The church narrative states the priesthood was restored to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdry in 1829. There are a few Revelations used to tell this narrative. There are problems with these priesthood restoration claims, and specifically these revelations, they aren’t contemporary to the stories, and the few that are the closest, have been changed.
Doctrine and Covenants sections 13, 20, 27, 84, and 107 contain significant revelations related to the Restoration of the gospel and the organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Section 13 discusses the restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood, Section 20 outlines the foundational principles and ordinances of the Church, Section 27 focuses on the sacrament and receiving revelation, Section 84 details the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood, and Section 107 provides instruction on the duties of priesthood quorums.
Section 13
This section records the restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood by John the Baptist to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. It emphasizes the keys of the ministering of angels, the gospel of repentance, and baptism by immersion.
An extract from Joseph Smith’s history recounting the ordination of the Prophet and Oliver Cowdery to the Aaronic Priesthood near Harmony, Pennsylvania, May 15, 1829. The ordination was done by the hands of an angel who announced himself as John, the same that is called John the Baptist in the New Testament. The angel explained that he was acting under the direction of Peter, James, and John, the ancient Apostles, who held the keys of the higher priesthood, which was called the Priesthood of Melchizedek. The promise was given to Joseph and Oliver that in due time this higher priesthood would be conferred upon them. (See section 27:7–8, 12.)
The keys and powers of the Aaronic Priesthood are set forth.
1 Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this shall never be taken again from the earth, until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness.
Doctrine and Covenants 13
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/13?lang=eng
The text is “An extract from Joseph Smith’s history” which was published in 1838. The section heading refers to the specific date of this angelic visitor and the ordination of Joseph and Oliver to the lesser priesthood (Aaronic), and mentions a promise that they would be given a higher priesthood (Melchizedek), referring to section 27.
This is not a “revelation” like most of the sections of the Doctrine and Covenants. It’s simply extracted from Joseph Smith’s history, written in 1838. It’s not a revelation regarding priesthood ordination, but a retelling of a retelling (of a retelling). Written a decade after the alleged event, a word-for-word transcript of the words of John the Baptist. The event that wasn’t mentioned for 5 years during the church’s foundational history is here transcribed and backdated in the D&C.
Section 20
This section, often referred to as the “Articles and Covenants,” outlines the foundational principles, ordinances, and organization of the Church. It details requirements for baptism, the sacrament, and the roles of different priesthood offices. It does not discuss the priesthood itself in any detail and only mentions it once as the “high priesthood.” It does detail many offices the church (which are today called offices of the priesthood), but it doesn’t include any details about the Aaronic or Melchizedek Priesthood. Joseph and Oliver were supposed to have just been ordained to both of these priesthoods less than a year ago, so they should understand the needs and responsibilities for each at this point.
The accounts state they received the Aaronic Priesthood at the hands of John the Baptist on May 29, 1829. They are supposed to have received the Melchizedek Priesthood shortly afterwards on an undisclosed date. The church was organized April 6, 1830, just under a year later. Yet, the church organization articles don’t even mention this authority or ordination, or categorize the offices into the two priesthoods.
Revelation on Church organization and government, given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at or near Fayette, New York. Portions of this revelation may have been given as early as summer 1829. The complete revelation, known at the time as the Articles and Covenants, was likely recorded soon after April 6, 1830 (the day the Church was organized). …
67 Every president of the high priesthood (or presiding elder), bishop, high councilor, and high priest, is to be ordained by the direction of a high council or general conference.
Doctrine and Covenants 20:67 – The only mention of the priesthood in the section
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/20?lang=eng
For such a foundational outline and organizational playbook, the names of these two priesthoods are not spelled out. There is no certain date for this section, but, as the heading states, “was likely recorded soon after” the church was organized.
If there were an Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthood at the time, as later Joseph and the current narrative claims, this would presumably mention them, or at least the fact that there is a lesser and a higher priesthood. A claim can be made that since the term “high priesthood” is used here, there is an inferred “less priesthood.” But this isn’t deemed the “higher” priesthood, and is simply a superlative adjective; it could just as easily be like saying high king. It is, after all, in the same sentence that also talks about the offices of “high councilor” and “high priest.” Does that imply that we have “lesser” councilors and “lesser” priests? We do have a priest, and high priest distinction made in the section, but never does it spell out that Deacon, Teacher, and Priest are offices of the Aaronic Priesthood, while the others, such as Elder, Bishop, etc, are offices of the Melchizedek Priesthood. This is a glaring omission in the so-called “revelation on church organization and government.”
