Section 89 (Modern D&C 72)
Overview
This revelation, given on December 4, 1831, addresses the administrative and economic structure of the early Latter-day Saint movement as it expanded between two hubs: Kirtland, Ohio, and 'Zion' (Independence, Missouri). The text appoints Newel K. Whitney as the bishop for the Ohio saints, tasked with managing the 'Lord's storehouse' and receiving funds. Theologically, it intertwines spiritual salvation with temporal administration; the text asserts that a believer's faithfulness in financial stewardship 'in time' directly correlates to their worthiness to 'inherit the mansions' of the Father in eternity. It introduces a bureaucratic requirement for migration: members traveling to Zion must carry a certificate of worthiness from their local bishop. Without this document, they are not to be accepted as wise stewards in the holy city. This establishes a rigid hierarchy where spiritual standing is mediated through ecclesiastical judges and tangible documentation.
Key Figures
- The Lord (Voice of)
- Newel K. Whitney (Appointed Bishop)
- The Bishop in Zion (Edward Partridge, implied)
- High Priests
- Elders
Doctrines Analyzed
Key theological claims identified in this text:
Soteriological Stewardship
Assertion
Inheriting eternal mansions is contingent upon faithful financial/temporal stewardship and reporting to a bishop.
Evidence from Text
For he who is faithful and wise in time, is accounted worthy to inherit the mansions prepared for them of my Father.
Evangelical Comparison
This text explicitly links the inheritance of 'mansions' (eternal life/glory) to being 'faithful and wise in time' specifically regarding stewardship accounting to a bishop. In Evangelical theology, the inheritance of the saints is secured solely by the finished work of Christ and the sealing of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14). While stewardship is a fruit of the Christian life, it is never the cause or condition of the inheritance. This text transforms a spiritual metaphor into a literal administrative requirement, making the bishop a gatekeeper to eternal reward.
Ecclesiastical Certification
Assertion
Spiritual acceptance in the community of Zion requires a physical certificate of worthiness from a human leader.
Evidence from Text
A certificate from the judge or bishop... rendereth every man acceptable... otherwise he shall not be accepted of the bishop in Zion.
Evangelical Comparison
The text establishes a system where 'acceptability' before the community and God (in Zion) is mediated by a paper certificate signed by a bishop. In contrast, the New Testament teaches that believers are 'accepted in the Beloved' (Ephesians 1:6) through grace. The requirement for a human judge to validate a believer's standing introduces a layer of priestly mediation that violates the concept of the Priesthood of All Believers (1 Peter 2:9), creating a bureaucratic barrier to fellowship.
Comparative Analysis
Theological Gap
The fundamental gap lies in the mechanism of acceptance. In this text, acceptance is legalistic and mediated: one must satisfy the bishop's financial accounting and carry a physical certificate to be received in Zion. This reflects a 'High Church' ecclesiology with a distinct priesthood class that mediates between the laity and the benefits of the Kingdom. Evangelicalism posits that access to God and the community of faith is mediated solely by Christ (1 Timothy 2:5). The text's requirement to 'lay all things' before a bishop creates a theocratic communism that differs radically from the voluntary, Spirit-led giving seen in the New Testament (Acts 5:4, 2 Corinthians 9:7).
Friction Points
Sola Fide (Faith Alone)
Eternal inheritance (mansions) is conditioned on 'faithful' temporal stewardship and accounting.
Sola Gratia (Grace Alone)
Acceptance is earned through obedience to administrative law and certification.
Universal Priesthood
Establishes a bishop as a necessary mediator/judge for the believer's standing.
Semantic Warnings
Terms that have different meanings between traditions:
"Stewardship"
In This Text
A formal, reportable financial responsibility to a church hierarchy with eternal consequences.
In Evangelicalism
The responsible management of God-given resources, accountable primarily to God (1 Peter 4:10).
"Zion"
In This Text
A literal geographic location (Independence, Missouri) requiring a permit to enter.
In Evangelicalism
Often refers to Jerusalem, the people of God, or the heavenly city (Hebrews 12:22).
Soteriology (Salvation)
Salvation Defined: Inheriting 'mansions prepared for them of my Father' and being 'accepted' in Zion.
How Attained: Through faithfulness in stewardship, rendering accounts to the bishop, and obedience to church law.
Basis of Assurance: The approval of the bishop (certificate) and the 'well done' of the hierarchy.
Comparison to Sola Fide: Directly contradicts Sola Fide by inserting a 'works of the law' (administrative compliance) clause into the requirements for inheritance. See Romans 3:28.
Mandates & Requirements
Explicit Commands
- Appoint Newel K. Whitney as Bishop
- Render an account of stewardship to the bishop
- Obtain a certificate before moving to Zion
- Lay all things before the bishop in Zion
Implicit Obligations
- Full financial disclosure to church leadership
- Submission to the bishop's judgment regarding personal worthiness
- Acceptance of the bishop's authority to determine 'wants' and 'needs'
Ritual Requirements
- Consecration of properties (laying all things before the bishop)
Evangelism Toolkit
Practical tools for engagement and dialogue:
Discovery Questions
Open-ended questions to promote reflection:
- The text mentions that a certificate from the bishop renders a man 'acceptable.' How does this relate to being made acceptable in Christ through His blood?
- If a person was faithful to Jesus but failed to get a certificate from Bishop Whitney, would they be rejected by God?
- How do you interpret the requirement to 'render an account' to a human leader in order to inherit heavenly mansions?
Redemptive Analogies
Bridges from this text to the Gospel:
The Longing for Acceptance
We all crave acceptance and fear rejection. The text offers acceptance through a certificate; the Gospel offers acceptance through the Beloved.
The Faithful Steward
Christ is the ultimate Faithful Steward who completed the work the Father gave Him. We are accepted because of His faithfulness.
Spiritual Weight
Burdens this text places on adherents:
The believer must constantly worry if their financial accounting is sufficient to secure their eternal 'mansion.'
Spiritual standing is placed in the hands of a human bishop. Displeasing the leader results in being 'not accepted' by God's church.
The reduction of spiritual life to certificates, reports, and debts creates a dry, legalistic burden that obscures the freedom of the Spirit.
+ Epistemology
Knowledge Source: Prophetic Revelation (Joseph Smith)
Verification Method: Obedience to the 'voice of the conference' and the commandments given.
Evangelical Contrast: Biblical epistemology relies on the illuminated Word of God (Psalm 119:105) and the internal witness of the Spirit (Romans 8:16), not on administrative decrees or conference votes.
+ Textual Criticism
Dating: December 4, 1831 (Published in 1835 D&C)
Authorship: Joseph Smith
Textual Issues: This section is numbered 72 in modern editions of the Doctrine and Covenants. The 1835 edition numbering (Section 89) differs from current versification.