ holds the eternal Melchizedek priesthood, and because His sacrifice is finished and sufficient, the temple veil was torn. Consequently, all believers now constitute a 'holy priesthood' (1 Peter 2:5) with direct access to God. D&C 13 fundamentally reverses this biblical progression. It claims the Aaronic priesthood must be restored to the earth to administer the 'gospel of repentance' and 'baptism... for the remission of sins.' This creates a system of mediated grace where human priesthood holders are absolutely necessary for salvation. This directly violates Sola Fide (justification by faith alone) by adding a required human work/ritual, and it violates Solus Christus (Christ alone) by inserting human mediators between God and man.
For All Ages
Imagine you have a VIP pass that gets you into the best theme park forever, and Jesus gave it to you for free just because you trusted Him. This text says that your VIP pass doesn't actually work unless it was stamped by a specific worker at a specific booth that was just rebuilt. Evangelicals believe Jesus' pass is all you need (faith alone), but this text says you need the special stamp (Mormon priesthood baptism) to actually be forgiven of your sins. It also brings back an old system of priests (Aaronic) that the Bible says Jesus already replaced.
Friction Points
Universal Priesthood
Denies the priesthood of all believers by establishing an exclusive, hierarchical human priesthood necessary for mediating grace.
Sola Fide
Ties the remission of sins directly to a physical ritual (baptism) performed by a specific human authority, denying justification by faith alone.
Christology / Sufficiency of Christ
Reinstates the obsolete Aaronic priesthood and prophesies future Levitical offerings, implying Christ's 'once for all' sacrifice and priesthood were insufficient.
Semantic Warnings
Terms that have different meanings between traditions:
"Aaronic Priesthood"
In This Text
A preparatory divine authority restored to the earth, held by worthy LDS males to perform baptisms and administer the sacrament.
In Evangelicalism
The Old Testament Levitical priesthood that was fulfilled, rendered obsolete, and permanently replaced by Jesus Christ's eternal priesthood (Hebrews 7:11-12).
"Remission of sins"
In This Text
Forgiveness that is conditionally granted upon receiving baptism by immersion from an authorized LDS priesthood holder.
In Evangelicalism
Forgiveness that is granted immediately and fully upon placing faith in Jesus Christ, prior to and independent of water baptism (Acts 10:43).
Soteriology (Salvation)
Salvation Defined: In the context of this text, salvation is framed as the remission of sins and entry into the covenant path via authorized baptism.
How Attained: Attained through faith, repentance, and crucially, baptism by immersion performed by a man holding the restored Aaronic Priesthood.
Basis of Assurance: Assurance is based on the validity of the priesthood authority of the person who performed the adherent's baptism.
Comparison to Sola Fide: D&C 13 stands in direct opposition to Sola Fide. By stating that the Aaronic Priesthood holds the 'keys... of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins,' it makes a human work (baptism) and human mediation (priesthood authority) absolute prerequisites for forgiveness. Romans 3:28 and Ephesians 2:8-9 declare that justification is by faith apart from works of the law or rituals.
Mandates & Requirements
Implicit Obligations
- Acknowledge Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery as the sole legitimate recipients of God's restored authority.
- Submit to the hierarchical LDS priesthood structure to receive valid ordinances.
- Receive baptism by immersion specifically from an authorized LDS priesthood holder.
Ritual Requirements
- Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins.
- Ordinances must be performed by one holding the Aaronic Priesthood.
Evangelism Toolkit
Practical tools for engagement and dialogue:
Discovery Questions
Open-ended questions to promote reflection:
- If the Book of Hebrews says the Aaronic priesthood was weak, useless, and replaced by Jesus' perfect priesthood, why would God need to restore it?
- When Jesus said 'It is finished' on the cross, what did that mean for the Old Testament system of priests and sacrifices?
- If the remission of sins requires baptism by a specific priesthood authority, how was the thief on the cross saved?
- How do you feel knowing that your forgiveness is tied to the validity of the priesthood lineage of the man who baptized you?
Redemptive Analogies
Bridges from this text to the Gospel:
The desire for true authority and assurance of forgiveness.
Latter-day Saints crave assurance that their sins are truly forgiven and that they are under God's authorized care. Evangelicals can point them to the ultimate, infallible authority—Jesus Christ—who holds the keys of death and Hades and grants us direct access to the Father without the need for a human mediator or a restored earthly priesthood.
Spiritual Weight
Burdens this text places on adherents:
By tying the remission of sins to a specific human priesthood, the text creates a heavy burden of institutional dependency. The believer cannot simply trust Christ for salvation; they must trust the LDS Church, the validity of their baptizer's ordination, and their own ongoing obedience to priesthood leaders. This shifts faith from Christ to an organization.
Because salvation is mediated through human authority and conditional upon receiving ordinances properly, the believer lacks the objective, immediate assurance of salvation provided by the finished work of Christ. There is always a lingering question of whether one has done enough or if the ordinances were perfectly valid.