Section 38
Overview
Doctrine and Covenants Section 38, given through Joseph Smith in January 1831, serves as a pivotal transitional revelation for the early Latter-day Saint movement. It establishes Jesus Christ's divine authority as the omniscient Creator and Mediator before issuing a critical logistical and spiritual directive: the Saints must relocate from New York to Ohio. This gathering is framed not merely as a practical necessity to escape 'secret' enemies, but as a prerequisite for receiving divine law and an 'endowment of power from on high.' The text heavily emphasizes egalitarianism and unity, famously declaring, 'if ye are not one ye are not mine,' and mandates the appointment of men to care for the poor and manage church property. Theologically, the section blends high Christology with conditional promises of a physical and eternal promised land. It introduces a works-oriented framework for salvation and preparedness, culminating in the command to 'Save yourselves' and 'Be ye clean.' The revelation reflects the apocalyptic urgency of the early movement, warning of impending wars, the corruption of all flesh, and the imminent return of Christ, while solidifying Joseph Smith's role as the exclusive mouthpiece for Christ's commands to His 'only well pleasing' people.
Key Figures
- Jesus Christ: Speaks in the first person as the Great I Am, Creator, and Lawgiver, asserting His omniscience and role as mediator.
- Enoch: Mentioned as having his Zion taken into God's bosom, serving as an archetype for the righteous, gathered community the Saints are commanded to build.
- The Father: Mentioned as the one before whom Christ pleads for believers.
- The Nephites: An ancient Book of Mormon people cited as a cautionary tale against pride and the misuse of riches.
Doctrines Analyzed
Key theological claims identified in this text:
Exclusivity of the LDS Church
Assertion
The LDS Church is the only group on earth with whom the Lord is well pleased, and all other flesh is corrupted.
Evidence from Text
Verily I say unto you, ye are clean, but not all; and there is none else with whom I am well pleased; For all flesh is corrupted before me (v. 10-11)
Evangelical Comparison
In D&C 38, Christ explicitly states that outside of this specific group of early Mormons, 'there is none else with whom I am well pleased,' declaring all other flesh corrupted. This establishes a strict exclusivism that forms the foundation of the LDS concept of the 'one true church.' In contrast, Evangelical Christianity holds to the doctrine of the universal Church (the Body of Christ), which consists of all individuals who have been justified by faith in Christ, regardless of their denominational affiliation. Evangelicals reject the notion that institutional boundaries define God's favor, pointing to passages like Ephesians 4:4-6, which emphasize one body and one Spirit. The LDS claim of exclusive divine pleasure delegitimizes all other Christian bodies.
Conditional Salvation and Self-Salvation
Assertion
Salvation is tied to keeping specific logistical commandments, such as relocating geographically, and requires personal effort to save oneself.
Evidence from Text
And for your salvation I give unto you a commandment... that ye should go to the Ohio (v. 16, 32). Save yourselves. Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord. (v. 42)
Evangelical Comparison
The text explicitly links 'salvation' to a commandment to relocate to Ohio (v. 16, 32) and concludes with the imperative to 'Save yourselves' (v. 42). This reflects a synergistic soteriology where human action and obedience to modern prophetic directives are necessary components of salvation. Evangelical Christianity, adhering to Sola Fide and Sola Gratia, teaches that salvation is a monergistic work of God. Ephesians 2:8-9 explicitly states that salvation is a gift of God, not of works, so that no one can boast. While Evangelicals believe obedience is a fruit of salvation, they strictly deny that keeping commandments (especially logistical directives like moving to a specific state) contributes to or secures one's salvation.
The Necessity of a Secondary Endowment of Power
Assertion
Believers must gather to a specific geographic location to receive God's law and an endowment of spiritual power necessary for their mission.
