Section 52
Overview
Doctrine and Covenants Section 52 was dictated by Joseph Smith in June 1831 following a conference in Kirtland, Ohio, where the first high priests were ordained and alleged false spirits were rebuked. The text serves as a major administrative and theological directive, commanding numerous specific elders to travel two-by-two to Missouri, which is identified as the consecrated land of inheritance for the Saints. Theologically, the text is highly significant for establishing a 'pattern in all things' to protect adherents from deception by Satan. This pattern explicitly links divine acceptance and spiritual legitimacy to a combination of a contrite spirit and strict obedience to Latter-day Saint ordinances. Furthermore, the revelation heavily emphasizes conditional standing before God; promises of inheritance and spiritual success are strictly predicated on ongoing faithfulness, with the explicit threat that those who are not faithful will be 'cut off.' The text blends practical missionary assignments with profound soteriological and epistemological claims, reinforcing Joseph Smith's prophetic authority and the necessity of institutional ordinances for divine approval.
Key Figures
- Jesus Christ: The claimed divine author of the text who speaks in the first person, sets the conditions for faithfulness, and promises to lift up the faithful at the last day.
- Joseph Smith, Jun.: The prophet receiving the revelation, commanded to travel to Missouri and given authority to dictate the assignments of the other elders.
- Sidney Rigdon: Commanded to travel with Joseph Smith to Missouri.
- Satan: Identified as an active deceiver of nations who specifically desires to sift Lyman Wight as chaff.
- Lyman Wight: Commanded to travel speedily; specifically warned about Satan's desire to sift him.
- John Corrill: Commanded to travel speedily with Lyman Wight.
- John Murdock: Commanded to travel to Missouri via Detroit.
- Hyrum Smith: Commanded to travel to Missouri via Detroit with John Murdock.
- Thomas B. Marsh: Commanded to travel and preach by the way.
- Ezra Thayre: Commanded to travel and preach by the way with Thomas B. Marsh.
- Isaac Morley: Commanded to travel and preach by the way.
- Ezra Booth: Commanded to travel and preach by the way with Isaac Morley.
- Edward Partridge: Commanded to travel with Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon.
- Martin Harris: Commanded to travel with Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon.
- David Whitmer: Commanded to travel and preach by the way.
- Harvey Whitlock: Commanded to travel and preach by the way with David Whitmer.
- Parley P. Pratt: Commanded to travel and preach by the way.
- Orson Pratt: Commanded to travel and preach by the way with Parley P. Pratt.
- Solomon Hancock: Commanded to travel and preach by the way.
- Simeon Carter: Commanded to travel and preach by the way with Solomon Hancock.
- Edson Fuller: Commanded to take his journey.
- Jacob Scott: Commanded to take his journey with Edson Fuller.
- Levi W. Hancock: Commanded to take his journey.
- Zebedee Coltrin: Commanded to take his journey with Levi W. Hancock.
- Reynolds Cahoon: Commanded to take his journey.
- Samuel H. Smith: Commanded to take his journey with Reynolds Cahoon.
- Wheeler Baldwin: Commanded to take his journey.
- William Carter: Commanded to take his journey with Wheeler Baldwin.
- Newel Knight: Commanded to be ordained and take his journey.
- Selah J. Griffin: Commanded to be ordained and take his journey with Newel Knight.
- Joseph Wakefield: Commanded to journey into the eastern lands.
- Solomon Humphrey: Commanded to journey into the eastern lands with Joseph Wakefield.
- Heman Basset: Stripped of his bestowal/calling due to transgression.
- Simonds Ryder: Given the bestowal/calling taken from Heman Basset.
- Jared Carter: Commanded to be ordained a priest.
- George James: Commanded to be ordained a priest.
- Oliver Cowdery: Commanded to obtain a recommend from the church.
Doctrines Analyzed
Key theological claims identified in this text:
Conditional Acceptance through Ordinances
Assertion
Divine acceptance and validation of one's spiritual standing are strictly contingent upon obedience to specific institutional ordinances.
Evidence from Text
Wherefore he that prayeth, whose spirit is contrite, the same is accepted of me if he obey mine ordinances. He that speaketh, whose spirit is contrite, whose language is meek and edifieth, the same is of God if he obey mine ordinances. (D&C 52:15-16)
Evangelical Comparison
In Evangelical theology, justification (being declared righteous and accepted by God) is an instantaneous legal act of God based entirely on the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ, received through faith alone (Romans 3:28, Ephesians 2:8-9). Ordinances (such as baptism and communion) are viewed as outward signs of an inward grace already received, not as prerequisites for divine acceptance. D&C 52:15-16 fundamentally alters this by establishing a 'pattern' where a contrite spirit is insufficient for acceptance unless it is coupled with obedience to 'mine ordinances.' This creates a synergistic soteriology where human works (ritual compliance) are co-instrumental with faith in achieving standing before God. This violates the Evangelical understanding of the sufficiency of Christ's atonement, placing the burden of acceptance partly on the believer's ability to perform specific religious rites.
