Section 86
Overview
Doctrine and Covenants Section 86, received by Joseph Smith in December 1832 while he was revising the Bible, serves as a foundational text for Mormon ecclesiology and priesthood authority. The revelation reinterprets Jesus's Parable of the Wheat and the Tares (Matthew 13). It asserts that after the original Apostles 'fell asleep,' Satan and the 'whore of Babylon' sowed tares that choked the wheat, driving the church into the wilderness—a direct articulation of the LDS doctrine of the Great Apostasy. Notably, the text alters the eschatological gathering order found in the biblical account; whereas Matthew 13:30 commands gathering the tares first to be burned, D&C 86:7 commands gathering the wheat first. The second half of the section shifts to priesthood authority, claiming that Joseph Smith and his associates are 'lawful heirs according to the flesh.' It posits that a literal, genealogical priesthood has been hidden from the world but continued through their physical lineage. The text concludes with a striking Christological divergence, promising these priesthood holders that if they remain faithful, they will become 'a savior unto my people Israel.' This section is critical for understanding the LDS concepts of a total early-church apostasy, the necessity of a restored genealogical priesthood, and the elevation of human beings to mediatorial, saving roles.
Key Figures
- The Lord: The divine speaker dictating the revelation and interpreting the parable.
- The Apostles: Identified as the original sowers of the seed who 'fell asleep' (died), precipitating the apostasy.
- The Great Persecutor / The Apostate / The Whore / Babylon / Satan: The antagonistic forces that sowed the tares, choked the church, and drove it into the wilderness.
- Angels: Heavenly beings crying day and night, waiting to reap the fields in the last days.
- Lawful Heirs (Joseph Smith and associates): The recipients of the revelation, identified as holding a genealogical priesthood through physical lineage, tasked with being a light to the Gentiles and a savior to Israel.
Doctrines Analyzed
Key theological claims identified in this text:
The Great Apostasy
Assertion
Following the death of the original Apostles, the true church was completely overcome by Satan and driven into the wilderness, necessitating a modern restoration.
Evidence from Text
And after they have fallen asleep the great persecutor of the church, the apostate, the whore, even Babylon... behold he soweth the tares; wherefore, the tares choke the wheat and drive the church into the wilderness.
Evangelical Comparison
D&C 86 explicitly teaches that the early church was 'choked' and driven into the wilderness by Satan and apostasy after the Apostles died. This forms the foundational LDS justification for a complete 'Restoration' of the church through Joseph Smith. In stark contrast, Evangelical Christianity holds to the indefectibility of the Church. While acknowledging that false teachers and localized apostasies occur (as warned in the New Testament), Evangelicals rely on Jesus's promise in Matthew 16:18 that the gates of hell shall not prevail against His church, and Paul's assertion in Ephesians 3:21 that God will receive glory in the church 'throughout all ages, world without end.' A total cessation of true believers or loss of divine authority contradicts the biblical doctrine of the Holy Spirit's continuous preservation of the Bride of Christ.
Genealogical Priesthood
Assertion
Priesthood authority is passed down through literal, physical lineage ('according to the flesh') and was hidden from the world until the LDS restoration.
Evidence from Text
Therefore, thus saith the Lord unto you, with whom the priesthood hath continued through the lineage of your fathers—For ye are lawful heirs, according to the flesh...
Evangelical Comparison
The text asserts that Joseph Smith and his associates possess priesthood authority because they are 'lawful heirs, according to the flesh,' claiming an unbroken, hidden genealogical lineage. This directly conflicts with the New Testament teaching on priesthood. The Book of Hebrews explicitly argues that the genealogical, physical requirements of the Levitical/Aaronic priesthood were intentionally abolished and replaced by Christ's superior, eternal priesthood (Hebrews 7:11-16). Furthermore, under the New Covenant, all believers are made part of a 'royal priesthood' (1 Peter 2:9) through faith, not through physical descent or fleshly lineage. The reintroduction of a genealogical requirement for spiritual authority is a regression to Old Covenant shadows.
Men as Saviors
Assertion
Faithful priesthood holders act as literal 'saviors' to the people of Israel through their priesthood authority.
Evidence from Text
Therefore, blessed are ye if ye continue in my goodness, a light unto the Gentiles, and through this priesthood, a savior unto my people Israel.
Evangelical Comparison
Verse 11 promises that through the priesthood, a man can become 'a savior unto my people Israel.' In LDS theology, this later develops into the doctrine of 'Saviors on Mount Zion,' where Mormons perform proxy temple ordinances for the dead, believing these works are necessary for the salvation (exaltation) of others. This is a severe violation of the Evangelical pillar of Sola Christus. The Bible is unequivocal that Jesus Christ is the only Savior. Isaiah 43:11 declares, 'I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no savior.' Acts 4:12 affirms that there is salvation in no one else. Ascribing the title or function of 'savior' to sinful human beings, even in a subordinate or proxy sense, diminishes the infinite, all-sufficient, 'once for all' finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross (Hebrews 10:10-14).
Reversal of the Eschatological Gathering
Assertion
In the last days, the wheat (righteous) will be gathered first, and afterward, the tares (wicked) will be bound for burning.
Evidence from Text
Therefore, let the wheat and the tares grow together until the harvest is fully ripe; then ye shall first gather out the wheat from among the tares, and after the gathering of the wheat, behold and lo, the tares are bound in bundles...
Evangelical Comparison
D&C 86:7 alters the sequence of the eschatological harvest found in the Bible. In Matthew 13:30, Jesus explicitly instructs the reapers: 'Gather ye together FIRST the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.' D&C 86 reverses this, stating: 'ye shall FIRST gather out the wheat... and after the gathering of the wheat... the tares are bound'. This alteration reflects the LDS emphasis on the physical gathering of the 'Saints' (the wheat) to Zion prior to the destruction of the wicked. However, from an Evangelical perspective, this represents an unwarranted corruption of the biblical text and undermines the authority and preservation of the biblical manuscript tradition.
