Section 76
Overview
Given in March 1832, this text (known as Section 79 in modern editions of the LDS Doctrine and Covenants, but Section 76 in the 1835 edition) is a direct, first-person oracle attributed to Jesus Christ. It serves as a specific missiological mandate for an early adherent, Jared Carter. The text commands Carter to travel to the 'eastern countries' to preach the 'everlasting gospel' from city to city. Theologically, it establishes several key paradigms for early Mormonism: the necessity of specific priesthood 'ordination' to preach with power, the promise of the Holy Ghost (the Comforter) as a direct guide for truth and geographical direction, and a conditional soteriological framework where ultimate rewards (being 'crowned with sheaves') are contingent upon the individual's ongoing faithfulness. The text concludes with pastoral encouragement, commanding Carter to be glad and fear not, reinforcing the authoritative yet comforting tone of the revelation.
Key Figures
- Jesus Christ: Identified as the 'Lord' and the first-person speaker of the revelation, asserting divine authority to command, send the Comforter, and bestow rewards.
- Jared Carter: The recipient of the revelation, an early Mormon convert who is recognized as an 'ordained' servant and commanded to undertake an itinerant preaching mission.
- The Comforter: The Holy Ghost, promised by Christ to accompany Carter to teach him truth and provide specific directional guidance for his mission.
Doctrines Analyzed
Key theological claims identified in this text:
Priesthood Authority for Ministry
Assertion
The text claims that effective preaching of the gospel is done 'in the power of the ordination wherewith he has been ordained.'
Evidence from Text
...in the power of the ordination wherewith he has been ordained, proclaiming glad tidings...
Evangelical Comparison
In Evangelical theology, the authority to preach the gospel is inherent in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) and the doctrine of the Priesthood of All Believers (1 Peter 2:9). Every born-again Christian is authorized and empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit to share the 'glad tidings.' In contrast, Mormon theology, as evidenced in this text, relies on a restored, hierarchical priesthood. The 'power' to preach is inextricably linked to a specific, physical 'ordination' by those holding exclusive priesthood keys. This creates a paradigm where the validity and power of the message are tied to the institutional authority of the messenger, rather than the inherent power of the Word of God itself.
Conditional Spiritual Reward
Assertion
The text asserts that the ultimate reward (being crowned with sheaves) is strictly conditional upon the adherent's ongoing faithfulness.
Evidence from Text
...and inasmuch as he is faithful I will crown him again with sheaves...
Evangelical Comparison
The phrase 'inasmuch as he is faithful' establishes a conditional covenant framework. In Mormonism, exaltation and ultimate spiritual rewards are contingent upon enduring to the end in faithful obedience to laws and ordinances. While Evangelicals believe that faithfulness and good works are the necessary *fruit* of genuine salvation (Ephesians 2:10), they are not the *root* or the condition for receiving the 'crown' of eternal life. Evangelical theology rests on Sola Fide—justification by faith alone—meaning the believer's standing and ultimate reward are secured entirely by the finished work of Christ (Romans 8:1, Titus 3:5), not by the metric of their own ongoing faithfulness.
Continuous Extra-Biblical Revelation
Assertion
The text presents itself as a direct, verbatim, modern-day revelation from Jesus Christ.
Evidence from Text
Verily I say unto you... saith your Lord, even Jesus Christ. Amen.
Evangelical Comparison
This text fundamentally challenges the Evangelical doctrine of Sola Scriptura. By presenting a first-person oracle from Jesus Christ in 1832, it asserts that the biblical canon is open and that God continues to give binding, authoritative, scriptural commands through a modern prophet. Evangelicals maintain that God's special revelation was completed with the apostolic era and the closing of the New Testament canon (Jude 1:3, Revelation 22:18-19). While Evangelicals believe the Holy Spirit illuminates Scripture and guides believers, they reject the claim that new, infallible, canonical words of Christ are being given today.
Comparative Analysis
Theological Gap (Summary)
The text diverges from Evangelicalism by asserting an open canon of scripture, requiring a specific hierarchical priesthood ordination for valid ministry, and establishing a conditional, performance-based metric for ultimate spiritual rewards.
Theological Gap (Explained)
The theological gap between this text and Evangelical Christianity centers on authority, ecclesiology, and soteriology. First, regarding authority, the text violates Sola Scriptura by presenting itself as a new, binding revelation from Jesus Christ. Evangelicals maintain that the canon is closed and sufficient for all faith and practice. Second, regarding ecclesiology, the text emphasizes 'the power of the ordination wherewith he has been ordained.' This reflects the LDS doctrine of exclusive priesthood keys restored through Joseph Smith. Evangelicals reject this, holding to the Universal Priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:9), meaning every Christian possesses the authority and Spirit-given power to proclaim the gospel without needing a secondary, hierarchical ordination. Third, regarding soteriology, the text's promise—'inasmuch as he is faithful I will crown him'—reveals a conditional, works-oriented framework. While Evangelicals believe in rewards for faithful service (1 Corinthians 3:14), the ultimate 'crown' of eternal life is a free gift of grace, not a wage earned 'inasmuch' as one maintains a standard of performance (Romans 4:4-5).
