Section 135
Overview
Doctrine and Covenants Section 135 serves as the official historical announcement and theological interpretation of the assassination of Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum at Carthage Jail on June 27, 1844. Added to the 1844 edition of the Doctrine and Covenants shortly after their deaths, the text functions as a powerful hagiography that elevates Joseph Smith to a position of unparalleled salvific importance among mere mortals. It explicitly claims that Smith has done more for the salvation of humanity than any other man who ever lived, save Jesus Christ alone. The text utilizes deeply biblical, often messianic language—such as going 'like a lamb to the slaughter' and acting as a 'testator' whose death brings a testament into force—to frame the Smiths' deaths not merely as tragic murders, but as divine martyrdoms that 'seal' the truth of the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants. By asserting that their 'innocent blood' stands as an unimpeachable witness against a wicked world, the section cements a paradigm of persecution and prophet-veneration within the Latter-day Saint tradition, inextricably linking the validity of the religion to the blood of its founding prophet.
Key Figures
- Joseph Smith (The Prophet and Seer; elevated as the second most important figure for human salvation after Jesus Christ; his martyrdom is claimed to seal his revelations)
- Hyrum Smith (The Patriarch; Joseph's brother who died alongside him, serving as a co-martyr and co-testator of the restored gospel)
- Jesus Christ (Acknowledged as the only individual who has done more for the salvation of men than Joseph Smith)
- John Taylor (One of the Twelve Apostles; survived the attack despite being shot four times; traditional author of this section)
- Willard Richards (One of the Twelve Apostles; miraculously escaped the attack without injury)
Doctrines Analyzed
Key theological claims identified in this text:
The Salvific Supremacy of Joseph Smith
Assertion
Joseph Smith contributed more to the salvation of humanity than any other human being in history, second only to Jesus Christ.
Evidence from Text
Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it.
Evangelical Comparison
This doctrine represents a severe Christological and Soteriological friction point. In Evangelical theology, salvation is exclusively the work of the Triune God. While prophets and apostles (like Paul, Peter, or Moses) were instruments used by God to deliver His word, they did not 'do' anything 'for the salvation of men' in a mediatorial, foundational, or atoning sense. Christ's work is entirely sufficient (Hebrews 7:25, Acts 4:12). Elevating a 19th-century man to a position where his salvific contributions are measured on the same scale as Jesus Christ (and above the biblical apostles) fundamentally contradicts the Evangelical understanding of Solus Christus (Christ Alone).
Blood Sealing of the Dispensation
Assertion
The martyrdom and 'innocent blood' of Joseph and Hyrum Smith act as a divine seal that validates the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants.
Evidence from Text
To seal the testimony of this book and the Book of Mormon, we announce the martyrdom... their innocent blood on the floor of Carthage jail is a broad seal affixed to 'Mormonism' that cannot be rejected
Evangelical Comparison
The text appropriates the biblical concept of a 'testator' whose death brings a testament into force (Hebrews 9:16-17). In the New Testament, this strictly applies to Jesus Christ inaugurating the New Covenant through His atoning death. D&C 135 applies this to Joseph and Hyrum Smith, suggesting their blood inaugurates or 'seals' the restored gospel and its accompanying texts. From an Evangelical perspective, this diminishes the sufficiency of Christ's blood. While the blood of Christian martyrs (like Stephen) bears witness to their faith in Christ, it does not possess covenantal sealing power, nor does it validate extra-biblical revelation.
Vengeance for Innocent Blood
Assertion
The blood of Joseph and Hyrum was entirely innocent, and God will avenge their murder upon the earth.
Evidence from Text
They were innocent of any crime... their innocent blood, with the innocent blood of all the martyrs under the altar that John saw, will cry unto the Lord of Hosts till he avenges that blood on the earth.
Evangelical Comparison
The text claims absolute innocence for the Smiths, both legally and spiritually. Theologically, Evangelicalism holds to total depravity—that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), making Christ the only truly 'innocent' blood ever shed. Historically, the claim of being 'innocent of any crime' ignores the complex legal realities of Smith's arrest, which involved the ordered destruction of a printing press (the Nauvoo Expositor). The text uses the concept of innocence to elevate the Smiths to a near-spotless, martyr-hero status.
Comparative Analysis
Theological Gap (Summary)
The text elevates Joseph Smith to a near-mediatorial role, claiming he did more for human salvation than anyone except Jesus, and uses his blood to 'seal' a new testament, appropriating Christological titles and functions.
Theological Gap (Explained)
D&C 135 presents a profound Christological and Soteriological divergence from orthodox Evangelicalism by elevating Joseph Smith to a position of unparalleled salvific importance among mere men. By asserting that Smith 'has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it,' the text implicitly diminishes the sufficiency of the biblical apostles, prophets, and the singular mediatorial role of Christ. Furthermore, the text appropriates biblical messianic language (e.g., 'lamb to the slaughter,' 'testator') to validate extra-biblical revelation (the Book of Mormon and D&C). In Evangelical theology, the canon is closed, and the New Covenant was sealed once for all by the blood of Christ (Hebrews 9). The blood of Christian martyrs bears witness to Christ, but it does not 'seal' new scripture or establish a new dispensation of the gospel.
