Section 112
Overview
Doctrine and Covenants Section 112 is a pivotal revelation given through Joseph Smith in July 1837, addressed primarily to Thomas B. Marsh, then President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Historically, this text emerges during the Kirtland apostasy, a period of intense internal dissent and financial ruin (the Kirtland Safety Society failure) where several apostles were openly questioning Joseph Smith's prophetic calling. In response, this text serves as a divine mandate reinforcing Smith's unassailable authority. It commands Marsh and the Twelve to embark on global proselytizing missions, warning them that the 'blood of this generation' will be on their hands if they fail. Theologically, the text makes profound structural claims: it asserts that the earth is in 'gross darkness' (universal apostasy), establishes baptism as a strict requirement for salvation, and most notably, equates receiving the First Presidency with receiving Jesus Christ Himself. It explicitly commands the Twelve not to rebel against Joseph Smith, asserting that the 'keys' of the dispensation will never be taken from him. For the believer, this text cements the absolute necessity of the LDS hierarchical priesthood structure, binding spiritual success and eternal salvation to submission to the First Presidency.
Key Figures
- Jesus Christ: The claimed divine speaker of the revelation, identified as Alpha and Omega.
- Thomas B. Marsh: President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, addressed directly, rebuked for pride, forgiven upon self-abasement, and commanded to lead the Twelve in global evangelism.
- Joseph Smith: The Prophet, identified as holding the permanent keys of the kingdom; the text explicitly forbids rebellion against him and places him as the supreme earthly authority.
- Sidney Rigdon: Mentioned as a member of the First Presidency who, along with Joseph and Hyrum, bears the burden of all the churches.
- Hyrum Smith: Mentioned as a member of the First Presidency.
- The Twelve Apostles: Commanded to take up their cross, follow Christ, preach globally, and operate strictly under the direction and authority of the First Presidency.
- The First Presidency: The highest governing body of the church; the text claims that receiving them is synonymous with receiving Christ.
Doctrines Analyzed
Key theological claims identified in this text:
Prophetic Mediation and Equivalence
Assertion
Receiving the First Presidency of the LDS Church is spiritually equivalent to receiving Jesus Christ Himself.
Evidence from Text
Whosoever receiveth my word receiveth me, and whosoever receiveth me, receiveth those, the First Presidency, whom I have sent, whom I have made counselors for my name’s sake unto you. (v. 20)
Evangelical Comparison
In D&C 112:20, the text creates a chain of equivalence: receiving the word = receiving Christ = receiving the First Presidency. This doctrine elevates the highest governing body of the LDS church to a mediatorial role, making submission to them a prerequisite for fellowship with Christ. In stark contrast, Evangelical Christianity adheres to Solus Christus (Christ alone). 1 Timothy 2:5 explicitly states, 'For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.' Evangelicals view church leaders as under-shepherds who are fallible and subject to the authority of Scripture, never as figures whose reception is synonymous with receiving the Lord.
Exclusive Priesthood Keys
Assertion
Joseph Smith and the First Presidency hold exclusive, unalienable 'keys' of the kingdom and the dispensation of the fulness of times, which are required to unlock the gospel to the nations.
Evidence from Text
rebel not against my servant Joseph... the keys which I have given unto him, and also to youward, shall not be taken from him till I come. (v. 15) ...For unto you, the Twelve, and those, the First Presidency... is the power of this priesthood given... the keys of the dispensation... being sent down from heaven unto you. (v. 30-32)
Evangelical Comparison
The text asserts that specific, literal 'keys' of authority were sent down from heaven and bestowed exclusively upon Joseph Smith and the LDS hierarchy. These keys are deemed necessary to 'unlock the door of the kingdom' (v. 17). Evangelical Christianity, based on 1 Peter 2:9 and Revelation 1:6, teaches the priesthood of all believers. The 'keys of the kingdom' mentioned in Matthew 16:19 are understood by Evangelicals not as a hierarchical chain of command, but as the authority of the Gospel message itself—the power to declare sins forgiven through faith in Christ, a privilege granted to the entire Church, not restricted to a First Presidency.
Baptismal Necessity for Salvation
Assertion
Water baptism is an absolute requirement for salvation; without it, a person will be damned.
