Section 114
Overview
Doctrine and Covenants Section 114 is a short, two-verse revelation dictated by Joseph Smith on April 11, 1838, in Far West, Missouri. The text serves a dual purpose: a specific administrative command and a general warning regarding church leadership. First, it directs David W. Patten, a senior member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, to immediately settle his business affairs and dispose of his merchandise. This preparation was required so that he could join the other members of the Twelve on a mission 'next spring' to preach the 'glad tidings' to the world (which historically referred to a planned mission to Great Britain). Second, the text addresses the volatile state of early Mormon leadership during the 1838 Missouri period, a time marked by significant apostasy and internal dissent. The Lord warns that those who 'deny my name' will be removed from their positions, and others will be 'planted in their stead and receive their bishopric.' This language directly echoes the biblical account of Judas Iscariot's replacement in Acts 1:20. From a comparative and historical perspective, this section is highly significant due to subsequent events: David W. Patten was killed in the Battle of Crooked River in October 1838, months before the 'next spring' mission was to occur. This historical reality makes Section 114 a focal point for textual and prophetic criticism, as it presents a predictive prophecy that was not fulfilled in mortality, raising questions about the Deuteronomic test of a prophet.
Key Figures
- The Lord: The claimed divine author of the revelation, speaking in the first person.
- Joseph Smith: The implicit prophet and revelator through whom the text was dictated.
- David W. Patten: An early Mormon Apostle specifically commanded to prepare for a mission the following spring.
- The Twelve: The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, referenced as the group Patten is to accompany.
Doctrines Analyzed
Key theological claims identified in this text:
Modern Prophetic Direction
Assertion
God gives highly specific, logistical, and temporal commands (e.g., settling business, disposing of merchandise) to individuals through a modern prophet.
Evidence from Text
Verily thus saith the Lord: It is wisdom in my servant David W. Patten, that he settle up all his business as soon as he possibly can...
Evangelical Comparison
In Evangelical theology, the doctrine of Sola Scriptura dictates that the 66 books of the Bible contain all knowledge necessary for salvation and godly living (2 Timothy 3:16-17). While Evangelicals believe the Holy Spirit guides and prompts believers individually, they reject the concept of an institutional prophet who receives binding, first-person dictation from God ('Thus saith the Lord') to direct the specific career, financial, and ministry logistics of other believers. The closure of the canon (Hebrews 1:1-2, Revelation 22:18-19) means that new, authoritative, scriptural mandates are no longer being given. D&C 114 operates on the assumption of an open canon where God continually updates His administrative commands through Joseph Smith.
Conditional Calling and Apostolic Replacement
Assertion
Church leaders who deny the Lord's name will lose their office ('bishopric'), and others will be appointed in their place.
Evidence from Text
...inasmuch as there are those among you who deny my name, others shall be planted in their stead and receive their bishopric.
Evangelical Comparison
The text utilizes the concept of replacing fallen leaders, drawing directly from the biblical precedent of replacing Judas Iscariot (Acts 1:20). Evangelicals agree with the general principle that church leaders must remain faithful and that apostasy disqualifies one from ministry (1 Timothy 3:1-7). However, the underlying ecclesiology differs drastically. D&C 114 assumes the existence of a restored, authoritative Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Evangelicalism teaches that the office of the Apostle was foundational to the early church, requiring eyewitness testimony of the resurrected Christ (Acts 1:21-22), and that this specific office ceased with the death of the original Apostles (Ephesians 2:20). Therefore, the 'bishopric' (office) being replaced here belongs to an ecclesiological framework Evangelicals reject.
Comparative Analysis
Theological Gap (Summary)
The text relies on an open canon and the unquestioned authority of a modern prophet to dictate life choices, while presenting a predictive prophecy that historically failed.
Theological Gap (Explained)
The theological gap centers on the nature of prophetic authority and the biblical test of a prophet. Evangelicalism adheres to Sola Scriptura, maintaining that the apostolic era has ended and the canon of Scripture is closed. Therefore, modern claims to 'Thus saith the Lord' dictation are rejected. Furthermore, Evangelicalism applies the strict standard of Deuteronomy 18:20-22 to any prophetic claim: if a prophecy spoken in the name of the Lord does not come to pass, the prophet is presumptuous and not to be feared. D&C 114 explicitly commands David W. Patten to prepare for a mission 'next spring.' Historically, Patten died in a skirmish in October 1838, rendering the fulfillment of this specific, temporal prophecy impossible. While LDS theology accommodates this by suggesting God accepted his death as a substitute or that the mission occurred in the afterlife, Evangelical theology views this as a clear violation of the Deuteronomic test, undermining the epistemological foundation of Joseph Smith's prophetic claims.
