Section 47 (Modern D&C 22)
Overview
This revelation, originally received in April 1830 and cataloged as Section 47 in the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants (Section 22 in modern editions), addresses a critical ecclesiological crisis in the nascent Mormon movement. Several individuals who had previously been baptized in Baptist or Restorationist (Campbellite) congregations desired to join Joseph Smith's church without undergoing a new baptism, believing their prior confession of Christ was sufficient. In this text, Joseph Smith speaks in the voice of the Lord to categorically reject the validity of all non-Mormon Christian ordinances. The text asserts that 'all old covenants' are done away with and that the 'new and everlasting covenant' has been established. It equates previous Christian baptisms with the 'law of Moses' and 'dead works,' arguing that without the specific authority restored through Smith, no ordinance has saving efficacy. This text is historically significant as it marks the definitive boundary line where Mormonism ceased to view itself as a reforming movement within Christianity and established itself as the exclusive possessor of saving authority, rendering all other Christian traditions invalid.
Key Figures
- Jesus Christ (Speaker)
- Joseph Smith (Revelator)
- Prospective Converts (Target Audience)
Doctrines Analyzed
Key theological claims identified in this text:
Exclusivity of Priesthood Authority
Assertion
Baptisms performed by other Christian denominations are invalid 'dead works' because they lack the specific authority restored to Joseph Smith.
Evidence from Text
although a man should be baptized an hundred times, it availeth him nothing; for you cannot enter in at the straight gate... by your dead works
Evangelical Comparison
In Evangelical theology, the validity of baptism rests on the command of Christ (Matthew 28:19) and the faith of the believer. It is an outward sign of an inward grace. This text, however, shifts the locus of validity from the believer's faith and Christ's command to the administrator's authority. By labeling other Christian baptisms as 'dead works' and equating them with the 'law of Moses,' the text asserts that no amount of faith in Jesus Christ is sufficient for salvation without submission to the specific hierarchy established by Joseph Smith. This violates the concept of the Universal Priesthood of Believers.
The New and Everlasting Covenant
Assertion
The restoration of the gospel through Joseph Smith constitutes a new covenant that supersedes all existing Christian covenants.
Evidence from Text
all old covenants have I caused to be done away in this thing, and this is a new and an everlasting covenant
Evangelical Comparison
Biblically, the 'New Covenant' is ratified by the death of Christ and is the final dispensation of grace (Hebrews 8:6-13). There is no expectation in the New Testament of a subsequent 'new' covenant to replace the one made in Christ's blood. This text claims that the covenant established in 1830 is the 'new and everlasting' one, implying that the covenant operative in historic Christianity had become 'old' or obsolete, effectively relegating the Church Age to the status of the Old Testament era.
Comparative Analysis
Theological Gap
The fundamental gap lies in the doctrine of the Church (Ecclesiology) and the means of Grace. Evangelicalism holds that the Church is the universal body of believers united by faith in Christ, and that baptism is a testimony of that faith. This text asserts that the Church is a specific institutional organization established in 1830 and that ordinances are only valid if performed by its priesthood. This creates a 'restorationist' gap: the belief that the true church ceased to exist and had to be restored, rendering all intervening Christianity invalid. This directly contradicts Jesus' promise that the gates of hell would not prevail against His church (Matthew 16:18).
Friction Points
Universal Priesthood
Denies the validity of any ministry or ordinance outside the specific Mormon hierarchy.
Sola Fide
Makes salvation/entry into the kingdom dependent on a specific ritual work (authorized baptism) rather than faith alone.
Christology (Sufficiency of Christ)
Implies Christ's work through the historic church was a failure ('dead works') requiring a new restoration.
Semantic Warnings
Terms that have different meanings between traditions:
"Dead Works"
In This Text
Christian baptisms and ordinances performed without Mormon priesthood authority.
In Evangelicalism
Actions performed to earn salvation apart from faith, or sinful behaviors (Hebrews 6:1, 9:14).
"New and Everlasting Covenant"
In This Text
The fullness of the gospel as restored through Joseph Smith (specifically including priesthood ordinances).
In Evangelicalism
The covenant of grace established by Jesus' blood (Hebrews 13:20).
Soteriology (Salvation)
Salvation Defined: Entering the 'straight gate' through the authorized church.
How Attained: Through faith in Christ PLUS the specific ordinance of baptism by proper authority.
Basis of Assurance: Confidence in the authority of the priesthood holder performing the ordinance.
Comparison to Sola Fide: Directly opposes Sola Fide by stating that faith without the specific authorized ritual 'availeth him nothing.'
Mandates & Requirements
Explicit Commands
- Enter ye in at the gate (be baptized into the Mormon church)
- Seek not to counsel your God
Implicit Obligations
- Renounce the validity of previous Christian experiences
- Accept Joseph Smith as the sole channel for authorized ordinances
Ritual Requirements
- Re-baptism by proper authority
Evangelism Toolkit
Practical tools for engagement and dialogue:
Discovery Questions
Open-ended questions to promote reflection:
- When this passage calls previous Christian baptisms 'dead works,' what does that imply about the sincerity of those believers' faith?
- Does God look at the authority of the person baptizing, or the heart of the person being baptized?
- If a person has true faith in Jesus but wasn't baptized by a Mormon elder, does this text mean their faith 'availeth them nothing'?
Redemptive Analogies
Bridges from this text to the Gospel:
The Straight Gate
The text correctly identifies that there is a narrow way to life. However, Jesus defines Himself as the gate/door, not a specific church organization.
Dead Works
We agree that religious rituals performed without faith or to earn salvation are dead. The Gospel offers life through the Spirit, not just new rituals.
Spiritual Weight
Burdens this text places on adherents:
The believer is told that all their previous spiritual experiences, answered prayers, and moments of connection with God in other churches were 'dead' and invalid. This creates a deep sense of spiritual insecurity and isolation from the broader Christian family.
Salvation is tied strictly to the institution. If the institution is wrong, the believer has no access to the 'straight gate.' This creates immense pressure to conform to leadership ('seek not to counsel your God').
+ Epistemology
Knowledge Source: Prophetic Revelation (Vertical Authority).
Verification Method: Obedience to the command ('seek not to counsel your God').
Evangelical Contrast: Evangelical epistemology tests spirits against Scripture (1 John 4:1, Acts 17:11). This text discourages questioning ('seek not to counsel your God') and demands submission to the new revelation over and against previous biblical understanding.
+ Textual Criticism
Dating: April 1830
Authorship: Joseph Smith (dictated)
Textual Issues: Originally Section 47 in the 1835 edition; renumbered to Section 22 in modern editions. The text reflects the immediate post-organization period of the church.