Section 90 (Modern D&C 71)
Overview
This revelation, originally cataloged as Section 90 in the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants (Section 71 in modern editions), was dictated by Joseph Smith on December 1, 1831. It serves as a direct counter-offensive to the anti-Mormon writings of Ezra Booth, an apostate whose letters were being published in the 'Ohio Star.' The text commands Smith and Sidney Rigdon to set aside their work on the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible ('for the space of a season') to engage in active apologetics. They are instructed to 'confound' their enemies in public and private settings. The revelation promises divine power to shame critics, contingent upon the faithfulness of Smith and Rigdon. It explicitly frames their preaching as a preparatory work for 'commandments and revelations which are to come,' thereby establishing the concept of an open, expanding canon that supersedes the sufficiency of the Bible.
Key Figures
- The Lord (Voice of the Revelation)
- Joseph Smith, Jr.
- Sidney Rigdon
- Enemies (Implicitly Ezra Booth and critics)
Doctrines Analyzed
Key theological claims identified in this text:
Open Canon / Progressive Revelation
Assertion
The preaching of the current gospel is merely preparation for future, additional scriptural revelations.
Evidence from Text
prepare the way for the commandments and revelations which are to come
Evangelical Comparison
In Evangelical theology, the canon is closed, and the faith was 'once for all delivered to the saints' (Jude 1:3). This text, however, institutionalizes the expectation of new, binding 'commandments and revelations.' It positions the current ministry not just as expounding existing truth, but as a forerunner to new legislative and theological material. This creates a structural instability in truth claims, as future revelations can abrogate or alter current understanding, whereas the Evangelical view holds that God's Word is settled and complete in Christ.
Retributive Apologetics
Assertion
God commands believers to actively confront and shame enemies through spiritual power.
Evidence from Text
confound your enemies; call upon them to meet you, both in public and in private; and inasmuch as ye are faithful their shame shall be made manifest.
Evangelical Comparison
While the New Testament records apostles disputing in synagogues, the mandate here is specifically to 'confound' and 'shame' enemies as a sign of spiritual power. The Evangelical approach to apologetics generally prioritizes the persuasion of the lost and the glorification of God over the humiliation of the opponent. Furthermore, this text links the successful shaming of the enemy directly to the 'faithfulness' of the adherent, creating a performance-based metric for apologetic encounters.
Comparative Analysis
Theological Gap
The fundamental gap lies in the source of authority and the definition of the 'gospel.' In this text, the 'gospel' includes 'mysteries' and 'revelations which are to come,' indicating a progressive, unfinished theological system. Evangelicalism views the Gospel as the finished work of Christ, fully revealed in the New Testament. Additionally, the text's promise that faithfulness guarantees the 'shaming' of enemies introduces a prosperity-gospel-adjacent dynamic applied to apologetics, contradicting the biblical reality that faithful prophets often suffer persecution without silencing their accusers.
Friction Points
Sola Scriptura
Explicit declaration of future, binding revelations beyond the Bible.
Theology of the Cross (Suffering vs. Glory)
Promotes a Theology of Glory where faithfulness equals public victory over enemies, ignoring the biblical reality of suffering for truth.
Semantic Warnings
Terms that have different meanings between traditions:
"Mysteries"
In This Text
Hidden truths or new revelations specific to the Restoration (Mormonism).
In Evangelicalism
Truths once hidden but now fully revealed to all saints through Christ (Colossians 1:26).
"Gospel"
In This Text
The 'things of the kingdom' including the new ecclesiastical order and forthcoming revelations.
In Evangelicalism
The good news of Jesus Christ's death, burial, and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).
Soteriology (Salvation)
Salvation Defined: Implicitly linked to receiving the 'commandments and revelations' being prepared.
How Attained: Through faithfulness and laboring in the vineyard.
Basis of Assurance: Performance-based: 'inasmuch as ye are faithful'.
Comparison to Sola Fide: The text focuses on 'labor' and 'faithfulness' as the prerequisites for power and success, contrasting with the Evangelical view of power and standing coming through faith in Christ's finished work (Galatians 3:2-5).
Mandates & Requirements
Explicit Commands
- Open your mouths in proclaiming my gospel
- Expound the mysteries out of the scriptures
- Labor in the vineyard
- Call upon the inhabitants of the earth
- Confound your enemies
- Call upon enemies to meet in public and private
- Keep these commandments
Implicit Obligations
- Engage in debates with critics
- Trust in immediate inspiration during confrontation
- Accept future revelations as binding
Evangelism Toolkit
Practical tools for engagement and dialogue:
Discovery Questions
Open-ended questions to promote reflection:
- The text says if you are faithful, your enemies will be confounded and shamed. How do you interpret this when critics raise valid historical points that aren't easily 'confounded'?
- This section speaks of preparing for 'revelations which are to come.' How do you determine if a new revelation contradicts the Bible, or is the Bible interpreted *by* the new revelation?
- In verse 1, it mentions expounding 'mysteries.' In the New Testament, Paul says the mystery is 'Christ in you.' What additional mysteries does this text refer to?
Redemptive Analogies
Bridges from this text to the Gospel:
The Vineyard Labor
Christ calls us to labor, but the harvest is His. We plant and water, but God gives the increase (1 Cor 3:6).
Desire for Truth to Prevail
We all desire truth to win. The ultimate truth is not an argument won, but a Person known—Jesus, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Spiritual Weight
Burdens this text places on adherents:
The text links the silencing of critics to the adherent's faithfulness. If a Mormon cannot answer a critic, or if the critic is not 'shamed,' the internal logic suggests the Mormon was not faithful enough. This creates immense pressure to win arguments to validate one's spiritual standing.
By stating they must prepare for 'commandments... to come,' the text places the believer on shifting sand. They cannot rest in a finished revelation but must always be braced for new requirements that may supersede previous understanding.
+ Epistemology
Knowledge Source: Direct Revelation and Spiritual Power
Verification Method: The confounding of enemies serves as the verification; if the enemy is shamed, the power is verified.
Evangelical Contrast: Biblical epistemology tests spirits against the fixed Word of God (1 John 4:1, Acts 17:11). This text relies on the subjective experience of 'power' and the outcome of social confrontation (shaming enemies) as proof of truth.
+ Textual Criticism
Dating: December 1, 1831
Authorship: Joseph Smith (dictated)
Textual Issues: Originally published in the Book of Commandments (1833) and 1835 D&C. Modern editions (Section 71) have minor punctuation/formatting changes but the core text remains stable.