Evidence from Text
And he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, and he that believeth not, and is not baptized, shall be damned. (v. 29)
Evangelical Comparison
D&C 112:29 quotes the disputed ending of Mark (16:16) to establish that belief must be coupled with baptism to achieve salvation. In LDS theology, this baptism must be performed by someone holding the aforementioned priesthood keys. Evangelical Christianity strongly rejects baptismal regeneration or necessity. Based on Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 3:28, and the example of the thief on the cross (Luke 23:43), Evangelicals maintain that justification occurs at the moment of faith. Baptism is an act of obedience and a public declaration of a salvation already possessed, not a mechanical requirement to avoid damnation.
Universal Apostasy
Assertion
The entire earth and all flesh have become corrupt and are in gross spiritual darkness, necessitating a restoration.
Evidence from Text
Verily, verily, I say unto you, darkness covereth the earth, and gross darkness the minds of the people, and all flesh has become corrupt before my face. (v. 23)
Evangelical Comparison
The text claims that 'gross darkness' covers the minds of the people and 'all flesh has become corrupt', setting the stage for the necessity of Joseph Smith's restoration. While Evangelicals acknowledge periods of deep corruption and the necessity of the Reformation, they fundamentally reject the premise of a 'Great Apostasy' where priesthood authority and true gospel light were entirely lost from the earth. Evangelicals rely on Matthew 16:18, where Christ promises that the gates of hell shall not prevail against His church, and Ephesians 3:21, which promises glory in the church 'throughout all ages, world without end.'
Comparative Analysis
Theological Gap (Summary)
The text fundamentally diverges from Evangelicalism by inserting a human hierarchy (the First Presidency) as a necessary mediator between the believer and Christ, and by adding water baptism as a strict requirement for salvation.
Theological Gap (Explained)
The theological chasm between D&C 112 and Evangelical Christianity centers on the doctrines of Solus Christus (Christ alone) and Sola Fide (Faith alone). D&C 112 constructs a rigid, hierarchical ecclesiology where divine authority is funneled exclusively through Joseph Smith and the First Presidency. Verse 20 explicitly equates receiving the First Presidency with receiving Christ, effectively granting mediatorial status to fallible men. This violates 1 Timothy 2:5, which insists on a single mediator. Furthermore, the text enforces a works-based soteriology. Verse 29 mandates baptism for salvation, and verse 33 places the burden of the generation's salvation on the apostles' performance ('lest the blood... be required at your hands'). Evangelicalism teaches that justification is a forensic declaration by God based solely on the imputed righteousness of Christ, received by faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). The believer's garments are washed in the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 7:14), not cleansed by their own exhaustive missionary efforts.
For All Ages
Imagine you want to talk to the King, and the King's son says, 'You can come straight to me anytime, and I will take you to my Father.' That is what Evangelical Christians believe Jesus did for us. But this text says something different. It says that to get to Jesus, you have to go through a specific group of men called the First Presidency. It says that accepting these men is the exact same thing as accepting Jesus. It also says you have to be baptized in water by their specific authority to be saved. Christians believe that Jesus is the only way, the only truth, and the only door, and we don't need any other human leaders to stand between us and Him.
Friction Points
Solus Christus (Christ Alone)
Equating the reception of the First Presidency with the reception of Christ (v. 20), establishing human mediators.
Universal Priesthood
Asserting exclusive priesthood keys held only by Joseph Smith and the LDS hierarchy (v. 15, 30-32).
Sola Fide (Faith Alone)
Adding water baptism as a strict requirement to avoid damnation (v. 29).
Ecclesiology / Indefectibility of the Church
Claiming universal apostasy and gross darkness over all flesh (v. 23), denying Christ's promise to preserve His church.
Semantic Warnings
Terms that have different meanings between traditions:
"Keys of the kingdom"
In This Text
Literal, exclusive priesthood authority passed down from heaven to Joseph Smith, required to perform saving ordinances and govern the church.
In Evangelicalism
The authority of the Gospel message itself to declare sins forgiven or retained based on a person's response to Christ (Matthew 16:19), exercised by the whole church.
"Dispensation of the fulness of times"
In This Text
The final era of the earth, initiated by the restoration of the gospel and priesthood authority through Joseph Smith in the 19th century.
In Evangelicalism
The culmination of God's redemptive plan in the person and work of Jesus Christ, uniting all things in Him (Ephesians 1:10).
