Doctrine & Covenants - General
Before we get into D&C 1 lets review what D&C is.
-Scripture, Words of the Lord given through His servants, the prophets. In this case, predominantly, Joseph Smith the prophet of the restoration. After many many years of the windows of heaven been closed and truths being distorted, there was a lot to correct.
-Topics on Church Website States (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/gs/doctrine-and-covenants?lang=eng)
A collection of latter-day divine revelations and inspired declarations. The Lord gave these to Joseph Smith and several of his successors for the establishment and regulation of the kingdom of God on the earth in the last days. The Doctrine and Covenants is one of the standard works of scripture in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, along with the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and the Pearl of Great Price. The Doctrine and Covenants is unique, however, because it is not a translation of ancient documents; the Lord gave these revelations to His chosen prophets in this modern day in order to restore His kingdom. In the revelations one hears the tender but firm voice of the Lord Jesus Christ (D&C 18:35–36).
Joseph Smith’s history says that the Doctrine and Covenants is the foundation of the Church in the last days and a benefit to the world (D&C 70 heading). The revelations in it initiate the work of preparing the way for the Lord’s Second Coming, in fulfillment of all the words spoken by the prophets since the world began.
-Can't remember where I was reading this (I think it was the link Matt put on the what's app group) but it talked about the saints being young, in church years, were keen to understand how to run the church and what the doctrine was. We may take this for granted as we have always had this compilation of revelations, but for the early saint's it may have been confusing. Possibly comparable to the confusion caused by the governments efforts to rapidly manage the entire nation in response to a global pandemic!
-Topics Book of Commandments https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/topics/book-of-commandments
In the first few years of the Church, the only access most members had to the Lord’s revelations to Joseph Smith was through handwritten copies on loose sheets that circulated among the Latter-day Saints. Church leaders and missionaries relied on these copies for direction and inspiration. Near the end of 1831, Joseph convened a conference to determine whether and how to publish these revelations. He and other Church leaders wanted to ensure that accurate copies were widely available to Church members.
Today we have a really good system. Helped with technology. We have 'The Scriptures', hard copies & online copies & pocket/mobile copies. We have the Liahona, general conference (widely available to watch live, rewatch immediately & text within days). We have live versions of the handbook generally for leaders but for all members. We also have 'Official Communications' depending on your calling in the church, you will receive notifications and can log on to read about various updates. These include info about updates to the handbook, temple ordinance updates, general conference dates etc. We are very blessed. Back then the church was running off of scraps of paper & 'here say'. Kinda miraculous really!
-D&C 1 also defines what the compilation is, which we will get into in just a min.
Anyone else want to add anything?
What about this question, after all that has been discussed so for, Why do we need it, we have a bible. We have another bible, The Book of Mormon, do we need more bible? To ref 2 Nephi 29
Did anyone see the video by Elder Bednar? I want to show it. He says The Book of Mormon is the Keystone and invites us to come into Christ. The Doctrine & Covenants is the capstone and invites us the come to Christ’s church.
Doctrine & Covenants 1
Summary
1,4: Words Like Harken & Warning
8: These words shall go forth to all the earth. What does tiding mean? We sing about it at Christmas. News, information.
I really like this, from historical references https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/doctrine-and-covenants-historical-resources/01
Given the responsibility to preach, and given that the October 30 revelation stated that the gospel would “roll forth unto the ends of the earth,” it was imperative that the revelations Joseph had already received should be published.
12: Pick a couple of words from the last general conference, you would probably use the word Prepare. Prepare, for the Lord is coming.
17: Possibly my favourite Question in the manual.
Note the calamities that the Lord warned about (see, for example, verses 13–16, 35). What other calamities do you notice in today’s world—or in your own life? Verses 17–30 describe what the Lord has done for you in anticipation of these calamities.
We should be pretty acquainted with calamities by now. Though I suspect this is just a taster of what is to come. The scriptures are full of prophecies with depictions of a world in greater disarray than it is now. Or maybe I can’t see how bad it really is. Discuss.
Virus, attack on family, attack on eternal characteristic of gender, natural disasters.
19: In 1831 nobody had been a member more than 18 months. Everybody, including sr leadership was young in the church, but from these humble beginnings the church was restored.
And this is where we start to be introduced to the purpose of this book of scripture.
20: To help leaders speak in the name of the Lord.
21: That faith may increase, people will come unto Christ (Moroni 10:32).
22: So that covenants may be established.
23: To help proclaim the gospel. There are a lot of sections dedicated to missionary work.
...
30: Going back to a point made in v8 about enabling the church to grow. The lord says he is pleased with the church and where it is 18 months into it's re-organisation. Now 190 years later, I would hope he is still pleased. It is individuals like each of us, that help to make it what it is. Through our service, tithing contributions or other input. Anybody been invited to participate in a church survey? I'd encourage you to dedicate some time to honestly complete that. The church wants to know how it can help.
32: Forgiven (contrast to 1, 4 & 33).
35: Nigh at hand.
37: Instruction to search these commandments.
38: Question from the manual. When have you heard the Lord’s voice in the voice of His servants? Like any passage of scripture that has ever been written.
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