Comparative Analysis
Theological Gap (Summary)
The text fundamentally diverges from Evangelicalism by teaching a total Great Apostasy, requiring a physical/genealogical priesthood, and elevating human beings to the role of 'saviors.'
Theological Gap (Explained)
The theological gap between D&C 86 and Evangelical Christianity is severe, touching on ecclesiology, Christology, and soteriology. First, the text's assertion of a total 'Great Apostasy'—where the church was driven into the wilderness and choked by tares—denies the biblical doctrine of the indefectibility of the Church. Evangelicals trust Christ's promise in Matthew 16:18 that the gates of hell would not prevail against His assembly. Second, the text resurrects an Old Covenant paradigm by claiming priesthood authority is based on physical lineage ('lawful heirs according to the flesh'). The Book of Hebrews explicitly teaches that the requirement of physical descent for priesthood was abolished and fulfilled in Christ (Hebrews 7). Finally, and most critically, the text violates Sola Christus by promising that men can become 'a savior unto my people Israel.' Evangelical theology insists that Jesus Christ's mediatorial and saving work is exclusive, infinite, and non-transferable (Acts 4:12, 1 Timothy 2:5). Elevating humans to the status of 'saviors' fundamentally corrupts the biblical Gospel.
For All Ages
Imagine you have a favorite superhero who is the only one strong enough to save the city. The Bible says Jesus is that one and only superhero (Savior) who saves us completely. But this text says that the church lost its way a long time ago, and that certain men today have a special, secret family bloodline that gives them the power to be 'saviors' for other people too. Christians believe this takes away from how special and powerful Jesus is, because the Bible says Jesus is the only Savior we will ever need, and He never lost control of His church.
Friction Points
Ecclesiology / Indefectibility of the Church
Asserts the church was completely overcome by Satan and driven into the wilderness, contradicting Matthew 16:18.
Universal Priesthood
Reintroduces a genealogical, fleshly requirement for priesthood authority, contradicting Hebrews 7 and 1 Peter 2:9.
Sola Christus
Elevates sinful human beings to the role of 'savior' to Israel, denying the exclusivity of Christ's saving work.
Sola Scriptura / Biblical Inerrancy
Directly alters and contradicts the biblical text of Matthew 13:30 regarding the order of the eschatological harvest.
Semantic Warnings
Terms that have different meanings between traditions:
"Priesthood"
In This Text
An exclusive authority passed down through physical lineage to specific men, necessary for the restoration of all things and saving ordinances.
In Evangelicalism
In the Old Testament, a Levitical lineage pointing to Christ. In the New Testament, the universal status of all believers who have direct access to God through the sole high priesthood of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:9).
"Savior"
In This Text
A title and function that can be applied to human priesthood holders who perform works/ordinances for the salvation of others.
In Evangelicalism
An exclusive title belonging solely to God and Jesus Christ, who alone provides redemption from sin.
Soteriology (Salvation)
Salvation Defined: While not fully detailed here, salvation/exaltation is linked to the 'restoration of all things' and the active use of priesthood authority.
How Attained: Through the continuation of the priesthood and the performance of saving works (acting as a savior to others).
Basis of Assurance: Assurance is based on physical lineage ('lawful heirs') and continuing in goodness.
Comparison to Sola Fide: The text ignores justification by faith alone. Instead of resting in Christ as the sole Savior, the adherent is burdened with the requirement to hold priesthood authority and actively become a 'savior' to others, making salvation a cooperative, works-based, and human-mediated process.
Mandates & Requirements
Explicit Commands
- Let the wheat and the tares grow together until the harvest is fully ripe (v. 7).
- Gather out the wheat from among the tares first (v. 7).
- Continue in my goodness (v. 11).
Implicit Obligations
- Accept the premise that the historical Christian church fell into total apostasy.
- Acknowledge Joseph Smith and his associates as the exclusive, lawful heirs of the priesthood.
- Assume the responsibility of acting as a 'savior' to Israel through priesthood functions.
Ritual Requirements
- Exercise of the 'priesthood' to fulfill the role of a savior to Israel (which historically points toward LDS temple ordinances and proxy work).
Evangelism Toolkit
Practical tools for engagement and dialogue:
Discovery Questions
Open-ended questions to promote reflection:
- In Matthew 13:30, Jesus says to gather the tares first, but D&C 86:7 says to gather the wheat first. Why do you think there is a direct reversal of Jesus's words here?
- Isaiah 43:11 says that God is the only Savior. How do you understand D&C 86:11 calling a priesthood holder a 'savior unto my people Israel' in light of the Bible's teaching that Jesus alone saves?
- If the priesthood in the New Testament is given to all believers (1 Peter 2:9), why does D&C 86 say it is restricted to 'lawful heirs according to the flesh'?
Redemptive Analogies
Bridges from this text to the Gospel:
The desire to be a 'light unto the Gentiles' and help others.
While we cannot be 'saviors' to anyone, Christians are called to be the 'light of the world' (Matthew 5:14) by pointing people to the true and only Savior, Jesus Christ. We don't save them; we introduce them to the One who can.
Spiritual Weight
Burdens this text places on adherents:
By teaching that authority is based on being 'lawful heirs according to the flesh,' the text fosters an elitist mindset where spiritual validity is tied to physical lineage or institutional hierarchy rather than the equalizing grace of the cross.
Telling a believer they must be a 'savior' to others places an impossible, crushing weight on their shoulders. It shifts the focus from resting in Christ's finished work to a frantic need to perform ordinances and works to ensure the salvation of oneself and one's ancestors.