Section 46
Overview
Doctrine and Covenants Section 46 was dictated by Joseph Smith in March 1831 to address early Mormon practices regarding church meetings and the manifestation of spiritual gifts. The text first corrects an exclusionary practice by commanding that public, sacrament, and confirmation meetings remain open to non-members and earnest seekers, though it restricts actual participation in the sacrament to those who are reconciled to the church. The revelation then transitions to a discourse on spiritual gifts, heavily mirroring the Apostle Paul's teachings in 1 Corinthians 12. It exhaustively lists various gifts: knowing Jesus is the Son of God, believing on others' words, knowing differences of administration, knowing diversities of operations, the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, faith to be healed, faith to heal, working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, speaking with tongues, and the interpretation of tongues. The text emphasizes that every member is given at least one gift for the benefit of the whole. However, it introduces distinct Mormon theological nuances, such as conditioning the reception of these gifts on keeping 'all my commandments' (v. 9). Crucially, the text centralizes spiritual authority by granting the bishop and appointed elders the specific power to discern these gifts, ensuring that no false manifestations infiltrate the church. It also hints at a hierarchical structure where a 'head' may possess all gifts. The section concludes with a mandate to practice virtue and holiness continually, reinforcing a performance-based framework for spiritual standing.
Key Figures
- Jesus Christ / The Lord: The claimed speaker of the revelation, dictating church order, the conditions for eternal life, and the distribution of spiritual gifts.
- Elders / Bishop: Designated church leaders tasked with conducting meetings by the Spirit and given the specific, authoritative power to discern spiritual gifts to prevent deception.
- The Holy Spirit / Holy Ghost: The active agent directing meetings, testifying of truth, and distributing spiritual gifts to individuals.
Doctrines Analyzed
Key theological claims identified in this text:
Conditional Spiritual Gifts
Assertion
Spiritual gifts are given conditionally to those who love God and keep all of His commandments.
Evidence from Text
For verily I say unto you, they are given for the benefit of those who love me and keep all my commandments, and him that seeketh so to do (D&C 46:9)
Evangelical Comparison
D&C 46:9 introduces a works-righteousness paradigm into pneumatology by explicitly stating that spiritual gifts are given to those who 'keep all my commandments.' This transforms the biblical concept of 'charismata' (gifts of grace) into a system of spiritual rewards based on human merit and obedience. In strict Evangelical theology, spiritual gifts are unmerited endowments given by the Holy Spirit for the edification of the Church. The Apostle Paul makes it clear in 1 Corinthians 12:11 that the Spirit apportions gifts 'to each one individually as he wills.' Furthermore, the biblical record shows that even carnal, disobedient believers (such as the church in Corinth) possessed an abundance of spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 1:7, 3:1-3), proving that gifts are not contingent upon perfect obedience.
Hierarchical Discernment of Spirits
Assertion
The bishop and appointed elders are given the specific authority to discern spiritual gifts to prevent deception in the church.
Evidence from Text
And unto the bishop of the church, and unto such as God shall appoint and ordain to watch over the church and to be elders unto the church, are to have it given unto them to discern all those gifts lest there shall be any among you professing and yet be not of God. (D&C 46:27)
Evangelical Comparison
This text centralizes spiritual authority by granting the bishop and elders the exclusive or primary right to discern the validity of spiritual gifts. This was historically necessary for Joseph Smith to maintain control over early charismatic outbursts in the LDS church. However, this contradicts the Evangelical doctrine of the Universal Priesthood of all believers. In the New Testament, the command to discern and test spiritual manifestations is given to the entire congregation. 1 John 4:1 commands all believers: 'Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God.' Similarly, 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21 instructs the whole church to 'test everything; hold fast what is good.' By placing the ultimate authority of discernment in a hierarchical office, D&C 46 undermines the believer's direct reliance on the Word of God and the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Conditional Eternal Life
Assertion
Eternal life is granted to those who believe on the words of others, provided they continue faithful.