For All Ages
Imagine you have a complete, perfect instruction manual for building a Lego castle, and the creator says, 'This is all you need.' That's how Evangelical Christians view the Bible. But this text is like someone bringing a brand new page of instructions, claiming the creator just gave it to them today. Also, the Bible says anyone who loves Jesus is part of His royal family and can share His message with anyone. But this text says a man named Jared needs a special 'ordination'—like an exclusive permission slip from a specific church leader—to have the real power to preach. Finally, the text says Jared will get a reward *if* he works hard enough. Evangelicals believe Jesus already did all the hard work, and He gives us the reward as a free gift just because we trust Him.
Friction Points
Sola Scriptura
The text claims to be a direct, new revelation from Jesus Christ, adding to the closed canon of Scripture.
Universal Priesthood
The text implies that authoritative preaching requires a specific, exclusive priesthood ordination.
Sola Gratia / Sola Fide
The text makes the ultimate spiritual reward conditional upon the adherent's ongoing faithfulness and performance.
Semantic Warnings
Terms that have different meanings between traditions:
"Everlasting Gospel"
In This Text
In LDS theology, this refers to the fullness of the restored gospel, which includes faith, repentance, baptism by proper priesthood authority, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and temple ordinances.
In Evangelicalism
The good news of Jesus Christ's incarnation, sinless life, substitutionary death, and resurrection for the justification of sinners by grace through faith alone (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).
"Ordination"
In This Text
The literal conferring of specific priesthood authority and keys (Aaronic or Melchizedek) by the laying on of hands by one who already holds that authority in the LDS church.
In Evangelicalism
The setting apart or commissioning of a believer for a specific ministry role by the local church, recognizing the calling and gifting already given by the Holy Spirit.
Soteriology (Salvation)
Salvation Defined: Salvation/Exaltation is metaphorically described as being 'crowned... with sheaves,' implying a state of glorious reward and successful spiritual harvest.
How Attained: It is attained conditionally, based on the adherent's works and endurance: 'inasmuch as he is faithful.'
Basis of Assurance: Assurance is based on the individual's ability to maintain faithfulness and obedience to their calling and ordination.
Comparison to Sola Fide: The text stands in contrast to Sola Fide. While Sola Fide teaches that believers are crowned with righteousness solely because of faith in Christ's perfect work (Philippians 3:9), this text places the burden of earning the crown squarely on the believer's conditional faithfulness ('inasmuch as he is faithful').
Mandates & Requirements
Explicit Commands
- Go again into the eastern countries
- Go from place to place, and from city to city
- Proclaim glad tidings of great joy, even the everlasting gospel
- Let your heart be glad
- Fear not
Implicit Obligations
- Maintain personal faithfulness to secure the promised reward
- Rely upon the specific priesthood ordination previously received
- Submit to the directional guidance of the Comforter
Ritual Requirements
- Ordination (implied as the necessary prerequisite for the power to fulfill this mandate)
Evangelism Toolkit
Practical tools for engagement and dialogue:
Discovery Questions
Open-ended questions to promote reflection:
- When Jesus says He will crown Jared 'inasmuch as he is faithful,' how does that condition affect your personal sense of peace and assurance with God?
- How do you understand the 'power of ordination' mentioned here compared to the Apostle Peter's teaching that all believers are a 'royal priesthood' (1 Peter 2:9)?
- If the 'everlasting gospel' is truly everlasting, how does it compare to the gospel the Apostle Paul defined in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4?
Redemptive Analogies
Bridges from this text to the Gospel:
The Comforter as a Guide to Truth
Evangelicals and Latter-day Saints share a deep appreciation for the Holy Spirit (the Comforter). This shared language can be a bridge. An Evangelical can agree that the Spirit teaches truth, and then gently pivot to ask *what* truth the Spirit primarily teaches. According to Jesus, the Spirit's primary role is to testify of Christ and His finished work (John 15:26, John 16:14), pointing us away from our own works and toward the cross.
Spiritual Weight
Burdens this text places on adherents:
The phrase 'inasmuch as he is faithful' places a heavy burden of performance on the believer. It creates a transactional relationship with God where blessings and ultimate rewards are constantly weighed against the believer's daily output and obedience.
Because the reward is conditional upon being 'faithful,' the believer can never possess true, restful assurance of salvation. There is always the lingering question: 'Have I been faithful enough?'
By tying spiritual power to a specific 'ordination,' the believer is made entirely dependent on the institutional church hierarchy for their spiritual validity and authority, rather than finding their direct sufficiency in Christ.