D&C 74

We learn a great deal with this section of the Doctrine and Covenants. The first being that translated scripture is not always clear and requires guidance or clarity from the Lord, not man's own interpretation. You can tell that the Prophet Joseph Smith struggled with understanding the writings of Paul to the Corinthians. The Prophet did as we should all do - just as Nephi counseled his brethren when they replied -

"...we cannot understand the words which our father hath spoken..." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 15:7)

Nephi asked them -

"...Have ye inquired of the Lord?..." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 15:8)

In answer to the Prophets desire to understand 1 Corinthians 7:14 where Paul wrote -

"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." (New Testament 1 Corinthians 7:14)

The Lord revealed -

"...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..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 74:2 - 4)

This concerned Paul because the children being Jewish -

"...believed not the gospel of Christ, wherein they became unholy." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 74:4)

So Paul counseled the saints -

"...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..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 74:5 - 6)

For the Lord declares -

"...little children are holy, being sanctified through the atonement of Jesus Christ..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 74:7)