Evidence from Text
To others it is given to believe on their words, that they also might have eternal life if they continue faithful. (D&C 46:14)
Evangelical Comparison
Verse 14 explicitly conditions the attainment of eternal life on the premise: 'if they continue faithful.' This aligns with the broader Mormon soteriological framework that views salvation/exaltation as a cooperative effort between God's grace and human endurance/works. From an Evangelical perspective, this is a direct violation of Sola Fide (Justification by Faith Alone). Evangelicals teach that eternal life is not a future reward for continuing faithful, but a present reality granted the moment a person believes in Christ's finished work. Jesus states in John 5:24, 'Whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.' The Evangelical doctrine of assurance rests entirely on Christ's faithfulness, not the believer's ability to 'continue faithful.'
Centralization of Gifts in a Head
Assertion
It may be given to some individuals to possess all spiritual gifts so that there may be a head over the church.
Evidence from Text
That unto some it may be given to have all those gifts, that there may be a head, in order that every member may be profited thereby. (D&C 46:29)
Evangelical Comparison
D&C 46:29 suggests that a single individual (a 'head') may be given all spiritual gifts. In LDS theology, this is often applied to the Prophet/President of the Church. This concept is fundamentally incompatible with Evangelical ecclesiology and Christology. First, 1 Corinthians 12 explicitly teaches that gifts are distributed among many members precisely so that no single member can say to another, 'I have no need of you' (1 Cor 12:21). The body is interdependent. Second, the New Testament strictly reserves the title and function of the 'Head' of the Church for Jesus Christ alone (Colossians 1:18, Ephesians 4:15-16). Suggesting a human leader can possess all gifts to act as a 'head' usurps the unique, all-sufficient role of Christ.
Comparative Analysis
Theological Gap (Summary)
The text shifts the governance of spiritual gifts from the sovereign grace of the Holy Spirit to a conditional reward for strict obedience, while centralizing the discernment of these gifts in a human hierarchy.
Theological Gap (Explained)
D&C 46 presents a subtle but profound departure from Evangelical pneumatology and soteriology. First, it conditions the reception of spiritual gifts on absolute obedience ('keep all my commandments,' v. 9), transforming gifts of grace (charismata) into rewards for works-righteousness. In contrast, 1 Corinthians 12 teaches that the Spirit distributes gifts sovereignly 'as he wills,' often to deeply flawed congregations. Second, D&C 46 centralizes spiritual authority by granting bishops and elders the exclusive right to discern gifts (v. 27) and suggesting a 'head' who possesses all gifts (v. 29). This contradicts the Evangelical doctrine of the Universal Priesthood, where the entire body is called to test the spirits (1 John 4:1) and Christ alone is the Head possessing all fullness (Colossians 1:19). Finally, verse 14 conditions eternal life on continuing faithful, denying the Evangelical doctrine of eternal security and justification by faith alone.
For All Ages
Imagine you are at a birthday party where the host gives out presents just because they love you. That's how the Bible says God gives spiritual gifts—by His grace, as a free gift. But in this text, it says you only get the presents if you follow every single rule perfectly. Also, the Bible says everyone can read God's Word to see if something is true. This text says you have to trust the leaders (bishops and elders) to tell you what is true. It makes people worry if they are 'good enough' to get God's gifts.
Friction Points
Sola Gratia
Conditions the reception of spiritual gifts on keeping 'all my commandments' (v. 9), turning grace into a reward for works.
Universal Priesthood
Centralizes the discernment of spirits in the bishop/elders (v. 27) and posits a human 'head' with all gifts (v. 29).
Sola Fide
Conditions eternal life on continuing faithful (v. 14), denying justification by faith alone.
Semantic Warnings
Terms that have different meanings between traditions:
"Gifts of the Spirit"
In This Text
Manifestations given conditionally to those who keep all commandments, validated by the bishop.
In Evangelicalism
Gracious, unmerited endowments given by the Holy Spirit to believers for the edification of the church, distributed according to His sovereign will.