Evidence from Text
Wherefore, for this cause I gave unto you the commandment that ye should go to the Ohio; and there I will give unto you my law; and there you shall be endowed with power from on high (v. 32)
Evangelical Comparison
D&C 38 promises an 'endowment with power from on high' contingent upon the Saints gathering to Ohio. This introduces the concept of a secondary, location-specific impartation of spiritual power and law, which later evolves into the LDS temple endowment. Evangelical theology teaches that the 'power from on high' promised by Jesus in Luke 24:49 was fulfilled historically at Pentecost (Acts 2). Furthermore, Romans 8:9 and Ephesians 1:13-14 affirm that every believer receives the full indwelling of the Holy Spirit at the moment of conversion. There is no biblical mandate for a post-ascension, geographically restricted endowment of power or new law, as the New Covenant is already fully established in Christ's blood.
Comparative Analysis
Theological Gap (Summary)
The text shifts the basis of salvation and divine favor from Christ's finished work to institutional affiliation, geographic relocation, and perfect unity. It introduces ongoing, binding extra-biblical revelation that commands works as a prerequisite for salvation and spiritual power.
Theological Gap (Explained)
The theological gap between D&C 38 and Evangelical Christianity is profound, primarily concerning Soteriology, Ecclesiology, and Bibliology. First, the text violates Sola Fide by explicitly linking 'salvation' to a commandment to relocate to Ohio (v. 16) and commanding adherents to 'Save yourselves' (v. 42). This creates a works-righteousness paradigm where human effort and obedience to logistical directives are co-requisites for redemption. Second, the text's Ecclesiology is radically exclusive. By declaring 'there is none else with whom I am well pleased' (v. 10), it denies the universal, invisible Church, replacing it with a single, institutional body. Third, the text violates Sola Scriptura by presenting itself as the direct, verbatim words of Christ, adding to the canon and establishing Joseph Smith as the necessary mediator of God's current will. Finally, the conditional statement 'if ye are not one ye are not mine' (v. 27) destroys the biblical doctrine of the assurance of salvation, placing the burden of maintaining one's status in Christ on the fragile foundation of human unity and performance.
For All Ages
Imagine you have a ticket to the best amusement park ever, and the ticket was a free gift from your best friend. That's how Evangelical Christians view heaven—it's a free gift from Jesus because of what He did on the cross. But in this text, it's like someone is saying, 'Yes, Jesus loves you, but to actually get into the park, you have to move to a specific state, give your money to this specific group, and make sure you and all your friends never argue. If you argue, you don't belong to Jesus anymore.' It changes salvation from a free gift you receive by trusting Jesus into a really hard checklist of things you have to do and places you have to go. It also says that only this one small group of people is making God happy, while the Bible says anyone who trusts in Jesus is part of God's family.
Friction Points
Universal Priesthood / Ecclesiology
Asserts that only one specific group is pleasing to God, denying the universal body of Christ.
Sola Fide
Commands adherents to 'Save yourselves' and links salvation to obeying a command to move to Ohio.
Sufficiency of the Holy Spirit
Requires a geographic gathering to receive an 'endowment of power,' implying the initial reception of the Spirit at conversion is insufficient.
Semantic Warnings
Terms that have different meanings between traditions:
"Salvation"
In This Text
Deliverance from temporal enemies and the ultimate attainment of eternal life, conditioned upon obedience to specific commandments (like moving to Ohio) and personal effort ('Save yourselves').
In Evangelicalism
Deliverance from the penalty of sin, granted as a free gift by grace through faith alone in Christ's finished work, entirely apart from human works or geographic relocation (Ephesians 2:8-9).
"Endowed with power"
In This Text
A future, location-specific (Ohio) impartation of spiritual power and law necessary for the church's mission.
In Evangelicalism
The indwelling of the Holy Spirit given to all believers at the moment of conversion (Ephesians 1:13-14), historically poured out at Pentecost (Acts 2).
Soteriology (Salvation)
Salvation Defined: Deliverance from temporal destruction and the attainment of an eternal inheritance (a promised land).
How Attained: Through belief in Christ's name, but heavily conditioned upon obedience to specific commands (gathering to Ohio), unity, and personal purity ('Save yourselves').
