Section 10
Overview
Doctrine and Covenants Section 10 addresses one of the most critical crises in early Mormon history: the loss of the 116 manuscript pages of the Book of Mormon (the Book of Lehi) by Martin Harris. In this revelation, dictated by Joseph Smith as the voice of Jesus Christ, the Lord informs Smith that wicked men have stolen and physically altered the manuscript. The text claims that Satan orchestrated this plot so that if Smith retranslated the same material, the conspirators would produce the altered pages to expose discrepancies and brand him a fraud. To counter this, the Lord commands Smith not to retranslate the lost portion. Instead, he is instructed to translate the 'Plates of Nephi,' an alternative ancient record that covers the same historical period but offers greater spiritual insight. The text asserts that God foresaw this event centuries in advance and prepared the Plates of Nephi specifically for this purpose. Furthermore, the revelation makes significant theological claims: it identifies the 'other sheep' of John 10:16 as a branch of Israelites in the Americas, asserts that the Book of Mormon is necessary to clarify biblical doctrines that have been 'wrested' and cause contention, and defines the Lord's church as those who repent, come unto Him, and endure to the end.
Key Figures
- The Lord (Jesus Christ): The speaker of the revelation, asserting His divine authority, foreknowledge, and power to confound the devil's plans.
- Joseph Smith: The recipient of the revelation and translator, who is rebuked for losing the manuscript but restored to his gift and commanded to continue translating.
- Satan (the devil): The primary antagonist, depicted as actively inspiring wicked men to alter texts, lay cunning plans, and seek the destruction of God's work and men's souls.
- Wicked men: The unnamed individuals who stole and allegedly altered the 116 pages to trap Joseph Smith.
- The man in whom you have trusted (Martin Harris): The individual who lost the manuscript, described here as a wicked man who sought to destroy Smith's gift.
- Nephi: An ancient prophet whose alternative record (the plates of Nephi) is to be translated in place of the lost manuscript.
- King Benjamin: An ancient king mentioned as a chronological marker for the translation of the plates of Nephi.
- Lamanites: The descendants of the ancient American peoples, to whom the gospel is intended to be preached.
Doctrines Analyzed
Key theological claims identified in this text:
Satanic Alteration of Texts
Assertion
Satan inspires wicked men to physically alter written texts to discredit God's prophets and destroy God's work.
Evidence from Text
Satan hath put it into their hearts to alter the words which you have caused to be written... that by lying they may say they have caught you in the words which you have pretended to translate. (v. 10, 13)
Evangelical Comparison
In Evangelical theology, the doctrine of preservation asserts that God providentially protects His written Word throughout history, ensuring that the essential doctrines and message of salvation remain intact and accessible (Isaiah 40:8, Matthew 24:35). While manuscript variants exist, textual criticism demonstrates the remarkable reliability of the biblical text. D&C 10, however, posits a scenario where Satan successfully orchestrates the physical alteration of a divinely translated manuscript to create a trap that forces God to abandon the retranslation of that specific text. This portrays a vulnerability in the transmission of God's word that contradicts the evangelical confidence in God's sovereign preservation of Scripture.
The Book of Mormon as the Gospel
Assertion
The Book of Mormon contains the gospel and is necessary to clarify true doctrine and end contention caused by misunderstood scriptures.
Evidence from Text
there are many things engraven upon the plates of Nephi which do throw greater views upon my gospel... that there may not be so much contention... and shall bring to light the true points of my doctrine (v. 45, 62-63)
Evangelical Comparison
Evangelical Christianity stands firmly on Sola Scriptura, believing the 66 books of the Bible are the final, complete, and sufficient revelation of God's gospel (Jude 1:3, Revelation 22:18-19). D&C 10 explicitly undermines this by claiming that people 'wrest the scriptures and do not understand them' (v. 63), leading to contention. The text asserts that the Book of Mormon is necessary to 'throw greater views upon my gospel' and 'bring to light the true points of my doctrine.' This creates a theological paradigm where the Bible is viewed as flawed, incomplete, or inherently confusing, requiring extra-biblical revelation to be properly understood.
The 'Other Sheep' of the Americas
Assertion
Jesus' reference to 'other sheep' in John 10:16 refers to a literal branch of the house of Jacob living in the Americas.
