Section 70
Overview
Doctrine and Covenants Section 70, given in November 1831, serves as the foundational charter for what would become known as the 'Literary Firm' in early Mormon history. The text appoints Joseph Smith, Martin Harris, Oliver Cowdery, John Whitmer, Sidney Rigdon, and W.W. Phelps as exclusive stewards over the church's revelations and commandments. It mandates that these men manage the publication and the resulting financial benefits of these texts. The revelation introduces a strict economic framework: any income exceeding their basic necessities must be surrendered to the Lord's storehouse to be consecrated for the inhabitants of Zion. This law of stewardship is explicitly applied to all members of the church without exemption. Theologically, the text intertwines temporal obedience with spiritual vitality, explicitly warning that if the adherents are not equal in temporal things, or if they obey grudgingly, the 'manifestations of the Spirit shall be withheld.' It concludes by promising material and spiritual rewards—food, raiment, inheritance, and joy—contingent upon their faithfulness and avoidance of sin.
Key Figures
- Joseph Smith, Jun.: The primary prophet and recipient of the revelation, appointed as a steward over the revelations.
- Martin Harris: Early financial backer of the church, appointed as a steward to manage the revelations and their benefits.
- Oliver Cowdery: Primary scribe for the Book of Mormon, appointed as a steward over the revelations.
- John Whitmer: The first official Church Historian, appointed as a steward over the revelations.
- Sidney Rigdon: Prominent early theologian and spokesman for the church, appointed as a steward over the revelations.
- William W. Phelps: Church printer and publisher, appointed as a steward over the revelations.
Doctrines Analyzed
Key theological claims identified in this text:
Ongoing Revelation and Open Canon
Assertion
The text asserts that God has given and will continue to give new revelations and commandments that are authoritative for the church.
Evidence from Text
...stewards over the revelations and commandments which I have given unto them, and which I shall hereafter give unto them; (70:3)
Evangelical Comparison
In Evangelical theology, the canon of Scripture is closed, and the 66 books of the Bible are the sole, infallible, and sufficient rule of faith and practice (Sola Scriptura). Jude 1:3 speaks of the faith 'once for all delivered to the saints,' and Revelation 22:18-19 warns against adding to the words of God's book. D&C 70 explicitly institutionalizes an open canon, appointing specific men to manage not only past revelations but those 'which I shall hereafter give unto them.' This establishes a continuous, evolving standard of truth that supersedes or adds to biblical revelation, fundamentally altering the epistemological foundation of the faith.
The Law of Consecration and Stewardship
Assertion
Adherents are required to surrender all excess wealth and property beyond their basic necessities to the church's storehouse.
Evidence from Text
Nevertheless, inasmuch as they receive more than is needful for their necessities and their wants, it shall be given into my storehouse; (70:7)
Evangelical Comparison
Evangelical Christianity teaches that believers are stewards of God's resources and are called to give generously and cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9:7), but it does not prescribe a mandatory, institutionalized system where all 'excess' must be surrendered to a central church storehouse to maintain standing with God. D&C 70 elevates this economic system to a divine law ('none are exempt from this law', v. 10), intertwining financial compliance with spiritual obedience and institutional control.
Conditional Manifestations of the Spirit
Assertion
The presence and manifestations of the Holy Spirit are contingent upon strict obedience to temporal equality and financial laws.
Evidence from Text
Nevertheless, in your temporal things you shall be equal, and this not grudgingly, otherwise the abundance of the manifestations of the Spirit shall be withheld. (70:14)
Evangelical Comparison
Evangelical theology, rooted in Sola Gratia (Grace Alone), teaches that the Holy Spirit is given as a guarantee and seal to all who believe in Christ (Ephesians 1:13-14), not as a reward for financial or temporal equality. While sin can 'grieve' the Spirit (Ephesians 4:30), the Spirit's presence is not a transactional commodity withheld due to a lack of economic parity. D&C 70 creates a works-righteousness paradigm where the very presence and manifestation of God's Spirit is held hostage to the believers' ability to perfectly execute a communal financial system without grudging.
Comparative Analysis
Theological Gap (Summary)
The text diverges fundamentally by establishing an open canon of scripture, mandating a works-based communal economic system as a divine law, and conditioning the presence of the Holy Spirit on financial obedience.
Theological Gap (Explained)
The theological gap between D&C 70 and Evangelical Christianity is severe, primarily concerning Bibliology and Pneumatology. First, the text violates Sola Scriptura by explicitly institutionalizing an open canon. It appoints men to manage revelations 'which I shall hereafter give,' establishing a perpetual mechanism for extra-biblical authority. Second, it violates Sola Gratia by conditioning the 'manifestations of the Spirit' on strict adherence to a communal economic law (temporal equality). In Evangelical theology, the Holy Spirit is the unconditional seal of salvation for the believer (Ephesians 1:13-14) and the agent of sanctification. By threatening to withhold the Spirit if believers fail to achieve temporal equality or if they obey 'grudgingly,' the text creates a works-righteousness paradigm where divine presence is a transactional reward for economic conformity. Finally, verse 17 conditions God's approval on the premise 'inasmuch as they have not sinned,' which stands in stark contrast to the biblical Gospel where believers are justified by faith despite their ongoing struggle with sin (Romans 4:5, 1 John 1:8-9).
