Teachings of the Doctrine and Covenants

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Book of Mormon Onomasticon — onoma. Works best in Firefox browser. Thanks to Ryan in Church History for compiling this list. Joseph Smith , LDS resources. Kathleen Robertson on February 14, at 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, , ; cf.

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 , , 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, , 84, 99 ; the sabbath section 59 ; obedience and sacrifice sections , 82, 97, ; obtaining and extending forgiveness sections 58, 64, 82, 98 ; the Plan of Salvation for all humankind sections 76, 93; cf.

Sections were recorded in Nauvoo during the last years of Joseph Smith's life They include directions to the Church regarding the Nauvoo Temple, the first full-ordinance temple section ; ordinances and salvation for the dead sections , ; the nature of the Godhead and exalted beings sections , ; eternal and plural marriage sections ; see also Manifesto of ; political laws and governments section ; and a statement of the contributions of Joseph Smith and of his testimony at the time of his martyrdom sections Section 1 of the Doctrine and Covenants is called the "Preface.

The conference had been convened to consider publishing sixty-three of the revelations Joseph Smith had received see Book of Commandments. The conference voted unanimously to publish them as the word of the Lord. It sets an urgent tone for the entire Doctrine and Covenants. Like the revelations it introduces, section 1 is written predominantly in the first person as the word of the Lord: It proclaims to the world that through the restoration of his Church, God has set his hand the last time to redeem his children and prepare the earth for the Savior's return. Section 1 balances judgment and relief.

It is a voice of warning of impending judgments: It warns that those who do not repent will suffer much sorrow, for worldwide sin has kindled the "anger of the Lord" and people "have strayed from [his] ordinances and have broken [his] everlasting covenant" verses Those who hearken, however, are promised instruction, chastening, correction, knowledge, and blessings from God.

The section ends with the certification of the Lord that all his prophecies and promises, though given to men in their weakness, are true and will be fulfilled. Sections of the Doctrine and Covenants are fundamental, formative documents in early Church history. They continue to serve as a definitive statement of beliefs and priesthood functions. Originally sections 20 and 22 were published together as "Articles and Covenants of the Church of Christ.

The earliest known version of section 20 is dated June Many early copies were made of a draft in Oliver Cowdery's hand. Sections were officially adopted as doctrinal revelations by the Church at its first conference on June 9, , and were the first sections of the Doctrine and Covenants to be thus approved. The present order was established in the edition. Section 20 is a composite text that divides into a historical prologue verses , a statement of beliefs verses , and a collection of policies and procedures verses While its principles continue to guide Latter-day Saints today, its provisions also provide glimpses of Church life in its initial years.

The prologue contains the earliest published references to the ordination of Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery as apostles verses and to Joseph Smith's first vision: The personal dimension of this account is consistent with Joseph's and accounts of his First Vision.

Section 20 also contains the Church's earliest known declaration of faith. It affirms basic Christian doctrines, following the sequence common to most Protestant confessions, beginning with the nature of God verse 17 , the creation verses , the fall verse 20 , Jesus Christ, the Atonement, and the Plan of Salvation verses Additional comments discuss the possibility of "falling from grace" and the nature of sanctification, which were lively issues in the s.

Sensitivity to the surrounding Christian world is shown in verse 35, which assures that these articles are "neither adding to, nor diminishing from the prophecy of [John's] book, the holy scriptures, or the revelations of God that will come hereafter. Most of section 20 gives guidelines for Church government. Drawing partly upon texts from the Book of Mormon, it explains the ordinances of baptism and the Sacrament, and the duties of baptized members. Originally, priests, teachers, and deacons were local adult priesthood leaders, which explains the significant pastoral charge given them verses and their role in signing certificates of worthiness for members moving from one branch of the Church to another verse The Aaronic Priesthood had a public ministry to "preach, teach, expound, exhort" verse 46 and needed to be properly "licensed" verse Received on the day the Church was incorporated, section 21 defines Joseph Smith's leadership of the new Church as "a seer, a translator, a prophet, an apostle of Jesus Christ" verse 1 , with Oliver Cowdery as an elder "under his hand" verse Church members are counseled to keep records and to receive Joseph's words "as if from mine own mouth" verses 1, 5.

