Doctrines & Covenants

Read each book's title and tell what you think the book contains

Read each book's title and tell what you think the book contains

Read each book's title and tell what you think the book contains

Read each book's title and tell what you think the book contains

Read each book's title and tell what you think the book contains

Read each book's title and tell what you think the book contains

Why the name “Doctrine and Covenants”? Define the word “doctrine” and the word “covenant”: "In the Doctrine and Covenants our Lord teaches us what to believe concerning the Godhead, the Church, the Priesthood, the Millennium, the resurrection, the state of man after death in eternal glory, or the opposite, and many other subjects about which it is necessary to have true information.

Why the name “Doctrine and Covenants”? Define the word “Covenant” "The word 'covenant' is a term by which God indicates the settled arrangement between Him and His people. It shows us what obligations we take upon ourselves in baptism, and what blessings we secure; it teaches us how to worship God and reveals to us the way back to the presence of God" (Hyrum M. Smith and Janne M. Sjodahl, The Doctrine and Covenants Commentary, rev. ed. (1972), xiii–xv).

The Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion, and the Doctrine and Covenants is the capstone, with continuing latter-day revelation. Ezra Taft Benson, April 1987 General Conference

Capstone and Keystone of our Religion

The Book of Mormon brings men to Christ. The Doctrine and Covenants brings men to Christ’s kingdom. Ezra Taft Benson, April 1987 General Conference

Joseph Smith Emma Smith Lucy Smith Brigham Young Edward Partridge Hyrum Smith Oliver Cowdery David Whitmer Martin Harris Sidney Rigdon

1. New York and Pennsylvania – D&C 2-37 2. Ohio – D&C 1, 38-56, 61-81, 84-99, 102-104, 106-110, 112, 137 3. Missouri — D&C 57-62, 82-83, 113-123 4. Illinois — D&C 124-135 5. Nebraska — D&C 136 6. Utah — D&C 138, Official Declarations 1 and 2

TOP 10 REASONS How the Doctrine & Covenants is different from the other standard works 10. It's the only book of scripture in its original language. 9. It's the only book with no historical thread. 8. It's the shortest work we study in seminary. 7. The text covers the shortest time span (24 years). 6. It's the only book written in our dispensation. 5. It's the only work to which new scripture has been added in our lifetime. 4. It's the only book in the world with a preface dictated by God. 3. It's the only book of scripture where all but a tiny portion is written by one writer. 2. It's the youngest of the standard works. 1. It's the only scripture that the majority of church members have memorized the order of the books.

Some of the Types of Material The words of angels (2, 13, 27) The translation of an ancient document (7) Revelations to individuals (4, 8, 9, 11) Letters (127, 128) Visions (76, 110) Dedicatory Prayer of a Temple (109) Items of instruction (130, 131) Statement on martyrdom of Joseph & Hyrum (135) Minutes of a meeting (102)

The Box and the Pearl

“Do you think it possible for those of us who are called upon to speak to draw attention away from this wonderful building long enough to focus on the purpose for which it was built? Perhaps it can be done with a parable…….. The parable: A merchant man seeking precious jewels found at last the perfect pearl. He had the finest craftsman carve a superb jewel box and line it with blue velvet. He put his pearl of great price on display so others could share his treasure. He watched as people came to see it. Soon he turned away in sorrow. It was the box they admired, not the pearl.” President Boyd K. Packer, “The Cloven Tongues of Fire”, April 2000 Conference

Quiz: Would you consider the following a “box” or a “pearl”? Our Homes? Temple Marriage? The Temple? The Church?

Quiz: Would you consider the following a “box” or a “pearl”? First Presidency? Institute/Seminary? The Sacrament? Family History?

The Answers to the Quiz: All these are Boxes……..