Soteriology (Salvation)
Salvation Defined: Being saved from damnation and entering the kingdom of God.
How Attained: Through belief, self-abasement, and water baptism (v. 29), coupled with enduring faithfulness and works (v. 34).
Basis of Assurance: Assurance is based on one's ongoing humility, obedience to the First Presidency, and successful performance of duties (cleansing garments).
Comparison to Sola Fide: The text explicitly denies Sola Fide by stating 'he that believeth not, and is not baptized, shall be damned' (v. 29) and 'recompense every man according as his work shall be' (v. 34). Romans 4:5 states, 'But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.'
Mandates & Requirements
Explicit Commands
- Let thy heart be of good cheer before my face (v. 4)
- Contend thou, therefore, morning by morning (v. 5)
- Let thy warning voice go forth (v. 5)
- Let not the inhabitants of the earth slumber, because of thy speech (v. 5)
- Let thy habitation be known in Zion (v. 6)
- Remove not thy house (v. 6)
- Gird up thy loins for the work (v. 7, 14)
- Let thy feet be shod also (v. 7)
- Be thou humble (v. 10)
- Be not partial towards them in love above many others (v. 11)
- Let thy love be for them as for thyself (v. 11)
- Let thy love abound unto all men, and unto all who love my name (v. 11)
- Pray for thy brethren of the Twelve (v. 12)
- Admonish them sharply for my name’s sake (v. 12)
- Let them be admonished for all their sins (v. 12)
- Be ye faithful before me unto my name (v. 12)
- Arise (v. 14)
- Take up your cross (v. 14)
- Follow me (v. 14)
- Feed my sheep (v. 14)
- Exalt not yourselves (v. 15)
- Rebel not against my servant Joseph (v. 15)
- Wherefore, whithersoever they shall send you, go ye (v. 19)
- See to it that ye trouble not yourselves concerning the affairs of my church in this place (v. 27)
- Purify your hearts before me (v. 28)
- Go ye into all the world (v. 28)
- Preach my gospel unto every creature who has not received it (v. 28)
- Cleanse your hearts and your garments (v. 33)
- Be faithful until I come (v. 34)
Implicit Obligations
- Absolute submission to the authority and directives of the First Presidency.
- Acceptance of Joseph Smith as the unalterable head of the earthly church.
- Bearing the psychological burden of the spiritual fate of the generation ('lest the blood... be required').
Ritual Requirements
- Baptism (v. 29)
Evangelism Toolkit
Practical tools for engagement and dialogue:
Discovery Questions
Open-ended questions to promote reflection:
- In verse 20, it says that receiving the First Presidency is the same as receiving Jesus. How does that align with 1 Timothy 2:5, which says there is only one mediator between God and men, Jesus Christ?
- Verse 33 warns that the blood of this generation could be required at your hands if you don't cleanse your garments. How does that heavy burden compare to Jesus's promise in Matthew 11:28-30 that His yoke is easy and His burden is light?
- If Jesus promised in Matthew 16:18 that the gates of hell would not prevail against His church, how do we understand verse 23, which says gross darkness covers the earth and all flesh has become corrupt?
Redemptive Analogies
Bridges from this text to the Gospel:
The desire for an 'effectual door' to be opened (v. 19).
While the text looks for a door to preach, Jesus declares that He Himself is the Door (John 10:9). We don't need priesthood keys to unlock the kingdom; Jesus is the door, and He is already open to anyone who believes.
The need for forgiveness and cleansing (v. 3, 33).
The text recognizes the deep human need for forgiveness and clean garments. The Gospel provides the ultimate fulfillment of this: we cannot cleanse our own garments through works, but the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin.
Spiritual Weight
Burdens this text places on adherents:
Verse 33 places a terrifying burden on the believer: 'Cleanse your hearts and your garments, lest the blood of this generation be required at your hands.' This creates a perpetual anxiety that one has not done enough missionary work, and that the eternal damnation of others will be blamed on their personal lack of effort.
Verse 15 ('rebel not against my servant Joseph') and Verse 20 (equating the First Presidency with Christ) demand absolute, unquestioning loyalty to fallible human leaders. This strips the believer of the freedom of conscience and the ability to test all things by Scripture, binding them to the dictates of men under threat of divine displeasure.