"Eternal Life"
In This Text
A future state attained by believing others' words and continuing faithful (enduring in works).
In Evangelicalism
A present, secure possession granted immediately upon faith in Christ's finished work.
Soteriology (Salvation)
Salvation Defined: Referred to as 'eternal life' (v. 14) and 'the end of your salvation' (v. 7).
How Attained: By believing on the words of others and 'if they continue faithful' (v. 14), alongside keeping 'all my commandments' (v. 9).
Basis of Assurance: Assurance is entirely dependent on continuous faithful performance and obedience to all commandments, which inherently undermines absolute assurance.
Comparison to Sola Fide: Directly conflicts with Sola Fide. Verse 14 makes eternal life contingent on continuing faithful (works/endurance), whereas Ephesians 2:8-9 and John 5:24 declare eternal life is a present, secure possession based solely on faith in Christ's finished work.
Mandates & Requirements
Explicit Commands
- Hearken, O ye people of my church (v. 1)
- Conduct all meetings as they are directed and guided by the Holy Spirit (v. 2)
- Never to cast any one out from your public meetings (v. 3)
- Not to cast any one who belongeth to the church out of your sacrament meetings (v. 4)
- Let him not partake [of the sacrament] until he makes reconciliation [if he has trespassed] (v. 4)
- Ye shall not cast any out of your sacrament meetings who are earnestly seeking the kingdom (v. 5)
- Ye shall not cast them out [of confirmation meetings] (v. 6)
- Ask of God, who giveth liberally (v. 7)
- Do in all holiness of heart, walking uprightly before me (v. 7)
- Doing all things with prayer and thanksgiving (v. 7)
- Beware lest ye are deceived (v. 8)
- Seek ye earnestly the best gifts (v. 8)
- Always remembering for what they are given (v. 8)
- Always remember, and always retain in your minds what those gifts are (v. 10)
- All things must be done in the name of Christ (v. 31)
- Ye must give thanks unto God in the Spirit (v. 32)
- Ye must practice virtue and holiness before me continually (v. 33)
Implicit Obligations
- Submit to the bishop and elders' authority to discern and validate spiritual gifts.
- Rely on the testimony of others if one lacks direct knowledge of Christ.
- Maintain strict obedience to all commandments in order to qualify for spiritual gifts.
Ritual Requirements
- Partaking of the sacrament (with the prerequisite of reconciliation if one has trespassed).
- Attending confirmation meetings.
Evangelism Toolkit
Practical tools for engagement and dialogue:
Discovery Questions
Open-ended questions to promote reflection:
- Verse 9 says spiritual gifts are for those who 'keep all my commandments.' Have you ever felt the pressure of needing to keep all commandments perfectly to experience God's Spirit?
- In verse 27, the bishop is given the power to discern gifts. How does this compare to the New Testament teaching where all believers are told to 'test the spirits' (1 John 4:1)?
- Verse 14 mentions having eternal life 'if they continue faithful.' How do you find peace and assurance of your salvation when it depends on your continuous performance?
Redemptive Analogies
Bridges from this text to the Gospel:
The desire for spiritual gifts and God's presence.
Evangelicals also deeply value the Holy Spirit's work. We can bridge from their desire for the Spirit to the biblical truth that the Spirit is given freely by grace to all who believe, not earned by keeping all commandments.
Spiritual Weight
Burdens this text places on adherents:
Verse 9 requires keeping 'all my commandments' to benefit from spiritual gifts. This places an impossible burden of perfection on the believer, leading to constant self-evaluation and guilt when they inevitably fall short.
Verse 14 conditions eternal life on continuing faithful, leaving the believer unsure if they have done enough or will endure long enough to actually be saved.
Verse 27 forces reliance on the bishop and elders to validate one's spiritual experiences, stripping the believer of direct confidence in their relationship with the Holy Spirit and making them dependent on the church hierarchy.