Section 19
Overview
Doctrine and Covenants Section 19 is a pivotal text in early Mormon history, dictated by Joseph Smith in the summer of 1829. Ostensibly spoken in the first-person voice of Jesus Christ, the text serves two primary functions: theological redefinition and practical mandate. Theologically, it introduces a radical reinterpretation of the biblical concepts of 'eternal' and 'endless' punishment. The text asserts that 'Endless' is merely a name for God, and therefore 'endless punishment' simply means 'God's punishment,' explicitly stating that such torment is not without end. This lays the groundwork for Mormonism's later rejection of a traditional binary heaven/hell in favor of universal salvation across varying degrees of glory. Furthermore, the text shifts the focus of the Atonement from the cross to the Garden of Gethsemane, emphasizing Christ bleeding at every pore. It introduces the concept that individuals who do not repent must suffer for their own sins 'even as' Christ did. Practically and historically, the revelation is directed at Martin Harris, a wealthy early follower who was hesitating to mortgage his farm to pay the printer (E.B. Grandin) for the Book of Mormon. The text leverages the newly defined theological terrors—reminding Harris of the 'exquisite' pain of God's wrath—to command him to 'impart a portion of thy property' and 'pay the debt thou hast contracted with the printer,' warning of misery and destruction if he slights these counsels.
Key Figures
- Jesus Christ: The claimed first-person speaker of the text, identified as Alpha and Omega, who suffered and bled at every pore, and who threatens wrath and destruction for disobedience.
- God the Father: Mentioned as the one whose will Christ accomplished, and to whom Christ gives glory.
- Joseph Smith, Jun.: Identified as the servant through whose hand the commandments are received, establishing his exclusive prophetic mediation.
- Martin Harris (Implied): Though not named in the text itself, the historical context and the specific commands to 'pay the debt thou hast contracted with the printer' and 'impart a portion of thy property' are directed entirely at him.
- Satan: Mentioned as the adversary whose works will be destroyed at the end of the world.
Doctrines Analyzed
Key theological claims identified in this text:
Redefinition of Eternal Punishment
Assertion
The terms 'endless punishment' and 'eternal damnation' do not mean punishment of infinite duration. Because 'Endless' is God's name, it simply means 'God's punishment'.
Evidence from Text
Nevertheless, it is not written that there shall be no end to this torment, but it is written endless torment... For, behold, I am endless, and the punishment which is given from my hand is endless punishment, for Endless is my name. Wherefore—Eternal punishment is God’s punishment.
Evangelical Comparison
In Evangelical theology, based on passages like Matthew 25:46 ('And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life'), the duration of hell is co-extensive with the duration of eternal life. The Greek word 'aionion' is used for both. D&C 19 introduces a linguistic redefinition, claiming that 'Endless' and 'Eternal' are merely nouns/titles for God, not adjectives describing time. Therefore, 'endless punishment' is a proprietary term meaning 'the punishment administered by the Endless One.' The text explicitly admits this phrasing is used 'that it might work upon the hearts of the children of men' (v. 7), suggesting God uses intentionally terrifying language that implies infinite duration to motivate repentance, even though the punishment is actually temporary. Evangelicals view this as a violation of God's truthfulness and a denial of the biblical doctrine of eternal conscious torment.
Personal Payment for Sin (Conditional Atonement)
Assertion
If a person does not repent, they must suffer for their own sins exactly as Christ suffered.
Evidence from Text
For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent; But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I;
Evangelical Comparison
Evangelical theology holds to Penal Substitutionary Atonement, wherein Christ's sacrifice is of infinite worth and is the *only* acceptable payment for sin (Hebrews 10:14). If a person rejects Christ, they suffer eternally because finite beings can never fully satisfy an infinite debt against a holy God. D&C 19:16-17 posits that if a person does not repent, they 'must suffer even as I.' In Mormon theology, this means the unrepentant suffer in 'spirit prison' (hell) temporarily to satisfy the demands of justice for their own personal sins, after which they are released into a lesser kingdom of glory. This creates a theological paradigm where human suffering has atoning merit, directly contradicting the Evangelical doctrine that salvation and the satisfaction of God's wrath are accomplished by Christ alone (Solus Christus).
Gethsemane-Centric Atonement
Assertion
Christ's primary atoning suffering occurred when He bled at every pore, emphasizing the Garden of Gethsemane over the Cross.