For All Ages
Imagine if your parents told you, 'We will only love you, spend time with you, and give you gifts if you share every single one of your toys perfectly with your siblings, and if you never complain about it.' If you messed up, they would pull away from you. That is how this text describes God's Spirit—He only stays with you if you are perfectly equal with your money. But the Bible teaches that God gives us His Holy Spirit as a free gift the moment we believe in Jesus, and He promises never to leave us, even when we make mistakes. Also, this text says God is giving brand new rules that aren't in the Bible, while Christians believe the Bible is God's complete and finished instruction manual.
Friction Points
Sola Scriptura
The text claims ongoing, extra-biblical revelation that is authoritative and requires management by a specific hierarchy.
Sola Fide / Sola Gratia
The text conditions God's blessing and approval on the believers' ability to 'not sin' (v. 17).
Pneumatology (Doctrine of the Holy Spirit)
The text threatens to withhold the manifestations of the Spirit if believers fail to achieve temporal equality or if they obey grudgingly.
Semantic Warnings
Terms that have different meanings between traditions:
"Revelations"
In This Text
New, ongoing, extra-biblical commandments given through Joseph Smith that carry the weight of scripture.
In Evangelicalism
The completed, closed canon of the 66-book Bible, which is sufficient for all faith and practice.
"Stewardship"
In This Text
A specific, institutionalized assignment to manage church property, publications, or finances, requiring the surrender of all excess to the church.
In Evangelicalism
The general responsibility of all believers to faithfully manage the time, talents, and treasures God has entrusted to them.
Soteriology (Salvation)
Salvation Defined: Entering into the 'joy of these things' and becoming 'heirs according to the laws of the kingdom' (70:8, 18).
How Attained: Through strict obedience to the law of consecration, faithful stewardship, and maintaining a state of not sinning (70:17).
Basis of Assurance: Assurance is based on receiving material blessings (food, raiment, lands) and experiencing manifestations of the Spirit, both of which are contingent on perfect obedience.
Comparison to Sola Fide: This text stands in direct opposition to Sola Fide. Justification by faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 3:28) offers assurance based on Christ's finished work. D&C 70 bases spiritual standing on financial equality, lack of grudging, and sinless performance.
Mandates & Requirements
Explicit Commands
- Hearken and hear the word of the Lord (70:1-2)
- Manage the revelations and the concerns/benefits thereof (70:5)
- Do not give the revelations to the church or the world without managing them (70:6)
- Give all excess income/resources to the Lord's storehouse (70:7)
- Be equal in temporal things (70:14)
- Do not be grudging in temporal equality (70:14)
Implicit Obligations
- Submit to the authority of the six named stewards regarding the publication of revelations
- Accept the newly published revelations as divine scripture equal to or greater than the Bible
- Maintain a state of sinlessness to ensure continued blessings (70:17)
Ritual Requirements
- Ordination to specific stewardships (70:3)
Evangelism Toolkit
Practical tools for engagement and dialogue:
Discovery Questions
Open-ended questions to promote reflection:
- In verse 14, it says the manifestations of the Spirit will be withheld if people aren't perfectly equal in temporal things, or if they do it grudgingly. How does that make you feel about your current standing with God?
- Verse 17 says the Lord will bless them 'inasmuch as they have not sinned.' Since we all sin, how can we ever have assurance that God is pleased with us based on this standard?
- When you read about the establishment of a firm to manage the 'benefits' (profits) of the revelations, how do you reconcile that with the biblical model of prophets who freely spoke God's word without copyrighting it for a specific group?
Redemptive Analogies
Bridges from this text to the Gospel:
The desire for equality and caring for the needs of others.
The impulse to care for the poor and share resources is a beautiful reflection of God's heart. However, in the Gospel, this is not a rigid law required to earn the Holy Spirit, but a joyful, voluntary response to the grace we have already received in Christ. True equality is found in our shared status as sinners saved by grace.
Spiritual Weight
Burdens this text places on adherents:
The believer is placed under the crushing burden of knowing that the Holy Spirit's presence is contingent upon their perfect obedience to financial laws and their ability to obey without 'grudging.' Furthermore, God's approval is conditioned on them 'not sinning' (v. 17), creating constant anxiety about their spiritual standing.
The text demands that all 'excess' beyond basic necessities belongs to the institution. This strips the believer of personal agency in their generosity and binds their financial livelihood to the dictates of church leaders.
Because the canon is open and new revelations can be given at any time (v. 3), the believer can never rest in a finished, objective standard of truth. The rules can change based on the dictates of the current stewards.