Section 27
This section focuses on the sacrament and receiving revelation. It clarifies that the sacrament should be partaken of with a sincere heart and that God will reveal his will to his people through the Holy Ghost. It also, seemingly randomly, recounts that Peter, James, and John ordained Joseph and Oliver with keys.
As D&C 13 is the de facto Aaronic Priesthood restoration section, D&C 27 is known as the de facto Melchizedek Priesthood restoration section. As D&C 13 wasn’t written until 1838 and is admittedly an extract of Joseph Smith’s History, this section was not contemporary to the date of restoration.
Today’s D&C 27 has a history. It was first published in the precursor to the D&C, in the Book of Commandments. Then it was published in the first edition of the D&C, but it was altered between these two publications. The 1833 Book of Commandments (chapter 28) and the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants (Section 50, later renumbered in modern editions to Section 27) share a common origin—a revelation given in September 1830. When compared side by side, the differences are much more than simple grammar. Significant changes both in content and tone reveal how the theology and narrative had expanded in just two years.
The saints of the day notices. Later, David Whitmer, witness to the Gold Plates, published that “some of the revelations as they are now in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants have been changed and added to.” He states clearly that “when the Book of Commandments was printed, Joseph and the church received it as being printed correctly.” But that “in the winter of 1834 they saw that some of the revelations in the Book of Commandments had to be changed,” so “the book of Doctrine and Covenants was printed in 1835, and some of the revelations changed and added to.”
Was this David Whitmer just airing normal grievances of a disaffected member? All the evidence supports the claim that revelations were changed and added to between the Book of Commandments and the Doctrine & Covenants.
The priesthood restoration story is not present in the Book of Commandments, which was published in 1833. The opening portion of both versions is virtually identical and contains the original message on sacramental guidance. It commands the saints to avoid using wine from their enemies and includes a promise of Christ drinking wine (the fruit of the vine) with his disciples. Here is the chapter (later called sections), which is later revised to include the story as of 1833 publication:
1 Commandment to the church of Christ, given in Harmony, Pennsylvania, September 4, 1830, LISTEN to the voice of Jesus Christ, your Lord, your God and your Redeemer, whose word is quick and powerful.
2 For behold I say unto you, that it mattereth not what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, when ye partake of the sacrament, if it so be that ye do it with an eye single to my glory ;
3 Remembering unto the Father my body which was laid down for you, and my blood which was shed for the remission of your sins:
4 Wherefore a commandment I give unto you, that you shall not purchase wine, neither strong drink of your enemies:
5 Wherefore you shall partake of none, except it is made new among you, yea, in this my Father’s kingdom which shall be built up on the earth.
6 Behold this is wisdom in me, wherefore marvel not, for the hour cometh that I will drink of the fruit of the vine with you, on the earth, and with all those whom my Father hath given me out of the world :
7 Wherefore lift up your hearts and rejoice, and gird up your loins and be faithful until I come ;— even so. Amen.
Book of Commandments, 1830, Chapter 28 (Page 60) (Equivalent of Section 50 in 1835, and Section 27 today)
https://archive.org/details/1833BookOfCommandments/page/60/mode/2up
https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/book-of-commandments-1833/64
As we can see, this chapter contains nothing about the priesthood. A couple of years later, the first edition of the Doctrine and Covenants is published. It repurposes much of the revelations from the Book of Commandments and adds more, but this chapter is completely transformed. Starting at verse 2, new material is added that did not exist in the 1833 Book of Commandments. The new text significantly expands the theological scope and introduces new historical characters (Moroni, Elias, John the Baptist, Elijah, etc) and claims that John the Baptist ordained Joseph and Oliver to the Aaronic Priesthood, and that Peter, James, and John later ordained them as apostles and gave them keys. This is a massive doctrinal addition, none of which was present in the 1833 version, which did not mention any of these earlier prophets or the priesthood.
