Index
Overview
This text serves as the comprehensive index for the 1835 edition of the Doctrine and Covenants. While structurally a reference tool, it functions as a theological taxonomy of early Mormonism, revealing the movement's priorities and doctrinal evolution up to that point. The index entries highlight a highly structured ecclesiastical hierarchy (Melchizedek and Aaronic priesthoods), the establishment of a physical Zion in Missouri, the implementation of the Law of Consecration (Order of Enoch), and the introduction of new eschatological concepts such as multiple degrees of glory (Telestial). It also emphasizes the necessity of specific ordinances (baptism, washing of feet) and the absolute authority of the church's presidency. For the researcher, this index is a snapshot of Mormon theology as it stood in 1835, demonstrating a clear departure from orthodox Protestantism through its reliance on continuing revelation, restored priesthoods, and a works-oriented soteriology.
Key Figures
- Jesus Christ (The Lord, Alpha and Omega, Great I Am, Savior of the world)
- Joseph Smith jr. (Prophet, receiver of revelations, translator)
- Oliver Cowdery (Second elder, scribe, co-recipient of revelations)
- Sidney Rigdon (Counselor, co-recipient of visions)
- Adam / Michael (Ancient patriarch, identified as Michael the Archangel, blessed posterity at Adam-ondi-Ahman)
- Enoch (Ancient patriarch, associated with the Order of Enoch/Law of Consecration)
- John the Apostle (The Beloved, tarried on earth, keeps church record)
- Martin Harris (Witness, commanded to be an example)
- Edward Partridge (First Bishop, appointed to receive consecrations)
- Newel K. Whitney (Ordained bishop)
- David Whitmer (Witness, recipient of revelation)
- Peter Whitmer jr. (Recipient of revelation)
- John Whitmer (Church historian, recipient of revelation)
- Hyrum Smith (Brother of Joseph, recipient of revelation)
- Samuel H. Smith (Brother of Joseph, recipient of revelation)
- Emma Smith (Wife of Joseph, recipient of revelation)
- Thomas B. Marsh (President of the Quorum of the Twelve)
- Parley P. Pratt (Early missionary, recipient of revelation)
- Orson Pratt (Early missionary, recipient of revelation)
- Newel Knight (Early branch leader)
- W.W. Phelps (Church printer, recipient of revelation)
- Frederick G. Williams (Counselor in First Presidency)
- Seth (Ordained by Adam)
- Enos (Ordained by Adam)
- Cainan (Ordained by Adam)
- Mahalaleel (Ordained by Adam)
- Jared (Ordained by Adam)
- Methuselah (Ordained by Adam)
- Lamech (Ordained by Seth)
- Noah (Ordained by Methuselah)
- King Benjamin (Book of Mormon prophet)
- Moroni (Ancient prophet, associated with drinking with the saints)
- Elias (Ancient prophet)
- Paul (Apostle)
Doctrines Analyzed
Key theological claims identified in this text:
Restored Priesthood Authority
Assertion
The church is governed by two distinct priesthoods (Aaronic and Melchizedek) which hold exclusive keys to spiritual blessings and the ministering of angels.
Evidence from Text
Melchizedek priesthood holds the keys of all spiritual blessings... Power of the lesser priesthood holds the keys of the ministering of angels, &c.
Evangelical Comparison
In orthodox Evangelical theology, the Levitical/Aaronic priesthood was fulfilled and rendered obsolete by the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 7-10). Christ alone holds the Melchizedek priesthood permanently, as it is untransferable (Hebrews 7:24). Furthermore, 1 Peter 2:9 establishes that all true believers constitute a 'royal priesthood' with direct access to God. This text, however, asserts that these ancient priesthoods must be literally restored to men in the modern era, creating a rigid ecclesiastical hierarchy that mediates salvation, ordinances, and spiritual blessings, thereby undermining the sufficiency of Christ's mediation.
Continuing Revelation and Open Canon
Assertion
God continues to give new, binding commandments and revelations through a designated prophet.
Evidence from Text
Revelation upon revelation... One appointed to receive revelations... Book of commandments
Evangelical Comparison
Evangelical Christianity teaches that the 66 books of the Bible are the final, infallible, and sufficient revelation from God to humanity (2 Timothy 3:16-17, Jude 1:3). While the Holy Spirit illuminates the text and guides believers, He does not give new, universally binding scriptural mandates. This text explicitly claims an open canon, asserting that new 'commandments' and 'revelations' are continually given to the church through a singular prophetic leader. This fundamentally shifts the ultimate authority from the completed biblical text to the living institution and its president.
Zion and the Gathering
Assertion
Believers are commanded to physically gather to a specific geographic location (Zion/Independence, Missouri) to build a holy city and escape impending judgments.