Evidence from Text
I am he who said—Other sheep have I which are not of this fold... And I will show unto this people that I had other sheep, and that they were a branch of the house of Jacob (v. 59-60)
Evangelical Comparison
In John 10:16, Jesus tells His Jewish audience, 'And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.' Evangelical exegesis, relying on the analogy of faith (Scripture interpreting Scripture), understands this as a prophecy of the inclusion of the Gentiles into the New Covenant community. The Apostle Paul extensively details this mystery in Ephesians 2:11-18, explaining how Christ broke down the dividing wall of hostility to create one new man in place of the two (Jew and Gentile). D&C 10 radically reinterprets this, claiming the 'other sheep' were actually a separate group of Israelites (Nephites/Lamanites) in the Americas. This shifts the focus of Christ's unifying work from the cosmic reconciliation of all nations to a localized visitation to a specific, hidden branch of Israel.
Conditional Establishment on the Rock
Assertion
One must endure in the church to the end to be established upon Christ's rock.
Evidence from Text
whosoever is of my church, and endureth of my church to the end, him will I establish upon my rock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against them. (v. 69)
Evangelical Comparison
Evangelical soteriology, rooted in Sola Fide, teaches that a believer is justified and securely placed upon the foundation of Christ the moment they exercise saving faith (Romans 5:1, 1 Corinthians 3:11). The promise that the 'gates of hell shall not prevail' (Matthew 16:18) is a promise to the universal church and the secure believer. D&C 10:69 alters this dynamic by making establishment upon the rock conditional upon future performance: one must 'endureth of my church to the end.' This introduces a works-righteousness element where ultimate security is never fully realized in this life, but is contingent upon continuous faithfulness and institutional adherence until death.
Comparative Analysis
Theological Gap (Summary)
The text introduces new scripture (the Book of Mormon), redefines Christ's 'other sheep' as inhabitants of the Americas, and posits that the current biblical scriptures are 'wrested' and require new revelation to clarify true doctrine.
Theological Gap (Explained)
The theological gap between D&C 10 and Evangelical Christianity centers primarily on bibliology, ecclesiology, and Christology. First, the text explicitly undermines the sufficiency and clarity of the biblical canon. In verses 62-63, it asserts that the current scriptures are 'wrested' (twisted) and cause contention, necessitating the Book of Mormon to 'bring to light the true points of my doctrine.' This directly violates the evangelical pillar of Sola Scriptura, which maintains that the 66-book Bible is the supreme, sufficient, and final authority on all matters of faith and practice (2 Timothy 3:16-17, Jude 1:3). Second, the text reinterprets Christ's statement in John 10:16 regarding 'other sheep.' While orthodox Christian exegesis, supported by the broader New Testament context (such as Ephesians 2:11-18 and Romans 11), identifies the 'other sheep' as the Gentiles being brought into one unified body with Jewish believers, D&C 10:59-60 claims these sheep were 'a branch of the house of Jacob' located in the Americas. This shifts the redemptive-historical focus from the universal inclusion of the Gentiles to a localized, parallel Israelite history in the New World. Finally, the text introduces a subtle but significant shift in soteriology and ecclesiology. While verse 67 defines the church as those who repent and come to Christ, verse 69 adds the condition that one must 'endureth of my church to the end' to be established upon His rock. In the broader context of Mormonism, this evolves into a requirement for lifelong obedience to institutional church ordinances, contrasting sharply with the evangelical doctrine of Sola Fide, where justification is a definitive, forensic act of God based solely on faith in Christ's finished work (Romans 5:1, Ephesians 2:8-9).
For All Ages
Imagine you have a complete instruction manual for building a Lego castle. It tells you everything you need to know. Evangelical Christians believe the Bible is like that complete manual—it has all of God's instructions for us. But this text says that the manual is confusing, people argue about it, and we need a brand new, second manual (the Book of Mormon) to really understand how to build the castle. Also, in the Bible, Jesus talks about having 'other sheep' that He needs to bring into His flock. Christians understand this means Jesus came not just for the Jewish people, but for everyone else in the world (the Gentiles), so we can all be one big family. But this text says the 'other sheep' were actually a specific group of Jewish people who sailed to America a long time ago. Finally, the Bible teaches that we are saved and become part of God's family simply by trusting in Jesus (faith alone). But this text says we have to 'endure of my church to the end' to be safe. It adds extra rules and a new book, which changes the simple, finished work that Jesus did for us on the cross.
Friction Points
Sola Scriptura
The text claims the Bible is insufficient, misunderstood, and causes contention, requiring the Book of Mormon to reveal true doctrine.