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Section 22, received the same month, requires all people, even those previously baptized, to be baptized into "a new and an everlasting covenant" verse 1. Together, these three sections provide a firm organizational foundation for the restored Church of Christ. This revelation was given in harmony, pennsylvania, in July , three months after the organization of the Church. It was first printed in the book of commandments in as Chapter Xxvi. In the earliest version, Emma Smith is addressed as "my daughter in Zion.

The section has five main components: Emma is designated as an "elect lady" verse 3.

Later, on March 17, , when Emma Smith became the first president of the Relief Society and the women were organized in the order of the priesthood, Joseph explained that this was the office of her "elect" calling. The benevolent organization that she led had grown to more than 3 million women by Emma is admonished to unity with her husband to "be unto him for a scribe" and to "go with him at the time of his going" verse 6. She accepted these callings, though she was later required to abandon home and security.

Emma is called to "be ordained under [Joseph's] hand to expound scriptures, and exhort the church," as "given thee by my Spirit" verse 7. She is also commanded to study and devote her time "to writing, and to learning much" verse 8. In the course of her life, she taught, expounded, exhorted, presided, and served in many Church organizations.

The mandate has remained with LDS women: Emma is charged to select sacred hymns, and a manifesto is given of the spiritual power of music: Her hymnal was first published in although appears on the title page. This collection utilizes many classical Christian words and melodies but also embodies songs related to most of the unique events and teachings of the restoration see Hymns and Hymnody ; Music. Emma is counseled against murmuring, putting her public ministry before her role as companion of her husband, seeking "the things of this world" verse 10 , and pride.

She is to glorify her husband while involved in a public ministry. Emma fulfilled each of these callings, endured the loss of five children, and stood by Joseph until his martyrdom. This inclusion of women in leading roles of the Church, presiding in some organizations and over certain sacral functions, was a marked departure from nineteenth-century patterns. 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.

This section is called the "law of Christ" and the "law of the Church," and receiving it fulfilled a promise made on January 2, , in Doctrine and Covenants The first seventy verses of section 42 were given February 9, , while twelve elders were, as the record states, "united in mighty prayer. The revelation was first published in The Evening and The Morning Star , in July and October , and was included as chapters 44 and 47 of the book of commandments in High requirements were here imposed on the infant Church, with a small and scattered membership and little instruction and experience.

They can be divided into six main segments: A missionary commission to travel to the West verses Its members were to go two by two, under proper ordination and authority, to teach the principles of the gospel from the Bible and Book of Mormon and to teach only "by the Spirit. A reaffirmation of the ten commandments verses The ancient decalogue of Moses stressed the laws of behavior.

The New Testament, especially the Sermon on the Mount, and a similar sermon in 3 Nephi emphasize both the act and the inner condition, letter and spirit. Section 42 also affirms the more inclusive expectations and aspirations of the new and everlasting covenant. A statement on the laws of stewardship and consecration verses Properties were to be consecrated by a covenant "which cannot be broken," for support of the poor, each person acting as a steward over his own property, and a high council and bishop as stewards over the Church storehouse.

The storehouse, replenished by "residues," would administer to the poor and needy. Admonitions to compassionate care for the sick who are without the gift of faith unto healing verses Signs, including healing, will follow specific gifts of faith, but the highest form of faith is to "have power to become my sons.

Instructions on Church procedures regarding transgressors, trials, witnesses, Church discipline in relation to the laws of the land, and patterns of confession and reconciliation verses Sacred Truths of the Doctrine and Covenants , Vol. This revelation of the Doctrine and Covenants was received in early March , 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: He then told them he would "prophesy, as unto men in days of old," and gave them what he had given his disciples in Jerusalem concerning events that would take place in that day, in the last days, and at his second coming.

Three events would take place during the time of the Savior's own generation: History shows that these prophecies were fulfilled. Before the end of first century, Roman conquests brought about a literal and exact fulfillment of all that Jesus had described. Some who heard him prophesy lived to witness those events.

Many events would happen in the last days preceding the Lord's second coming: The Jews shall be gathered to Jerusalem verse There shall be wars and rumors of wars verse Men's hearts shall fail them verse There shall be claims of a delay in Christ's coming verse The love of men shall wax cold verse Iniquity shall abound verse The fulness of the gospel shall be restored verse Times of the Gentiles shall be fulfilled verse There shall be an overflowing scourge and desolating sickness verse The wicked shall curse God verse There shall be earthquakes and many desolations verse There shall be displays of heavenly phenomena-sun, moon, stars verses The Times of the Gentiles referred to in item 8 began with the taking of the gospel to the Gentiles by the apostles after the death of Christ.

