by C. Max Caldwell

The revelations compiled in the Doctrine and Covenants contain directions and doctrine needed to inspire, organize, and administer the affairs of the Church. They were not received or written as a textbook, treatise, or organized curriculum of lesson plans, but were received intermittently when the Prophet Joseph Smith and others sought divine guidance in various circumstances.

Despite the fact that many of these revelations are personally directed to certain individuals or groups in nineteenth-century times and places, they contain principles that have eternal application and thus current value. The revelations include warnings of divine judgments upon the wicked; teachings about the progression of human souls toward exaltation and eternal life through the gospel of Jesus Christ; information about scripture, including the coming forth of the Book of Mormon and the translation of the Bible by Joseph Smith; instructions about the priesthood, its restoration, functions, offices, and ordinances; commandments and instructions to people of the Church regarding personal behavior, education, lands and property, buildings, and caring for the poor; and callings and counsel to preach and live the gospel.

Section 1 is the Preface, given at a conference of the Church on November 1, 1831. It came in response to Joseph Smith's request for authority from the Lord to publish some of the revelations that he had previously received. In it, the Lord authorized the request and issued the following challenge and declaration to all who would read it: "Search these commandments, for they are true and faithful, and the prophecies and promises which are in them shall all be fulfilled" (D&C 1:37).

Sections 2-19 are revelations received prior to the organization of the Church in 1830. In them, the Lord instructed Joseph Smith and his companions on many subjects, especially the translation, publication, and value of the Book of Mormon, and the need to trust completely in the Lord and to safeguard sacred things (sections 3, 5, 10, 17, 20). Joseph Smith, Sr.; Hyrum Smith; Joseph Knight, Sr.; John, Peter, and David Whitmer; Oliver Cowdery; and Martin Harris were taught how they might be a part of the work that was about to come forth and were instructed about its sacredness (sections 4, 6, 8-9, 11-12, 14-19). They were also counseled to become worthy to receive the Lord's Spirit so that they might recognize God's revelations and carry out his will (sections 6, 8-9, 11).

Also during this time, the authority to act in the name of the Lord was restored (see Priesthood), and the purpose and scope of that authority were explained (sections 13, 18, 20; cf. 27). The Lord gave counsel concerning the value of individual souls and encouraged his servants to labor for one another's salvation by teaching the restored gospel and bringing people to repentance (section 18). The value of and need for the Atonement of Jesus Christ were revealed, and people were directed to come to him for forgiveness and spiritual strength (section 19).

Sections 20-40 gave instructions in 1830 to the newly organized Church in New York. The basic doctrines of the Church as contained in the Bible and the Book of Mormon and the criteria for establishing covenants with the Lord were summarized, and the responsibilities of members and priesthood holders in the Church were established (section 20).

The Lord gave a revelation concerning the relationship of the Prophet to the Lord and of Church members to the word of the Lord through his Prophet (section 21). This is a major topic in the Doctrine and Covenants and provides the basis for understanding the process of continuing revelation through the president of the church (section 28; cf. 43, 68, 81, 90, 124).

Further revelations were received for the benefit of various individuals and for the Church in general, in which many doctrinal insights were provided on such subjects as baptism (section 22); following counsel (sections 23-24, 31); music, and counsel to the Prophet's wife, Emma Smith (section 25); common consent (section 26); the Sacrament (section 27); the Holy Spirit (sections 29-30, 34, cf. 46, 50, 75, 79); preaching to the American Indians, or Lamanites (section 30, 32); proclaiming the gospel to all the world in the last days (sections 29, 33, 35, 38; cf. 43, 45, 86-87, 90, 101, 116, 133); and Joseph Smith's work on translating the Bible and other records (sections 35, 37; cf. 41-42, 45, 73-74, 76-77, 86, 91, 93-94, 124:89). It was through this translation activity that many of the doctrines of the Church were revealed to Joseph Smith (see Matthews).

The Lord directed members of the Church to gather to Ohio, where he promised that he would give them his law, establish Zion, and endow them with power from on high (sections 37-38, 42). The making and keeping of covenants are identified as the basis for individuals becoming God's people or his disciples (sections 39-41).

