Section 115
Overview
Doctrine and Covenants Section 115, given through Joseph Smith in April 1838, serves as a foundational organizational and directional text for the early Latter-day Saint movement. Most notably, it establishes the official and final name of the organization as 'The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,' a moniker that distinguishes it from other Christian denominations and asserts its unique eschatological role. The text commands the Saints to gather to Zion and its 'stakes,' framing these locations as physical and spiritual refuges from impending divine wrath upon the earth. Furthermore, it mandates the construction of a new temple ('house of the Lord') in Far West, Missouri, providing specific timelines for its commencement and strict instructions that it must be built exactly according to a divinely revealed pattern given exclusively to the First Presidency. The revelation strictly forbids the leadership from going into debt for this construction. Finally, the text reinforces the hierarchical authority structure of the church by explicitly stating that Joseph Smith holds the 'keys of this kingdom and ministry,' thereby centralizing spiritual and administrative power in his prophetic office.
Key Figures
- Joseph Smith, Jun.: The primary recipient of the revelation, affirmed as holding the exclusive keys of the kingdom and ministry.
- Sidney Rigdon: Counselor to Joseph Smith in the First Presidency, addressed in the revelation.
- Hyrum Smith: Counselor to Joseph Smith in the First Presidency, addressed in the revelation.
- Edward Partridge: Presiding Bishop of the church, addressed along with his counselors.
- The Lord (Jesus Christ): The claimed divine author and source of the revelation.
Doctrines Analyzed
Key theological claims identified in this text:
The True Church's Name
Assertion
The church must be officially called 'The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' in the last days by divine mandate.
Evidence from Text
For thus shall my church be called in the last days, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Evangelical Comparison
In Mormon theology, the specific name of the church is divinely mandated and signifies its status as the sole authorized ecclesiastical body on earth. This text finalizes the name of the organization, which had previously undergone several changes. This contrasts sharply with Evangelical ecclesiology, which defines the Church (ekklesia) as the invisible, universal body of all true believers who have been justified by faith in Christ, regardless of their local denominational affiliation (1 Corinthians 12:12-13, Ephesians 1:22-23). Evangelicals do not believe God mandates a specific corporate trademark or name for His true followers, but rather looks at the heart, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and the confession of the true biblical Gospel.
Zion as a Physical Refuge
Assertion
Gathering to specific geographic locations (Zion and its stakes) provides physical and spiritual defense from God's eschatological wrath.
Evidence from Text
And that the gathering together upon the land of Zion, and upon her stakes, may be for a defense, and for a refuge from the storm, and from wrath when it shall be poured out without mixture upon the whole earth.
Evangelical Comparison
The text posits that safety from eschatological judgment requires physical relocation ('gathering') to specific geographic areas designated by Mormon leadership (Zion and its stakes). In contrast, Evangelical Christianity teaches that salvation and deliverance from God's wrath are found exclusively in the person and finished work of Jesus Christ (Romans 5:9, 1 Thessalonians 1:10). The believer's refuge is spiritual and relational, not geographical. The idea that a specific city or 'stake' provides immunity from divine judgment contradicts the omnipresence of God's grace and the sufficiency of Christ's atonement for those who believe, regardless of where they live on earth.
Exclusive Prophetic Keys
Assertion
Joseph Smith exclusively holds the keys of the kingdom and ministry, making him the sole mediator of God's authority on earth.
Evidence from Text
For behold, I will be with him, and I will sanctify him before the people; for unto him have I given the keys of this kingdom and ministry.
Evangelical Comparison
D&C 115 asserts that Joseph Smith possesses the unique 'keys' to govern God's kingdom on earth, establishing a strict hierarchical and mediatorial authority structure. Evangelicalism, adhering to the doctrine of the Universal Priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:9), rejects the necessity of a modern prophet or exclusive priesthood hierarchy to mediate between God and humanity. Christ is the sole mediator (1 Timothy 2:5), and the 'keys of the kingdom' (Matthew 16:19) are generally understood by Evangelicals as the authority given to the church to proclaim the Gospel, which opens the kingdom to all who believe, rather than an exclusive administrative power held by a single earthly leader.
Comparative Analysis
Theological Gap (Summary)
The text establishes a works-based, geographically-centric, and prophet-mediated system of worship and safety, contrasting with the Evangelical belief in Christ's omnipresent grace, the sufficiency of faith, and the universal priesthood of believers.
Theological Gap (Explained)
D&C 115 presents a theological framework heavily reliant on physical geography, specific institutional affiliation, and human mediation. It asserts that safety from divine wrath is found in gathering to 'Zion' and her 'stakes,' and that acceptable worship requires building a physical temple according to a pattern revealed exclusively to Joseph Smith. This creates a localized and conditional system of grace. In stark contrast, Evangelical theology emphasizes that the believer's refuge is entirely spiritual and found in the person of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:1). The New Covenant abolishes the need for a centralized, physical temple (John 4:21-24), as the believer's body and the gathered church are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19). Furthermore, the assertion that Joseph Smith holds the exclusive 'keys of this kingdom' violates the Evangelical doctrine of the priesthood of all believers and Christ's role as the sole mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5).