The second opportunity for the Gentiles came with the restoration of the gospel through Joseph Smith, to be preached first to the Gentiles and then to the Jews. When the Savior comes a second time, he will make at least three general appearances: He will appear to the Saints or covenant members of his church verses , The Savior likened those faithful members to the five wise virgins who had taken the Holy Spirit to be their guide cf.

He will appear to the Jews at Jerusalem verses When the Jews are engaged in a battle for survival, the Savior will appear and intervene in their behalf and they will recognize him as their Messiah. He will appear to the world verses This appearance will not be to a select group, but rather will be of such magnitude that the wicked will be destroyed, leaving only the righteous to enjoy the millennial reign of the Savior. The second coming of the Savior will coincide with the resurrection of faithful covenant members of his Church who shall be caught up to meet him when he comes in his glory verse And the heathen who lived without the law will be resurrected, and also "they that knew no law" verse The revelation known as section 45 then focuses on Joseph Smith's work on the Bible translation verses , and also mentions wars abroad and at home verse The Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual.

Salt Lake City, 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. At least ten people were in the room when this revelation was received.

One of them, Philo Dibble, sixty years later recalled how Joseph and Sidney, almost motionless for about one hour, would alternately relate and confirm to each other what they were concurrently seeing in the vision Cannon, pp. The revelation contains a series of six visions: They see the Son of God on the right hand of God verses ; they see how the devil and his followers rebelled and were cast down ; they see the Celestial Kingdom , Terrestrial Kingdom , and Telestial Kingdom , and those who will inherit each of these degrees of glory; and they see the three kingdoms of glory compared The text was first published in the The Evening and the Morning Star in July and was included as section 91 in the edition of the Doctrine and Covenants.

Because this section, called "The Vision," departed significantly from the mainstream Christian view of one heaven and one hell, it was not easily received by some at first. Brigham Young said, "My traditions were such, that when the Vision came first to me, it was so directly contrary and opposed to my former education, I said, wait a little; I did not reject it, but I could not understand it" Deseret News, Extra , September 14, , p. Entire branches of the Church had the same problem.

John Murdock and Orson Pratt, serving missions in Ohio at the time, struggled to help Church members there accept these new outlooks on eternity. Soon, however, most members believed and understood the concepts, and came to revere this vision as one of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring ever given. Joseph Smith himself rejoiced in "the light which burst upon the world through the foregoing vision" PJS 1: The sublimity of the ideas; the purity of the language; the scope for action; the continued duration for completion, in order that the heirs of salvation may confess the Lord and bow the knee; the rewards for faithfulness, and the punishments for sins; are so much beyond the narrow-mindedness of men, that every man is constrained to exclaim: The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith , pp.

Given on September , , at Kirtland, Ohio, section 84 was first published as Chapter Iv in the 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.

The revelation has four main themes. Section 84 makes the Church responsible for assembling the Saints and building the New Jerusalem Zion , beginning with the temple. Both undertakings are to be completed in a "generation. Priesthood is the power and authority delegated to man to act for God in saving souls, and it cannot be assumed, but must be passed on from one who already has it. Section 84 clearly distinguishes two priesthoods, namely, the Melchizedek and Aaronic.

Moses, for example, received the Melchizedek Priesthood from Jethro, who received it through rightful heirs back to "Adam, who was the first man" verses The Melchizedek Priesthood administers the gospel and holds the keys of the mysteries of the kingdom and knowledge of God. Through the ordinances administered by this priesthood, men and women partake of the powers of godliness. Only thus may they behold his face and endure his presence verses The Aaronic Priesthood holds the keys of the ministering of angels and the preparatory gospel.

It continued in an unbroken line from Aaron and was the priesthood of the Law of Moses. It was also the priesthood held by John the Baptist. This preparatory gospel includes faith, repentance, and baptism, and leads to the Melchizedek Priesthood and its ordinances verses When worthy men receive the Melchizedek Priesthood, they enter into a covenant relationship with the Lord.