Evidence from Text
Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit
Evangelical Comparison
While Evangelicals acknowledge the intense agony of Christ in Gethsemane (Luke 22:44), the New Testament overwhelmingly locates the actual atoning work—the payment for sin and the defeat of death—at the Cross (Colossians 1:20, 1 Peter 2:24, 1 Corinthians 1:18). D&C 19:18 is the foundational text for the Mormon doctrine that the Atonement primarily took place in the Garden of Gethsemane, where Christ literally 'bled at every pore' to pay for sins. The Cross is often viewed in Mormonism as the completion of the process (conquering death), but Gethsemane is where the spiritual debt for sin was paid. This shifts the theological focal point away from the biblical emphasis on the shedding of blood at Calvary.
Baptismal Regeneration and the Holy Ghost
Assertion
Remission of sins is achieved through baptism and the reception of the Holy Ghost by fire.
Evidence from Text
...thou shalt declare repentance and faith on the Savior, and remission of sins by baptism, and by fire, yea, even the Holy Ghost.
Evangelical Comparison
Evangelical theology adheres strictly to Sola Fide—justification by faith alone. Baptism is an outward sign of an inward grace, an ordinance of obedience rather than a prerequisite for the remission of sins (Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 5:1). D&C 19:31 explicitly links the 'remission of sins' to the act of baptism and the subsequent reception of the Holy Ghost. In Mormon practice, this requires proper priesthood authority to perform the ordinance, making salvation dependent on institutional rituals rather than the finished work of Christ received by faith alone.
Comparative Analysis
Theological Gap (Summary)
The text fundamentally alters the nature of the Atonement, suggesting humans can suffer to pay for their own sins, and redefines eternal punishment as temporary. It also replaces biblical sufficiency with the absolute authority of Joseph Smith.
Theological Gap (Explained)
The theological gap between D&C 19 and Evangelical Christianity is severe, particularly concerning Soteriology and Theology Proper. Evangelicals hold to Penal Substitutionary Atonement: Christ bore the infinite wrath of God on the cross, fully satisfying divine justice. Because humans are finite and sinful, they can never satisfy this debt; thus, rejection of Christ results in eternal conscious torment. D&C 19 introduces a conditional atonement where unrepentant individuals 'must suffer even as I' (v. 17). This implies that human suffering possesses atoning merit capable of satisfying God's justice, effectively turning hell into a temporary purgatory where personal sin debts are paid off. To accommodate this, the text redefines 'endless' and 'eternal' not as measures of infinite duration, but as proprietary titles of God. This linguistic manipulation allows for a temporary hell, violating the clear parallel in Matthew 25:46 where the duration of punishment is identical to the duration of eternal life. Furthermore, the text explicitly commands financial obedience to Joseph Smith under threat of divine wrath, intertwining spiritual salvation with institutional compliance.
For All Ages
Imagine you broke a very expensive window. The Bible says Jesus paid for the window completely, and you just have to trust Him and say thank you to be forgiven. Doctrine and Covenants 19 says Jesus paid for the window, but if you don't say sorry and obey all the rules, you have to pay for the window yourself by suffering exactly like Jesus did. But we can't pay for it because we aren't perfect like Jesus! Also, the Bible says hell is forever. This text says 'forever' doesn't actually mean forever; it's just a scary word God uses to make people obey, and it really just means 'God's punishment.'
Friction Points
Theology Proper (Truthfulness of God)
The text claims God uses the terms 'endless' and 'eternal' deceptively ('that it might work upon the hearts of the children of men') even though the punishment is not actually endless.
Sola Fide (Faith Alone)
Requires baptism for the remission of sins and threatens personal suffering for sin if strict obedience (including financial mandates) is not met.
Christology (Sufficiency of the Atonement)
Suggests that finite, sinful humans can suffer 'even as' Christ to satisfy the demands of justice for their own sins.
Sola Scriptura
Introduces new revelation that redefines clear biblical terms (eternal/endless) and establishes Joseph Smith as the necessary conduit for God's commands.
Semantic Warnings
Terms that have different meanings between traditions:
"Endless Punishment / Eternal Damnation"
In This Text
Punishment administered by God (whose name is Endless). It is not infinite in duration, but is called 'endless' to work upon the hearts of men.
In Evangelicalism
Conscious, agonizing punishment of infinite duration from which there is no escape (Revelation 14:11, Matthew 25:46).
"Atonement / Christ's Suffering"
In This Text
Centered in Gethsemane where Christ bled at every pore; a suffering that can be replicated by unrepentant humans to pay their own debt.
