Section 90
Overview
Given in December 1831 (known in the modern LDS Doctrine and Covenants as Section 71), this text is a direct response to a historical crisis: the publication of critical letters by Ezra Booth, a former church member. The revelation commands Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon to temporarily halt their project of translating the Bible to engage in active, public apologetics. They are instructed to preach in the surrounding regions, expound the 'mysteries' of the kingdom, and challenge their critics to public and private debate. The text establishes a highly polemical tone, commanding them to 'confound your enemies' and promising that the shame of their critics will be made manifest. Theologically, it reinforces Joseph Smith's role as the sole conduit for divine truth by instructing the church to 'prepare the way for the commandments and revelations which are to come.' It concludes by appropriating the Old Testament promise from Isaiah 54:17, assuring Smith and Rigdon that 'no weapon that is formed against you shall prosper,' effectively equating opposition to the early Mormon leaders with opposition to God Himself.
Key Figures
- The Lord: The claimed divine author of the text, asserting absolute authority and promising protection.
- Joseph Smith, jr.: The primary recipient and prophet, commanded to preach, defend the faith, and prepare the way for future revelations.
- Sidney Rigdon: The secondary recipient, Joseph's scribe and spokesman, commanded to assist in this apologetic and preaching mission.
Doctrines Analyzed
Key theological claims identified in this text:
Ongoing Revelation
Assertion
God continues to give new, binding commandments and revelations through Joseph Smith.
Evidence from Text
...prepare the way for the commandments and revelations which are to come.
Evangelical Comparison
Evangelical Christianity holds to Sola Scriptura, meaning the 66 books of the Bible are the final, sufficient, and infallible authority for the Church. The canon is closed, as warned in Revelation 22:18-19 and affirmed by Jude 1:3, which states the faith was 'once for all delivered to the saints.' This text, however, explicitly mandates preparation for 'commandments and revelations which are to come.' This establishes an open canon where Joseph Smith's ongoing dictates carry the same, or greater, weight than the Bible, fundamentally altering the epistemological foundation of the faith.
Divine Protection of the Prophetic Office
Assertion
God will actively confound and bring shame upon anyone who opposes Joseph Smith and his teachings.
Evidence from Text
...confound your enemies... their shame shall be made manifest... there is no weapon that is formed against you shall prosper; and if any man lift his voice against you, he shall be confounded in mine own due time...
Evangelical Comparison
While Evangelicals believe God protects His church (Matthew 16:18), this text applies specific Old Testament messianic and national promises (Isaiah 54:17) directly to Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon. By stating that anyone who lifts their voice against them will be confounded, the text creates a paradigm where the prophet is insulated from biblical critique. In Evangelicalism, leaders are subject to the authority of Scripture and are to be tested (Acts 17:11, 1 Timothy 5:19), whereas this text frames any opposition to the leaders as an attack on God that will be met with divine retribution.
Comparative Analysis
Theological Gap (Summary)
The text establishes Joseph Smith as the authoritative receiver of ongoing revelation, bypassing the sufficiency of the Bible, and equates opposition to Smith with opposition to God.
Theological Gap (Explained)
The primary theological gap lies in the doctrine of revelation and the sufficiency of Scripture (Sola Scriptura). Evangelical Christianity maintains that the biblical canon is closed and sufficient for all matters of faith and practice (Jude 1:3, 2 Timothy 3:16-17). This text explicitly promises 'commandments and revelations which are to come' through Joseph Smith, establishing an open canon dependent on a modern prophet. Furthermore, it appropriates biblical promises of divine protection (Isaiah 54:17) and applies them specifically to the defense of Smith's prophetic movement. By stating that 'if any man lift his voice against you, he shall be confounded,' the text effectively equates opposition to Joseph Smith with opposition to God Himself, insulating the leader from biblical accountability.
For All Ages
Imagine you have a complete rulebook for a game, and the creator said, 'This is the final rulebook.' Then someone comes along and says, 'Actually, the creator just talked to me and gave me new rules, and promises to give me even more later.' Christians believe the Bible is the final, complete rulebook (God's Word). This text claims Joseph Smith is getting new rules directly from God, which goes against the Christian belief that the Bible is all we need. It also says that anyone who argues with Joseph Smith is actually arguing with God.
Friction Points
Sola Scriptura
The text promises 'commandments and revelations which are to come,' denying the closure and sufficiency of the biblical canon.
Universal Priesthood / Biblical Accountability
Elevates Joseph Smith to an unquestionable status by promising divine retribution against anyone who 'lifts his voice' against him.
Semantic Warnings
Terms that have different meanings between traditions:
"my gospel"
In This Text
The message of the early LDS church, which included the necessity of new revelations, restored authority, and the prophetic calling of Joseph Smith.
In Evangelicalism
The good news of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ for the justification of sinners by grace through faith alone.
"the mysteries"
In This Text
New, esoteric, or previously hidden doctrines being revealed through Joseph Smith.
In Evangelicalism
Truths that were once hidden in the Old Testament but have now been fully revealed in Christ and the New Testament (e.g., the inclusion of Gentiles in the church).
Soteriology (Salvation)
Salvation Defined: Not explicitly defined in this brief text, though participation in 'the kingdom' is implied.
How Attained: Implies conditional blessing based on works and faithfulness ('inasmuch as ye are faithful').
Basis of Assurance: Obedience to the commands to preach, defend the faith, and accept new revelations.
Comparison to Sola Fide: The text focuses heavily on the *work* of preaching and confounding enemies to secure God's blessing and manifest power, contrasting with the Evangelical rest found in justification by faith alone (Romans 4:4-5).
Mandates & Requirements
Explicit Commands
- open your mouths in proclaiming my gospel
- expounding the mysteries thereof out of the scriptures
- proclaim unto the world in the regions round about, and in the church also
- labor ye in my vineyard
- Call upon the inhabitants of the earth
- bear record
- prepare the way for the commandments and revelations which are to come
- understand and receive also
- confound your enemies
- call upon them to meet you, both in public and in private
- let them bring forth their strong reasons against the Lord
- keep these commandments
Implicit Obligations
- Defend the church aggressively against public criticism
- Trust in divine protection during debates and confrontations
- View critics of the church as 'enemies' of the Lord
Evangelism Toolkit
Practical tools for engagement and dialogue:
Discovery Questions
Open-ended questions to promote reflection:
- When the text mentions 'revelations which are to come,' how do you discern if a new revelation contradicts the Bible?
- How do you feel about the command to 'confound your enemies' in public and private? Does that align with Jesus' command to love our enemies?
- If someone has a legitimate, biblical concern about a church leader, how does the promise that 'if any man lift his voice against you, he shall be confounded' affect their willingness to speak up?
Redemptive Analogies
Bridges from this text to the Gospel:
The desire for truth to prevail over falsehood.
Christians also believe that God's truth will ultimately prevail and that we should be ready to give a defense. However, our defense is rooted in the historical resurrection of Christ and the grace of the Gospel, not the defense of a modern prophet or organization.
Spiritual Weight
Burdens this text places on adherents:
The text places a burden on believers to constantly defend the faith, engage in apologetics, and 'confound' critics. Success is tied to one's ability to argue effectively.
By categorizing critics as 'enemies' whose 'shame shall be made manifest,' the text fosters a defensive, adversarial posture toward outsiders, potentially isolating members from non-LDS friends and family.
The promise of 'revelations which are to come' means the theological foundation is never truly settled. Believers must constantly adjust to new mandates from leadership, preventing the rest found in a completed, sufficient Gospel.