For All Ages
Imagine you are in a big, scary storm. This text says you have to run to a very specific building in a specific city, and you have to help build that building exactly the way one man tells you to, or else you won't be safe from the storm. Evangelical Christians believe that Jesus Himself is our umbrella. No matter where you are in the world, if you trust in Jesus, He keeps you safe from the storm of God's anger against sin. You don't need to build a special building or follow one specific human leader to be safe; you just need Jesus.
Friction Points
Universal Priesthood / Ecclesiology
Asserts that one specific denomination with a specific name is the only true church, and that one man holds exclusive keys to the kingdom.
Sola Fide / Christology
Implies that physical gathering and building a temple are necessary for refuge from God's wrath, rather than faith in Christ's finished work alone.
Sola Scriptura
Claims new, binding revelation that dictates church structure and mandates new physical requirements for worship.
Semantic Warnings
Terms that have different meanings between traditions:
"Zion"
In This Text
A specific geographic location (in this context, Far West, Missouri, and surrounding stakes) where Saints must physically gather for safety and defense.
In Evangelicalism
Historically Jerusalem; prophetically the heavenly city or the spiritual dwelling place of God with His people (Hebrews 12:22-24).
"Keys of the kingdom"
In This Text
Exclusive priesthood authority held by the President of the Church to govern the church and administer saving ordinances.
In Evangelicalism
The authority given to the church to proclaim the Gospel, binding and loosing through the declaration of God's Word (Matthew 16:19).
Soteriology (Salvation)
Salvation Defined: In this specific text, salvation is framed eschatologically as 'defense' and 'refuge' from the storm and wrath poured out on the earth.
How Attained: Attained by physically gathering to Zion/stakes, obeying the prophet, and diligently building the temple according to the revealed pattern.
Basis of Assurance: Assurance is based on physical location (being in Zion) and exact obedience to the architectural and organizational patterns revealed to the leadership.
Comparison to Sola Fide: This text heavily emphasizes works (gathering, building, laboring diligently) as the means of securing refuge from divine wrath. This directly opposes Sola Fide, which teaches that believers are saved from wrath through faith in Christ's blood alone (Romans 5:9), not by geographic relocation or construction projects.
Mandates & Requirements
Explicit Commands
- Arise and shine forth (v. 5)
- Build a house unto me, for the gathering together of my saints (v. 8)
- Let there be a beginning of this work... this following summer (v. 9)
- Let the beginning be made on the fourth day of July next (v. 10)
- Labor diligently to build a house unto my name (v. 10)
- In one year from this day let them re-commence laying the foundation (v. 11)
- Labor diligently until it shall be finished, from the cornerstone thereof unto the top thereof (v. 12)
- Let not my servant Joseph... get in debt any more for the building of a house (v. 13)
- Let a house be built unto my name according to the pattern which I will show unto them (v. 14)
Implicit Obligations
- Physically relocate and gather to Zion and her stakes for safety
- Submit entirely to the authority and architectural patterns revealed to the First Presidency
- Financially and physically support the building of the temple without causing the leadership to go into debt
Ritual Requirements
- Constructing a dedicated temple ('house of the Lord') as a prerequisite for acceptable worship and gathering
Evangelism Toolkit
Practical tools for engagement and dialogue:
Discovery Questions
Open-ended questions to promote reflection:
- If God commanded the Far West temple to be built until it was completely finished, but it was never built because of persecution, how do you understand God's sovereignty in fulfilling His prophecies?
- When verse 6 talks about finding refuge from God's wrath by gathering to Zion, how does that compare to the New Testament idea that Jesus Himself is our refuge?
- Why do you think God would require a building to be constructed according to an exact pattern to be accepted, rather than looking at the hearts of the worshippers?
Redemptive Analogies
Bridges from this text to the Gospel:
A refuge from the storm and wrath.
The desire for safety from judgment is universal and valid. While this text points to a physical city (Zion) as the refuge, the Gospel points to Jesus Christ as the ultimate and true refuge. He took the storm of God's wrath upon Himself on the cross so that we could be safe.
Spiritual Weight
Burdens this text places on adherents:
The text places a heavy burden on the community to labor diligently and build exactly according to a revealed pattern, with the threat that God 'will not accept it at their hands' if they fail (v. 15). This creates anxiety about exactness in performance and fear of divine rejection based on human error or inability.
The looming threat of 'wrath when it shall be poured out without mixture' creates a fear-based motivation to conform, gather, and obey the leadership to ensure physical and spiritual survival.
By centralizing the 'keys' in one man (v. 19), believers are made entirely dependent on the institutional hierarchy for their standing with God, stripping them of the assurance that comes from direct, unmediated relationship with Christ.