Here is the retrofitted section 50 of the Doctrine and Covenants in 1835.
SECTION L [50]
Revelation given September, 1830.
1 Listen to the voice of Jesus Christ, your Lord, your God and your Redeemer, whose word is quick and powerful. For behold I say unto you, that it matteretli not what ye shall eaf, or what ye shall drink, when ye partake of the sacrament, if it so be that ye do it with an eye single to my glory; remembering unto the Father my body which was laid down for you, and my blood which was shed for the remission of your sins: wherefore a commandment I give unto you, that you shall not purchase wine, neither strong drink of your enemies: wherefore you shall partake of none, except it is made new among you, yea, in this my Father’s kingdom which shall be built up on the earth.
2 Behold this is wisdom in me: wherefore marvel not for the hour cometh that I will drink of the fruit of the vine with you on the earth, and with Moroni, whom I have sent unto you to reveal the book of Mormon, containing the fulness of my everlasting gospel; to whom I have committed the keys of the record of the stick of Ephraim; and also with Elias, to whom I have committed the keys of bringing to pass the restoration of all things, or the restorer of all things spoken by the mouth of all the holy prophets since the world began, concerning the last days: and also John the son of Zacharias, which Zacharias he (Elias) visited and gave promise that he should have a son, and his name should be John, and he should be filled with the spirit of Elias; which John I have sent unto you, my servants, Joseph Smith, jr. and Oliver Cowdery, to ordain you unto this first priesthood which you have received, that you plight be called and ordained even as Aaron: and also Elijah, unto whom I have committed the keys of the power of turning the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to the fathers, that the whole earth may not be smitten with a curse: and also, with Joseph, and Jacob, and Isaac, and Abraham your fathers; by whom the promises remain; and also with Michael, or Adam, the father of all, the prince of all, the ancient of days:
3 And also with Peter, and James, and John, whom I have sent unto you, by whom I have ordained you and confirmed you to be apostles and special witnesses of my name, and hear the keys of your ministry: and of the same things which I revealed unto them: unto whom I have committed the keys of pay kingdom, and a dispensation of the gospel for the last times; and for the fulness of times, in the which I will gather together in one all things both which are in heaven and which are on earth: and also with all those whom my Father hath given me out of the world: wherefore lift up your hearts and rejoice, and gird up your loins, and take upon you my whole armor, that ye may be able to withstand the evil day, having done all ye may be able to stand. Stand, therefore, having your loins girt about with truth; having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace which I have sent mine angels to commit unto you, taking the shield of faith wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of my Spirit, which I will pour out upon you, and my wprd which I reveal unto you, and be agreed as touching all things whatsoever ye ask of me, and be faithful until I come, and ye shall be caught up that where I am ye shall be also. Amen.
Doctrine and Covenants, 1835, Section L (50) (Pages 179-181) (Equivalent of Chapter 28 in 1830, and Section 27 today)
https://archive.org/details/GR_711/page/n183/mode/2up
https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/doctrine-and-covenants-1835/187#full-transcript
And for transparency, here is the same section in today’s Doctrine and Covenants, this time as section 27. The main differences between today and 1835 are punctuation to break the long verses into smaller ones.
1 Listen to the voice of Jesus Christ, your Lord, your God, and your Redeemer, whose word is quick and powerful.
2 For, behold, I say unto you, that it mattereth not what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink when ye partake of the sacrament, if it so be that ye do it with an eye single to my glory—remembering unto the Father my body which was laid down for you, and my blood which was shed for the remission of your sins.
3 Wherefore, a commandment I give unto you, that you shall not purchase wine neither strong drink of your enemies;
4 Wherefore, you shall partake of none except it is made new among you; yea, in this my Father’s kingdom which shall be built up on the earth.
