Section 40
Overview
Section 40 of the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants (canonized as Section 15 in modern editions) is a short but significant revelation dictated by Joseph Smith in June 1829. Addressed to John Whitmer, one of the Eight Witnesses to the Book of Mormon, the text is presented as the direct voice of Jesus Christ. The revelation serves two primary functions: first, to validate Joseph Smith's prophetic ability by revealing a private desire of John Whitmer's heart ('that which no man knoweth save me and thee alone')—specifically, his desire to know his highest duty. Second, it establishes a missiological hierarchy for the early Latter-day Saint movement, declaring that 'the thing which will be of the most worth' is not personal contemplation or study, but the active work of declaring repentance and bringing souls into the movement. This text establishes a precedent for the high value placed on proselytizing in Mormon culture, linking the believer's ultimate 'rest' in the Kingdom with the fruit of their missionary labors.
Key Figures
- Jesus Christ (The Speaker)
- John Whitmer (The Recipient)
- Joseph Smith (The Revelator/Mediator)
Doctrines Analyzed
Key theological claims identified in this text:
Prophetic Omniscience/Discernment
Assertion
The prophet (Joseph Smith) can reveal the private thoughts and secret desires of individuals as proof of his divine commission.
Evidence from Text
"I will tell you that which no man knoweth save me and thee alone: for many times you have desired of me to know that which would be of the most worth unto you."
Evangelical Comparison
In this text, the validation of the message relies on the revelator (Smith) telling the recipient (Whitmer) something private. In the Bible, prophets certainly exposed secrets (e.g., Nathan with David, Peter with Ananias), but the primary test of a prophet in Deuteronomy 13 and 18 is theological consistency with previous revelation and the fulfillment of prediction, not merely telepathic insight. Evangelicalism warns that supernatural knowledge can come from sources other than God (Acts 16:16), whereas this text uses the disclosure of private thoughts as the definitive proof of divine origin.
The Primacy of Evangelism
Assertion
The most valuable activity a believer can engage in is declaring repentance to bring souls to the church.
Evidence from Text
"the thing which will be of the most worth unto you, will be to declare repentance unto this people"
Evangelical Comparison
The text defines spiritual value functionally: doing missionary work. In contrast, the Westminster Shorter Catechism (representing historic Protestantism) states man's chief end is to 'glorify God and enjoy Him forever.' While evangelism is a command in Christianity, it is a fruit of salvation, not the definition of a believer's worth. This text shifts the focus from the believer's standing in Christ to the believer's utility for the movement.
Comparative Analysis
Theological Gap
The fundamental gap lies in the source of authority and the nature of the Christian life. For the Evangelical, God speaks primarily through His Son as recorded in the closed canon of Scripture (Hebrews 1:1-2). In this text, God speaks new, binding instructions through Joseph Smith. Furthermore, the text introduces a 'merit-based' undertone to the Christian life, where the 'thing of most worth' is a work performed by the believer. This contrasts with the Evangelical view that the thing of most worth is the 'pearl of great price' (the Kingdom/Christ Himself) which has already been secured for the believer by grace.
Friction Points
Sola Scriptura
Claims to be the direct voice of Jesus Christ outside of the Bible.
Sola Fide
Elevates a specific work (missionary activity) as the highest value ('most worth') for the believer.
Universal Priesthood
Establishes a mediator (Joseph Smith) who holds the keys to knowing God's will for another individual.
Semantic Warnings
Terms that have different meanings between traditions:
"Repentance"
In This Text
In early Mormonism, often associated with preparing oneself for covenants and aligning with the restoration movement.
In Evangelicalism
A change of mind (metanoia) leading to a turning away from sin and toward God through faith in Christ.
"Rest"
In This Text
Exaltation or the highest degree of glory in the afterlife, often contingent on works.
In Evangelicalism
Ceasing from works-righteousness and trusting in Christ's finished work (Hebrews 4:9-10).
Soteriology (Salvation)
Salvation Defined: Resting in the kingdom of the Father with those one has converted.
How Attained: Implied to be contingent on obedience to the command to declare repentance.
Basis of Assurance: Assurance is derived from the successful performance of the assigned duty (bringing souls).
Comparison to Sola Fide: The text does not mention faith as the instrument of justification; it focuses entirely on the *activity* of the believer. Romans 4:5 states 'to him that worketh not, but believeth... his faith is counted for righteousness,' whereas this text emphasizes the work itself as the thing of 'most worth.'
Mandates & Requirements
Explicit Commands
- Hearken to the words of Jesus Christ
- Declare repentance unto this people
Implicit Obligations
- Accept Joseph Smith as the mediator of Christ's voice
- Prioritize missionary work above all other spiritual or temporal pursuits
Evangelism Toolkit
Practical tools for engagement and dialogue:
Discovery Questions
Open-ended questions to promote reflection:
- In this passage, Jesus tells John Whitmer that missionary work is the thing of 'most worth' to him. How does that compare to Paul's statement in Philippians 3:8 about the surpassing worth of simply knowing Christ?
- If the validity of this revelation rests on Joseph Smith knowing John's secret thoughts, how do we distinguish that from psychic phenomena, and how does it compare to the biblical test of a prophet?
- This section is almost identical to the one given to Peter Whitmer Jr. Does it concern you that a 'personal' revelation might be a form letter?
Redemptive Analogies
Bridges from this text to the Gospel:
The Desire for Purpose
John Whitmer wanted to know what mattered most. This is a universal human longing. The Gospel answers this not with a 'to-do list' but with a relationship.
The Promise of Rest
The text promises rest as a future reward. Jesus offers rest as a present reality for the weary.
Spiritual Weight
Burdens this text places on adherents:
The believer is told that the most valuable thing they can do is convert others. This creates a burden where one's spiritual self-worth is tied to recruitment success.
By validating the prophet through secret knowledge, the text trains the adherent to rely on external authority for personal direction rather than developing their own walk with God.
The individual is valued for their utility to the organization (bringing souls) rather than their intrinsic value as a child of God.
+ Epistemology
Knowledge Source: Subjective confirmation through a mediator revealing private information.
Verification Method: The recipient (John Whitmer) verifies the text's truthfulness because it accurately describes his private internal desire.
Evangelical Contrast: Biblical epistemology relies on the objective standard of Scripture (Acts 17:11) and the internal witness of the Holy Spirit regarding the Word, not on a prophet's ability to read minds or reveal secrets.
+ Textual Criticism
Dating: June 1829
Authorship: Joseph Smith (Dictated)
Textual Issues: This revelation is a near-duplicate of the revelation given to Peter Whitmer Jr. (D&C 16). In the 1833 Book of Commandments, these were chapters 14 and 15.