Doctrine &
Covenants Lesson # 1—Introduction and D&C 1
Introduction to the Doctrine and Covenants
and Church History
Introduction
It was Hugh Nibley
who opened my eyes to the significance of the Doctrine and Covenants, just as
he did with the Book of Mormon when he said “woe to the people who understand
the Book of Mormon.” This last year we have found out just how true it is for
us who do understand and can relate to the traumatic events therein, as well as
the wonderful ones. Nibley highlighted the first section of the Doctrine and
Covenants which contains some powerful statements. Given to Joseph on 1
November 1831, it came 8 years after D&C 2, and is, as Pres. Benson tells
us:
The only book in the world that has a preface written by the Lord
Himself. In that preface He declares to the world that His voice is unto all
men (see v. 2), that the coming of the Lord is nigh (see v. 12), and
that the truths found in the Doctrine and Covenants will all be fulfilled (see vs.
37–38)” (Ensign, Nov. 1986, 79).
Here is just one gem
from Br. Nibley that shows how the Lord and Joseph Smith knew what we would be
facing:
When [the] downward tendency [of the human race] passes the point of
no return, the process accelerates beyond control, ending in general
catastrophe, to be followed by God’s intervention and a new dispensation.
“Wherefore, I the Lord, knowing the calam- ity which should come upon
the inhabitants of the earth, called upon my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and
spake unto him from heaven, and gave him commandments” (D&C 1:17). Joseph
Smith intended to follow those commandments: “The object with me is to obey and
teach others to obey God in just what He tells us to do.” “One truth
revealed from heaven is worth all the sectarian notions in existence.” “A man
is his own tormenter and his own condemner. . . . All will suffer until they
obey Christ himself.” “The sinner will slay the sinner, the wicked will fall
upon the wicked, until there is an utter overthrow and consumption upon the
face of the whole earth, until God reigns, whose right it is.”[1]
This year, we will
delve together into these modern revelations—I say modern, although you might
think that nearly 300 years ago can hardly be claimed as modern, but up until
now we have been looking at revelations that were given thousands of years ago,
and these are very much for our time and given in our time.
1. The revelations in
the Doctrine and Covenants address the needs of our day.
How often do we read
an introduction? Especially if it has roman numerals! Most of us want to get
into the meat of the book and go straight to Chapter One. But when it comes to
scripture . . . . The Explanatory Introduction contains the framework for our
study of this inspired book of scripture which, as it says:
Is unique because it is not a translation of an ancient document, but is
of modern origin and was given of God through His chosen prophets for the
restoration of His holy work and the establishment of the kingdom of God on the
earth in these days. In the revelations, one hears the tender but firm voice of
the Lord Jesus Christ, speaking anew in the dispensation of the fulness of
times; and the work that is initiated herein is preparatory to His Second
Coming, in fulfillment of and in concert with the words of all the holy
prophets since the world began. (Explanatory Introduction).
So here’s a question
for you: What was the original title of the D&C and where can we find
Wilford Woodruff’s copy? And, parenthetically, where would we be without
Google. Seriously though, last year the hope I set forth was that we would come
to know Jesus Christ through our study of the Book of Mormon. This year nothing
has changed. As we study the Doctrine and Covenants together, may we see and
hear “the tender but firm voice of the Lord Jesus Christ” speaking to us.
2. The Lord authored
the preface to the Doctrine and Covenants.
But these revelations
are not just for us, as the Lord declares in D&C 1:1–4, they are for “all
people.” And how do they go to all people. Well, through hashtags! I wonder
just how many millions have seen #Lighttheworld this season, and the brethren
have shown us the way to reach out globally while still reaching out
personally, as Sis. Burton tells us:
When we serve together, we are all blessed. Dear brothers and sisters,
don’t focus on making your service ornate—simply reach out as the Savior would
to lift the strangers in your midst. As you serve, you will feel of His love
for you. May you be inspired by our Savior’s example as you seek to serve this
Christmas season.[2]
Here are just some of
the purposes of the Doctrine and Covenants highlighted in the preface:
1. “That every man might speak in
the name of God the Lord, even the Savior of the world” (D&C 1:20).
2. “That faith also might increase”
(D&C 1:21).
3. “That mine everlasting covenant
might be established” (D&C 1:22).
4. “That the fulness of my gospel
might be proclaimed” (D&C 1:23).
5. To help the Lord’s servants “come to understanding” (D&C 1:24).
6. “And inasmuch as they erred it
might be made known” (D&C 1:25).
7. “And inasmuch as they sought
wisdom they might be instructed” (D&C 1:26).
8. “And inasmuch as they sinned they
might be chastened, that they might repent” (D&C 1:27).
9. “And inasmuch as they were humble they might be made strong, and blessed
from on high, and receive knowledge from time to time” (D&C 1:28).
These are uplifting
and inspiring and necessary because of verses 16 and 17.
President George Q. Cannon explained the spiritual dangers of
turning away from the prophets: “God has chosen His servants. He claims it as
His prerogative to condemn them, if they need condemnation. He has not given it
to us individually to censure and condemn them. No man, however strong he may
be in the faith, however high in the Priesthood, can speak evil of the Lord’s
anointed and find fault with God’s authority on the earth without incurring His
displeasure. The Holy Spirit will withdraw itself from such a man, and he will
go into darkness. This being the case, do you not see how important it is that
we should be careful? However difficult it may be for us to understand the
reason for any action of the authorities of the Church, we should not too
hastily call their acts in question and pronounce them wrong.” (Gospel Truth, 1:278.)[3]
3. This course will
discuss major events of the dispensation of the fulness of times.
Hopefully you have
also downloaded Our Heritage to your Gospel Library. By the way, version 4.0 is
out. I had to delete my existing Gospel Library app to download the new one. It
takes a bit of getting used to, but the introductory video (like the
Explanatory Introduction to the D&C) is worth watching. Also worth
downloading are the new Gospel Topics essays that go along with the D&C.[4]
The lesson manual
points out the six historical periods of the Church as follows:
|
New York Period
|
1820–1830
|
|
Ohio-Missouri
Period
|
1831–1838
|
|
Nauvoo Period
|
1839–1846
|
|
Pioneering the West
|
1846–1898
|
|
Expansion of the
Church
|
1899–1950
|
|
The Worldwide
Church
|
1951–present
|
So we will cover some
history as well as the Doctrines. Since the manual was written many resources
have become available, not the least of which is the Joseph Smith Papers
project. There are also numerous videos and slide shows. I will include links to
these as we progress through the year.
But finally a quote
from Joseph Fielding Smith:
“All members of the Church are commanded to search and obey these
commandments. This is also true of all others. If we fail to do so and remain
ignorant of the doctrines, covenants and commandments, the Lord has given us,
we shall stand condemned before his throne in the day of judgment when the
books are opened. It behooves us to search that we may know the will of the
Lord and thus grow in faith, knowledge and wisdom.” (Smith, Church History and Modern Revelation,
1:256.)
Joseph Smith Papers project videos
Why Study the Doctrine and Covenants
