Section 27
Overview
Doctrine and Covenants Section 27 was received by Joseph Smith in August 1830 when he reportedly set out to purchase wine for a sacrament service but was stopped by a heavenly messenger. The text begins by declaring that the specific elements used in the sacrament (bread and wine) do not matter, provided the ordinance is performed with an 'eye single to my glory' to remember Christ's body and blood. It commands the early Saints not to purchase wine from their enemies. The revelation then transitions into a grand eschatological vision, listing numerous ancient prophets and biblical figures—including Moroni, Elias, John the Baptist, Elijah, the Patriarchs, Michael (identified here as Adam and the Ancient of Days), and Peter, James, and John. The text claims these figures have visited Joseph Smith to restore specific 'keys' of the priesthood and the dispensation of the fulness of times. The section concludes by repurposing the Apostle Paul's 'Armor of God' metaphor from Ephesians 6, applying it to the Latter-day Saints as a mandate to remain faithful until Christ's return.
Key Figures
- Jesus Christ: The speaker of the revelation, who promises to return and drink the fruit of the vine with the faithful on earth.
- Moroni: An angelic figure claimed to have revealed the Book of Mormon (the stick of Ephraim) to Joseph Smith.
- Elias: Presented as a distinct ancient prophet who committed the keys of the restoration of all things.
- John the Baptist (son of Zacharias): Claimed to have been sent to ordain Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery to the Aaronic priesthood.
- Elijah: Claimed to hold the keys of turning the hearts of the fathers to the children to prevent the earth from being cursed.
- Joseph, Jacob, Isaac, and Abraham: The biblical patriarchs through whom the promises remain.
- Michael / Adam: Explicitly identified as the same being, titled the 'father of all,' the 'prince of all,' and the 'ancient of days.'
- Peter, James, and John: New Testament apostles claimed to have ordained Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery to the Melchizedek priesthood and committed the keys of the kingdom.
- Joseph Smith, Jun.: The recipient of the revelation and the claimed recipient of all the aforementioned priesthood keys.
- Oliver Cowdery: Co-recipient of the Aaronic priesthood ordination from John the Baptist.
Doctrines Analyzed
Key theological claims identified in this text:
Restoration of Priesthood Keys
Assertion
Specific ancient prophets (John the Baptist, Peter, James, John, Elijah, Elias) physically appeared to Joseph Smith to restore exclusive priesthood authority and keys necessary for the church.
Evidence from Text
...Peter, and James, and John, whom I have sent unto you, by whom I have ordained you and confirmed you to be apostles, and especial witnesses of my name, and bear the keys of your ministry...
Evangelical Comparison
In Latter-day Saint theology, the 'keys' of the priesthood represent the exclusive right to direct the use of God's power on earth. D&C 27 claims that because of a total apostasy, these keys had to be physically restored by the resurrected or translated beings who last held them (e.g., John the Baptist restoring the Aaronic Priesthood; Peter, James, and John restoring the Melchizedek Priesthood). Evangelical Christianity fundamentally rejects this premise. Based on 1 Peter 2:9 and Revelation 1:6, Evangelicals believe in the 'priesthood of all believers.' Christ is the sole high priest (Hebrews 4:14-16), and the veil was torn, granting all believers direct access to God without the need for an exclusive, mediating earthly priesthood hierarchy or restored apostolic keys.
Adam-Michael Identity and Ancient of Days
Assertion
Adam is the archangel Michael, and he is also the 'Ancient of Days.'
Evidence from Text
And also with Michael, or Adam, the father of all, the prince of all, the ancient of days;
Evangelical Comparison
D&C 27:11 conflates three distinct biblical identities into one being: Adam (the first man), Michael (the archangel), and the Ancient of Days. In Evangelical theology, Adam is strictly human (Genesis 2). Michael is an angelic being of a completely different created order than humanity (Jude 1:9, Revelation 12:7). Most critically, the title 'Ancient of Days' in Daniel 7:9 is universally understood in orthodox Christianity to refer to God the Father, who takes His seat to judge, and to whom the 'Son of Man' (Jesus) approaches. Assigning a divine title of the Creator to a created human (Adam) is a severe theological divergence from biblical Theology Proper.