They covenant that in faithfulness and obedience they will magnify their priesthood callings-that is, wholeheartedly honor and fulfill their stewardships. By keeping this covenant, the priesthood holder receives the oath of the Father, which leads to receiving the Father's kingdom and "all that [the] Father hath" verse Those who violate or break this covenant and altogether turn from it "shall not have forgiveness of sins in this world nor in the world to come" verse 41; see also Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood.

The elders of the Church are told that because of "vanity and unbelief" they and all the children of Zion have been spiritually darkened and are under condemnation before the Lord. They are to repent and remember the "new covenant," even the Book of Mormon. Through obeying this counsel, they will be forgiven their sins and bring forth fruit worthy for the kingdom verses Section 84 gives instruction and promises to those who are emissaries of Jesus Christ.

Under their direction, the gospel is to be taken to all the world. Those who desire to enter into the kingdom of Christ are to be baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

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Signs will follow those who believe. The missionaries are promised protection as well as necessities of life verses , cf. In summary, priesthood bearers are counseled to learn their duties and faithfully function in their offices and callings. Each calling is essential within the kingdom of Christ verses Sacred Truths of the Doctrine and Covenants , 2 vols. Doctrine and Covenants Commentary , rev. Section 88 was given through Joseph Smith in the "translating room" of the whitney store in Kirtland, Ohio.

Verses were given on December 27 and 28, , and verses on January 3, It was printed as section 7 in the edition of the Doctrine and Covenants. They united in fasting and prayer before the Lord, seeking his will concerning the upbuilding of Zion. Passages follow on the pervasive immanence of divine light: The Light of Christ enlightens the eyes and quickens the understanding see Light and Darkness. It is in and through all things, the very light of the sun, moon, and stars.

It "proceedeth forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space" verse It is equated with the life, the law, and the power of God. The spirit and body are the soul of man. There are three degrees of glory and three orders of glorified bodies. One receives a resurrected body according to the law by which one abides while in this world: In the resurrection one receives in full what in this world one has had only in part. A fourth order of resurrected bodies pertains to the Sons of Perdition, who, though resurrected, receive no glory verses The earth itself is alive.

It will die and be glorified, and the bodies who are quickened by a celestial spirit will inherit; "for this intent was it made and created, and for this intent are they sanctified" verse There are multiple worlds, multiple creations, all governed by law. Law includes appointed cosmic times, seasons, and orders, as well as the divine attributes and powers of mercy, justice, and judgment. Those who seek to become a law unto themselves will not, and cannot, be sanctified.

A parable of laborers in a field teaches the magnitude of the Lord's creations verses , that glorification comes only in appointed time and sequence, "every man in his own order" verse The call is given to build a temple and hold a solemn assembly. The temple is to become a house of God: All incomings, outgoings, and salutations will be in the name of the Lord.

The Saints are commanded to "organize yourselves, and prepare yourselves, and sanctify yourselves" verse 74 through solemnity and sober study, to be ready for the temple experience. See Kirtland Temple ; Temples: A comprehensive curriculum for the School of the Prophets is introduced. Prophecies are reiterated concerning the changes, earthquakes, tempests, and commotion in the earth and the heavens that will precede the second coming of Christ. Six periods or epochs of one thousand years each are designated. These are to culminate in the seventh or millennial era.

An angel and an angelic trump symbolize each period. The revelation concludes with specific instructions on the conduct of meetings, the duties of the presidency, admission into the School of the Prophets, and washing of feet, in the pattern of John 13, as an initiatory and purifying ordinance for members of the school. 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, , in Kirtland, Ohio.

According to Zebedee Coltrin, one of twenty-two Church leaders in attendance, Joseph Smith received the revelation in an adjoining room in the presence of two or three brethren, walked in with the document in hand, and read the contents to the assembled school members. The revelation was first printed in December or January on a broadsheet and was included in the edition of the Doctrine and Covenants. The Word of Wisdom was given "in consequence of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days" verse 4.

As some of these designs pertain to what people eat and drink, the Word of Wisdom gives basic directions on what is good and not good, and posits a strong relationship between what individuals take into their bodies and their physical and spiritual well-being. The revelation prohibits three things: Church leaders have traditionally confined relevant worthiness requirements to the prohibited items.

