Section 121
Overview
Doctrine and Covenants Section 121 is an excerpt from a letter written by Joseph Smith in March 1839 while imprisoned in Liberty Jail, Missouri. The text begins with Smith's impassioned plea to God on behalf of the suffering Latter-day Saints, echoing the lamentations found in the biblical Psalms. The Lord's response offers comfort, assuring Smith that his afflictions will be brief and that enduring them well will lead to exaltation. The text then pivots to pronounce severe curses and damnation upon those who falsely accuse Smith and persecute the Saints, declaring they will lose their rights to the priesthood and temple ordinances. Theologically, the section introduces profound shifts, promising future revelations about the cosmos and explicitly mentioning the possibility of 'many gods' and a 'Council of the Eternal God of all other gods,' laying the groundwork for Mormon polytheism/henotheism. Finally, the text addresses the nature of priesthood authority, warning that 'many are called, but few are chosen' because men tend to exercise 'unrighteous dominion.' It concludes with a beautiful, though conditional, exhortation that priesthood power can only be maintained through persuasion, gentleness, meekness, and love, promising that virtue and charity will cause one's confidence to 'wax strong in the presence of God.'
Key Figures
- Joseph Smith: The author and recipient of the revelation, positioned as God's 'anointed' whose enemies will be cursed.
- God the Father / The Lord: The divine voice answering Smith, promising exaltation, judgment, and new revelations.
- Job: Biblical figure referenced as a point of comparison for Smith's suffering.
- Enemies / False Accusers: Those who persecute the Saints and speak against Smith, destined for damnation and severance from ordinances.
Doctrines Analyzed
Key theological claims identified in this text:
Exaltation through Endurance
Assertion
Believers will be exalted by God to a high status (godhood) if they endure adversity and afflictions well.
Evidence from Text
And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes. (D&C 121:8)
Evangelical Comparison
In Mormon theology, 'exaltation' refers to the highest degree of the Celestial Kingdom, which includes becoming a god. This text conditions exaltation on human performance—specifically, enduring trials 'well.' In contrast, Evangelical Christianity teaches that glorification (the final state of the believer) is an unbreakable link in the 'golden chain of redemption' (Romans 8:30) that depends entirely on God's grace and Christ's finished work, not on the believer's ability to endure perfectly. While Christians are called to endure, endurance is the fruit of genuine faith preserved by God (Philippians 1:6), not the meritorious cause of exaltation.
Plurality of Gods (Polytheism/Henotheism)
Assertion
The text anticipates revelations concerning the existence of multiple gods and a council of gods.
Evidence from Text
A time to come in the which nothing shall be withheld, whether there be one God or many gods, they shall be manifest. (D&C 121:28) ... According to that which was ordained in the midst of the Council of the Eternal God of all other gods before this world was... (D&C 121:32)
Evangelical Comparison
This is one of the most significant theological departures from historic Christianity in the Doctrine and Covenants. Verse 32 explicitly references the 'Council of the Eternal God of all other gods,' establishing a polytheistic or henotheistic worldview where the biblical God is one among many. Evangelical Christianity, rooted in strict biblical monotheism, vehemently rejects this. Isaiah 43:10 declares, 'Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me,' and Isaiah 44:8 states, 'Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one.' The concept of a council of gods fundamentally violates the Evangelical doctrine of Theology Proper.
Priesthood Authority and Ordinances
Assertion
Priesthood authority is necessary to access heaven's power, controls access to essential temple ordinances, and can be lost through unrighteousness.
Evidence from Text
...they shall be severed from the ordinances of mine house... They shall not have right to the priesthood... (D&C 121:19, 21) That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven... (D&C 121:36)
Evangelical Comparison
The text assumes a hierarchical, restored priesthood that controls access to the 'ordinances of mine house' (temple rituals). It also teaches that this priesthood power is conditional upon the righteous behavior of the holder. Evangelical Christianity teaches the Universal Priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:9), meaning every Christian has direct access to God through the sole mediation of Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 2:5). Furthermore, Christ holds the Melchizedek priesthood permanently and exclusively (Hebrews 7:24), and it is not transferred to men to administer saving ordinances.
Continuing and Unprecedented Revelation
Assertion
God will reveal new knowledge through the Holy Ghost that has never been revealed since the world began.
Evidence from Text
God shall give unto you knowledge by his Holy Spirit, yea, by the unspeakable gift of the Holy Ghost, that has not been revealed since the world was until now; (D&C 121:26)
Evangelical Comparison
The text promises an outpouring of new, unprecedented cosmological and theological knowledge. This aligns with the Mormon doctrine of continuing revelation through living prophets. Evangelicalism, adhering to Sola Scriptura, maintains that the canon of Scripture is closed. Hebrews 1:1-2 states that while God spoke in various ways in the past, in these last days He has spoken definitively through His Son. Jude 3 speaks of the faith 'once for all delivered to the saints.' While the Holy Spirit illuminates the existing Word, He does not provide new, foundational doctrinal revelations that add to or alter the biblical canon.
Comparative Analysis
Theological Gap (Summary)
The text introduces polytheism, works-based exaltation, and a conditional, hierarchical priesthood, which fundamentally contradict Evangelical monotheism, justification by faith alone, and the universal priesthood of believers.
