Overview
of the Doctrine and Covenants
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| Overview |
| "The Doctrine and Covenants is a compilation of revelations,
most of which were received by the
Prophet Joseph Smith for the establishment and
governance of the kingdom of God in the latter days. It
is a standard work of the Church and functions as its
open, ever-expanding, ecclesiastical Constitution. Its
main focus is to build up the Church of Jesus Christ and
to bring people into harmony with Christ's kingdom."
Encyclopedia of Mormonism |
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| Contents |
| "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."
Encyclopedia of Mormonism |
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| Section
1 |
| "Section 1 of the Doctrine and Covenants is
called the "Preface." It was a revelation
received by Joseph Smith between sessions of a conference
in Hiram, Ohio, on November 1, 1831." Encyclopedia
of Mormonism |
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| Sections
20-22 |
| "Together, these three sections provide a firm
organizational foundation for the restored Church of
Christ." Encyclopedia of Mormonism |
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| Section
25 |
| "Church leaders, both men and women, continue to
cite passages from this inspired calling of Emma to
exemplify some of the potentials of women and facilitate
their full participation in all spiritual callings and
blessings of the Gospel." Encyclopedia of
Mormonism |
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| Section
42 |
| "This section is called the "law of
Christ" and the "law of the Church," and
receiving it fulfilled a promise made on January 2, 1831,
in Doctrine and Covenants 38:32, that the law would be
given to the Church in Ohio." Encyclopedia of
Mormonism |
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| Section
45 |
| "This revelation of the Doctrine and Covenants
was received in early March 1831, a time when 'many false
reports, lies, and foolish stories, were published in the
newspapers, and circulated in every direction, to prevent
people from investigating the work, or embracing the
faith' (HC 1:158)." Encyclopedia of Mormonism |
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| Section
76 |
| "Section 76 presents a vision about the Plan of
Salvation, particularly the nature of the three
kingdoms or heavens of glory that mankind may inherit
following the resurrection, depending on their personal
faithfulness (see Degrees
of Glory)." Encyclopedia of Mormonism |
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| Section
84 |
| "Given on September 22-23, 1832, at Kirtland,
Ohio, section 84 was first published as Chapter IV in the
1835 edition of the Doctrine and Covenants. It is called
a revelation on priesthood and was given in the presence
of six elders who had just returned from their missions
to the eastern states." Encyclopedia of Mormonism |
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| Section
88 |
| "On Christmas Day 1832, Joseph Smith received
what has become known as the prophecy on war (D&C
87), which predicted "the death and misery of many
souls." His brethren were troubled at this. They
united in fasting and prayer before the Lord, seeking his
will concerning the upbuilding of Zion. The Prophet
designated the subsequent revelation (D&C 88) the
"olive leaf" and "the Lord's message of
peace to us" (HC 1:316)." Encyclopedia of
Mormonism |
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| Section
89 |
| "This section, known as the Word of
Wisdom from its first words, was received at a
meeting of the School of the Prophets in the upper level
of the Whitney store on February 27, 1833, in Kirtland,
Ohio." Encyclopedia of Mormonism |
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| Section
93 |
| "Section 93 is a revelation received through the
Prophet Joseph Smith on May 6, 1833, during a conference
of high priests at Kirtland, Ohio. It was first printed
as chapter 82 of the 1835 edition of the Doctrine and
Covenants. The insights of this revelation pervade LDS
understanding of the nature and relationship of God and
man." Encyclopedia of Mormonism |
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| Section
107 |
| "Section 107 is one of the most important
statements in latter-day scripture on the divisions,
offices, quorums, and councils of the priesthood." Encyclopedia
of Mormonism |
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| Sections
109-110 |
| "Section 109 is the dedicatory prayer for the
Kirtland Temple." Encyclopedia of Mormonism |
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| Sections
121-123 |
| "The power and richness of the letter, both its
doctrinal content and its literary images, may have
resulted from the Prophet's personal suffering." Encyclopedia
of Mormonism |
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| Section
124 |
| "Section 124, given January 19, 1841, to the
Prophet Joseph Smith, is the longest revelation in the
Doctrine and Covenants." Encyclopedia of
Mormonism |
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| Sections
127-128 |
| "These documents clarified and formalized the
LDS doctrine and practice of baptism for the dead, a
practice attested to in the first century at Corinth (1
Cor. 15:29)." Encyclopedia of Mormonism |
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| Sections
131-132 |
| "These sections discuss the principle of eternal
marriage as a requirement for obtaining the highest degree
of glory in the Celestial
Kingdom (D&C 131:1-4; cf. 76:50-70). In that
exalted state, men and women become gods (see Godhood),
continue to have children (see Eternal Increase), and
come to know God fully (D&C 132:23-24)." Encyclopedia
of Mormonism |
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| Sections
137-138 |
| "Section 137 reports a vision of the Celestial
Kingdom recorded in the diary of Joseph
Smith....Section 138 is the record of a vision received
by President Joseph F. Smith on October 3, 1918, as he
was pondering the universal nature of the Atonement of
Jesus Christ and wondering how the Savior taught the
spirits in prison in the brief time between his death and
resurrection (D&C 138:1-11; cf. 1 Pet. 3:19;
4:6)." Encyclopedia of Mormonism |
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| Official Declaration 1 |
| Declaration 1 ended the Church's practice of plural
marriage. |
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| Official
Declaration 2 |
| "Declaration 2 revealed that the 'long-promised
day has come when every faithful, worthy man in the
Church may receive the holy priesthood.'"" Encyclopedia
of Mormonism |
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| (See Basic Beliefs
home page; Doctrines of the
Gospel home page; Scriptural
Writings home page; Doctrine
and Covenants home page) |
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