by Victor L. Brown, Sr.

This section is called the "law of Christ" and the "law of the Church," and receiving it fulfilled a promise made on January 2, 1831, in Doctrine and Covenants 38:32, that the law would be given to the Church in Ohio. As a precondition (see D&C 41:2-3), the elders were to unite in the prayer of faith. The first seventy verses of section 42 were given February 9, 1831, while twelve elders were, as the record states, "united in mighty prayer." Verses 71-93 were received two weeks later in similar circumstances. The revelation was first published in The Evening and The Morning Star, in July and October 1832, and was included as chapters 44 and 47 of the book of commandments in 1833.

High requirements were here imposed on the infant Church, with a small and scattered membership and little instruction and experience. They can be divided into six main segments:

1. A missionary commission to travel to the West (verses 1-17). Its members were to go two by two, under proper ordination and authority, to teach the principles of the gospel from the Bible and Book of Mormon and to teach only "by the Spirit."

2. A reaffirmation of the ten commandments (verses 18-29). The ancient decalogue of Moses stressed the laws of behavior. The New Testament, especially the Sermon on the Mount, and a similar sermon in 3 Nephi emphasize both the act and the inner condition, letter and spirit. Section 42 also affirms the more inclusive expectations and aspirations of the new and everlasting covenant. Additions include "Thou shalt not lie…[nor] speak evil of thy neighbor, nor do him any harm" and "Thou shalt love thy wife with all thy heart, and shalt cleave unto her and none else." Violators, it is said, "shall not have the Spirit" and shall fear.

3. A statement on the laws of stewardship and consecration (verses 30-39). Properties were to be consecrated by a covenant "which cannot be broken," for support of the poor, each person acting as a steward over his own property, and a high council and bishop as stewards over the Church storehouse. The storehouse, replenished by "residues," would administer to the poor and needy. "Inasmuch as ye do it unto the least of these, ye do it unto me." Through these principles, the Church was to procure land, build houses of worship, and eventually establish the New Jerusalem.

4. Warnings against pride of heart, ostentation, idleness, and uncleanness (verses 40-42).

5. Admonitions to compassionate care for the sick who are without the gift of faith unto healing (verses 43-52). Signs, including healing, will follow specific gifts of faith, but the highest form of faith is to "have power to become my sons." Reassurance is given those who die unto the Lord, for their death "shall be sweet unto them" (verse 46).

6. Instructions on Church procedures regarding transgressors, trials, witnesses, Church discipline in relation to the laws of the land, and patterns of confession and reconciliation (verses 53-93).

[See also Disciplinary Councils; Basic Beliefs home page; Doctrines of the Gospel home page; Scriptual Writings home page; Doctrine and Covenants home page; Overview of the Doctrine and Covenents home page.]

Bibliography

Otten, L. G., and C. M. Caldwell. Sacred Truths of the Doctrine and Covenants, Vol. 1, pp. 195-206. Springville, Utah, 1982.

Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Vol. 1, Doctrine and Covenants Section 42

Copyright © 1992 by Macmillan Publishing Company