Section 35
Overview
Historically situated in April 1829, this text (known as Section 9 in the modern LDS Doctrine and Covenants) addresses a critical moment in the production of the Book of Mormon. Oliver Cowdery, acting as Joseph Smith's scribe, had desired and been granted permission to translate the ancient record himself. However, he failed to produce any text. This revelation serves as a divine explanation for that failure, shifting the responsibility to Oliver's misunderstanding of the mechanics of revelation. It introduces one of the most famous and foundational epistemological concepts in Mormonism: the 'burning in the bosom.' The text asserts that revelation is not passively received; rather, it requires intellectual effort ('study it out in your mind') followed by a physical or emotional confirmation (a burning bosom for truth, a stupor of thought for error). Consequently, the text solidifies Joseph Smith's exclusive role as the sole translator for the current time, while keeping Oliver engaged as a scribe with promises of future translation opportunities. Furthermore, it establishes a conditional eschatological framework, promising Oliver that he will be 'lifted up at the last day' contingent upon his faithfulness, his ability to yield to no temptation, and his steadfastness in his assigned work.
Key Figures
- God/Jesus Christ: The claimed first-person speaker of the text, who asserts absolute authority to grant, revoke, and explain the mechanics of spiritual privileges and revelation.
- Oliver Cowdery ('my son'): The recipient of the revelation, who is reprimanded for his failure to translate, instructed on the proper method of discerning truth, and commanded to return to his role as scribe.
- Joseph Smith, jr. ('my servant'): The primary prophet and translator, validated by the text as having been given 'sufficient strength' by God to compensate for Oliver's failure, thereby cementing his hierarchical supremacy.
Doctrines Analyzed
Key theological claims identified in this text:
Epistemology of Revelation (Burning in the Bosom)
Assertion
Divine truth is confirmed through a specific process: intellectual study followed by asking God, which results in a physical/emotional sensation of burning if true, or a 'stupor of thought' causing forgetfulness if false.
Evidence from Text
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, that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong
Evangelical Comparison
This doctrine forms the bedrock of Mormon epistemology, teaching adherents to rely on internal, emotional, or physical sensations to validate spiritual claims. In contrast, Evangelical Christianity operates on Sola Scriptura, where the 66-book Bible is the final, objective standard for truth. While Evangelicals believe in the internal witness of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:16), this witness illuminates and aligns with the objective Word of God, rather than serving as a standalone mechanism to validate new, extra-biblical revelations. Furthermore, the biblical worldview explicitly warns against trusting one's own heart or feelings, as human nature is fallen and easily deceived (Jeremiah 17:9, Proverbs 28:26). The concept of a 'stupor of thought' causing one to forget false concepts has no biblical precedent; rather, the Bible commands believers to actively 'take every thought captive' (2 Corinthians 10:5) and to test all spirits against established apostolic teaching (1 John 4:1).
Conditional Eschatological Reward
Assertion
Final salvation or being 'lifted up at the last day' is contingent upon remaining faithful, yielding to no temptation, and standing fast in one's specific earthly calling.
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 you shall be lifted up at the last day.
Evangelical Comparison
The text presents a works-righteousness paradigm where the ultimate eschatological reward ('lifted up at the last day') is a conditional promise based on Oliver Cowdery's ability to 'yield to no temptation' and 'stand fast in the work.' This places the burden of final salvation squarely on the believer's performance and obedience to specific ecclesiastical directives. Evangelical Christianity, rooted in Sola Fide and Sola Gratia, teaches that justification and subsequent glorification are guaranteed by the perfect, imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29-30). While believers are called to resist temptation and do good works, these are the fruit of salvation, not the root or maintaining cause of it (Ephesians 2:8-10). Conditioning final salvation on yielding to 'no temptation' creates an impossible legalistic standard that contradicts 1 John 1:8, which acknowledges the ongoing reality of sin in the believer's life, pointing them back to Christ as their advocate (1 John 2:1).
Prophetic Exclusivity and Hierarchy
Assertion
God channels primary revelatory and translational authority through a single individual (Joseph Smith), and privileges can be revoked from subordinates who fail to perform correctly.
Evidence from Text
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... I have given unto my servant Joseph sufficient strength, whereby it is made up
Evangelical Comparison
The text establishes a clear hierarchy where Joseph Smith is the indispensable conduit for divine translation and revelation. Oliver Cowdery's attempt to share in this specific prophetic function is revoked due to his failure, reinforcing Joseph's exclusive status. This dynamic lays the groundwork for the LDS doctrine of the living prophet as the sole individual authorized to receive revelation for the entire church. Evangelical Christianity rejects this model based on the doctrine of the Universal Priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:9) and the finality of God's revelation in Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:1-2). Because the canon of Scripture is closed and sufficient (Jude 1:3), there is no need for a modern prophet to translate new records or mediate new binding revelations. The Holy Spirit is given equally to all believers to understand the once-for-all delivered faith.
Comparative Analysis
Theological Gap (Summary)
The text establishes a subjective, feeling-based epistemology that supersedes objective biblical revelation, and it enforces a works-based condition for eschatological reward.