5 Behold, this is wisdom in me; wherefore, marvel not, for the hour cometh that I will drink of the fruit of the vine with you on the earth, and with Moroni, whom I have sent unto you to reveal the Book of Mormon, containing the fulness of my everlasting gospel, to whom I have committed the keys of the record of the stick of Ephraim;
6 And also with Elias, to whom I have committed the keys of bringing to pass the restoration of all things spoken by the mouth of all the holy prophets since the world began, concerning the last days;
7 And also John the son of Zacharias, which Zacharias he (Elias) visited and gave promise that he should have a son, and his name should be John, and he should be filled with the spirit of Elias;
8 Which John I have sent unto you, my servants, Joseph Smith, Jun., and Oliver Cowdery, to ordain you unto the first priesthood which you have received, that you might be called and ordained even as Aaron;
9 And also Elijah, unto whom I have committed the keys of the power of turning the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to the fathers, that the whole earth may not be smitten with a curse;
10 And also with Joseph and Jacob, and Isaac, and Abraham, your fathers, by whom the promises remain;
11 And also with Michael, or Adam, the father of all, the prince of all, the ancient of days;
12 And also with Peter, and James, and John, whom I have sent unto you, by whom I have ordained you and confirmed you to be apostles, and especial witnesses of my name, and bear the keys of your ministry and of the same things which I revealed unto them;
13 Unto whom I have committed the keys of my kingdom, and a dispensation of the gospel for the last times; and for the fulness of times, in the which I will gather together in one all things, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth;
14 And also with all those whom my Father hath given me out of the world.
15 Wherefore, lift up your hearts and rejoice, and gird up your loins, and take upon you my whole armor, that ye may be able to withstand the evil day, having done all, that ye may be able to stand.
16 Stand, therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, having on the breastplate of righteousness, and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, which I have sent mine angels to commit unto you;
17 Taking the shield of faith wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked;
18 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of my Spirit, which I will pour out upon you, and my word which I reveal unto you, and be agreed as touching all things whatsoever ye ask of me, and be faithful until I come, and ye shall be caught up, that where I am ye shall be also. Amen.
Doctrine and Covenants, Section 27
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/27
Again, the differences between the 1833 and 1835 versions are not minor edits—they represent a significant retroactive insertion of new doctrine.
Section 84
This section is often referred to as the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood. It explains the blessings and responsibilities associated with the lesser and higher priesthoods. It is the first time these are referred to as the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthoods. This section spells out the power to administer the gospel and to receive the fullness of the Father’s glory. Although this revelation is dated to September 22 and 23, 1832, curiously, it was not included in the Book of Commandments, which was published in 1833. It does appear in the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants, however, as section 4. This section traces the line of priesthood through the ages, and does mention Melchizedek by name, but does not mention the Aaronic or Melchizedek Priesthood.
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, September 22 and 23, 1832.
14 Which Abraham received the priesthood from Melchizedek, who received it through the lineage of his fathers, even till Noah; …
17 Which priesthood continueth in the church of God in all generations, and is without beginning of days or end of years.
18 And the Lord confirmed a priesthood also upon Aaron and his seed, throughout all their generations, which priesthood also continueth and abideth forever with the priesthood which is after the holiest order of God.
19 And this greater priesthood administereth the gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God.
20 Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest.
21 And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh;
Doctrine and Covenants 84
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/84?lang=eng
Section 107
This section provides instruction on the duties of various priesthood quorums, including the Melchizedek and Aaronic Priesthoods. It also clarifies the roles and responsibilities of different priesthood offices within the Church. This section appears in the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants as section 3. This section clarifies much of the “Articles and Covenants” in Section 20, since, as already has been pointed out, that section did not include anything regarding the Aaronic or Melchizedek Priesthood.
Revelation on the priesthood, given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, about April 1835. Although this section was recorded in 1835, the historical records affirm that most of verses 60 through 100 incorporate a revelation given through Joseph Smith on November 11, 1831.…
1 There are, in the church, two priesthoods, namely, the Melchizedek and Aaronic, including the Levitical Priesthood.
2 Why the first is called the Melchizedek Priesthood is because Melchizedek was such a great high priest.
3 Before his day it was called the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God.
4 But out of respect or reverence to the name of the Supreme Being, to avoid the too frequent repetition of his name, they, the church, in ancient days, called that priesthood after Melchizedek, or the Melchizedek Priesthood.
