D&C 74

Section Overview

What happens in D&C 74

Received in January 1832, in Hiram, Ohio. While working on the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible, Joseph encountered 1 Corinthians 7:14, which speaks of the unbelieving spouse being 'sanctified' and children being 'holy.' This revelation explains Paul's meaning in the context of disputes about the Mosaic law of circumcision among early Jewish Christians.

Scripture

Paul's Context: Jewish Converts and the Law

Study note

Paul was addressing Jewish converts who debated whether Mosaic practices like circumcision were still necessary. The 'unbelieving' spouse refers to one who still followed the law of Moses rather than the gospel of Christ.

1 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; else were your children unclean, but now are they holy.

2 Now, in the days of the apostles the law of circumcision was had among all the Jews who believed not the gospel of Jesus Christ.

3 And it came to pass that there arose a great contention among the people concerning the law of circumcision, for the unbelieving husband was desirous that his children should be circumcised and become subject to the law of Moses, which law was fulfilled.

4 And it came to pass that the children, being brought up in subjection to the law of Moses, gave heed to the traditions of their fathers and believed not the gospel of Christ, wherein they became unholy.

Little Children Are Holy Through the Atonement

Study note

Children are declared holy, being sanctified through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. This addresses the false notion that children are unclean without the law of Moses or infant baptism.

5 Wherefore, for this cause the apostle wrote unto the church, giving unto them a commandment, not of the Lord, but of himself, that a believer should not be united to an unbeliever; except the law of Moses should be done away among them,

6 That their children might remain without circumcision; and that the tradition might be done away, which saith that little children are unholy; for it was had among the Jews;

7 But little children are holy, being sanctified through the atonement of Jesus Christ; and this is what the scriptures mean.

Key Themes

Themes in D&C 74

Children are holy through the Atonement of ChristMosaic law fulfilled in ChristProper interpretation of Paul's epistlesInfant baptism is unnecessaryGrace covers the innocent

Scripture Connections

How this section connects to Christ

D&C 74 1-3 Galatians 5:1-6

Paul's argument that circumcision is no longer necessary aligns with his letter to the Galatians declaring that in Christ, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything.

D&C 74 5-7 Matthew 19:14

The holiness of children echoes Jesus' declaration to let the little children come unto Him, for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

D&C 74 7 1 Corinthians 7:14

Paul's teaching that the unbelieving spouse is sanctified by the believer, and their children are holy, is the very passage this revelation interprets and clarifies.

Apply This Today

Living D&C 74

This revelation affirms a beautiful truth: little children are innocent and whole before God through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. They do not need ordinances or rituals to be sanctified. This principle brings comfort to parents everywhere—your children are precious in God's sight from the moment they enter the world. It also teaches us the importance of understanding scripture in its proper historical context, rather than twisting passages to support traditions that contradict God's character of love and mercy.

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