Section 51
Overview
Doctrine and Covenants Section 51, dictated by Joseph Smith in May 1831, serves as a foundational administrative and theological text for the early Latter-day Saint implementation of the 'Law of Consecration.' Addressed primarily to Bishop Edward Partridge, the text outlines the legal and ecclesiastical mechanics for settling migrating Saints in Thompson, Ohio. It mandates that members consecrate (deed) their property to the bishop, who then deeds back a 'portion' or stewardship based on the family's circumstances, wants, and needs. The text establishes strict institutional control: if a member transgresses and is excommunicated, they retain only their deeded portion but forfeit any surplus previously consecrated to the church. Furthermore, it mandates the creation of a bishop's storehouse to hold surplus funds and goods for the poor. Theologically, the text is highly significant because it intertwines economic compliance with eternal salvation. In verse 19, the text explicitly states that inheriting eternal life is contingent upon being a 'faithful, a just, and a wise steward' over these physical and financial allocations. This revelation cemented the authority of the bishopric in Mormonism and established a precedent of communal economic living tied directly to spiritual worthiness.
Key Figures
- Jesus Christ: Identified as the speaker of the revelation ('the Lord your God', 'I am Jesus Christ'), asserting divine authority over the economic and spiritual organization of the church.
- Edward Partridge: The first Bishop of the church, explicitly commanded to regulate stewardships, judge the needs of the people, manage the storehouse, and act as the central authority for property distribution.
- Joseph Smith: The implied prophetic conduit through whom this revelation is given, establishing his role as the mouthpiece for God's administrative laws.
Doctrines Analyzed
Key theological claims identified in this text:
The Law of Consecration and Stewardship
Assertion
Believers must surrender their property to the church bishop, who redistributes it according to family needs, creating an enforced economic equality.
Evidence from Text
Wherefore, let my servant Edward Partridge... appoint unto this people their portions, every man equal according to his family, according to his circumstances and his wants and needs.
Evangelical Comparison
In this text, the Law of Consecration is presented not as a voluntary act of charity, but as a binding divine law ('organized according to my laws; if otherwise, they will be cut off'). The bishop acts as the sole arbiter of what a family 'needs' and controls the surplus. In contrast, Evangelical Christianity views financial stewardship as a matter of individual conscience before God. While the early church in Acts 2 and 4 shared possessions, it was entirely voluntary (as Peter clarified to Ananias in Acts 5:4, 'While it remained, was it not your own?'). Evangelicalism rejects the institutionalization of property surrender as a test of fellowship or salvation.
Conditional Inheritance and Institutional Coercion
Assertion
If a member transgresses and is deemed unworthy by the church, they lose access to the surplus property they consecrated to the bishop.
Evidence from Text
And if he shall transgress and is not accounted worthy to belong to the church, he shall not have power to claim that portion which he has consecrated unto the bishop... he shall not retain the gift
Evangelical Comparison
The text intertwines spiritual standing with financial penalty. A member who is excommunicated ('not accounted worthy by the voice of the church') forfeits the surplus property they gave to the church, retaining only their specific deeded portion. This creates a system where leaving the church or falling into disfavor results in significant financial loss. Evangelical Christianity, adhering to the New Testament model of church discipline (Matthew 18, 1 Corinthians 5), limits discipline to spiritual and relational boundaries (excommunication from the communion table and fellowship). The church has no jurisdiction over a believer's personal property, and financial coercion is viewed as an abuse of spiritual authority.
Works-Based Soteriology (Stewardship for Salvation)
Assertion
Eternal life is granted as a reward for being a faithful, just, and wise steward over physical property and church assignments.
Evidence from Text
And whoso is found a faithful, a just, and a wise steward shall enter into the joy of his Lord, and shall inherit eternal life.
Evangelical Comparison
Verse 19 explicitly conditions the inheritance of 'eternal life' on the believer's performance as a 'faithful, a just, and a wise steward' within the framework of the Law of Consecration. This is a direct contradiction of Sola Fide (Justification by Faith Alone). In Evangelical theology, eternal life is the unmerited gift of God, secured entirely by the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross, and received solely through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 6:23). While faithful stewardship is a fruit of salvation and may result in heavenly rewards (crowns), it is never the prerequisite for inheriting eternal life itself.
Continuing Revelation and New Divine Law
Assertion
God continues to give new, binding laws and commandments through a modern prophet to organize the church.
Evidence from Text
Hearken unto me, saith the Lord your God, and I will speak unto my servant Edward Partridge, and give unto him directions... For it must needs be that they be organized according to my laws
Evangelical Comparison
The text opens with the authoritative formula 'Hearken unto me, saith the Lord your God,' claiming direct dictation from Jesus Christ. It establishes new ecclesiastical and economic laws that carry the weight of divine mandate ('if otherwise, they will be cut off'). This violates the Evangelical pillar of Sola Scriptura, which asserts that the 66 books of the Bible contain all knowledge necessary for salvation and godly living (2 Timothy 3:16-17, Jude 3). Evangelicals reject the premise that modern leaders can receive new, universally binding scriptural mandates.
Comparative Analysis
Theological Gap (Summary)
The text diverges fundamentally from Evangelicalism by making eternal life contingent upon faithful economic stewardship and institutional compliance, rather than faith alone in Christ.