Sections 41-123 were given during the Ohio and Missouri periods of the Church (1831-1839) and contain various instructions concerning the affairs of the Church. During these years many doctrines and principles of the gospel were revealed that helped to build a vital doctrinal framework for the Church. The first revelation recorded by Joseph Smith in Ohio called Edward Partridge to serve as the first bishop of the Church (section 41). As promised, the Saints were given the Lord's laws by which members of the Church are governed, including the law of teaching (sections 42, 68, 88, 93, 100); moral laws (sections 42, 58-59); the law of consecration (sections 42, 51, 54, 70, 78, 82-83, 104); the law of labor (sections 42, 60, 68, 75; see Work); instructions concerning administration to the sick (sections 42, 46, 63); laws of remuneration for goods and services (sections 42, 43, 70, 106); and laws pertaining to transgressors (sections 42, 58, 102, 107). Joseph Smith also received instruction concerning the importance of marriage and the family (section 49; cf. 131-32), and the Lord revealed information by which counterfeit and evil practices might be detected and avoided (sections 43, 46, 50, 52; cf. 129).

A major theme of the Doctrine and Covenants is the establishment and building of Zion, both as a place (see New Jerusalem) and as a condition of the people (the pure in heart; D&C 97:21). Joseph Smith was instructed to go to Missouri, where the site for the city of Zion would be made known (section 52). While there, he received guidance from the Lord concerning the establishment of Zion and its people (sections 57-59). The Saints began to gather in Missouri to fulfill the Lord's requirements, and additional revelations were received pertaining to their various responsibilities (sections 63-64). They were taught the necessity of building and having a temple, or house of the Lord, in connection with becoming a people of Zion (sections 57, 84, 88, 97, 101, 109-110; cf. 124). Since some members did not reach levels of consecrated faith and obedience reflective of a Zion society, they failed to establish Zion at that time. They were expelled from Missouri, and the building of Zion in that place was temporarily suspended (sections 101, 103, 105).

During this same time and later, other insightful revelations were provided concerning health rules (sections 49, 89); the life, light, spirit, and power of Christ (sections 50, 84, 88, 93); missionary work (sections 75, 79-80, 84, 99); the sabbath (section 59); obedience and sacrifice (sections 58-59, 82, 97, 117-18); obtaining and extending forgiveness (sections 58, 64, 82, 98); the Plan of Salvation for all humankind (sections 76, 93; cf. 131, 137-38); priesthood functions and quorums (sections 81, 84, 90, 107, 112, 121; cf. 124; and Official Declaration 2 of 1978); impending wars (section 87); biblical texts (sections 74, 77, 113); and tithing (sections 119-20).

Sections 124-135 were recorded in Nauvoo during the last years of Joseph Smith's life (1839-1844). They include directions to the Church regarding the Nauvoo Temple, the first full-ordinance temple (section 124); ordinances and salvation for the dead (sections 124, 127-128); the nature of the Godhead and exalted beings (sections 130, 132); eternal and plural marriage (sections 131-32; see also Official Declaration-1); political laws and governments (section 134); and a statement of the contributions of Joseph Smith and of his testimony at the time of his martyrdom (sections 135-36).

(See 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

Berrett, William E. Teachings of the Doctrine and Covenants. Salt Lake City, 1956.

Cook, Lyndon W. The Revelations of Joseph Smith. Provo, Utah, 1981.

Matthews, Robert J. "The Joseph Smith Translation and The Doctrine and Covenants: Historical and Doctrinal Companions." In The Capstone of Our Religion: Insights into the Doctrine and Covenants, ed. Robert L. Millet and Larry E. Dahl. Salt Lake City, 1989.

Otten, Leaun G., and C. Max Caldwell. Sacred Truths of the Doctrine and Covenants, 2 vols. Springville, Utah, 1983.

Smith, Hyrum M., and Janne M. Sjodahl. Doctrine and Covenants Commentary. Salt Lake City, 1954.

Smith, Joseph Fielding. Church History and Modern Revelation, 2 vols. Salt Lake City, 1946.

Welch, John W., and Jeannie Welch. The Doctrine and Covenants by Themes. Salt Lake City, 1986.

Widtsoe, John A. The Message of the Doctrine and Covenants, ed. G. Homer Durham. Salt Lake City, 1969.

Woodford, Robert J. "The Historical Development of the Doctrine and Covenants," 3 vols. Ph.D. diss., Brigham Young University, 1974.

Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Vol. 1, Doctrine and Covenants, Contents

Copyright © 1992 by Macmillan Publishing Company