5 All other authorities or offices in the church are appendages to this priesthood.
6 But there are two divisions or grand heads—one is the Melchizedek Priesthood, and the other is the Aaronic or Levitical Priesthood…
Doctrine and Covenants 107
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/107?lang=eng
The heading states this section was revealed and recorded in April 1835, and the section heading performs some apologetics claiming that “the historical records affirm that most of verses 60 through 100 incorporate a revelation” from 1831. This is another attempt to backdate the priesthood restoration to a more contemporary date.
This revelation they refer to, has also been retrofitted with terms that were not in the revelation at the time. Terms like Aaronic Priesthood and Melchizedek Priesthood. This is very similar to other revelations of the period which talk of offices and only briefly mention a “high priesthood”. It doesn’t denote a Higher priesthood, just the high priesthood. See the original November 11th 1831 revelation in the Joseph Smith Papers project.
There must needs be presiding Elders to preside over them who are of the office of an Elder & also Priests over them who are of the office of a Priest & also Teachers over them who are of the office of a Teacher in like manner And also the deacons wherefore from Deacon to Teacher & from Teacher to Priest & from Priest to Elder severally as they are appointed, according to the Church Articles & Covenants then cometh the high Priest hood which is the greatest of all wherefore it must needs be that one be appointed of the high Priest hood to preside over the Priesthood & he shall be called President of the high Priest hood of the Church or in other high words the Presiding high priesthood over the high Priest of the Church from the same cometh the administring of ordinances
Revelation, November 11, 1831 – Revised and pulled into D&C 107
& blessings upon the Church by the Laying on of the hands.
https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/revelation-11-november-1831-b-dc-107-partial/1
Apologists
Apologists repeatedly refer to these sections when attempting to prove the priesthood restoration was in the scriptures from the beginning. The problem is, they’re lying, since it was NOT included in the 1833 versions, just as the priesthood restoration story wasn’t mentioned anywhere before 1834, so how do honest historians show that it happened?
Dishonest From The Start
It’s one thing to receive divine inspiration and share it imperfectly. It’s quite another to fabricate a story and edit past records to give it the illusion of historical reality. The evidence shows that Joseph Smith did not initially teach or document a clear priesthood restoration by angelic messengers. The revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants that now describe these events were either absent from early compilations or were later edited and expanded—sometimes significantly—to align with a priesthood narrative that had not yet been developed at the time. This isn’t a matter of simple omission or evolving theology—it’s a calculated retrofitting of doctrine into history to solidify and justify Joseph’s growing ecclesiastical authority.
What does it say about a church’s foundation when one of its most essential claims to divine authority—the restoration of the priesthood—is not supported by the historical record but is instead stitched into the narrative years after the fact? The modern LDS Church rests heavily on the idea of unique priesthood authority, yet that authority appears to be built on a backdated story. To continue promoting this as a literal, historical truth for nearly 200 years is not just mistaken—it’s dishonest. Maintaining the story is more about preserving institutional power than honoring truth.
If you’ve noticed these inconsistencies and felt confused, betrayed, or alone—you’re not! Many have walked this road and have found courage in asking hard questions. There’s strength in speaking truth and in breaking the silence around doubts we were taught to suppress. If you’re one of those who has struggled to reconcile the official narrative with the historical record, we invite you to share your journey. Add your voice at wasmormon.org. Your story matters, and someone else may need to hear it.
More reading:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctrine_and_Covenants#Chart_comparison_of_editions
- https://archive.org/details/1833BookOfCommandments/page/10/mode/2up
- https://archive.org/details/GR_711/page/n91/mode/2up
- https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/revelation-11-november-1831-b-dc-107-partial/1
- https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/13?lang=eng
- https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/20?lang=eng
- https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/27
- https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/84?lang=eng
- https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/107?lang=eng
- https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/doctrine-and-covenants-1835/9
- https://archive.org/details/1833BookOfCommandments/page/60/mode/2up
- https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/book-of-commandments-1833/64
- https://archive.org/details/GR_711/page/n183/mode/2up
- https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/doctrine-and-covenants-1835/187#full-transcript
- Retroactive Mormon Priesthood Restoration Problems
- Bushman on Holes in The Priesthood Restoration Story