Section 92
Overview
Doctrine and Covenants Section 92 is a short administrative revelation received by Joseph Smith on March 15, 1833, in Kirtland, Ohio. It addresses the 'United Order' (historically the United Firm), a governing business and stewardship committee within the early Church. The text directs the members of this order to formally receive Frederick G. Williams, who had recently been appointed as a counselor to Joseph Smith. The revelation places a specific mandate on Williams to be a 'lively member'—implying active, energetic contribution—and explicitly ties his status of being 'blessed forever' to his faithfulness in keeping 'all former commandments.' This text serves as a canonized administrative action that reinforces the hierarchical structure of the early LDS movement and establishes a theological link between administrative service, obedience to commandments, and eternal reward.
Key Figures
- The Lord (Speaker)
- Joseph Smith (Prophet/Revelator)
- Frederick G. Williams (Recipient/Counselor)
- The United Order (United Firm members)
Doctrines Analyzed
Key theological claims identified in this text:
Conditional Eternal Blessing
Assertion
Eternal blessings are contingent upon the faithful keeping of all commandments.
Evidence from Text
inasmuch as you are faithful in keeping all former commandments you shall be blessed forever. (D&C 92:2)
Evangelical Comparison
The text employs the conditional clause 'inasmuch as you are faithful in keeping all former commandments' as the prerequisite for being 'blessed forever.' In Evangelical theology, the status of being blessed eternally (justification and glorification) is secured by the finished work of Christ and received through faith alone (Sola Fide), not maintained by the believer's adherence to a code of law. While Evangelicals believe obedience is a fruit of salvation, this text frames obedience as the condition for the eternal blessing itself, creating a works-based framework for security.
The United Order (Consecration)
Assertion
God commands the organization of a temporal and spiritual order for the management of church resources.
Evidence from Text
I give unto the united order... a revelation and commandment... that ye shall receive him into the order. (D&C 92:1)
Evangelical Comparison
The 'United Order' (or United Firm) was a specific institution blending business management with spiritual stewardship. In Mormon theology, participation in the Law of Consecration (of which this is a part) is often viewed as essential for the highest degree of salvation (Celestial Kingdom). Evangelicalism lacks a direct equivalent, viewing church governance and economics as matters of wisdom and stewardship rather than saving ordinances or revealed metaphysical orders.
Comparative Analysis
Theological Gap
The fundamental gap lies in the basis of assurance. D&C 92:2 explicitly links the promise 'you shall be blessed forever' to the condition 'inasmuch as you are faithful in keeping all former commandments.' This creates a covenant of works. In contrast, the Evangelical position (Sola Fide) asserts that the believer is blessed forever solely on the merit of Christ, received by faith. While good works follow true faith, they are never the condition for the promise of eternal life (Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5). Furthermore, the text elevates administrative church business to the level of 'Thus saith the Lord' revelation.
Friction Points
Sola Fide
Salvation/Blessing is made conditional on keeping 'all former commandments.'
Sola Gratia
Grace is obscured by the requirement to be a 'lively member' to receive the blessing.
Sola Scriptura
New revelation is added to the canon regarding administrative business.
Semantic Warnings
Terms that have different meanings between traditions:
"United Order"
In This Text
A specific consecration-based economic and spiritual organization within the early LDS Church.
In Evangelicalism
N/A (No direct biblical equivalent; distinct from the voluntary sharing in Acts 4).
"Blessed forever"
In This Text
Likely refers to exaltation or eternal life, contingent on faithfulness.
In Evangelicalism
Eternal life is a gift of God through Jesus Christ (Romans 6:23), not a wage earned by keeping commandments.
Soteriology (Salvation)
Salvation Defined: Implied as 'blessed forever' (eternal life/exaltation).
How Attained: Through faithfulness in keeping commandments and active participation ('lively member').
Basis of Assurance: Personal performance and obedience.
Comparison to Sola Fide: Directly contradicts Sola Fide by introducing an 'inasmuch' clause—conditional performance—as the gateway to eternal blessing (Galatians 3:10-11).
Mandates & Requirements
Explicit Commands
- Receive Frederick G. Williams into the United Order
- Be a 'lively member' in the order
- Keep all former commandments
Implicit Obligations
- Accept Joseph Smith's administrative decisions as divine revelation
- Maintain active, energetic participation in church assignments
Ritual Requirements
- Formal admission into the United Firm (often accompanied by covenants)
Evangelism Toolkit
Practical tools for engagement and dialogue:
Discovery Questions
Open-ended questions to promote reflection:
- In verse 2, the promise of being 'blessed forever' depends on keeping 'all former commandments.' How do you handle the pressure of needing to keep *all* commandments to ensure that blessing?
- What does it mean to you to be a 'lively member'? Do you feel that your activity level in the church determines your standing with God?
- If being blessed forever is based on 'inasmuch as you are faithful,' how can anyone be sure they have been faithful enough?
Redemptive Analogies
Bridges from this text to the Gospel:
The Lively Member
We all want to be useful and active ('lively') in God's kingdom. In the Gospel, this 'liveliness' is the *result* of the Spirit giving us life, not a requirement to earn our place.
Admission to the Order
The text shows a desire for belonging and acceptance. In Christ, we are adopted into God's family by grace, not voted in by a committee based on utility.
Spiritual Weight
Burdens this text places on adherents:
The command to be a 'lively member' creates a culture where spiritual worth is measured by visible activity and busyness within the organization.
The condition 'inasmuch as you are faithful in keeping all former commandments' places the infinite weight of eternity on the finite shoulders of the believer's consistency.
+ Epistemology
Knowledge Source: Prophetic Revelation
Verification Method: Obedience to the prophet and internal spiritual confirmation
Evangelical Contrast: Evangelicals test all claims against the closed canon of Scripture (Acts 17:11), whereas this text relies on the ongoing authority of a modern prophet.
+ Textual Criticism
Dating: March 15, 1833
Authorship: Joseph Smith
Textual Issues: The term 'United Order' was substituted for 'United Firm' in the 1876 edition to protect the identity of the business operations, though the 2013 edition retains 'United Order' with explanatory headers.