Evidence from Text
Gathering of the saints to the place of the city—Zion... Land of promise—Independence centre... Flee to Zion
Evangelical Comparison
While the Old Testament features a physical gathering of Israel to Jerusalem, the New Testament redefines the gathering of God's people around the person of Jesus Christ, regardless of geographic location (John 4:21-24). The 'New Jerusalem' is an eschatological reality brought down by God at the end of the age (Revelation 21). This text mandates a literal, physical migration to Missouri, USA, making geographic relocation and the purchasing of specific lands a matter of divine obedience and spiritual safety.
Law of Consecration (Order of Enoch)
Assertion
Adherents are required to consecrate their properties and wealth to the church (via the Bishop) to establish a united economic order.
Evidence from Text
Consecration for various purposes... Bishop received consecrations... United order of Zion... Order of Enoch
Evangelical Comparison
The New Testament models voluntary generosity and caring for the poor (2 Corinthians 9:7, Acts 5:4), but it does not mandate a formalized, institutionalized system of property consecration where a bishop holds the deeds to members' properties. The 'Order of Enoch' described in this text binds the believer's economic life directly to their spiritual standing and obedience to the church hierarchy, creating a works-based metric for righteousness.
Degrees of Glory
Assertion
The afterlife consists of multiple, distinct kingdoms or degrees of glory, rather than a strict binary of Heaven and Hell.
Evidence from Text
Telestial glory... Glory of the Moon... Many kingdoms and laws
Evangelical Comparison
Orthodox Christianity, based on texts like Matthew 25:46 and Revelation 20:15, affirms only two eternal destinies based solely on whether one is justified by faith in Christ. This text introduces a tiered afterlife (Telestial, Terrestrial [Moon], Celestial) where individuals are sorted based on their works, acceptance of ordinances, and valiance in testimony. This diminishes the absolute saving power of Christ's atonement by suggesting that Christ's blood only qualifies most people for lower tiers of heaven, while the highest tier requires human effort and institutional rituals.
Comparative Analysis
Theological Gap (Summary)
The text establishes a complex hierarchy of mediating priesthoods, ongoing extra-biblical revelation, and a works-based system of consecration and ordinances necessary for exaltation, directly contradicting biblical sufficiency and justification by faith alone.
Theological Gap (Explained)
The theological gap between this text and orthodox Evangelicalism is vast, centering on authority, soteriology, and ecclesiology. Evangelicalism holds to Sola Scriptura and the universal priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:9), where Christ is the sole mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5). This index outlines a rigid, multi-tiered priesthood (Aaronic and Melchizedek) that claims exclusive 'keys of all spiritual blessings.' Furthermore, the text mandates geographical gathering ('Assemble to Zion'), economic communalism ('Order of Enoch'), and specific rituals ('Washing feet', 'Baptism necessary') as binding divine laws. This creates a synergistic soteriology that nullifies Sola Fide and places the believer under a new legalistic framework governed by a modern prophet. The introduction of multiple degrees of glory further dilutes the biblical teaching of a binary eternal destiny based solely on faith in Christ.
For All Ages
Imagine you have a ticket to the best theme park ever, and Jesus bought it for you. All you have to do is trust Him and walk in. But this book says you need the ticket, plus you have to wear a special badge (priesthood), move to a specific town (Zion), give your money to the park manager (consecration), and keep getting new rules every day. It changes Jesus' free gift into a really hard job where you have to earn your spot.
Friction Points
Sola Scriptura
The text claims 'Revelation upon revelation' and establishes a 'Book of commandments' as binding scripture alongside the Bible.
Universal Priesthood
The text asserts that the 'Melchizedek priesthood holds the keys of all spiritual blessings', requiring human mediators for God's grace.
Sola Fide
The text makes 'Baptism necessary', requires the 'Order of Enoch' (consecration of property), and mandates keeping commandments for salvation.
Christology (Sufficiency of Christ)
The text claims the 'Sons of Moses and of Aaron to offer an acceptable sacrifice in this generation', implying Christ's sacrifice was not final.
Semantic Warnings
Terms that have different meanings between traditions:
"Gospel"
In This Text
The restored church, its priesthood ordinances, new revelations, and the gathering to Zion.
In Evangelicalism
The good news of Christ's finished substitutionary death, burial, and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).
"Zion"
In This Text
A literal, physical city to be built by the saints in Independence, Missouri.
In Evangelicalism
The heavenly Jerusalem, the spiritual dwelling of God with His people, or historically, the city of David.
"Priesthood"
In This Text
Exclusive authority delegated to worthy males to act in God's name and administer saving ordinances.
In Evangelicalism
The shared spiritual status of all believers who have direct access to God through the mediation of Jesus Christ.
Soteriology (Salvation)
Salvation Defined: Attaining different degrees of glory (Telestial, Moon, etc.) based on faithfulness, ordinances, and priesthood authority.
How Attained: Through faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost, keeping commandments, and participating in the Order of Enoch and Zion.
Basis of Assurance: Obedience to the prophet, rendering a good account of stewardship to the bishop, and receiving subjective spiritual feelings.