Christology / Ecclesiology
Reinterprets the 'other sheep' of John 10:16 as American Israelites rather than the inclusion of the Gentiles into the New Covenant.
Sola Fide
Requires enduring 'of my church to the end' to be established on the rock, adding performance and institutional loyalty to faith.
Semantic Warnings
Terms that have different meanings between traditions:
"My gospel"
In This Text
The teachings, doctrines, and records contained in the Book of Mormon, which clarify the Bible.
In Evangelicalism
The good news of Christ's sinless life, substitutionary death, and bodily resurrection for the justification of sinners by faith alone (1 Cor 15:1-4).
"My church"
In This Text
'whosoever repenteth and cometh unto me' (v. 67), but with the caveat of enduring 'of my church to the end' (v. 69), which in LDS context means the institutional organization restored by Joseph Smith.
In Evangelicalism
The universal body of all true believers across time and space who have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12:12-13).
Soteriology (Salvation)
Salvation Defined: Inheriting the kingdom of heaven (v. 55) and receiving eternal life (v. 50).
How Attained: By repenting, coming to Christ, and enduring in His church to the end (v. 67-69).
Basis of Assurance: Enduring to the end.
Comparison to Sola Fide: The text adds 'endureth of my church to the end' as a condition for being established on the rock, contrasting with the evangelical doctrine of justification by faith alone, where the believer is immediately and eternally secure in Christ (John 5:24, Ephesians 2:8-9).
Mandates & Requirements
Explicit Commands
- see that you are faithful (v. 3)
- continue on unto the finishing of the remainder of the work of translation (v. 3)
- Do not run faster or labor more than you have strength and means provided (v. 4)
- be diligent unto the end (v. 4)
- Pray always (v. 5)
- you shall not translate again those words which have gone forth out of your hands (v. 30)
- show it not unto the world until you have accomplished the work of translation (v. 34)
- hold your peace until I shall see fit to make all things known (v. 37)
- translate the engravings which are on the plates of Nephi, down even till you come to the reign of king Benjamin, or until you come to that which you have translated (v. 41)
- publish it as the record of Nephi (v. 42)
- remember the words of him who is the life and light of the world (v. 70)
Implicit Obligations
- Trust in God's foreknowledge and provision over human mistakes (v. 38-43)
- Recognize Satan's active role in trying to destroy God's work and deceive men (v. 10-29)
- Accept the Book of Mormon as the word of God containing the gospel (v. 45-46)
- Repent and come unto Christ to be part of His church (v. 67)
- Endure in the church to the end (v. 69)
Evangelism Toolkit
Practical tools for engagement and dialogue:
Discovery Questions
Open-ended questions to promote reflection:
- In verse 10, it says wicked men altered the words of the manuscript. Since manuscripts were written in ink, wouldn't physical alterations like crossed-out words or different handwriting be obvious to anyone reading it?
- Verse 67 defines the Lord's church simply as 'whosoever repenteth and cometh unto me.' How does this definition compare to the later development of the LDS Church structure and requirements?
- When Jesus spoke of 'other sheep' in John 10, the Apostle Paul later explains in Ephesians 2 that Christ broke down the dividing wall between Jews and Gentiles to make one new man. How does the idea of the 'other sheep' being another group of Israelites fit with the New Testament mystery of the Gentiles being grafted in?
Redemptive Analogies
Bridges from this text to the Gospel:
God's sovereign wisdom over human failure.
While the historical reality of the plates is disputed, the underlying concept—that God is never caught off guard by human sin or failure and has a redemptive plan already in place—is profoundly biblical. We can bridge this to how God foreordained the cross of Christ before the foundation of the world to redeem us from the fall.
Spiritual Weight
Burdens this text places on adherents:
The text portrays a world where even trusted friends ('the man in whom you have trusted') can be used by Satan to destroy one's spiritual gifts and work. It emphasizes Satan's cunning plans, flattering words, and ability to stir up hearts to anger. This creates a paradigm of hyper-vigilance and paranoia, where believers may constantly fear being deceived by outsiders or even insiders, leading to an 'us vs. them' mentality and a deep fear of questioning the prophetic narrative lest they be aligned with Satan's plan to 'destroy the work.'
Verse 69 requires the believer to 'endureth of my church to the end' to be established upon the rock. This places the ultimate burden of salvation and security on the believer's continuous performance and institutional loyalty, rather than resting in the finished work of Christ. It strips away the assurance of salvation, leaving the believer to constantly wonder if they have endured 'enough.'