Section 17
Overview
Doctrine and Covenants Section 17 is a pivotal text in early Mormon history, dictated by Joseph Smith in June 1829 in Fayette, New York. The revelation is directed to Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris, who desired to be the 'Three Witnesses' prophesied about in the Book of Mormon text they were currently translating. The text promises these men that if they exercise faith with 'full purpose of heart,' they will be granted a view of the golden plates, the breastplate, the sword of Laban, the Urim and Thummim, and the miraculous directors (Liahona). Crucially, the text establishes an epistemological framework where physical evidence is only granted subsequent to profound spiritual faith. Once this viewing occurs, the men are placed under a strict divine mandate to testify of what they have seen by the power of God. The stated purpose of this testimony is twofold: to prevent the destruction of Joseph Smith by his enemies, and to bring about God's righteous purposes. In verse 6, the text features a direct, first-person declaration from Jesus Christ authenticating the translation of the Book of Mormon with a divine oath: 'as your Lord and your God liveth it is true.' Finally, the text introduces a highly conditional soteriological promise in verse 8, stating that God's grace is sufficient for them, and they will be saved ('lifted up at the last day'), strictly on the condition ('if') that they keep these specific commandments to testify. This section serves as the foundational divine charter for the 'Testimony of Three Witnesses' printed in every copy of the Book of Mormon.
Key Figures
- Jesus Christ: The claimed speaker of the revelation, who authenticates the Book of Mormon and offers conditional grace.
- Joseph Smith, Jun.: The prophet and translator whose life and work are to be protected by the testimony of the witnesses.
- Oliver Cowdery: One of the three men addressed, required to exercise faith to see the artifacts and testify.
- David Whitmer: One of the three men addressed, required to exercise faith to see the artifacts and testify.
- Martin Harris: One of the three men addressed, required to exercise faith to see the artifacts and testify.
- Brother of Jared: Ancient Book of Mormon prophet cited as the original recipient of the Urim and Thummim.
- Lehi: Ancient Book of Mormon prophet cited as the original recipient of the miraculous directors (Liahona).
Doctrines Analyzed
Key theological claims identified in this text:
Divine Authentication of the Book of Mormon
Assertion
Jesus Christ directly testifies that Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon and swears an oath that the book is true.
Evidence from Text
And he has translated the book, even that part which I have commanded him, and as your Lord and your God liveth it is true. (D&C 17:6)
Evangelical Comparison
In D&C 17:6, the text places a direct quote in the mouth of Jesus Christ, swearing by His own life ('as your Lord and your God liveth') that the Book of Mormon is true and accurately translated by Joseph Smith. This is a foundational epistemological claim for Mormonism, shifting the burden of proof from historical or textual evidence to a direct, unmediated claim of divine revelation. If one accepts this text, the Book of Mormon is elevated to the unquestionable status of divine scripture. Evangelical Christianity fundamentally rejects this doctrine based on the principle of Sola Scriptura and the closure of the biblical canon. Evangelicals point to warnings in scripture against adding to God's word (Revelation 22:18-19, Proverbs 30:5-6) and against accepting different gospels, even if delivered by an angel or spiritual manifestation (Galatians 1:8-9). Because the Book of Mormon contains doctrines that contradict the biblical gospel (such as conditional grace and the necessity of modern priesthood), Evangelicals conclude that the 'Jesus' speaking in D&C 17 cannot be the Jesus of the Bible, as God cannot contradict His already revealed Word.
Conditional Grace
Assertion
God's grace is sufficient, and salvation (being lifted up) is granted, only upon the condition of obeying specific commandments.
