Section 28
Overview
Doctrine and Covenants Section 28, received in September 1830, represents a critical juncture in the early ecclesiastical development of the Latter-day Saint movement. Historically, the text addresses a crisis of authority: Hiram Page, an early member, had been using a seer stone to receive revelations regarding the establishment of Zion and church order. These claims gained traction among several members, including Oliver Cowdery, the Second Elder of the Church. In response, this revelation systematically dismantles decentralized revelation by establishing a strict, hierarchical epistemology. It declares that Joseph Smith alone holds the 'keys of the mysteries' and is the sole individual authorized to receive commandments and revelations for the entire church, explicitly comparing his role to that of Moses. Oliver Cowdery is relegated to an Aaron-like role; he is permitted to teach by the Comforter but is strictly forbidden from commanding Joseph or writing binding commandments for the church. Furthermore, the text attributes Hiram Page's revelations to Satanic deception, asserting that God's house is a house of order and that revelation will not bypass the appointed head. The section also introduces the mandate to preach to the 'Lamanites' (Native Americans) and hints at a future, yet-to-be-revealed location for the city of Zion. For Latter-day Saints, this text is foundational for the doctrine of prophetic exclusivity, establishing the paradigm that only the President of the Church can receive revelation for the whole body, a principle that continues to govern LDS hierarchy today.
Key Figures
- Joseph Smith: The appointed head of the church, uniquely authorized to receive commandments and revelations for the church, likened to Moses.
- Oliver Cowdery: The recipient of the revelation's instructions, likened to Aaron, commanded to preach to the Lamanites and to submit to Joseph's authority.
- Hiram Page: A church member rebuked for using a seer stone to receive unauthorized revelations, which the text declares are from Satan.
- Satan: Identified as the source of Hiram Page's deceptive revelations.
- Lamanites: Native Americans to whom Oliver Cowdery is commanded to preach the gospel.
Doctrines Analyzed
Key theological claims identified in this text:
Prophetic Exclusivity (The Living Prophet)
Assertion
Only one appointed individual (Joseph Smith) can receive commandments and revelations for the entire church.
Evidence from Text
no one shall be appointed to receive commandments and revelations in this church excepting my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., for he receiveth them even as Moses.
Evangelical Comparison
In Mormon theology, as established in D&C 28, the church must be guided by a single, living prophet who holds exclusive rights to receive binding revelation for the entire body. This creates a strict hierarchical flow of truth. Joseph Smith is explicitly elevated to a Moses-like status, acting as the singular mediator of God's new commandments to the people. Evangelical Christianity stands in stark contrast to this paradigm. Based on Hebrews 1:1-2, Evangelicals believe that while God spoke through prophets in the past, in these last days He has spoken definitively and finally through His Son, Jesus Christ. The apostolic era closed the canon of Scripture (Jude 3, Revelation 22:18-19). Therefore, Evangelicals reject the concept of a continuing prophetic office that generates new, universally binding commandments. Furthermore, the elevation of a single man to a Moses-like mediatorial role conflicts with 1 Timothy 2:5, which asserts that Christ is the sole mediator between God and man.
Hierarchical Epistemology and Church Order
Assertion
Spiritual experiences and revelations must conform to the established church hierarchy; anything contrary to the appointed head is deemed deceptive or Satanic.
Evidence from Text
And thou shalt not command him who is at thy head, and at the head of the church... those things which he hath written from that stone are not of me and that Satan deceiveth him
Evangelical Comparison
D&C 28 establishes that truth and revelation are validated by their adherence to the church's hierarchical structure. Hiram Page's revelations are condemned not necessarily because of their theological content, but because they bypassed the authorized channel (Joseph Smith). The text asserts that God will not appoint anything contrary to the church covenants or the appointed head, making the living prophet the ultimate epistemological standard for the community. Evangelicalism operates on the principle of Sola Scriptura. The ultimate test for any teaching, prophecy, or spiritual experience is not a human leader or a church hierarchy, but the written Word of God (Acts 17:11, Isaiah 8:20). If a leader teaches something contrary to Scripture, the leader is to be rejected (Galatians 1:8-9). In the LDS paradigm presented here, the hierarchy validates the revelation; in the Evangelical paradigm, the Scripture validates (or invalidates) the hierarchy.
Continuing Revelation
Assertion
God continues to reveal new, previously unknown information, such as the future location of the city of Zion.
Evidence from Text
it is not revealed, and no man knoweth where the city Zion shall be built, but it shall be given hereafter.
Evangelical Comparison
The text explicitly promises future revelations regarding foundational church matters, such as the geographical location of Zion. This reflects the core LDS belief in an open canon, where God continuously adds to the body of scripture and doctrine through the living prophet. Evangelical Christianity maintains that the canon of Scripture is closed and sufficient for all matters of faith and practice (2 Timothy 3:16-17). While Evangelicals believe the Holy Spirit continues to illuminate Scripture, guide believers, and provide personal direction, they strictly reject the idea that God is giving new, universally binding revelations that add to or alter the apostolic deposit of faith. The expectation of a 'hereafter' revelation for a physical city of Zion also contrasts with the Evangelical focus on the heavenly Jerusalem and the spiritual kingdom of God (Hebrews 11:10, 16).
Comparative Analysis
Theological Gap (Summary)
The text replaces the sufficiency of the closed biblical canon with an open canon dictated by a single, infallible (in function) human leader, fundamentally altering how God's will is known.
