Sacred Texts: Mormons

Mormon Doctrine & Covenants 98. Revelation through Joseph Smith, Kirtland, Ohio, August 6, 1833.

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This is Section 98 of the Doctrine and Covenants, a canonized Mormon scripture presented as a divine revelation received by Joseph Smith in August 1833, during a period of persecution of early Latter-day Saints in Missouri. The revelation addresses its recipients with comfort and counsel across several interlocking themes: political theology, personal conduct under persecution, and rules governing warfare and forgiveness. Its most distinctive contribution is a detailed, graduated framework for responding to enemies — bearing offenses patiently up to three times earns escalating heavenly reward, after which the wronged party may seek divine judgment, while forgiveness must be extended up to seventy times seven if the enemy repents. The text also articulates an early Mormon doctrine of constitutional law, declaring that laws upholding freedom and rights are divinely justified, while anything beyond or short of that "cometh of evil." On warfare, it sets out a pacifist-first standard requiring peace overtures before any divinely sanctioned battle, framing this as consistent with ancient scriptural precedent from figures like Nephi and the patriarchs. The overall argument is that God's people should endure suffering patiently, support just civil government, seek honest leaders, and trust divine vengeance rather than take personal revenge — all as a test of covenant faithfulness.

Mormon Doctrine & Covenants 98. Revelation through Joseph Smith, Kirtland, Ohio, August 6, 1833.

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