The Doctrine and Covenants is a book of scripture used by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and some other Latter Day Saint movement denominations. It contains revelations and teachings given to Joseph Smith and other early leaders of the LDS Church.
The Doctrine and Covenants contains 138 sections and two official declarations. The sections are organized by date given, while Official Declaration 1 and Official Declaration 2 are located at the end of the book. The sections contain doctrine, prophecies, instructions, and policies for the LDS Church.
Background
Joseph Smith, founder of the Latter Day Saint movement, said that on September 21, 1823, an angel named Moroni guided him to a buried stone box that contained a set of gold plates engraved with a Judeo-Christian history of an ancient American civilization. In 1830, Smith published what he said was a translation of these plates called the Book of Mormon. On April 6, 1830, Smith founded the Church of Christ in Fayette, New York. In 1834, the church moved to Kirtland, Ohio, where Smith began dictating revelations to a scribe.
In 1835, the collection was formally titled the Doctrine and Covenants of the Church of the Latter Day Saints. The 1835 Doctrine and Covenants contained 103 sections and two official declarations. In 1844, after Smith’s death, many groups broke off into separate denominations during a succession crisis. The largest group followed Brigham Young and made their way west to Utah. Over time, more revelations were added to the book.
Today, The Doctrine and Covenants used by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints contains 138 sections plus Official Declarations 1 and 2.
Content
The Doctrine and Covenants covers several topics related to the church, including doctrine, prophecy, instruction, and policies. Some of the major themes include:
Restoration
Many revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants focus on the need for a restoration of primitive Christianity in the latter days. It teaches that Smith was commanded by God to restore the priesthood, church organization, and authority to act in God’s name. Important revelations related to restoration include:
– Section 13: Ordination of Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery to the Aaronic priesthood along the banks of the Susquehanna River on May 15, 1829.
– Section 20: Known as the “Articles and Covenants of the Church,” this section outlines the basic organization and doctrine of the restored church. Given in 1830.
– Section 27: Instructions on the sacrament of the Lord’s supper, given in 1830.
– Section 110: Visions received by Smith and Oliver Cowdery in the Kirtland Temple on April 3, 1836, showing that prophets from the Old and New Testaments had come to restore keys of authority.
Zion
Zion refers to the city of New Jerusalem that Latter-day Saints believe will be built on the American continent in preparation for Christ’s Second Coming. The Doctrine and Covenants contains many revelations about establishing Zion, including:
– Section 57: Revelation designating Independence, Missouri as the “center place” of Zion on July 20, 1831.
– Section 82: Commandment given on April 26, 1832 to church members in Ohio to begin an organized migration to Missouri.
– Section 101: Revelation given after church members were expelled from Missouri in the 1838 Mormon War, stating Zion would be redeemed at a future time.
Temples
The Doctrine and Covenants emphasizes the importance of temple worship. It contains revelations regarding the building of temples in Kirtland, Independence, Far West, and Nauvoo. Important sections include:
– Section 88: Instructions for building a “house of the Lord” in Kirtland given in 1832, which became the first Latter-day Saint temple.
– Section 95: Given in 1833, this revelation chastises church members for failing to finish the Kirtland Temple on time.
– Section 97: Instructions on seeking knowledge in the House of the Lord, given after the Kirtland Temple’s dedication in 1836.
– Section 124: Commands to build a temple in Nauvoo, Illinois given on January 19, 1841.
Priesthood Authority
The Doctrine and Covenants provides clarification on priesthood offices in the church and keys of authority. Important priesthood revelations include:
– Section 84: Revelation describing the oath and covenant of the priesthood given in 1832.
– Section 107: Known as the “Levitical order of the Priesthood,” this section describes various priesthood callings in the church. Given in 1835.
– Section 112: Instructions to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on their role as special witnesses of Christ, given in 1837.
– Section 124: Instructions about priesthood keys given to Smith and his associates in the 1841 revelation to build a temple in Nauvoo.
Law of Consecration
The Law of Consecration was a divine command for church members to voluntarily deed their property to the church and redistribute it equally. Important sections include:
– Section 42: Contains the initial explanation of laws regulating consecration given in February 1831.
– Section 51: Instructions for appointing officers to regulate and administer financial aspects of consecration.
– Section 78: Commands church members arriving in Zion to comply with the law of consecration.
– Section 82: Revelation from April 1832 instructing church members in Ohio to migrate to Missouri and fully establish the order of consecration.
– Section 104: Dissolution of the law of consecration given in 1834 following failure to fully establish it in Missouri. Allowed church members to steward their own property again.
Church Organization and Government
The Doctrine and Covenants provides guidance on church leadership roles, governing bodies, and decision-making procedures. Key sections include:
– Section 20: Outlines foundational offices of elder, priest, teacher, and deacon, as well as the role of apostles. Requires common consent for all decisions.
– Section 81: Instructions on the role and authority of the First Presidency, given in 1832.
– Section 90: Revelation regulating the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Given in 1833.
– Section 102: Guidance for procedures in church disciplinary councils. Given in 1834.
– Section 107: Instructions on leadership roles in the Melchizedek and Aaronic priesthoods. Given in 1835.
Marriage and Family
The Doctrine and Covenants teaches principles related to marriage and family responsibilities. Important sections include:
– Section 49: Affirms the Genesis teaching that God created marriage male and female, given in 1831.
– Section 83: Recommends that women teach children the gospel from scripture, given in 1832.
– Section 132: Revelation on eternal marriage and plural marriage recorded in 1843.
– Official Declaration 1: Statement from church president Wilford Woodruff announcing the end of plural marriage in 1890.
Prophecies and Warnings
Some revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants contain prophecies about the future or warnings to prepare for coming events, such as:
– Section 29: Prophecy that plagues and natural disasters will precede Christ’s return.
– Section 38: Warning for church members to prepare food, clothing, and save money for coming troubles.
– Section 45: Revelation affirming signs that will precede Christ’s return, such as wars and earthquakes.
– Section 87: Prophecy that the Southern states would rebel against the Northern states, given in 1832.
– Section 130: Vision of the future where church membership expands but some fall away from truth.
Church History
As a record of revelations received by Joseph Smith from 1830-1844, the Doctrine and Covenants provides a narrative timeline of important events in early church history, including:
– Section 20: Organization of the church in 1830.
– Section 38: Command to gather to Ohio, before journey to Missouri.
– Sections 111-114: Events during Zion’s Camp expedition to Missouri in 1834.
– Section 110: Visions received in the Kirtland Temple in 1836.
– Sections 117-120: Exodus from Kirtland and command to build a temple in Far West in 1838.
– Section 122: Events during Joseph Smith’s confinement in Liberty Jail in 1839.
– Sections 124-125: Instruction to build a temple in Nauvoo, Illinois in 1841.
– Section 135: Announcement of the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith in 1844.
Changes and Use
The Doctrine and Covenants has undergone editing and revision since its initial publication. Some revelations were edited for clarity or expanded with additional verses.
In 1876, Orson Pratt divided the sections into verses and standardized doctrinal language. He also prepared footnotes and format for a new edition still used by the LDS Church today.
The Community of Christ (formerly RLDS Church) utilizes an open canon approach, and has added sections beyond those contained in the LDS edition. They have also made minor wording changes.
Members of the LDS Church use the Doctrine and Covenants as scripture alongside the Bible, Book of Mormon, and Pearl of Great Price. It is considered a source of modern revelation and church policy. The book is studied in Sunday School, university religion courses, and seminary classes for youth. Many Latter-day Saints cite the Doctrine and Covenants to defend church teachings and practices.