Comparison to Sola Fide: This text directly contradicts Sola Fide by explicitly stating 'Baptism necessary' and requiring strict adherence to the 'Order of Enoch' and priesthood authority for full spiritual blessings. Salvation is a synergistic process of human effort combined with divine laws.
Mandates & Requirements
Explicit Commands
- Ask God for wisdom
- Assemble to Zion
- Assist to translate
- Arise and be baptized
- Be faithful
- Bear record by the way
- Buy land, in all the regions
- Be patient
- Bring forth the gospel
- Bring forth souls unto me
- Build up my church
- Be patient in afflictions
- Bring forth Zion
- Buy lands for the present
- Beware of those judgments
- Come unto the Lord
- Call a solemn assembly
- Cease to do evil
- Confirming the churches
- Continue the work of translation
- Contend against no church save one
- Covet not thy neighbor's wife
- Conduct thyself wisely
- Continue in the spirit of meekness
- Confirm the church
- Call faithful laborers
- Commit not adultery
- Call upon the inhabitants of the earth
- Claim and hold claim
- Do good
- Drink with Moroni
- Declare glad tidings
- Expound scriptures
- Establish an house
- Establish the cause of Zion
- Fear not to do good
- Flee to Zion
- Flee to Jerusalem
- Go with my servant
- Give heed
- Go unto the Lamanites
- Go to the Ohio
- Go forth and preach
- Go to certain countries
- Go ye, go ye into the world
- Go to battle
- Go from house to house
- Go and gather together
- Gird up your loins
- Go ye out of Babylon
- Go forth to Zion
- Hearken
- Humble yourselves
- Keep my commandments
- Listen to the words of Jesus
- Listen to the voice of Jesus Christ
- Leave his merchandize
- Learn wisdom
- Live by every word
- Lift up your voices
- Leave judgment alone with me
- Magnify office
- Marvel not
- Make known thy calling
- Move the cause of Zion
- Multiply blessings upon them
- Organize yourselves
- Prune my vineyard
- Prepare to perfect yourselves
- Prepare for the great day
- Purchase lands in Zion
- Proclaim the everlasting gospel
- Pay again
- Pray unto the Lord
- Pray vocally
- Preach unto the world
- Preach the everlasting gospel
- Proclaim my gospel from land to land
- Reprove the world
- Remember the poor
- Repent speedily
- Retain strong hold
- Reap while the day lasts
- Release thyself from bondage
- Reap with all your might
- Reason with them
- Restore four fold
- Render account of stewardship
- Search these commandments
- Sanctify yourselves
- Seek knowledge
- Stand faithfully
- Seek the best gifts
- Stop and stand still
- Seek to bring forth Zion
- Settle all things
- Shake off the dust of thy feet
- Sin no more
- Treasure up wisdom
- Thrust in the sickle
- Take up your cross
- Take upon you mine ordinances
- Tarry not many days
- Warn his neighbor
Implicit Obligations
- Every man to learn his duty
- Godly walk and conversation required
- Every man to labor in his own calling
- Every man take righteousness
- Every man deal honestly
- Every man in his stewardship
- Parents that teach not their children
- Use their ability
- Defending themselves
Ritual Requirements
- Baptism necessary
- Form of baptism
- Form of administrating bread
- Form of administrating wine
- Children to be blest
- Cleansing feet with water
- Confirmation of the high priesthood
- Confirming the churches
- Ordinance of washing feet
- Sacrament meetings
- Take upon you mine ordinances
- Washing feet
Evangelism Toolkit
Practical tools for engagement and dialogue:
Discovery Questions
Open-ended questions to promote reflection:
- If Jesus' sacrifice was 'once for all' (Hebrews 10:10), why would a restored Melchizedek priesthood be necessary for spiritual blessings?
- How do you reconcile the biblical teaching that all believers are priests (1 Peter 2:9) with the strict hierarchy outlined in this text?
- If the Bible says we are justified by faith apart from works of the law (Romans 3:28), how does the requirement of the 'Order of Enoch' or 'Baptism necessary' fit into that?
Redemptive Analogies
Bridges from this text to the Gospel:
City of the saints / Zion
The human longing for a perfect, peaceful dwelling place with God is valid, but it is ultimately fulfilled in the heavenly New Jerusalem brought by God, not by human building or geographic migration.
Washing feet
The ritual points to the need for spiritual cleansing, which Christ ultimately provides through His blood, not through a repeated physical ordinance.
Spiritual Weight
Burdens this text places on adherents:
The text places a heavy burden on the believer to constantly 'Render account of stewardship', 'Every man to learn his duty', and 'Keep my commandments'. This creates a treadmill of performance where one's standing before God and the community is always contingent on obedience and institutional compliance.
The text uses threatening language such as 'Destroying angel', 'Vengeance cometh speedily', and 'Better for him that he was drowned', instilling a fear of divine retribution for failure to comply with the prophet's mandates.
The mandates for 'Consecration for various purposes', 'Purchase lands in Zion', and the 'Order of Enoch' place immense financial pressure on adherents to surrender their property and wealth to the church hierarchy.