Elias and Elijah as Distinct Beings
Assertion
Elias and Elijah are two separate historical individuals who held different priesthood keys.
Evidence from Text
And also with Elias, to whom I have committed the keys... And also Elijah, unto whom I have committed the keys...
Evangelical Comparison
D&C 27 lists Elias (v. 6) and Elijah (v. 9) as two distinct individuals who visited Joseph Smith to restore different sets of keys. In biblical manuscript history, 'Elias' is merely the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew name 'Elijah' used in the New Testament (e.g., Matthew 17:3 in the KJV). Evangelical textual critics and theologians point out that treating them as two separate historical prophets demonstrates a misunderstanding of biblical languages by the author of the text.
Sacramental Elements
Assertion
The physical elements used in the sacrament (communion) do not matter as long as the participant's intent is focused on Christ's glory.
Evidence from Text
...it mattereth not what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink when ye partake of the sacrament, if it so be that ye do it with an eye single to my glory...
Evangelical Comparison
This revelation serves as the historical justification for the LDS Church using water instead of wine or grape juice for their sacrament. While Evangelical Christianity does not believe in transubstantiation (the elements literally becoming the body and blood) and agrees that the heart's posture is paramount (1 Corinthians 11:27-29), most Evangelical traditions strive to adhere to the elements Christ explicitly instituted (bread and the fruit of the vine) as a matter of obedience and symbolic accuracy, rather than claiming new revelation authorizes a permanent substitution.
Comparative Analysis
Theological Gap (Summary)
The text establishes an exclusive priesthood hierarchy restored by angels, redefines biblical figures (Adam as the Ancient of Days), and treats Greek and Hebrew names for the same prophet (Elias/Elijah) as two distinct historical beings.
Theological Gap (Explained)
The theological gap between D&C 27 and Evangelical Christianity is profound, primarily concerning authority, angelology, and Theology Proper. Evangelicals hold to Sola Scriptura and the priesthood of all believers, maintaining that the apostolic foundation of the Church was laid once and for all (Ephesians 2:20) and that Christ's high priesthood permanently mediates for all believers (Hebrews 7:23-25). D&C 27 asserts that this authority was lost and required physical restoration by resurrected beings, establishing an exclusive earthly hierarchy necessary for the administration of the gospel. Furthermore, the text introduces severe biblical contradictions. It identifies Adam as the 'Ancient of Days' (v. 11), a title reserved exclusively for the Divine in Daniel 7:9. Elevating a created human to a title of the eternal God violates orthodox Theology Proper. Additionally, the text lists Elias and Elijah as two distinct beings who restored different keys (v. 6, 9). In biblical manuscript tradition, 'Elias' is simply the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew 'Elijah.' Treating them as separate historical figures reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of biblical languages, which Evangelicals point to as evidence against the text's divine origin.
For All Ages
Imagine you have a favorite book, and the author wrote 'The End' on the last page. Evangelical Christians believe the Bible is like that—God gave us everything we need to know about Jesus, and the story of how to be saved is complete. We don't need new secret keys or special passwords to reach God because Jesus opened the door for everyone. This text from Joseph Smith says that the authority to run God's church was completely lost, and angels had to come back to give special 'keys' to him so he could start it again. It also changes some characters from the Bible. For example, it says Adam (the first man) is the 'Ancient of Days,' but Christians believe the 'Ancient of Days' is a special name for God the Father. It also says Elias and Elijah were two different people who visited Joseph, but in the Bible, Elias is just the Greek way of saying the Hebrew name Elijah. Because of these big differences, Christians believe this text doesn't match the Bible.
Friction Points
Universal Priesthood
Asserts that priesthood authority must be mediated through a specific, restored hierarchical line beginning with Joseph Smith.
Sola Scriptura
Adds new revelation and claims the Bible is insufficient for church governance without modern restored keys.
Theology Proper
Assigns the divine title 'Ancient of Days' (Daniel 7) to Adam, a created human.
Biblical Inerrancy / Historical Accuracy
Treats Elias and Elijah as two separate historical figures due to a misunderstanding of Greek/Hebrew translation.