In Evangelicalism
Centered on the Cross where Christ shed His blood; a unique, unrepeatable, infinite sacrifice that humans cannot replicate or supplement.
Soteriology (Salvation)
Salvation Defined: Avoiding the exquisite, personal suffering of God's wrath by complying with the gospel ordinances.
How Attained: Through faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost, and strict obedience to the prophet's commands (including financial sacrifice).
Basis of Assurance: Assurance is conditional upon continuous obedience and repentance. If one fails to repent, they lose the covering of Christ's suffering and must suffer for themselves.
Comparison to Sola Fide: Directly opposes Sola Fide. While it mentions 'faith on the Savior' (v. 31), it immediately couples it with 'remission of sins by baptism' and demands rigorous works (imparting property, preaching) to avoid God's wrath. In contrast, Romans 5:1 states, 'Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.'
Mandates & Requirements
Explicit Commands
- Repent (v. 13, 15, 20)
- Keep the commandments received by Joseph Smith (v. 13)
- Confess your sins (v. 20)
- Preach naught but repentance (v. 21)
- Show not these things unto the world until it is wisdom in me (v. 21)
- Learn of me, and listen to my words (v. 23)
- Walk in the meekness of my Spirit (v. 23)
- Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife (v. 25)
- Nor seek thy neighbor's life (v. 25)
- Thou shalt not covet thine own property (v. 26)
- Impart it [property] freely to the printing of the Book of Mormon (v. 26)
- Pray vocally as well as in thy heart (v. 28)
- Pray before the world as well as in secret, in public as well as in private (v. 28)
- Declare glad tidings, publish it upon the mountains (v. 29)
- Do it with all humility, trusting in me (v. 30)
- Revile not against revilers (v. 30)
- Of tenets thou shalt not talk (v. 31)
- Declare repentance and faith on the Savior, and remission of sins by baptism, and by fire (v. 31)
- Impart a portion of thy property, yea, even part of thy lands, and all save the support of thy family (v. 34)
- Pay the debt thou hast contracted with the printer (v. 35)
- Release thyself from bondage (v. 35)
- Leave thy house and home, except when thou shalt desire to see thy family (v. 36)
- Speak freely to all; yea, preach, exhort, declare the truth (v. 37)
- Pray always (v. 38)
- Conduct thyself wisely before me (v. 41)
- Come unto me thy Savior (v. 41)
Implicit Obligations
- Accept Joseph Smith as the exclusive and infallible mouthpiece of Jesus Christ.
- Prioritize the financial needs of the church/prophet over personal wealth and property retention.
- Accept that God uses deceptive or exaggerated language ('endless') to motivate human behavior.
Ritual Requirements
- Baptism for the remission of sins (v. 31)
- Reception of the Holy Ghost by fire (v. 31)
Evangelism Toolkit
Practical tools for engagement and dialogue:
Discovery Questions
Open-ended questions to promote reflection:
- In D&C 19:16-17, it says if we don't repent, we must suffer 'even as' Christ did. Do you believe a human being is capable of suffering in a way that actually pays for their own sins?
- If 'endless punishment' doesn't actually mean punishment without end, how do we know that 'eternal life' means life without end? (Since the Bible uses the exact same word for both in Matthew 25:46).
- When you read verses 34 and 35, where God commands Martin Harris to pay the printer's debt and impart his lands, how do you distinguish between a genuine command from God and a leader using God's voice to secure funding for a project?
Redemptive Analogies
Bridges from this text to the Gospel:
Christ drinking the bitter cup
We can agree on the profound love and submission of Christ in being willing to face the wrath of God. Evangelicals can use this shared awe of Christ's sacrifice to pivot to the *sufficiency* of that cup—because He drank it fully, we don't have to drink any of it to pay for our sins.
Spiritual Weight
Burdens this text places on adherents:
The text uses terrifying language ('how sore you know not, how exquisite you know not') to describe the punishment for failing to repent. Because Mormonism teaches that repentance requires abandoning the sin entirely, believers live under the constant fear that their repentance is incomplete, meaning they will have to endure this exquisite, Christ-like suffering themselves.
The text explicitly ties spiritual standing and avoidance of 'misery' and 'destruction' to the surrender of personal property and wealth to the church ('Impart a portion of thy property... Pay the debt'). This creates a heavy burden where financial boundaries are erased by divine fiat.
By claiming God uses words like 'endless' not to describe reality, but to manipulate human emotions ('that it might work upon the hearts'), the believer is left unable to trust the plain reading of scripture. If God exaggerates about hell, what else is He exaggerating about?