Section 2
Overview
Doctrine and Covenants Section 2 is a foundational text in Latter-day Saint theology, consisting of only three verses extracted from Joseph Smith's official history. It recounts the words spoken by the angel Moroni to a young Joseph Smith on the evening of September 21, 1823. The text is essentially a modified quotation of the Old Testament prophecy found in Malachi 4:5-6. However, Moroni's version introduces significant theological shifts: rather than simply sending Elijah to turn the hearts of fathers and children to one another, the angel declares that Elijah will 'reveal unto you the Priesthood.' Furthermore, it introduces the concept of planting 'the promises made to the fathers' in the hearts of the children. Finally, it escalates the biblical warning of striking the earth with a 'curse' to the earth being 'utterly wasted' at the Lord's coming if this priesthood restoration does not occur. Within the LDS tradition, this brief section is the theological bedrock for the necessity of a restored hierarchical priesthood, genealogical research, and proxy temple ordinances (sealings) designed to bind generations together for eternity.
Key Figures
- Moroni: An angelic messenger, identified in the heading as the last historian of the Book of Mormon, who delivers this revelation to Joseph Smith.
- Joseph Smith: The Prophet and recipient of the angelic visitation, positioned as the conduit for the restored priesthood.
- Elijah the prophet: The Old Testament prophet prophesied to return to reveal the Priesthood before the Second Coming.
- The Lord: Jesus Christ, whose 'great and dreadful day' (Second Coming) is anticipated, and who will waste the earth if the priesthood is not restored.
- The fathers and the children: Generational groups whose hearts must be turned to one another to fulfill the promises and prevent the earth's destruction.
Doctrines Analyzed
Key theological claims identified in this text:
Restoration of the Priesthood via Elijah
Assertion
The Priesthood must be explicitly revealed/restored by the Old Testament prophet Elijah before the Second Coming.
Evidence from Text
Behold, I will reveal unto you the Priesthood, by the hand of Elijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.
Evangelical Comparison
In LDS theology, the 'Priesthood' is the literal authority to act in God's name, which was lost from the earth and required physical restoration by heavenly messengers (like Elijah). This text establishes that Elijah's specific mission was to restore this authority. In stark contrast, Evangelical Christianity, relying on the Epistle to the Hebrews (specifically chapters 7-10), teaches that the Levitical priesthood was insufficient and was permanently replaced by Jesus Christ, who holds His priesthood permanently ('unchangeable priesthood', Hebrews 7:24) because He continues forever. Furthermore, 1 Peter 2:5-9 establishes the 'priesthood of all believers,' meaning no specialized, restored hierarchical priesthood is necessary for mediation or ordinances, as Christ's 'once for all' sacrifice is entirely sufficient.
Generational Interdependence for Earth's Preservation
Assertion
The earth will be utterly wasted at Christ's coming unless the promises made to the fathers are planted in the children and their hearts turn to one another.
Evidence from Text
And he shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers, and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers. If it were not so, the whole earth would be utterly wasted at his coming.
Evangelical Comparison
This doctrine forms the basis for LDS temple work, implying that salvation and the very purpose of the earth's creation are contingent upon forging generational links (sealings) through priesthood authority. If these links are not made, the earth is 'wasted.' Evangelical theology rejects the idea that human proxy works or generational ordinances are required to validate creation or secure salvation. According to 2 Peter 3:10-13, the earth's ultimate fate is determined by God's sovereign judgment, leading to a new heaven and new earth. Salvation is strictly individual and based on faith in Christ (Ezekiel 18:20, Romans 10:9), not on turning one's heart to deceased ancestors or fulfilling promises made to 'the fathers' through proxy rituals.
Comparative Analysis
Theological Gap (Summary)
The text alters biblical scripture to insert the necessity of a restored hierarchical priesthood, shifting the focus of the end times from Christ's sovereign return to the necessity of human priesthood authority and generational proxy works.
Theological Gap (Explained)
The theological gap centers on the sufficiency of Christ's work and the authority of Scripture. D&C 2 fundamentally alters Malachi 4:5-6. Where Malachi prophesies Elijah's return to reconcile families ('turn the heart of the fathers to the children...'), D&C 2 inserts the concept of revealing 'the Priesthood.' This creates a theological paradigm where Christ's high priestly work (Hebrews 7-10) is deemed insufficient for the final dispensation; instead, a restored human priesthood is required to validate creation and prevent the earth from being 'utterly wasted.' Furthermore, this text violates Sola Scriptura by claiming an angel delivered a modified version of the biblical text. For the Evangelical, the canon is closed, and the Levitical/Aaronic priesthood has been permanently superseded by the Melchizedek priesthood held exclusively and eternally by Jesus Christ. The assertion that human beings must receive this priesthood to forge generational links (which later developed into LDS proxy temple work) directly contradicts Sola Fide, as it adds necessary human works and rituals to the requirements for ultimate spiritual success and the fulfillment of God's earthly plan.