Theological Gap (Explained)
The primary theological gap lies in epistemology and authority. D&C 35 (1835) / D&C 9 (modern) institutionalizes the 'burning in the bosom' as the ultimate test of truth. This subjective mysticism directly contradicts the Evangelical reliance on the objective, closed canon of Scripture (Sola Scriptura). In Evangelicalism, the Holy Spirit testifies to the truth of the Word, but feelings are never the arbiter of truth, as the human heart is deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9). By elevating a physical sensation to the level of divine confirmation, the text creates a paradigm where subjective experience can override objective biblical exegesis. Furthermore, the text conditions Oliver's eschatological salvation ('lifted up at the last day') on his ability to 'yield to no temptation' and 'stand fast in the work.' This introduces a performance-based soteriology that violates Sola Fide and Sola Gratia. In the biblical Gospel, believers are kept by the power of God (1 Peter 1:5) and sealed by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14), not by their flawless execution of a specific ministry assignment or their perfect resistance to sin. The text places a heavy yoke of legalism on the believer, contrasting sharply with the rest found in Christ's finished work.
For All Ages
Imagine you have a math test. The Bible says the answers are written in the textbook, and you just need to read it and trust the teacher who wrote it. This text says you should guess the answer, ask God if it's right, and if you get a warm, fuzzy feeling in your chest, then it's the right answer. But feelings can trick us! Also, the Bible says we go to heaven because Jesus was perfect for us. This text says Oliver will only be 'lifted up' to heaven if he never gives in to temptation and works really hard at his job.
Friction Points
Sola Scriptura
Establishes a subjective, feeling-based epistemology ('burning in the bosom') as the ultimate test of truth, overriding objective biblical revelation.
Sola Fide
Conditions final salvation ('lifted up at the last day') on yielding to no temptation and standing fast in a specific work.
Universal Priesthood
Establishes an exclusive prophetic hierarchy where only Joseph Smith has the 'sufficient strength' and authorization to translate the record.
Semantic Warnings
Terms that have different meanings between traditions:
"Translate"
In This Text
Receiving English words via divine revelation (often using a seer stone or Urim and Thummim), rather than the scholarly conversion of one known language to another.
In Evangelicalism
The scholarly and linguistic process of converting the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts into another language.
"Revelation"
In This Text
Ongoing, binding, extra-biblical communication from God that carries scriptural weight and directs the immediate actions of the church.
In Evangelicalism
God's self-disclosure, which culminated finally and completely in Jesus Christ and the closed canon of the 66-book Bible.
Soteriology (Salvation)
Salvation Defined: Being 'lifted up at the last day', which in LDS theology refers to resurrection and exaltation.
How Attained: By doing the commanded work, being faithful, and yielding to no temptation (v. 5).
Basis of Assurance: Conditional upon ongoing obedience, performance in the assigned calling, and perfect resistance to temptation.
Comparison to Sola Fide: This text directly opposes Sola Fide. Verse 5 makes being 'lifted up' explicitly contingent on works ('Do this thing... Stand fast... yield to no temptation'). In contrast, Romans 4:4-5 and Ephesians 2:8-9 declare that salvation is a free gift received by faith alone, not a reward for work or for successfully resisting temptation.
Mandates & Requirements
Explicit Commands
- continue until you have finished this record
- Be patient my son
- Do not murmur my son
- you must study it out in your mind
- then you must ask me if it be right
- Do this thing which I have commanded you
- Be faithful
- yield to no temptation
- Stand fast in the work wherewith I have called you
Implicit Obligations
- Accept the demotion from translator to scribe without complaint
- Trust Joseph Smith's exclusive calling and authority for the present time
- Rely on internal, subjective feelings to validate spiritual truth and direction
Evangelism Toolkit
Practical tools for engagement and dialogue:
Discovery Questions
Open-ended questions to promote reflection:
- Have you ever felt a 'stupor of thought' when studying something you later found out was actually true, or a 'burning in the bosom' about something that turned out to be false?
- Jeremiah 17:9 says the heart is deceitful. How do we distinguish between a 'burning in the bosom' from the Holy Ghost and a strong emotional response from our own desires?
- Verse 5 says you will be lifted up at the last day if you 'yield to no temptation.' How does that make you feel about your own standing before God, knowing that we all stumble?
Redemptive Analogies
Bridges from this text to the Gospel:
The desire for confirmation of truth
God does want us to know the truth and gives us assurance. However, instead of a fleeting physical feeling, He gives us the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit who testifies with our spirit and illuminates the eternal, unchanging Word of God.
Spiritual Weight
Burdens this text places on adherents:
The believer is burdened with constantly second-guessing whether a feeling was the Spirit, their own emotion, or a physical reaction. The fear of misinterpreting a 'stupor of thought' or failing to generate a 'burning in the bosom' can lead to deep spiritual anxiety and doubt about one's worthiness.
The pressure of verse 5—believing that final salvation ('lifted up') requires flawless performance ('yield to no temptation')—places an impossible burden on the believer. It strips away the assurance of grace and replaces it with a treadmill of works-righteousness.