Changes in the Doctrine and Covenants – Part 15

Changes in the Doctrine and Covenants – Part 15

All of the changes are additions except “even so” was deleted at the end of Chap. 28 of the 1833 B. of C. A couple of parts of the 1833 B. of C. were also relocated in the 1835 D. & C. We will quote all of D. & C. 27 and highlight the additions to the 1835 D. & C. and show the two words deleted in bold type with a line through them.

(1) “Listen to the voice of Jesus Christ, your Lord, your God, and your redeemer, whose word is quick and powerful. (2) For, behold, I say unto you, that 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—remembering unto the Father my body which was laid down for you, and my blood which was shed for the remission of your sins. (3) Wherefore, a commandment I give unto you, that you shall not purchase wine neither strong drink from your enemies; (4) Wherefore, you shall partake of none except it is made new among you; yea, in this my Father’s kingdom which shall be built up on the earth. (5) Behold this is wisdom in me; wherefore, marvel not, for the hour cometh that I will drink the fruit of the vine with you on the earth, and with Moroni, whom I have sent unto you to reveal the Book of Mormon, containing the fullness of my everlasting gospel, to whom I have committed the keys of the record of the stick of Ephraim; (6) and also with Elias to whom I have committed the keys of bringing to pass the restoration of all things spoken by the mouth of all the holy prophets since the world began, concerning the last days; (7) And also John, the son of Zacharias, which Zacharias he (Elias) visited and gave promise that he should have a son, and his name should be John, and he should be filled with the spirit of Elias; (8) Which John I have sent unto you, my servants, Joseph Smith, Jun., and Oliver Cowdery, to ordain you unto the first priesthood which you have received, that you might be called and ordained even as Aaron; (9) And also Elijah, unto whom I have committed the keys of the power of turning the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to the fathers, that the whole earth may not be smitten with a curse; (10) and also with Joseph, and Jacob, and Isaac, and Abraham, your fathers, by whom the promises remain; (11) And also with Michael, or Adam, the father of all, the prince of all, the ancient of days; (12) And also with 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 and of the same things which I revealed unto them; (13) Unto whom I have committed the keys of my kingdom, and a dispensation of the gospel for the last times; and for the fullness of times, in the which I will gather together in one all things, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; (14) And also with all those whom my Father hath given me out of the world. (15) Wherefore, lift up your hearts and rejoice, and gird up your loins, and take upon you my whole armor, that ye may be able to withstand the evil day, having done all, that ye may be able to stand. (16) Stand, therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, having on the breastplate of righteousness, and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, which I have sent mine angels to commit unto you; (17) Taking the shield of faith wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked; (18) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which I will pour out upon you, and my word which I reveal unto you, and be agreed as touching all things whatsoever ye ask of me and be faithful until I come, and ye shall be caught up, that where I am ye shall be also.

Even so. Amen.”

Those familiar with the Bible will easily see that Joseph Smith plagiarized much of Ephesians 6:13-17 from the King James Version in his D. & C. 27:15-18. Smith also made Elias in D. & C. 27:6-7 a different person than Elijah in D. & C. 27:9. But any real student of the Bible knows that Elias is merely the Greek rendering of the Hebrew word Elijah! The King James Version used the Greek form in the New Testament since it was written in Greek. Modern translations translate both the Old and New Testament words as Elijah. If Smith really received this as a revelation from an all-knowing God, he would have known that!

Notice that D. & C. 27:5 says that the Lord said the Book of Mormon contains “the fullness of my everlasting gospel.” Yet, not one single unique Mormon doctrine required for exaltation to the Celestial Kingdom in Mormon teaching today is in the Book of Mormon! The Book of Mormon says nothing about pre-mortal life, eternal progression to godhood, temple rites like baptism and marriage for the dead as well as sealing husbands and wives together for eternity along with their children. It says nothing about three heavens or a temporary hell or the need to always wear a special underwear or about wearing special temple clothes while in the LDS Temple. Nor does it say that the LDS Church is the one true church.

So, IF the Book of Mormon does contain the fullness of Christ’s gospel, the things we just mentioned are not part of the fullness the gospel! On the other hand, IF LDS teachings today are an essential part of the gospel, then the Book of Mormon does not contain the fullness of the gospel! That is obvious!

Those interested in seeing more changes in the D. & C. can do so on the internet.