For All Ages
Imagine you have a favorite superhero who saved the whole world all by himself. That's Jesus. But this text says another guy, Joseph Smith, is the second most important person ever for saving people. As Christians, we believe Jesus did 100% of the saving all by Himself, and nobody else comes close or adds to it. The text also says Joseph's death proves his new books are true, just like Jesus's death proved the New Testament. But we believe the Bible is already complete, Jesus's work is finished, and we don't need new books or new saviors.
Friction Points
Sola Scriptura
Validates extra-biblical texts (Book of Mormon, D&C) and claims they are sealed by the blood of a 19th-century prophet, violating the closure and sufficiency of the biblical canon.
Solus Christus
Elevates a human being to a near-mediatorial status, claiming he did more for salvation than anyone except Jesus, and applies messianic titles ('lamb to the slaughter', 'testator') to him.
Sola Fide
Implies that salvation is dependent upon the revelations, commandments, and ordinances brought forth by Joseph Smith, rather than faith in Christ alone.
Theology Proper / Anthropology
Claims absolute innocence for human beings, contradicting the biblical doctrine of total depravity and universal sinfulness.
Semantic Warnings
Terms that have different meanings between traditions:
"Salvation"
In This Text
In the broader LDS context implied here, salvation often refers to exaltation (godhood) in the highest degree of heaven, which is facilitated by the ordinances and revelations Joseph Smith restored.
In Evangelicalism
Deliverance from the penalty of sin and justification before God by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
"Testator"
In This Text
Applied to Joseph and Hyrum Smith, suggesting their deaths brought a new covenant or dispensation into legal/spiritual force.
In Evangelicalism
Applied exclusively to Jesus Christ in the New Testament (Hebrews 9:16-17), whose death inaugurated the New Covenant.
"Innocent blood"
In This Text
Unjustly murdered; morally upright and legally blameless regarding the charges against them.
In Evangelicalism
Theologically, absolute sinlessness, which belongs to Christ alone (1 Peter 1:19).
Soteriology (Salvation)
Salvation Defined: Attaining eternal glory and exaltation in the presence of God, facilitated by the 'everlasting gospel' restored in the 19th century.
How Attained: Through the revelations, commandments, and ordinances brought forth by Joseph Smith, which are claimed to be essential for the 'benefit of the children of men.'
Basis of Assurance: Faithfulness to the restored gospel, honoring the martyrs, and enduring to the end to receive 'glory [as] their eternal reward.'
Comparison to Sola Fide: The text emphasizes Smith's monumental works ('brought forth', 'translated', 'gathered', 'founded') as the basis for his greatness and glory. This contrasts sharply with justification by faith alone, where glory is an inherited gift through Christ's imputed righteousness, not earned by founding cities or publishing books.
Mandates & Requirements
Implicit Obligations
- Accept Joseph Smith as a true prophet and martyr of God
- Revere the Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants as texts sealed by martyr's blood
- View the critics, the mob, and the State of Illinois as wicked traitors
- Acknowledge that Joseph Smith's contributions to salvation are second only to Jesus Christ
Evangelism Toolkit
Practical tools for engagement and dialogue:
Discovery Questions
Open-ended questions to promote reflection:
- When D&C 135 says Joseph Smith did more for salvation than anyone except Jesus, how do you understand the role of the biblical apostles like Paul or Peter in comparison?
- Hebrews 9 talks about a testament being in force after the death of the testator, referring specifically to Jesus. How does applying this concept to Joseph and Hyrum Smith affect how we view the finality of Jesus's covenant?
- If a prophet's martyrdom seals their testimony as true, how do we evaluate other religious leaders throughout history who also willingly died for their distinct beliefs?
- In what ways does the 'innocent blood' of Joseph Smith differ from the 'innocent blood' of Jesus Christ in your understanding?
Redemptive Analogies
Bridges from this text to the Gospel:
The Willing Sacrifice ('Lamb to the slaughter')
Joseph Smith is compared to a lamb going to the slaughter, which is a direct messianic prophecy from Isaiah 53. We can validate the beauty of a willing sacrifice, but pivot from Joseph's death to the *true* Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, whose death actually atoned for sins and requires no further human sacrifices to seal His truth.
Spiritual Weight
Burdens this text places on adherents:
Believers carry the heavy burden of defending the character, history, and absolute innocence of Joseph Smith at all costs. Because the text ties the validity of the entire religion to his 'innocent blood,' any historical flaw or moral failing in Smith threatens the foundation of the adherent's faith, leading to cognitive dissonance when confronting historical realities.
The text cultivates a worldview where the church is perpetually at odds with a 'ruined world' and 'wicked men.' This fosters an 'us vs. them' mentality, making adherents feel isolated from broader Christianity and highly defensive, viewing theological disagreement as akin to the mob violence of Carthage.