The revelation also recommends the prudent use of herbs and fruits, the sparing consumption of meat, and the use of "all grain," but especially "wheat for man" verses Saints who obey the admonitions are promised health and strength, wisdom and knowledge, and protection from the destroying angel verses The Word of Wisdom was an inspired response to specific problems or paradoxes within the Church and to pressing social issues in contemporary American society. Brigham Young recalled in that Joseph Smith was bothered by the seeming incongruity of discussing spiritual matters in a cloud of tobacco smoke and that Joseph's wife, Emma Smith, was bothered at having to clean the quid-littered floor.

It is also probable that the Prophet was sensitive to, and supportive of, the widespread temperance sentiment of the s. As was his custom, the Prophet went to the Lord for instructions, and section 89 is distinctive in the sense that it is a divinely approved code of health. Interpretations and applications of the Word of Wisdom have gradually changed through the years. In part, this change is consistent with the Church's belief in continuing revelation through living prophets.

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With regard to this particular section, the varied interpretations also reflect some ambiguity in verse 2, which states that the revelation was given "not by commandment or constraint. In the mids, many Church members felt that abstinence from alcohol, tobacco, tea, and coffee was a criterion for fellowship.

The one possible exception to this otherwise strict interpretation was wine, which some early Church leaders may not have considered "strong drink. Even so, the early statement gradually gave way to an emphasis on moderation. Smith later taught that the Lord did not insist on strict compliance in these early years in order to allow a generation addicted to noxious substances some years to discard bad habits.

This early pattern of moderation, observable by the s, continued throughout the nineteenth century. President John Taylor initiated a reform in the early s in which he stressed that all Church officers should abstain from the prohibited items, but his efforts were cut short by the social disruption caused by federal antipolygamy raids. While Church leaders did not require abstinence in the nineteenth century, they stressed moderation, counseled strongly against drunkenness, and opposed or carefully regulated the establishment of distilleries and grog shops.

The numerous observations by visitors in Utah Territory attest to the prevailing orderliness and sobriety of Mormon communities and evidence the effectiveness of such preaching. The path leading to the present position on the Word of Wisdom began with the Presidency of Joseph F.

Smith and culminated in the administration of Heber J. Grant , who, more than any other Church leader, preached strict compliance with frequency and fervor.

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By the early s, abstinence from alcohol, tobacco, tea, and coffee had become an established test of Church fellowship. There was no known specific revelation that brought this about. It resulted from Church leaders' long-term concern over the deleterious physical and spiritual effects of alcohol, tobacco, tea, and coffee on both individuals and communities.

National and local agitation over prohibition and the mounting scientific evidence attesting to the harmful effects of certain substances intensified that concern. The Word of Wisdom has resulted in, among other things, better physical health among LDS people see Vital Statistics and physical affirmations of truths received through revelation.

75 Truths in the Doctrine and Covenants

It has also brought about a distinguishing separateness that reminds Latter-day Saints of their religious commitments and responsibilities. Section 93 is a revelation received through the Prophet Joseph Smith on May 6, , during a conference of high priests at Kirtland, Ohio. It was first printed as chapter 82 of the edition of the Doctrine and Covenants. The insights of this revelation pervade LDS understanding of the nature and relationship of God and man.

It begins with the divine promise that every soul who forsakes sin, comes unto Christ, calls upon his name, obeys his voice, and keeps his commandments shall see his face "and know that I am, and that I am the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world" verses The next verses refer to sayings from a record of John yet to be revealed in full.

They are reminiscent of the prologue to John's Gospel, but they also witness to Jesus' baptism by John the Baptist. Christ is called the Father and is one with the Father because "he gave me of his fulness" verse 4. He is called the Word because he is the "messenger of salvation" verse 8. In him is "the life of men and the light of men" verse 9. In contrast with theologies of static being, several verses affirm Christ's becoming. Three times they reiterate that Christ did not receive a fulness at the beginning but continued "from grace to grace" until he received a fulness of the glory of the Father verses 12, 13, 14; cf.

Christ became like the Father in the exalted sense only after his resurrection and glorification cf. An understanding of this process is the foundation of authentic worship.

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The revelation denies the notion of ex nihilo creation. The intelligence of man, "the light of truth," verse 29 , is not created but is self-existent. Furthermore, "The elements are eternal" verse Truth is "knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come" verse Truth and intelligence are independent in the spheres in which God has placed them verse