Conditional Standing and the Threat of Excision
Assertion
A believer's standing and inheritance are entirely conditional upon their ongoing faithfulness, with the explicit threat of being 'cut off' by God for failure.
Evidence from Text
And inasmuch as they are not faithful, they shall be cut off, even as I will, as seemeth me good. (D&C 52:6)
Evangelical Comparison
Evangelical Christianity generally holds to the assurance of salvation for the true believer, rooted in the promises of God (John 10:28-29, Romans 8:38-39). While Evangelicals believe true faith will inevitably produce good works (James 2), the believer's status as an adopted child of God is not in constant jeopardy based on daily performance metrics. D&C 52:6 introduces a highly conditional framework ('inasmuch as') where divine favor, inheritance, and even remaining in the covenant community are strictly dependent on maintaining a standard of 'faithfulness.' The threat of being 'cut off' places the ultimate security of the believer squarely on their own shoulders, creating a performance-based relationship with God rather than one resting in the finished, secure work of Christ.
Continuing Revelation as Binding Scripture
Assertion
Elders are to teach not only what past prophets and apostles have written, but also new, ongoing revelations given by the Comforter.
Evidence from Text
...saying none other things than that which the prophets and apostles have written, and that which is taught them by the Comforter through the prayer of faith. (D&C 52:9)
Evangelical Comparison
Sola Scriptura asserts that the 66 books of the Bible are the sole infallible rule of faith and practice. While Evangelicals believe the Holy Spirit illuminates the biblical text and guides believers subjectively, these subjective leadings are never authoritative for doctrine and are always subordinate to the closed canon of Scripture. D&C 52:9 commands missionaries to preach both the written word AND 'that which is taught them by the Comforter.' In the context of Mormonism, this establishes the foundation for an open canon where new revelations (such as this very section of the D&C) carry equal or greater weight than the Bible, fundamentally altering the epistemological foundation of the faith.
Comparative Analysis
Theological Gap (Summary)
The text diverges fundamentally from Evangelicalism by making divine acceptance contingent upon obedience to specific institutional ordinances, rather than faith alone in Christ's finished work.
Theological Gap (Explained)
The theological gap between D&C 52 and Evangelical Christianity centers on the doctrines of Justification (Sola Fide) and Authority (Sola Scriptura). Evangelicals believe that a person is justified—declared completely righteous before God—solely by faith in the substitutionary atonement of Jesus Christ (Romans 3:24-28). This justification is a completed legal declaration, not an ongoing process contingent on ritual performance. D&C 52:15-16 explicitly denies this by stating that a person is only 'accepted of me if he obey mine ordinances.' This introduces a works-righteousness paradigm where human effort and institutional rituals are co-saviors with Christ. Furthermore, the text's reliance on new, extra-biblical revelation to establish these rules violates Sola Scriptura, replacing the sufficiency of the Bible with the ongoing dictates of a modern prophet.
For All Ages
Imagine you owe a billion dollars to a bank, and a rich king pays it off completely. In traditional Christianity, the king says, 'Your debt is paid because you trusted me; now you are my child forever.' You do good things because you love him. But in this text, the king says, 'I will accept you, BUT only if you keep following my specific rules and performing certain ceremonies. If you stop, I will cut you off.' This makes your relationship based on how well you perform, rather than on the king's free gift.
Friction Points
Sola Fide (Justification by Faith Alone)
Verses 15-16 make divine acceptance explicitly conditional upon obeying ordinances, denying that faith in Christ is sufficient.
Christology (Sufficiency of the Atonement)
By requiring ongoing obedience to ordinances to avoid being 'cut off' (v. 6), the text implies Christ's sacrifice is insufficient to secure the believer eternally without their supplementary works.
Sola Scriptura
Verse 9 commands teaching new revelations from the Comforter alongside written scripture, and the entire text presents itself as new binding scripture.
Semantic Warnings
Terms that have different meanings between traditions:
"Ordinances"
In This Text
Required rituals and ceremonies that must be obeyed to be 'accepted' by God and prove one is 'of God' (v. 15-16).
In Evangelicalism
Sacraments (like Baptism and Communion) that are outward signs of an inward grace, commanded by Christ but not the mechanism or prerequisite for justification.
"Faithful"
In This Text
A continuous state of behavioral compliance and obedience to commands, the failure of which results in being 'cut off' (v. 6).
In Evangelicalism
Trusting in Christ; while it includes a life of fidelity, the believer's security rests on God's faithfulness to His promises, not the believer's flawless performance (2 Timothy 2:13).
Soteriology (Salvation)
Salvation Defined: In this text, salvation (being accepted of God, lifted up at the last day, and receiving an inheritance) is defined as a conditional state of divine favor.
How Attained: It is attained through a combination of a contrite spirit, strict obedience to ordinances, and ongoing faithfulness to assigned duties.