Theological Gap (Explained)
The theological gap between D&C 28 and Evangelical Christianity centers on the doctrines of Revelation and Authority. Evangelicalism stands on Sola Scriptura, asserting that the 66 books of the Bible are the supreme, sufficient, and final authority for the Church. The canon is closed because God's revelation culminated in the incarnation, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:1-2). The Holy Spirit continues to work, but He illuminates the existing Word rather than giving new, universally binding commandments. D&C 28 constructs an entirely different epistemological framework. It asserts an open canon where God continuously gives new commandments. Crucially, it centralizes the reception of these commandments in one man—the President of the Church. By stating that Joseph Smith receives commandments 'even as Moses,' the text establishes a perpetual mediatorial office that Evangelicals believe was fulfilled and obsoleted by Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 2:5). This creates a system where the ultimate authority is not the objective, historical text of Scripture, but the subjective, ongoing dictates of the living prophet. Consequently, the priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:9) is severely curtailed, as believers cannot trust their own reading of Scripture or spiritual discernment if it conflicts with the Prophet.
For All Ages
Imagine God wrote a perfect, complete instruction manual for how to know Him and live for Him. Christians believe this manual is the Bible, and it is finished. No one is allowed to add new chapters to it. But in this text, Joseph Smith is saying, 'God is still writing the manual, and I am the only person on earth allowed to hold the pen.' This means that instead of looking at the finished Bible to see what God says, people have to look at Joseph Smith. If someone else thinks they got a message from God (like Hiram Page did), Joseph Smith says it's actually a trick from Satan because God only speaks new rules through him.
Friction Points
Sola Scriptura
The text claims to be new, binding scripture and establishes a living prophet as the ongoing source of new commandments, denying the sufficiency and closure of the biblical canon.
Universal Priesthood / Christology
Elevates a mere man (Joseph Smith) to a Moses-like mediatorial role for the entire church, encroaching on Christ's unique role as the sole mediator between God and man.
Semantic Warnings
Terms that have different meanings between traditions:
"Comforter"
In This Text
The Holy Ghost, whose primary function here is to help Oliver teach, but who is strictly bounded by the Prophet's authority (the Comforter will never contradict Joseph Smith).
In Evangelicalism
The Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, who indwells all believers, convicts of sin, and illuminates the closed canon of Scripture (John 14:26).
"Keys of the mysteries"
In This Text
Exclusive priesthood authority and rights of presidency held by Joseph Smith to receive hidden knowledge and govern the church.
In Evangelicalism
The 'keys of the kingdom' (Matthew 16:19) refer to the authority to preach the gospel, which opens the kingdom to those who believe, a right shared by all true churches.
Soteriology (Salvation)
Salvation Defined: Not explicitly defined in this specific section, but implied as being part of the true, ordered church established among the Lamanites and Zion.
How Attained: By obedience to the commandments given through the appointed prophet (Joseph Smith) and maintaining church covenants.
Basis of Assurance: Assurance is found in alignment with the living prophet and the established order of the church.
Comparison to Sola Fide: This text does not address justification by faith. However, its heavy emphasis on obedience to a human leader's new commandments shifts the focus away from resting in Christ's finished work (Ephesians 2:8-9) toward institutional compliance.
Mandates & Requirements
Explicit Commands
- Oliver Cowdery must be obedient to the things given to Joseph Smith.
- Oliver Cowdery may teach by the Comforter but must not write by way of commandment.
- Oliver Cowdery must not command Joseph Smith.
- Oliver Cowdery must go to the Lamanites and preach the gospel.
- Oliver Cowdery must cause the church to be established among the Lamanites.
- Oliver Cowdery must not leave the current location until after the conference.
- Joseph Smith is appointed to preside over the conference.
- Oliver Cowdery must tell the conference what Joseph Smith says.
- Oliver Cowdery must confront Hiram Page privately and tell him his revelations are from Satan.
- Oliver Cowdery must assist in settling church matters before journeying to the Lamanites.
- Oliver Cowdery must open his mouth at all times to declare the gospel.
Implicit Obligations
- All church members must submit to Joseph Smith as the sole revelator.
- Members must reject any spiritual manifestations or revelations that do not come through the appointed head.
- Members must recognize that God operates strictly through the established church hierarchy.
Ritual Requirements
- All things must be done by common consent in the church, by the prayer of faith.
Evangelism Toolkit
Practical tools for engagement and dialogue:
Discovery Questions
Open-ended questions to promote reflection:
- If both Joseph Smith and Hiram Page used seer stones to receive revelations, how do we determine which one was from God and which was from Satan?
- When D&C 28 says Joseph Smith receives commandments 'even as Moses,' how does that compare to Hebrews 1:1-2, which says God now speaks to us definitively through His Son?
- If a church member today felt the Holy Spirit was showing them something in the Bible that contradicted the current LDS Prophet, how would D&C 28 instruct them to handle that?
Redemptive Analogies
Bridges from this text to the Gospel:
The desire for order and protection from deception.
The LDS desire for a living prophet stems from a genuine desire for order, truth, and protection from spiritual error. Evangelicals can validate this desire while pointing out that God has already provided the ultimate, infallible protection against deception: His completed, written Word (the Bible) and the indwelling Holy Spirit. We don't need a fallible man to protect us when we have the infallible Word.
Spiritual Weight
Burdens this text places on adherents:
The believer is stripped of the ability to trust their own reading of Scripture or their own spiritual discernment if it ever conflicts with the Prophet. This creates a profound dependency on a human leader, leading to anxiety about being 'deceived by Satan' (like Hiram Page) if they ever question the hierarchy.
Because the canon is never closed and the Prophet can always issue new commandments, the believer's theological foundation is inherently unstable. What is true today could be altered by a new revelation tomorrow, preventing the deep rest that comes from a finished, unchanging Gospel.