Section 9
Overview
Doctrine and Covenants Section 9 is a pivotal text in Mormon epistemology and history, dictated by Joseph Smith in April 1829. Addressed to Oliver Cowdery, who had been serving as Smith's scribe, the revelation explains why Cowdery failed in his recent attempt to translate the golden plates. The text asserts that Cowdery failed because he merely asked God for the translation without first 'studying it out' in his mind, and because he succumbed to fear. Consequently, his privilege to translate is revoked, and he is commanded to return to his role as scribe. Theologically, this section is most famous for verses 8 and 9, which establish the foundational Latter-day Saint method for discerning truth: the 'burning in the bosom.' Believers are instructed to study a matter, ask God if it is right, and await a physical/emotional confirmation (a burning in the bosom for truth, or a 'stupor of thought' for error). This text fundamentally shifts the locus of spiritual authority and truth-verification away from objective, external revelation (Scripture) to subjective, internal experience (feelings), forming the bedrock of the modern LDS 'testimony.'
Key Figures
- God/Jesus Christ (The implied first-person speaker of the revelation, asserting divine authority and dictating terms of service)
- Oliver Cowdery (The recipient of the revelation, a scribe who failed to translate due to fear and improper spiritual methodology)
- Joseph Smith, Jun. (The primary prophet and translator, affirmed by God as having 'sufficient strength' to complete the work)
Doctrines Analyzed
Key theological claims identified in this text:
Epistemology of Subjective Confirmation (Burning in the Bosom)
Assertion
Spiritual truth is verified by studying a concept and then receiving a physical/emotional sensation of warmth or peace from God, whereas falsehood results in a 'stupor of thought.'
Evidence from Text
But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right. But if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought
Evangelical Comparison
In Evangelical theology, the human heart and emotions are considered fallen and susceptible to deception (Jeremiah 17:9, Proverbs 28:26). Therefore, subjective feelings, even strong spiritual ones, cannot be the ultimate arbiter of truth. Truth is determined objectively by the written Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The Holy Spirit illuminates Scripture, but He does not provide new revelation that bypasses or contradicts the biblical text. In contrast, D&C 9 elevates a subjective, internal sensation ('burning in the bosom') to the level of divine epistemology. This creates a paradigm where adherents validate the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith's prophetic calling based on an emotional/physical response rather than historical, textual, or biblical consistency. This directly violates Sola Scriptura by making human experience the final judge of divine truth.
Conditional Revelation and Revocation of Privilege
Assertion
Spiritual gifts and privileges (like translation) can be lost if the individual fears, fails to continue as they commenced, or uses the wrong methodology.
Evidence from Text
And, behold, it is because that you did not continue as you commenced, when you began to translate, that I have taken away this privilege from you... Behold, it was expedient when you commenced; but you feared, and the time is past
Evangelical Comparison
The text portrays a God who revokes a major spiritual calling (translating scripture) because the recipient 'feared' and didn't 'study it out' properly. In Evangelical theology, while believers are called to walk in faith and obedience, God's gifts and calling are generally understood to be irrevocable (Romans 11:29). When biblical figures like Peter or Elijah feared and failed, God restored them to their prophetic/apostolic tasks rather than permanently revoking their primary privileges. The LDS framework presented here introduces a highly performance-based dynamic to spiritual gifts, where human error permanently forfeits divine opportunity.
Conditional Eschatological Exaltation
Assertion
Being 'lifted up at the last day' (salvation/exaltation) is contingent upon standing fast in one's specific works, being faithful, and yielding to no temptation.
Evidence from Text
Do this thing which I have commanded you, and you shall prosper. Be faithful, and yield to no temptation. Stand fast in the work wherewith I have called you, and a hair of your head shall not be lost, and you shall be lifted up at the last day.
Evangelical Comparison
Verse 14 links eschatological salvation ('lifted up at the last day') directly to Oliver Cowdery's performance: standing fast in his work, being faithful, and yielding to no temptation. This is a works-righteousness paradigm. In Evangelical theology (Sola Fide), justification is a one-time legal declaration by God where Christ's perfect righteousness is credited to the believer through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 4:5). While good works and perseverance are the *fruit* of genuine salvation, they are not the *root* or the condition for being 'lifted up at the last day.' The text's demand to 'yield to no temptation' as a prerequisite for this promise places an impossible legalistic burden on the believer that only Christ could fulfill.
Comparative Analysis
Theological Gap (Summary)
The text replaces the objective authority of Scripture with a subjective, emotion-based test for truth, and makes eschatological salvation contingent upon perfect performance and works.
Theological Gap (Explained)
The theological gap between D&C 9 and Evangelical Christianity is fundamentally epistemological and soteriological. Epistemologically, D&C 9:8-9 establishes the 'burning in the bosom' as the ultimate arbiter of divine truth. This directly violates the Evangelical pillar of Sola Scriptura. By elevating subjective emotional and physical sensations above objective, historical, and textual verification, Mormonism creates an insulated truth-system that cannot be corrected by external biblical exegesis. If a biblical text contradicts LDS teaching, the LDS adherent is trained to rely on their internal 'burning' rather than the grammatical-historical meaning of the Bible. Soteriologically, verse 14 violates Sola Fide by explicitly conditioning eschatological salvation ('lifted up at the last day') on the believer's ability to 'stand fast in the work,' 'be faithful,' and 'yield to no temptation.' This places the burden of salvation squarely on human performance and sanctification, entirely bypassing the Evangelical understanding of justification as a forensic, finished declaration based solely on Christ's imputed righteousness.