Evidence from Text
And if you do these last commandments of mine, which I have given you, the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; for my grace is sufficient for you, and you shall be lifted up at the last day. (D&C 17:8)
Evangelical Comparison
D&C 17:8 presents a classic formulation of Mormon soteriology: grace is conditional. The text explicitly links the sufficiency of Christ's grace and ultimate salvation ('lifted up at the last day') to an 'if' clause—specifically, 'if you do these last commandments of mine.' In this context, the commandments refer to exercising faith, viewing the plates, and publicly testifying of them. The theological implication is that grace is not a free gift that precedes and produces good works, but rather a supplementary power or reward granted only after human obedience is demonstrated. This stands in stark contrast to the Evangelical doctrine of Sola Fide (Justification by Faith Alone) and Sola Gratia (Grace Alone). Biblical Christianity defines grace precisely by its unmerited nature. Romans 11:6 states, 'But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.' Ephesians 2:8-9 declares that salvation is by grace through faith, 'not a result of works, so that no one may boast.' In Evangelical theology, Christ's grace is sufficient regardless of human performance (2 Corinthians 12:9), and obedience is the fruit of salvation, not the prerequisite for grace.
Prophetic Preservation and Mediation
Assertion
The testimony of the witnesses is required by God specifically to protect Joseph Smith from destruction so God's work can proceed.
Evidence from Text
And this you shall do that my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., may not be destroyed, that I may bring about my righteous purposes unto the children of men in this work. (D&C 17:4)
Evangelical Comparison
Verse 4 reveals a highly anthropocentric view of God's plan, wherein the success of God's 'righteous purposes' is intimately tied to the physical preservation and public validation of Joseph Smith. The witnesses are commanded to testify specifically so that Smith 'may not be destroyed.' This elevates Smith to a uniquely mediatorial role; the advancement of God's work among the 'children of men' hinges on Smith's survival and the successful propagation of his translation. Evangelical Christianity, holding to the sovereignty of God and Solus Christus (Christ Alone), rejects the idea that God's redemptive purposes are fragile or dependent on the protection of a modern prophet. While God uses human instruments, the biblical witness is that the Gospel advances by the power of the Holy Spirit, not by the defensive testimonies of men shielding a leader. Furthermore, Evangelicals view Jesus Christ as the sole mediator between God and men (1 Timothy 2:5). Elevating Joseph Smith to a position where his preservation is synonymous with the survival of God's work borders on idolatry from an Evangelical perspective.
Comparative Analysis
Theological Gap (Summary)
The text diverges fundamentally from Evangelicalism by introducing new scripture, elevating a modern prophet to a mediatorial role, and conditioning God's grace on human obedience.
Theological Gap (Explained)
The theological gap between D&C 17 and Evangelical Christianity is vast, centering primarily on Soteriology and Bibliology. Soteriologically, verse 8 explicitly conditions the sufficiency of Christ's grace on human obedience: 'And if you do these last commandments of mine... my grace is sufficient for you.' This is a direct violation of Sola Fide and Sola Gratia. In Evangelical theology, grace is the unmerited favor of God that saves a person apart from works (Ephesians 2:8-9). If grace is conditional upon doing commandments, it ceases to be grace and becomes a wage earned (Romans 4:4-5). This places a heavy burden of works-righteousness on the LDS believer. Bibliologically, the text violates Sola Scriptura by presenting a direct, new revelation from Jesus Christ that authenticates another testament (the Book of Mormon). By having Jesus swear an oath ('as your Lord and your God liveth it is true') regarding Joseph Smith's translation, the text demands that the Book of Mormon be received with the same authority as the Bible. Furthermore, the text elevates Joseph Smith to a position of vital necessity in God's plan (v4), suggesting that God's 'righteous purposes' could be thwarted if Smith is destroyed. This detracts from the Evangelical view of God's absolute sovereignty and the sufficiency of Christ as the sole mediator and focal point of redemptive history.
For All Ages
Imagine you have a friend who says they have a magical, secret book from God, but no one is allowed to see it unless they promise to believe it's real first. Then, God tells them they have to tell everyone the book is real to protect your friend from getting in trouble. Also, the friend says God will only love and save them *if* they follow all these new rules perfectly. In the Bible, God's love and grace are a free gift, like a birthday present. You don't have to earn a birthday present by following rules; you just say 'thank you' and accept it. We believe Jesus already did all the hard work for us on the cross. We also don't need secret golden plates because God already gave us the Bible, which everyone can read, and God promised the Bible is all we need to know Him.