For All Ages
Imagine you have a completed rulebook for a game, and it says no more rules can be added. That's how Evangelicals view the Bible. This text is like someone bringing a new page of rules and saying God just gave it to them. Also, the Bible says that if someone claims to speak for God and predicts the future, it absolutely must come true. If it doesn't, they aren't a true prophet. In this text, Joseph Smith said God wanted David Patten to go on a trip the next spring. But David died before spring came, so he couldn't go. For Evangelicals, this shows the prediction didn't come true, which means the person making the prediction wasn't speaking for God.
Friction Points
Sola Scriptura
The text claims to be new, direct, verbatim revelation from God, adding to the canon of Scripture.
Biblical Inerrancy / Test of a Prophet
The text contains a predictive prophecy (Patten's spring mission) that failed to occur due to his death, violating Deuteronomy 18:22.
Universal Priesthood / Ecclesiology
The text assumes the existence of a restored Quorum of Apostles with exclusive authority, which contradicts the biblical teaching that the apostolic foundation was laid once in the first century.
Semantic Warnings
Terms that have different meanings between traditions:
"Bishopric"
In This Text
An ecclesiastical office or calling, specifically referring here to the office of an Apostle in the Quorum of the Twelve.
In Evangelicalism
The office of an overseer, elder, or pastor in a local congregation (1 Timothy 3:1), not a restored apostolic seat.
"Glad tidings"
In This Text
The LDS gospel, which includes faith, repentance, baptism by proper priesthood authority, and the restoration of the church through Joseph Smith.
In Evangelicalism
The good news of Jesus Christ's finished work on the cross, offering justification by grace through faith alone (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).
Soteriology (Salvation)
Salvation Defined: Not explicitly defined in this text, but implied as remaining in good standing with the Lord and His church.
How Attained: Maintained through obedience to prophetic commands and not denying the Lord's name.
Basis of Assurance: Assurance is based on active obedience, fulfilling callings, and retaining one's position in the church hierarchy.
Comparison to Sola Fide: The text focuses entirely on works, obedience, and ecclesiastical duty (settling business, going on missions) as the metric for standing with God. This contrasts with Sola Fide, where standing with God is secured entirely by faith in Christ's finished work (Ephesians 2:8-9), independent of one's ability to fulfill church assignments.
Mandates & Requirements
Explicit Commands
- David W. Patten must settle up all his business as soon as possible.
- David W. Patten must make a disposition of his merchandise.
- David W. Patten must perform a mission next spring.
- David W. Patten must testify of the Lord's name and bear glad tidings to the world.
Implicit Obligations
- Adherents must obey the logistical and vocational directives given by the Prophet.
- Leaders must remain faithful and not deny the Lord's name to retain their positions.
Evangelism Toolkit
Practical tools for engagement and dialogue:
Discovery Questions
Open-ended questions to promote reflection:
- I noticed D&C 114 commands David W. Patten to go on a mission 'next spring.' I read historically that he died in the Battle of Crooked River that October. How do you understand this prophecy in light of his death?
- When reading the Old Testament, Deuteronomy 18 gives a test for prophets based on whether their predictions come true. How does that biblical test apply to D&C 114?
- If God knew David Patten was going to die in a few months, why do you think He commanded him to sell his merchandise to prepare for a trip he would never take?
Redemptive Analogies
Bridges from this text to the Gospel:
Bearing Glad Tidings
The desire to share 'glad tidings' (good news) is a noble and biblical pursuit. We can bridge this by discussing what the *true* glad tidings are. It is not a message of heavy burdens, endless worthiness interviews, or institutional loyalty, but the truly 'glad' news that Jesus Christ has already paid the full penalty for our sins, and we can rest in His finished work.
Spiritual Weight
Burdens this text places on adherents:
The text demands that a believer completely uproot their life, sell their business, and leave their family based on the dictate of a church leader. This creates a heavy burden of performance, where one's devotion to God is measured by their willingness to sacrifice their livelihood on command.
Verse 2 explicitly threatens that if a leader falters, they will be replaced and someone else will take their 'bishopric.' This fosters an environment of anxiety and conditional standing, where believers must constantly perform to maintain their status and avoid being cast aside by the institution.
For a believer who studies church history, reconciling the explicit command for a spring mission with Patten's death requires significant mental gymnastics. This creates cognitive dissonance, forcing the believer to redefine what a 'prophecy' means in order to protect the prophet's reputation.