Section 37
Overview
Given in May 1829, during the translation of the Book of Mormon, this text (known in modern LDS editions as Doctrine and Covenants Section 11) is a revelation directed to Joseph Smith's older brother, Hyrum. Hyrum was eager to begin preaching the new message, but this revelation commands him to wait. The text establishes a foundational Mormon paradigm for missionary work and spiritual preparation: one must first 'obtain' the word before seeking to 'declare' it. Crucially, obtaining the word is defined not merely as studying the existing biblical canon ('my word which hath gone forth'), but explicitly mandates the study and acceptance of the new, translating text ('my word which shall come forth'). The revelation heavily emphasizes an epistemology based on subjective spiritual experience, promising that the Spirit will enlighten the mind and fill the soul with joy as a mechanism for verifying truth. It also issues a stern warning against denying the 'Spirit of revelation' and 'Spirit of prophecy,' thereby cementing the doctrine of an open canon and ongoing prophetic authority in the nascent movement.
Key Figures
- Hyrum Smith: The recipient of the revelation, older brother to Joseph Smith, who is instructed to prepare himself through study and obedience before embarking on public ministry.
- Jesus Christ / God: The claimed divine author of the text, speaking in the first person through Joseph Smith, asserting authority, defining truth, and setting the parameters for Hyrum's future ministry.
Doctrines Analyzed
Key theological claims identified in this text:
Open Canon and Ongoing Revelation
Assertion
The text asserts that God is currently bringing forth new scripture (the Book of Mormon) which must be studied alongside the Bible, and that denying ongoing revelation is a condemnable offense.
Evidence from Text
study my word which hath gone forth among the children of men; and also study my word which shall come forth among the children of men; or that which is now translating... deny not the Spirit of revelation, nor the Spirit of prophecy, for wo unto him that denieth these things
Evangelical Comparison
Evangelical Christianity holds to Sola Scriptura, the belief that the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments are the sole, infallible, and sufficient rule of faith and practice. The canon is considered closed, with the apostolic era having ceased (Jude 1:3, Revelation 22:18-19). In stark contrast, this text explicitly commands the adherent to study a new, extra-biblical text ('that which is now translating') and places it on equal footing with the Bible ('my word which hath gone forth'). Furthermore, it pronounces a 'woe' upon anyone who denies ongoing revelation and prophecy, effectively making the acceptance of an open canon and modern prophetic authority a test of faithfulness.
Epistemology of the Spirit (Subjective Verification)
Assertion
Truth and divine will are verified through internal, subjective emotional and intellectual experiences generated by the Spirit.
Evidence from Text
I will impart unto you of my Spirit, which shall enlighten your mind, which shall fill your soul with joy, and then shall ye know, or by this shall you know, all things whatsoever you desire of me
Evangelical Comparison
In Evangelical theology, the Holy Spirit illuminates the believer's mind to understand the objectively revealed truth of Scripture (1 Corinthians 2:12-14). However, subjective feelings are not the arbiter of truth; all experiences and claims must be tested against the objective standard of the Bible (Acts 17:11, 1 John 4:1). This text shifts the epistemological foundation by teaching that one 'shall know' truth primarily through an internal feeling of joy and mental enlightenment. This creates a paradigm where extra-biblical claims (like the Book of Mormon) are validated by subjective emotional states rather than objective biblical consistency.
Conditional Salvation via Works and Obedience
Assertion
Everlasting salvation is something a person 'treasures up' for their soul through the effort of reaping (working) and keeping commandments.
Evidence from Text
whoso desireth to reap, let him thrust in his sickle with his might, and reap while the day lasts, that he may treasure up for his soul everlasting salvation... Keep my commandments, and assist to bring forth my work according to my commandments, and you shall be blessed.
Evangelical Comparison
Evangelicalism teaches Sola Fide: justification is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 4:4-5). Works are the fruit of salvation, not the root or cause of it. This text, however, uses transactional language regarding salvation. It instructs the adherent to 'thrust in his sickle with his might' in order to 'treasure up for his soul everlasting salvation.' It repeatedly links being blessed and obtaining eternal life with the strict keeping of commandments and assisting in the institutional work of the new movement. This blends justification and sanctification, making eternal life contingent upon human effort and obedience.
Comparative Analysis
Theological Gap (Summary)
The text fundamentally diverges from Evangelicalism by mandating the acceptance of an open canon, ongoing prophetic authority, and a works-oriented approach to obtaining salvation.
Theological Gap (Explained)
The theological gap between this text and Evangelical Christianity is rooted in authority, epistemology, and soteriology. First, regarding authority, the text explicitly violates Sola Scriptura by commanding the study and acceptance of a new, extra-biblical text ('that which is now translating') and pronouncing a woe upon those who deny ongoing revelation. This destroys the biblical boundary of a closed canon. Second, it shifts the epistemological center from objective biblical truth to subjective spiritual experience, teaching that truth is verified by internal feelings of joy and enlightenment. Finally, the text exhibits a synergistic soteriology. While it uses biblical language about believing in Christ's name to become sons of God (v. 12), it prefaces this with heavy performance demands: one must 'thrust in his sickle with his might' to 'treasure up for his soul everlasting salvation' (v. 2). This intertwining of human effort, commandment-keeping, and institutional loyalty with the attainment of eternal life stands in direct opposition to the Evangelical doctrine of justification by faith alone (Sola Fide).