For All Ages
Imagine you have a math test. In traditional Christianity, the teacher gives you an answer key (the Bible) to check your work. If your answer matches the key, it's right. But in this text, the teacher says, 'Study the math problem, then close your eyes and see how you feel. If you feel a warm, happy feeling in your chest, your answer is right. If you feel confused, your answer is wrong.' The problem is, sometimes we feel really good about an answer that is actually completely wrong! Christians believe we have to trust the answer key (the Bible) more than our feelings, because our feelings can trick us. Also, this text says you will only go to heaven if you do your job perfectly and never give in to temptation. Christians believe we go to heaven because Jesus was perfect for us, not because we are perfect.
Friction Points
Sola Scriptura
Establishes subjective feelings ('burning in the bosom') as the ultimate test of truth, superseding objective biblical revelation.
Sola Scriptura
Adds new, purported direct-dictation revelation to the closed canon of Scripture.
Sovereignty of God / Grace
Portrays God as revoking callings based on momentary human fear or methodological misunderstanding.
Sola Fide
Conditions being 'lifted up at the last day' on yielding to no temptation and standing fast in works.
Semantic Warnings
Terms that have different meanings between traditions:
"Translate"
In This Text
A spiritual process of receiving direct English revelation from God without necessarily understanding the original language or even looking at the physical text (as Joseph Smith did using a seer stone in a hat).
In Evangelicalism
The scholarly and linguistic process of rendering a text from one known language (e.g., Hebrew, Greek) into another.
"Sacred"
In This Text
Information or records that are restricted, secret, or only accessible through specific divine permission and subjective feelings.
In Evangelicalism
Set apart for God's holy purposes; while holy, biblical truth is meant to be proclaimed openly, not hidden or restricted to those who achieve a certain feeling.
Soteriology (Salvation)
Salvation Defined: Being 'lifted up at the last day' (exaltation/eternal life).
How Attained: By doing the commanded work, being faithful, yielding to no temptation, and standing fast.
Basis of Assurance: Assurance is conditional and based on one's current level of obedience, faithfulness, and ability to resist temptation.
Comparison to Sola Fide: This text stands in direct opposition to Sola Fide. Ephesians 2:8-9 states, 'For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.' D&C 9:13-14 makes salvation the direct result of works (standing fast, yielding to no temptation).
Mandates & Requirements
Explicit Commands
- Continue to write for Joseph Smith until the record is finished (v. 1)
- Be patient (v. 3)
- Write for my servant Joseph (v. 4)
- Do not murmur (v. 6)
- Study it out in your mind (v. 8)
- Ask me if it be right (v. 8)
- Do this thing which I have commanded you (v. 13)
- Be faithful (v. 13)
- Yield to no temptation (v. 13)
- Stand fast in the work wherewith I have called you (v. 14)
Implicit Obligations
- Accept Joseph Smith's exclusive authority and 'sufficient strength' as the sole translator
- Trust subjective internal feelings as the ultimate indicator of divine truth
- Accept personal blame for spiritual failures or lack of revelation
Evangelism Toolkit
Practical tools for engagement and dialogue:
Discovery Questions
Open-ended questions to promote reflection:
- If someone from a completely different religion prayed about their holy book and felt a strong 'burning in the bosom' that it was true, how would we know which of you is right?
- Jeremiah 17:9 says the heart is deceitful above all things. How do you distinguish between the Holy Ghost and your own strong desires or emotions when you 'study it out'?
- Verse 13 commands you to 'yield to no temptation' to be lifted up at the last day. Have you ever yielded to temptation? If so, how do you find peace about your standing before God?
Redemptive Analogies
Bridges from this text to the Gospel:
God's desire to communicate and guide us (v. 8)
While Mormonism points to a subjective feeling for guidance, the Gospel points to the ultimate, objective guidance God has already provided. God loves us so much that He didn't leave us to guess based on our fluctuating emotions; He gave us His sure, written Word and the final revelation in Jesus Christ.
Spiritual Weight
Burdens this text places on adherents:
Oliver is blamed for his failure to translate because he 'feared' and didn't 'study it out' properly. This teaches LDS adherents that if they do not receive revelation, or if they fail in a spiritual task, it is entirely their own fault for lacking faith or not trying hard enough. This creates immense guilt and performance anxiety.
Because truth is tied to a physical/emotional feeling ('burning in the bosom'), believers often experience deep anxiety when they do not feel this sensation, or when their feelings fluctuate due to depression, stress, or natural emotional cycles. They may doubt their salvation or the truth of their faith simply because they don't 'feel' it on a given day.
The command to 'yield to no temptation' in order to be 'lifted up at the last day' places an impossible standard of perfection on the believer. Knowing they inevitably yield to temptation, believers carry the heavy burden of never knowing if they have done enough to secure their exaltation.