For All Ages
Imagine you have a favorite book that tells you exactly how a story ends. Christians believe the Bible is that book, and it says Jesus did everything needed to save us, and we just have to trust Him. But this text from Joseph Smith changes the words of the Bible's story. It says an angel came and told him that before Jesus comes back, a special power called the 'Priesthood' has to be given back to humans, and people have to do special work for their ancestors. If they don't, the whole world will be wasted. Christians disagree with this because the Bible says Jesus's work is already finished and perfect, and we don't need a new priesthood or to do work for people who have already died.
Friction Points
Universal Priesthood / Christology
Asserts that a specific priesthood must be restored by Elijah, denying the sufficiency of Christ's eternal priesthood and the universal priesthood of all believers.
Sola Scriptura
Alters the canonized text of Malachi 4:5-6 based on a new angelic revelation.
Sola Fide / Sola Gratia
Implies that the earth's preservation and ultimate salvation require human works (turning hearts/priesthood ordinances) rather than resting solely on God's grace and Christ's finished work.
Semantic Warnings
Terms that have different meanings between traditions:
"Priesthood"
In This Text
A specific, exclusive authority and power delegated to man by God, requiring literal restoration by heavenly messengers (Elijah) to perform valid ordinances.
In Evangelicalism
In the Old Testament, a specific Levitical class mediating for Israel. In the New Testament, fulfilled by Christ as the ultimate High Priest, resulting in the 'priesthood of all believers' (1 Peter 2:9) where all Christians have direct access to God without human mediators.
"The Fathers"
In This Text
Deceased ancestors who require saving ordinances, and to whom the children must be 'sealed' via the restored priesthood.
In Evangelicalism
Typically refers to the Patriarchs of Israel (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob) and the covenant promises made to them regarding the Messiah and the land.
Soteriology (Salvation)
Salvation Defined: In the context of this specific text, salvation is framed macroscopically: preventing the whole earth from being 'utterly wasted' at the Second Coming.
How Attained: By the revelation of the Priesthood and the subsequent turning of the hearts of the children to the fathers (which LDS theology interprets as proxy temple ordinances).
Basis of Assurance: Confidence is placed in the historical event of Elijah restoring the priesthood keys to Joseph Smith.
Comparison to Sola Fide: This text shifts the focus entirely away from faith in Christ's atoning work. Instead of justification by faith alone (Romans 5:1), the earth's preservation and the fulfillment of God's promises are made contingent upon the restoration of priesthood authority and generational works.
Mandates & Requirements
Implicit Obligations
- Accept Joseph Smith as the recipient of the restored Priesthood.
- Prepare for the 'great and dreadful day of the Lord'.
- Turn one's heart to 'the fathers' (ancestors).
Ritual Requirements
- While not explicitly detailed in this 3-verse text, the mandate to 'turn to their fathers' via the 'Priesthood' is the foundational text for the LDS ritual requirement of proxy temple ordinances (baptisms for the dead, eternal marriage, and generational sealings).
Evangelism Toolkit
Practical tools for engagement and dialogue:
Discovery Questions
Open-ended questions to promote reflection:
- I noticed that D&C 2 is very similar to Malachi 4:5-6, but the wording is quite different, especially regarding the 'Priesthood.' Why do you think the angel Moroni changed the words of the Bible?
- When you read Hebrews 7, it talks about Jesus holding His priesthood permanently and unchangeably. How does the idea of Elijah needing to restore the priesthood fit with Jesus already holding it perfectly?
- What does it mean to you that the earth would be 'utterly wasted' without this priesthood? How does that compare to the biblical promise that Jesus's work on the cross was 'finished'?
Redemptive Analogies
Bridges from this text to the Gospel:
Turning the hearts of the children to the fathers (Generational Healing/Connection)
The deep human desire for family connection, heritage, and healing across generations is a beautiful reflection of God's design. However, the ultimate fulfillment of this desire is not found in proxy rituals, but in our adoption into the family of God. Through Christ, we are all made children of God and co-heirs with Christ, united in one eternal family.
Spiritual Weight
Burdens this text places on adherents:
By tying the preservation of the earth and the fulfillment of promises to the exercise of the Priesthood and turning hearts to fathers (temple work), a massive burden of performance is placed on the believer. They must actively engage in endless genealogical research and proxy ordinances to ensure their family is not 'wasted.'
Because this doctrine relies entirely on trusting Joseph Smith's private encounter with an angel who altered the Bible, believers may experience cognitive dissonance when comparing this text to the clear teachings of the New Testament regarding Christ's finished work.
The apocalyptic threat that the 'whole earth would be utterly wasted' creates a fear-based motivation. If the LDS church and its priesthood fail, or if the individual fails to do their part in temple work, the consequences are catastrophic.