Theological Gap (Explained)
The theological gap between D&C 51 and Evangelical Christianity centers on the doctrines of Justification and Authority. Evangelicals hold to Sola Fide, the biblical truth that justification is an instantaneous, legal declaration by God wherein He imputes Christ's righteousness to the believer solely through faith (Romans 4:4-5, Ephesians 2:8-9). Good works, including financial stewardship, are the *fruit* of salvation, not the *root*. D&C 51:19 reverses this order, explicitly stating that inheriting eternal life is the reward for being a 'faithful, a just, and a wise steward.' This creates a works-righteousness paradigm where salvation is maintained through performance. Furthermore, the text violates Sola Scriptura and the Universal Priesthood of Believers. It establishes the bishop as a necessary mediator for property and standing within the church, and threatens that those who transgress will be 'cut off' and lose their consecrated assets. This intertwining of spiritual salvation with institutional, economic control is entirely foreign to the New Testament Gospel of grace, where believers have direct access to God through Christ (1 Timothy 2:5) and are secure in their salvation regardless of their earthly wealth or ecclesiastical standing.
For All Ages
Imagine you are invited to a wonderful, free banquet. The host says, 'Come in, the meal is already paid for!' That is what Evangelical Christians believe about heaven—Jesus paid for it completely, and we just have to accept the invitation by trusting Him. But in this text, it's like the host says, 'You can come to the banquet, but only if you give all your money to the manager, let him decide what you need, and prove you are a really good worker.' The text says you only get 'eternal life' if you are a 'faithful, just, and wise steward' of your property. This changes heaven from a free gift into a reward you have to earn by following the church's rules.
Friction Points
Sola Fide (Faith Alone)
Verse 19 conditions eternal life on being a faithful, just, and wise steward, making salvation dependent on works and obedience.
Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone)
The text claims to be new, binding revelation from Jesus Christ, adding to the closed canon of Scripture.
Universal Priesthood
Elevates the bishop to a mediatorial role over a believer's property, needs, and standing in the church, using financial leverage to enforce spiritual compliance.
Semantic Warnings
Terms that have different meanings between traditions:
"Eternal Life"
In This Text
The ultimate reward (exaltation) granted to those who prove themselves faithful, just, and wise stewards through obedience to church laws.
In Evangelicalism
The free gift of God, consisting of knowing Him and dwelling with Him forever, granted instantly upon believing in Jesus Christ.
"The Church"
In This Text
The specific, organized institutional body led by Joseph Smith and Edward Partridge, which holds exclusive authority to judge worthiness and manage consecrated property.
In Evangelicalism
The universal body of all true believers in Jesus Christ across all times and places, united by the Holy Spirit.
Soteriology (Salvation)
Salvation Defined: Entering into the joy of the Lord and inheriting eternal life.
How Attained: By being a 'faithful, a just, and a wise steward' (v. 19) and remaining worthy according to the laws and covenants of the church (v. 4).
Basis of Assurance: Assurance is based on one's ongoing performance as a steward and maintaining good standing with the bishop and the 'voice of the church.'
Comparison to Sola Fide: This text stands in direct opposition to Sola Fide. While Ephesians 2:8-9 declares, 'For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works,' D&C 51:19 makes eternal life the direct result of the work of faithful stewardship.
Mandates & Requirements
Explicit Commands
- Edward Partridge must receive directions to organize the people.
- The people must be organized according to God's laws.
- Edward Partridge must appoint portions to the people equally based on family, circumstances, wants, and needs.
- Edward Partridge must give a writing (deed) to secure the portion to the individual.
- The individual must hold the inheritance until they transgress and are deemed unworthy.
- An agent must be appointed to take money to provide food and raiment.
- Every man must deal honestly.
- Every man must be alike among the people.
- Every man must receive alike to be one.
- Property belonging to this people must not be given to another church.
- If another church receives money, they must pay it back according to agreement.
- Transactions between churches must be done through the bishop or agent.
- The bishop must appoint a storehouse.
- Surplus money and meat must be kept in the hands of the bishop.
- The bishop must reserve resources for his own wants and his family's wants while employed in this business.
- The people must act upon the land of Ohio as if they will be there for years.
Implicit Obligations
- Members must surrender their property to the bishop to initiate the consecration process.
- Members must maintain their worthiness and avoid transgression to keep their standing and property.
- Members must submit to the bishop's judgment regarding what constitutes their 'wants and needs'.
Ritual Requirements
- The formal, legal deeding of property to the bishop and the receiving of a stewardship deed in return, acting as a covenantal binding to the church.
Evangelism Toolkit
Practical tools for engagement and dialogue:
Discovery Questions
Open-ended questions to promote reflection:
- In verse 19, it says that a faithful and wise steward will inherit eternal life. How do you know if you've been faithful enough to earn that inheritance?
- If eternal life is tied to our performance as stewards, how does that fit with the Apostle Paul's teaching that eternal life is a free gift of God?
- How would you feel if your church required you to deed all your property to the bishop to be considered in good standing? Does that feel like the freedom Christ offers in the New Testament?
Redemptive Analogies
Bridges from this text to the Gospel:
Care for the Poor and Needy
The desire to care for the poor is a beautiful, biblical impulse. However, the Gospel teaches that this care should flow out of a heart transformed by grace, not out of a legalistic requirement to secure eternal life. Because Christ gave everything for us, we joyfully give to others.
The Wise Steward
Jesus also told parables about wise stewards (Matthew 25). However, in the Gospel, our stewardship is how we express our love for the Master who has already saved us, not the interview process to get into His family. We serve because we are sons, not to become sons.
Spiritual Weight
Burdens this text places on adherents:
The believer is placed on a treadmill of performance, knowing that their eternal life is explicitly tied to how well they manage their stewardship and obey church leaders. This eliminates the rest and assurance found in the finished work of Christ.
The threat of being 'cut off' and losing one's consecrated property creates a profound fear of stepping out of line with church leadership. It binds the believer's financial security to their unquestioning obedience to the bishop and the institution.