Friction Points
Sola Scriptura
The text claims to be new, direct revelation from Jesus Christ authenticating a new book of scripture (Book of Mormon), violating the closed canon.
Sola Fide / Sola Gratia
Verse 8 makes the sufficiency of grace and ultimate salvation conditional upon obeying specific commandments.
Solus Christus
Verse 4 implies God's righteous purposes depend on the protection and validation of Joseph Smith, elevating a human leader to a mediatorial necessity.
Semantic Warnings
Terms that have different meanings between traditions:
"Grace"
In This Text
A divine enabling power or reward that is sufficient *only if* the believer first obeys specific commandments (v8).
In Evangelicalism
The unmerited, unconditional favor of God bestowed on the elect, resulting in justification apart from works (Ephesians 2:8-9).
"Faith"
In This Text
An action-oriented power or intense mental exertion ('full purpose of heart') required to manifest physical/visionary evidence of hidden artifacts.
In Evangelicalism
A resting trust in the finished work of Christ and the promises of God, often in the absence of physical sight (Hebrews 11:1).
Soteriology (Salvation)
Salvation Defined: Being 'lifted up at the last day' and overcoming the 'gates of hell' (v8).
How Attained: By exercising faith, receiving the witness, and strictly doing 'these last commandments' (v8).
Basis of Assurance: Assurance is based on the believer's ability to maintain obedience to the commandments given. If obedience falters, the promise of grace is nullified.
Comparison to Sola Fide: D&C 17:8 is antithetical to Sola Fide. It explicitly states 'if you do these last commandments... my grace is sufficient'. Romans 3:28 states, 'For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.' In the biblical model, grace guarantees salvation; in the D&C model, works guarantee grace.
Mandates & Requirements
Explicit Commands
- Rely upon God's word with full purpose of heart (v1)
- Obtain faith like the prophets of old (v2)
- Testify of the artifacts by the power of God after seeing them (v3)
- Testify that you have seen them just as Joseph Smith has seen them (v5)
- Do these last commandments (v8)
Implicit Obligations
- Defend and protect Joseph Smith from his critics and enemies
- Maintain a lifelong public witness of the Book of Mormon's authenticity
- Accept the Book of Mormon as divine scripture
Evangelism Toolkit
Practical tools for engagement and dialogue:
Discovery Questions
Open-ended questions to promote reflection:
- In verse 8, Jesus says, 'if you do these last commandments... my grace is sufficient for you.' How do you understand the relationship between our obedience and God's grace?
- If grace is conditional on our obedience, how can we ever have peace or assurance that we've done enough to be 'lifted up at the last day'?
- Why do you think faith was required for the witnesses to see physical objects like the plates and the sword of Laban? Usually, we don't need faith to see physical things.
- Verse 4 says the witnesses must testify so Joseph Smith won't be destroyed. How does this compare to how the Apostles in the New Testament testified to protect the message of the cross, rather than protecting a specific leader?
Redemptive Analogies
Bridges from this text to the Gospel:
The desire for tangible evidence and a sure witness
Just as these men wanted physical proof, Thomas wanted to touch Jesus' scars. Jesus provided the proof but pointed to a better way: 'Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed' (John 20:29). We don't need golden plates to know God; we have the historical, bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ, which is the ultimate, verifiable witness of God's truth.
Spiritual Weight
Burdens this text places on adherents:
The believer is taught that God's grace is only sufficient 'if' they keep the commandments. This creates a constant treadmill of performance, where the believer can never be truly sure if they have done enough to activate God's grace, leading to deep spiritual anxiety and fear of failure.
The text demands 'full purpose of heart' and intense faith just to receive validation of the truth. If a believer struggles with doubt or doesn't receive a spiritual witness, the text implies it is their own fault for lacking faith. This causes believers to manufacture feelings or suppress legitimate doubts out of shame.
The believer's faith is inextricably tied to the defense and validation of Joseph Smith. If Smith's character or history is questioned, the believer feels their entire spiritual foundation is under attack, leading to defensive isolation and cognitive dissonance.