The Pearl “We are all dependent upon the mercy God the Father extended to all mankind through the atoning sacrifice of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  This is the central reality of the gospel.  This is why we “talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ. . . that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins” (2 Nephi 25:26).  The reality of our total dependence upon Jesus Christ for the attainment of our goal of immortality and eternal life should dominate every teaching and every testimony and every action of every soul touched by the light of the restored gospel.  If we teach every other subject and principle with perfection and fall short on this one, we have failed in our most important mission.” (Elder Dallin H. Oaks, “Sins, Crimes, and Atonement” Feb. 7th 1992)  

The Pearl “We are all dependent upon the mercy God the Father extended to all mankind through the atoning sacrifice of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  This is the central reality of the gospel.  This is why we “talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ. . . that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins” (2 Nephi 25:26).  The reality of our total dependence upon Jesus Christ for the attainment of our goal of immortality and eternal life should dominate every teaching and every testimony and every action of every soul touched by the light of the restored gospel.  If we teach every other subject and principle with perfection and fall short on this one, we have failed in our most important mission.” (Elder Dallin H. Oaks, “Sins, Crimes, and Atonement” Feb. 7th 1992)  

The Pearl “Joseph Smith taught that "the fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it" (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 121).  

FATHER SAVIOR HOLY GHOST

The Purpose of the Doctrine and Covenants Read the first paragraph of the Explanatory Introduction looking for the purpose of the Doctrine and Covenants. Scan any section, looking for examples of: Doctrines Covenants Commandments Warnings Exhortations (invitations) The Voice of Jesus Christ Messages for temporal (life) well-being Messages about salvation

“The Doctrine and Covenants is the foundation of the Church in these last days, and a benefit to the world, showing that the keys of the mysteries of the kingdom of our Savior are again entrusted to man” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007]).

How did we get the Doctrine and Covenants?  "1. In the summer of 1830, Joseph Smith began to arrange and compile some of the revelations he had received to that time.   "2. At the conference on November 1, 1831, it was decided to print 10,000 copies to be known as A Book of Commandments. It was later decided to print [only] 3,000 copies. "3. Oliver Cowdery and John Whitmer took the compiled revelations to Jackson County, Missouri, to have them printed.

How did we get the Doctrine and Covenants? "4. On July 20, 1833, a mob destroyed the W. W. Phelps & Co. printing press and most of the printed revelations. A number of copies of the incomplete work of 65 chapters survived this mob action.   "5. On September 24, 1834, arrangements were made by the high council in Kirtland, Ohio, to prepare another volume of revelations. "6. On August 17, 1835, a general assembly accepted the manuscript of revelations to be printed. This edition of 103 sections was named the Doctrine and Covenants.

How did we get the Doctrine and Covenants? "7. On June 27, 1844, the Prophet Joseph Smith was martyred. An edition comprising 111 sections was printed after the martyrdom.   "8. The next edition, enlarging the Doctrine and Covenants to 136 sections, was printed in 1876 by Elder Orson Pratt under the direction of President Brigham Young. The revelations were divided into verses in this edition. “9. In 1979, two revelations were added to the Doctrine and Covenants; “The book that will never be closed” (Boyd K. Packer, in Conference Report, Mar.–Apr. 1990, 47; or Ensign, May 1990, 36).

What is the purpose of the Doctrine and Covenants? Read the first two sentences of the sixth paragraph of the introduction (beginning with “These sacred revelations …”). When (under what circumstances) were most of the revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants were received? (“In answer to prayer,” “in times of need,” and “real-life situations”).

Whenever you find a section in the Doctrine and Covenants that deals with the situation in which you find yourself, you can accept it as if you had gone to the Prophet himself and he inquired of the Lord and received a revelation for you personally. Bruce R. McConkie, Mission President’s Training, 1984

In what ways does the world view: The God of the Old Testament The God of the New Testament

How do we view: The God of the Old Testament The God of the New Testament The God of the Doctrine and Covenants

What do we learn about the “God” of the Doctrine and Covenants?

“The testimony that is given of Jesus Christ—his divinity, his majesty, his perfection, his love, and his redeeming power—makes this book of great value to the human family and of more worth than the riches of the whole earth.” Doctrine and Covenants, Explanatory Introduction, p. iv, 1981

Doctrines & Covenants