Theological Gap (Explained)
The theological chasm between D&C 121 and Evangelicalism is profound, particularly regarding Theology Proper and Soteriology. Verse 32's reference to the 'Council of the Eternal God of all other gods' shatters the foundational biblical doctrine of strict monotheism (Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 43:10). Evangelicalism insists that God is uncreated, eternally distinct from His creation, and absolutely singular in His divine nature. Furthermore, the text's assertion that God will 'exalt' believers if they 'endure it well' (v. 8) introduces a works-righteousness paradigm that violates Sola Fide. In Evangelical theology, glorification is the guaranteed culmination of justification, which is received by faith alone in Christ's finished work (Romans 8:29-30, Ephesians 2:8-9). Finally, the text's heavy emphasis on a restored, hierarchical priesthood that controls access to essential 'ordinances' (v. 19, 36-46) directly contradicts the biblical teaching of the Universal Priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:9) and the sufficiency of Christ's once-for-all mediation (Hebrews 7:23-27).
For All Ages
Imagine you have a favorite superhero who saved the whole world all by himself. Evangelical Christians believe Jesus is like that—He did everything needed to save us, and we just have to trust Him. We also believe there is only one God. But this text says that we have to 'endure well' to earn the highest reward, that there might be many gods in a big council, and that people need a special 'priesthood' power to do certain rituals. It's like saying Jesus' rescue wasn't enough, we have to do a lot of work ourselves, and there are other superhero gods out there.
Friction Points
Theology Proper / Monotheism
Asserts the existence of a 'Council of the Eternal God of all other gods,' introducing polytheism/henotheism.
Sola Fide
Conditions exaltation on enduring well and righteous performance.
Universal Priesthood
Establishes a hierarchical priesthood necessary for ordinances and heavenly power.
Sola Scriptura
Promises new revelations not found in the Bible, claiming knowledge never before revealed.
Semantic Warnings
Terms that have different meanings between traditions:
"Exalt"
In This Text
To be elevated to the highest degree of the Celestial Kingdom, ultimately becoming a god.
In Evangelicalism
God lifting up or honoring the humble, but never elevating a human to ontological godhood.
"Priesthood"
In This Text
The authority and power of God delegated to worthy male members to act in His name and perform saving ordinances.
In Evangelicalism
The status of all believers who can approach God directly through Christ, offering spiritual sacrifices.
"Ordinances"
In This Text
Saving rituals (like endowment and sealing) performed in temples by priesthood authority.
In Evangelicalism
Sacraments or ordinances (like baptism and communion) that act as outward signs of inward grace, not as requirements for salvation.
Soteriology (Salvation)
Salvation Defined: The text focuses on 'exaltation' (v. 8), which is the highest form of salvation in Mormonism, equating to godhood.
How Attained: By enduring afflictions well (v. 8) and maintaining the rights of the priesthood through strict righteousness and virtue (v. 36-46).
Basis of Assurance: Subjective internal feelings ('confidence wax strong', v. 45) based on continuous virtuous thoughts and actions.
Comparison to Sola Fide: The text explicitly conditions exaltation on human endurance and righteous performance ('if thou endure it well'). This directly opposes Romans 4:4-5, which states that to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.
Mandates & Requirements
Explicit Commands
- Endure adversity and afflictions well (v. 8)
- Reprove betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost (v. 43)
- Show forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved (v. 43)
- Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith (v. 45)
- Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly (v. 45)
Implicit Obligations
- Submit to and do not speak against Joseph Smith, the Lord's 'anointed' (v. 16)
- Do not cover sins or gratify pride (v. 37)
- Do not exercise control, dominion, or compulsion upon the souls of men in any degree of unrighteousness (v. 37)
Ritual Requirements
- Participation in the 'ordinances of mine house' (temple ordinances), from which the wicked are severed (v. 19)
Evangelism Toolkit
Practical tools for engagement and dialogue:
Discovery Questions
Open-ended questions to promote reflection:
- Verse 32 mentions the 'Council of the Eternal God of all other gods.' How do you reconcile this with passages in Isaiah where God says He knows of no other gods?
- Verse 8 says God will exalt you 'if thou endure it well.' How do you know if you are enduring well enough to earn that promise?
- Verses 41-45 give a beautiful standard for how to treat others. But verse 45 also says your confidence will wax strong in God's presence if you let virtue garnish your thoughts 'unceasingly.' Do you ever struggle with keeping your thoughts unceasingly virtuous? What happens to your confidence then?
Redemptive Analogies
Bridges from this text to the Gospel:
The cry of the suffering soul
Joseph Smith's cry of abandonment mirrors the human condition in a fallen world, and even mirrors Christ's cry on the cross. We can bridge this to the Gospel by showing that Jesus entered into our deepest suffering and abandonment so that we would never have to be separated from God.
Spiritual Weight
Burdens this text places on adherents:
Verse 45 requires the believer to let virtue garnish their thoughts 'unceasingly' in order for their confidence to wax strong before God. This creates an impossible standard of mental perfection. If a believer has a single non-virtuous thought, their confidence before God is threatened, leading to a cycle of anxiety, guilt, and fear of losing priesthood power.
The text ties the 'powers of heaven' to a priesthood hierarchy. Believers may feel immense pressure to conform to the expectations of priesthood leaders, fearing that stepping out of line might mean they are 'kicking against the pricks' or fighting against God (v. 38).