For All Ages
Imagine you have a complete, perfect instruction manual for building a Lego castle. Evangelical Christians believe the Bible is that complete manual—nothing needs to be added. But this text says, 'Wait, God is writing a new manual right now, and you have to read it too, or you're in big trouble.' It also changes how we get to live in the castle. Evangelicals believe Jesus built the castle for us and invites us in for free because we trust Him. This text says you have to work really hard, follow all the rules perfectly, and help build the castle yourself if you want to stay there forever.
Friction Points
Sola Scriptura
Commands the acceptance of new scripture (Book of Mormon) and ongoing prophetic revelation, pronouncing a woe on those who deny it.
Sola Fide
Makes everlasting salvation contingent upon human effort ('thrust in his sickle with his might') and strict commandment-keeping.
Objective Truth of Scripture
Elevates subjective emotional experiences ('fill your soul with joy') to the primary method of verifying divine truth.
Semantic Warnings
Terms that have different meanings between traditions:
"My word"
In This Text
Includes both the Bible and the forthcoming Book of Mormon, as well as ongoing revelations through Joseph Smith.
In Evangelicalism
The 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, and the incarnate Word, Jesus Christ.
"Salvation"
In This Text
Something to be 'treasured up' through diligent labor, reaping, and commandment-keeping; in later LDS theology, this evolves into 'exaltation' (the highest degree of glory).
In Evangelicalism
Deliverance from the penalty of sin, granted as a free gift by grace through faith in Christ's finished work.
"My church"
In This Text
The specific institutional organization that Joseph Smith is about to establish (which occurred in 1830).
In Evangelicalism
The universal body of all true believers in Christ across all times and denominations.
Soteriology (Salvation)
Salvation Defined: Referred to as 'everlasting salvation in the kingdom of God' and becoming 'the sons of God.'
How Attained: Attained through a combination of believing on Christ's name, keeping commandments with all one's might, and actively laboring ('reaping') in the new religious movement.
Basis of Assurance: Assurance is based on the subjective feeling of the Spirit and the individual's ongoing obedience and labor. If one stops 'reaping' or fails to keep commandments, the promised blessings are implicitly forfeited.
Comparison to Sola Fide: The text directly contradicts Sola Fide. While verse 12 mentions giving power to become sons of God to 'them that believe on my name,' the preceding verses heavily condition salvation on works: 'reap while the day lasts, that he may treasure up for his soul everlasting salvation' (v. 2). Evangelicalism teaches that salvation is entirely a gift, not something one 'treasures up' through labor (Titus 3:5, Romans 11:6).
Mandates & Requirements
Explicit Commands
- give heed to my word (v. 1)
- thrust in his sickle with his might (v. 2)
- reap while the day lasts (v. 2)
- ask of me (v. 2)
- knock (v. 2)
- keep my commandments (v. 3, 4, 9, 10)
- seek to bring forth and establish the cause of Zion (v. 3)
- Seek not for riches but for wisdom (v. 3)
- Say nothing but repentance unto this generation (v. 4)
- assist to bring forth my work according to my commandments (v. 4)
- put your trust in that Spirit which leadeth to do good (v. 6)
- wait a little longer [before preaching] (v. 8)
- hold your peace (v. 9, 10)
- appeal unto my Spirit (v. 9)
- cleave unto me with all your heart (v. 9)
- be patient until you shall accomplish it (v. 9)
- seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word (v. 10)
- study my word which hath gone forth among the children of men (v. 10)
- study my word which shall come forth among the children of men; or that which is now translating (v. 10)
- seek the kingdom of God (v. 11)
- Build upon my rock, which is my gospel (v. 11)
- deny not the Spirit of revelation, nor the Spirit of prophecy (v. 11)
- treasure up in your hearts until the time which is in my wisdom (v. 11)
Implicit Obligations
- Accept Joseph Smith as the exclusive, authoritative mouthpiece of God.
- Accept the text currently being translated (the Book of Mormon) as divine scripture equal to the Bible.
- Prepare for future missionary service by prioritizing doctrinal study over immediate action.
Evangelism Toolkit
Practical tools for engagement and dialogue:
Discovery Questions
Open-ended questions to promote reflection:
- In verse 7, the text says you will know truth because the Spirit will 'fill your soul with joy.' Have you ever felt joy about something that later turned out to be untrue? How do we distinguish between a genuine leading of God and our own strong emotions?
- Verse 2 talks about thrusting in your sickle to 'treasure up for your soul everlasting salvation.' How does this compare to Ephesians 2:8-9, which says salvation is a gift and not a result of works?
- If the Bible contains the complete gospel, why was it necessary for Hyrum to wait for the new translation before he could know 'of a surety my doctrine' (v. 8)?
Redemptive Analogies
Bridges from this text to the Gospel:
Seeking wisdom over riches
This noble desire for divine wisdom can be affirmed and redirected to Jesus Christ Himself, who is the ultimate wisdom of God. True wisdom is found not in new esoteric revelations, but in the cross of Christ.
The Light shining in darkness
The text rightly identifies Jesus as the light. This can be used to discuss how Jesus, as revealed in the biblical Gospel, is sufficient to dispel the darkness of sin without the need for additional mediators or texts.
Spiritual Weight
Burdens this text places on adherents:
The text places a heavy burden on the adherent to constantly 'reap,' 'keep commandments,' and work with 'all your might, mind, and strength' in order to 'treasure up' salvation. This creates a treadmill of performance where the believer can never be truly certain they have done enough to secure eternal life, leading to spiritual exhaustion and a lack of assurance.
By tying the knowledge of truth to subjective feelings of 'joy' and 'enlightenment,' the believer is forced to constantly monitor their emotional state. When feelings fade, or when depression or doubt arises, the believer may feel they have lost the Spirit or are failing spiritually, because their foundation is internal rather than the objective, unchanging Word of God.