Book of Doctrine and Covenants

Ï have heard it explained that the purpose of the Book of Mormon is to bring people to Christ, to accept Him as Savior and Redeemer of the world. The Doctrine and Covenants works in tandem with the Book of Mormon in that it then brings people to know Christ's Church. The two compliment one another. The Doctrine and Covenants lays the foundation for the Latter-Day church, its organization and policies. It also contains revelations relating to specific issues and questions. It also contains many prophecies and visions. Of the prophecies, the most interesting may be Section 87, which contains a prediction that a great war will "shortly come to pass," that it will begin in South Carolina, that it will "ëventually terminate in the death and misery of many souls." Now, this revelation was recorded on Christmas Day 1832, 28 years before the outbreak of the civil war. Such detailed and specific knowledge (not the generalities of someone like Nostradamus), naming South Carolina and the slave question, and further predicting that the South would seek the help of Great Britain and that slaves would rise up against their masters, cannot be easily explained away. Of all the visions, probably the greatest can be found in Section 76, in which Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon see Jesus Christ, and the world that follows this one, how it is constituted, and who lives where. For anyone interested in knowing more about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, this is their core doctrinal "handbook," explaining everything from the ordainance of baptism to the location of the Garden of Eden. I'll finish off with this quote. "All truth passes through three stages: First, it is ridiculed; Second, it is violently opposed; and Third, it is accepted as self-evident." -- Arthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860)

Since 1833 when Joseph Smith, Jr., Mormon prophet and leader, published the "Book of Commandments," this volume as been an essential part of the Latter Day Saint (Mormon) corpus of "scripture." A couple of years later, the name was changed to "Doctrine and Covenants." Back in the 1920s, the "Doctrine" part (Lectures on Faith) was removed, but is still available as a distinct publication. Additionally, since the LDS view scripture as open to addition through living prophets, the modern D & C (as the Doctrine and Covenants is popularly called among the LDS) has additional pronouncements by modern LDS leaders. The LDS are criticized sometimes fairly and sometimes not for sanitizing their history and documents to comply with the times. The D & C, however, has largely remained free from that sort of editing. As both a document that is historical for most people and canonical for the LDS, it is extremely important for anyone who wishes to converse intelligently with the LDS about religion. Most of the "Sections" (like chapters in the Bible) are purportedly the words of God to Joseph Smith, Jr. (although some of the very late sections or additions came through his survivors). In them, one sees the development of the young church in its formative, difficult years. Much of the material is rather dry and documents the movements of individuals and groups of people. The principal value of this "dry" material is historical. It also demonstrates a vigorous organization making its place, prinicipally in 19th century America and Great Britain. Section 10 (from the year 1828) has an interesting explanation regarding the famous stolen/lost 116 pages of the Book of Mormon manuscript. Section 20 (1830) documents the official organization of "the Church of Christ" (the original name of the LDS church), and contains the closest thing (prior to the LDS 13 "Articles of Faith") that the early Mormon Church had to a creed in verses 16-36 and also contains a version of their communion meal ("sacrament") prayers. Highlights: "Eternal" and "endless" punishment may not talk about time, rather the nature of the punishment as God's since those things are his name. (19:6-12) The church works with a component of "common consent" (28:12-13) and is seen today in the LDS "sustaining" activity. Joseph Smith, says God, is not indispensible. (35:18) Not all men are under sin; there are "holy men that ye know not of." (49:8) In some places, "Jew" means "Lamanite," commonly believed at the time to be American Indian (reflecting the LDS belief that the characters in the Book of Mormon were ethnic and religious Hebrews). (57:4) Tithing spares one from the consuming fire at Jesus' coming (64:23-24) There's a revelation with an interpretation of some of the elements of the Book of Revelation. (77) The "New Jerusalem" will be in Missouri. (84:2-5) Then there's a famous revelation that was later seen as predicting the Civil War by the LDS. Critics point to problems with that in

I've been a member of the Church all my life. I had doubts at various times in my life that caused worries. However, I did the best I could to face these with faith enough to believe they coud be resolved. I had little trouble believing Joseph Smith was a prophet with all that came forth at that time: so many miracles and momentous events and the BoMormon coming forth. I've always been in awe of the man. However, at one point, I began to wonder about later prophets. In the Doctrine and Covenants, I read a section from a later prophet with these doubts in mind. As I read it and finished reading it, I knew it was revelation. Since then, I never had that concern again. I'm really grateful for all that is taught through Joseph Smith, but I am just as grateful that I've gained a testimony of the truthfulness of the modern Church through a later prophet. This may not always be an easy read, but there is so much to be had in this amazing work. This isn't a good missionary tool, like the BoMormon, but it's something to be read and pondered on at some point.

The Doctrine and Covenants are, mainly, a collection of canonised revelations received by the Prophet Joseph Smith from 1823 to 1843, with some exceptions (e.g. section 135 was composed by John Taylor). This is where the real "meat of Mormonism" lies, with God the Father and Jesus Christ being presented as anthropormorphic, the Church's Priesthood and their duties being established, accounts of the various visions of the Prophet, such as the Angel Moroni in 1823 informing him of the coming of Elijah (section 2). Anyone with even the remotest interest in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints MUST read this volume of scripture to understand Latter-day Saint doctrines, beliefs, and practices.

The "D & C" is a compilation of revelations, descriptions of visions, and declarations published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Most of its sections (chapters) were revealed between 1820 and 1844, the formative period of the church. The last several sections were appended by Joseph Smith's successors.The book contains revelations concerning the organization and doctrine of the Church. While "ancient scripture" (Bible, Book of Mormon) teaches about salvation by stories of ancients, the D & C contains more precise theological clarifications and organizational direction. Jesus Christ is the principle author and subject.It is the most valuable book in the world in many regards. It is proof Jesus lives.