Semantic Warnings
Terms that have different meanings between traditions:
"Keys"
In This Text
Exclusive rights of presidency and authority to direct the priesthood, restored by specific angels to Joseph Smith.
In Evangelicalism
The authority of the gospel to bind and loose, given to the apostles and by extension the church, fulfilled in the preaching of the Gospel (Matthew 16:19).
"Sacrament"
In This Text
An ordinance where members renew covenants made at baptism, requiring authorized priesthood to administer.
In Evangelicalism
Communion or the Lord's Supper; an ordinance of remembrance and proclamation of Christ's death (1 Corinthians 11:26), not a mechanism for renewing a covenant of salvation.
"Elias"
In This Text
A specific ancient prophet distinct from Elijah, who held the keys of the restoration of all things.
In Evangelicalism
The Greek transliteration of the Hebrew name Elijah.
Soteriology (Salvation)
Salvation Defined: Being 'caught up' to be where Christ is at His coming.
How Attained: Through faithfulness, putting on the armor of God, and participating in ordinances administered by those holding the restored keys.
Basis of Assurance: Enduring to the end ('be faithful until I come').
Comparison to Sola Fide: While the text mentions Christ's blood shed for the remission of sins, the overarching context requires submission to the newly restored priesthood authority and enduring faithfulness to be 'caught up.' This contrasts with Sola Fide, which teaches that justification is a completed, present reality for the believer based solely on faith in Christ (John 5:24).
Mandates & Requirements
Explicit Commands
- Listen to the voice of Jesus Christ
- Do not purchase wine or strong drink from enemies
- Partake only of new wine made among yourselves
- Lift up your hearts and rejoice
- Gird up your loins
- Take upon you the whole armor of God
- Be agreed as touching all things whatsoever ye ask
- Be faithful until Christ comes
Implicit Obligations
- Accept Joseph Smith's exclusive priesthood authority as valid and restored by angels
- Accept the Book of Mormon as the 'stick of Ephraim'
- Maintain a degree of separation or caution regarding 'enemies' (those outside the faith community)
Ritual Requirements
- Partake of the sacrament with an eye single to God's glory
- Remember the body and blood of Christ for the remission of sins during the sacrament
Evangelism Toolkit
Practical tools for engagement and dialogue:
Discovery Questions
Open-ended questions to promote reflection:
- I noticed that D&C 27 mentions both Elias and Elijah visiting Joseph Smith. Since Elias is just the Greek word for Elijah in the New Testament, how do you understand them being two different people here?
- When you read Daniel 7:9 about the 'Ancient of Days' taking His throne, how does that fit with D&C 27 calling Adam the Ancient of Days?
- I was reading about the history of this section and learned that the verses about Peter, James, and John weren't in the original 1833 Book of Commandments, but were added in 1835. How do you process changes being made to revelations after they were originally given?
- If the veil was torn when Jesus died, giving us direct access to God, why do you feel a restored priesthood hierarchy is necessary today?
Redemptive Analogies
Bridges from this text to the Gospel:
The Armor of God
Both Evangelicals and Latter-day Saints recognize the reality of spiritual warfare and the need to rely on God's provision (truth, righteousness, faith, salvation, the Spirit). This shared language can be a bridge to discuss what the 'helmet of salvation' truly means—whether it is a hope based on our enduring performance, or a secure reality based on Christ's finished work.
Remembrance of Christ's Blood
The text emphasizes partaking of the sacrament to remember Christ's blood shed for the remission of sins. This is a perfect opportunity to discuss the sufficiency of that blood. If His blood truly remits sins, we can rest in His grace rather than striving to maintain worthiness through institutional obedience.
Spiritual Weight
Burdens this text places on adherents:
The command to 'be faithful until I come' in order to be 'caught up' places the ultimate burden of salvation on the believer's ability to endure and maintain worthiness, rather than resting in the secure, finished work of Christ.
By asserting that specific keys were restored to specific leaders, the text binds the believer's spiritual standing to their submission to the LDS Church hierarchy. A believer cannot simply follow Jesus; they must follow the men who hold the keys.