Basis of Assurance: Assurance is entirely conditional. The text repeatedly uses 'inasmuch as' (v. 4, 5, 6). If one is faithful, they are blessed; if not, they are 'cut off.' There is no objective assurance outside of perfect, ongoing performance.
Comparison to Sola Fide: This is the antithesis of Sola Fide. Romans 4:4-5 states, 'Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.' D&C 52 demands works (ordinances) for acceptance, turning grace into a wage earned by faithfulness.
Mandates & Requirements
Explicit Commands
- Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon must journey to Missouri (v. 3)
- Lyman Wight and John Corrill must journey speedily (v. 7)
- John Murdock and Hyrum Smith must journey via Detroit (v. 8)
- Preach the word by the way (v. 9)
- Teach only what prophets/apostles have written and what the Comforter teaches (v. 9)
- Go two by two (v. 10)
- Preach in every congregation (v. 10)
- Baptize by water (v. 10)
- Lay on hands by the water's side (v. 10)
- Lyman Wight must beware of Satan (v. 12)
- Obey mine ordinances (v. 15, 16)
- Know the spirits by the given pattern (v. 19)
- Thomas B. Marsh and Ezra Thayre must journey and preach (v. 22)
- Isaac Morley and Ezra Booth must journey and preach (v. 23)
- Edward Partridge and Martin Harris must journey with Joseph and Sidney (v. 24)
- David Whitmer and Harvey Whitlock must journey and preach (v. 25)
- Parley P. Pratt and Orson Pratt must journey and preach (v. 26)
- Solomon Hancock and Simeon Carter must journey and preach (v. 27)
- Edson Fuller and Jacob Scott must take their journey (v. 28)
- Levi W. Hancock and Zebedee Coltrin must take their journey (v. 29)
- Reynolds Cahoon and Samuel H. Smith must take their journey (v. 30)
- Wheeler Baldwin and William Carter must take their journey (v. 31)
- Newel Knight and Selah J. Griffin must be ordained and journey (v. 32)
- Do not build upon another's foundation or journey in another's track (v. 33)
- Joseph Wakefield and Solomon Humphrey must journey to eastern lands (v. 35)
- Labor with families and declare only what prophets/apostles have written (v. 36)
- Take the bestowal from Heman Basset and place it on Simonds Ryder (v. 37)
- Ordain Jared Carter and George James as priests (v. 38)
- Residue of elders must watch over churches and declare the word (v. 39)
- Labor with own hands to prevent idolatry and wickedness (v. 39)
- Remember the poor, needy, sick, and afflicted (v. 40)
- Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, Edward Partridge, and Oliver Cowdery must obtain a recommend from the church (v. 41)
- Assemble together to rejoice upon the land of Missouri (v. 42)
Implicit Obligations
- Submit entirely to the administrative and prophetic authority of Joseph Smith.
- Maintain a constant state of 'faithfulness' to avoid being cut off from God's promises.
- Accept Missouri as the literal, physical Zion and land of inheritance.
Ritual Requirements
- Baptism by water (v. 10)
- Laying on of hands by the water's side (v. 10)
- Obedience to 'mine ordinances' as a prerequisite for divine acceptance (v. 15-16)
- Ordination to priesthood offices (v. 32, 38)
Evangelism Toolkit
Practical tools for engagement and dialogue:
Discovery Questions
Open-ended questions to promote reflection:
- In verse 6, the Lord says that if someone is not faithful, they will be 'cut off.' How do you personally know if you have been faithful enough today to not be cut off?
- Verses 15 and 16 say that to be accepted by God, a person must have a contrite spirit AND obey ordinances. If Jesus paid the full price for our sins on the cross, why are our own works and ordinances required for God to accept us?
- When you read Romans 8:1, which says there is 'now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,' how does that compare to the conditional promises ('inasmuch as') found in D&C 52?
Redemptive Analogies
Bridges from this text to the Gospel:
The Desire for a 'Pattern' to Avoid Deception
The text rightly identifies that Satan is a deceiver and humans need a reliable pattern to know the truth. Evangelicals can agree with this premise but point to the ultimate, unchanging pattern God has already provided: the completed Word of God. Instead of looking inward at our own obedience to ordinances (which fluctuates), we look outward to the objective truth of Scripture.
Spiritual Weight
Burdens this text places on adherents:
Verse 6 explicitly states that those who are not faithful will be 'cut off.' This places a severe psychological burden on the adherent, who must constantly evaluate if their daily performance is sufficient to maintain God's favor and avoid spiritual excision. There is no rest in the finished work of Christ.
Verses 15-16 demand that even a contrite (repentant) spirit is not enough for God's acceptance; one must also perfectly obey institutional ordinances. This creates a legalistic burden where the believer's standing is tied to checking boxes of religious rites rather than resting in grace.
Verse 14 warns that Satan is abroad deceiving the nations. The pressure to perfectly discern spirits using the prescribed 'pattern' creates an environment of hyper-vigilance and paranoia regarding spiritual experiences and the standing of others.