Basis of Assurance: Assurance is highly conditional. Believers are told 'the kingdom is yours' (v. 9), but this is immediately undercut by warnings that 'he that is not purified shall not abide the day' (v. 8) and 'if ye are not one ye are not mine' (v. 27).
Comparison to Sola Fide: The text stands in direct opposition to Sola Fide. While it mentions Christ pleading by His blood (v. 4), the practical application of salvation requires human works: 'And for your salvation I give unto you a commandment' (v. 16) and 'Save yourselves' (v. 42). Romans 3:28 and Galatians 2:16 explicitly deny that salvation comes through the works of the law or obedience to commandments.
Mandates & Requirements
Explicit Commands
- gird up your loins and be prepared (v. 9)
- be ye strong from henceforth; fear not (v. 15)
- seek it [the promised land] with all your hearts (v. 19)
- hear my voice and follow me (v. 22)
- teach one another according to the office wherewith I have appointed you (v. 23)
- let every man esteem his brother as himself (v. 24, 25)
- practice virtue and holiness before me (v. 24)
- be one (v. 27)
- treasure up wisdom in your bosoms (v. 30)
- go to the Ohio (v. 32)
- certain men among them shall be appointed... by the voice of the church (v. 34)
- look to the poor and the needy, and administer to their relief (v. 35)
- send them forth to the place which I have commanded them (v. 35)
- govern the affairs of the property of this church (v. 36)
- farms that cannot be sold, let them be left or rented (v. 37)
- See that all things are preserved (v. 38)
- beware of pride (v. 39)
- every man... go to with his might, with the labor of his hands, to prepare and accomplish the things which I have commanded (v. 40)
- let your preaching be the warning voice... in mildness and in meekness (v. 41)
- go ye out from among the wicked (v. 42)
- Save yourselves (v. 42)
- Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord (v. 42)
Implicit Obligations
- Accept Joseph Smith as the exclusive channel for Christ's voice.
- Abandon current homes and properties in New York to relocate to Ohio.
- Submit to the newly appointed men governing the property of the church.
- Maintain absolute unity to remain in God's favor ('if ye are not one ye are not mine').
Ritual Requirements
- None explicitly detailed in this text, though the promise to be 'endowed with power' foreshadows future ritual requirements.
Evangelism Toolkit
Practical tools for engagement and dialogue:
Discovery Questions
Open-ended questions to promote reflection:
- In verse 27, Jesus says, 'if ye are not one ye are not mine.' How do you personally find peace and assurance of your standing with God when perfect unity with others is so difficult to maintain?
- Verse 42 commands, 'Save yourselves.' How does this instruction fit with the biblical teaching in Ephesians 2:8-9 that salvation is a gift of God and not of works?
- If the 'power from on high' was given to the apostles at Pentecost in the New Testament, why was a new geographic gathering to Ohio necessary to receive it again?
Redemptive Analogies
Bridges from this text to the Gospel:
Christ as the Mediator pleading by His blood.
This is a beautiful and true biblical concept. Evangelicals can agree wholeheartedly with verse 4 and use it to pivot to the sufficiency of that blood. If Christ's blood is what pleads for us, why do we need to 'save ourselves' (v. 42) or move to Ohio to be accepted?
Spiritual Weight
Burdens this text places on adherents:
The absolute demand 'if ye are not one ye are not mine' places an impossible burden on the believer. It makes their belonging to Christ contingent upon flawless interpersonal relationships and community harmony. If there is discord, the believer must fear they have lost their relationship with Christ.
The command to 'Save yourselves' and the linking of salvation to logistical obedience (moving to Ohio) creates a treadmill of works. The believer can never be sure they have done enough, moved to the right place, or obeyed the prophet sufficiently to secure their salvation.
The text uses apocalyptic fear (wars, secret chambers, angels waiting to reap the earth) to motivate obedience. The warning that 'he that is not purified shall not abide the day' creates anxiety about one's level of personal purity in the face of impending judgment.
The claim that 'all flesh is corrupted' and 'there is none else with whom I am well pleased' isolates the believer from the broader Christian world, fostering an 'us vs. them' mentality and a fear of the outside world.