Doctrine and Covenants
"The Book of Mormon is the 'keystone' of our religion, and the Doctrine and Covenants is the capstone, with continuing latter-day revelation. The Lore has placed his stamp of approval on both the keystone and capstone (President Ezra Taft Benson)." The capstone on the Salt Lake City temple, is the upper portion of the ball on which Moroni stands; the Doctrine and Covenants is considered the final piece of the LDS religion. It gives us details on the organization and administration of His church that we do not find in any other scriptures. The Doctrine and Covenants is for our time; the language is more modern and easier for us to understand, you see the questions that are being asked by earlier members and then how God answers them. Many converts to the church have said that they find The Doctrine and Covenants easier to understand then either the Bible or the Book of Mormon because of the language, lack of parables and symbolism, and they can relate to it.
Modern Revelation to meet the Needs of our Day
Explanatory Introduction (of the Doctrine and Covenants) paragraph 3:
"The book of Doctrine and Covenants is one of the standard works of the Church in company with the Holy Bible, the Book of Mormon, and the Pearl of Great Price. However, the Doctrine and Covenants 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 on 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."
The Doctrine and Covenants is different from other scriptures because "it is not a translation of an ancient document." It is modern day revelation that has been given to us for OUR time to prepare us for Christ's second coming.
Explanatory Introduction paragraph 6:
"These sacred revelations were received in answer to prayer, in times of need, and came out of real-life situations involving real people. The prophet and his associates sought for divine guidance, and these revelations certify that they received it. In the revelations one sees the restoration and unfolding of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the ushering in of the dispensation of the fulness of times. The westward movement of the Church from New York to Pennsylvania, to Ohio, to Missouri, to Illinois, and finally to the Great Basin of western America, and the mighty struggles of the saints in attempting to to build Zion on the earth in modern times, are also shown forth in these revelations."
We receive these revelations "in answer to prayers" that were given when the Saints needed answers the most. These are not fictitious scenarios, but rather real people in our church's history.
Explanatory Introduction paragraph 8:
"In the revelations the doctrines of the gospel are set forth with explanations about such fundamental matters as the nature of the Godhead, the origin of man, the reality of Satan, the purpose of mortality, the necessity for obedience, the need for repentance, the workings of the Holy Spirit, the ordinances and performances that pertain to salvation, the destiny of the earth, the future conditions of man after the resurrection and the judgment, the eternity of the marriage relationship, and the eternal nature of the family. Likewise the gradual unfolding of the administrative structure of the Church is shown in the calling of bishops, the First Presidency, the Council of the Twelve, and the Seventy, and the establishment of other presiding offices and quorums. Finally, 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."
There are so many fundamental Gospel doctrine that can be answered in the Doctrine and Covenants; we can easily understand what we are supposed to do and when.
Doctrine and Covenants 1:1-4
"Hearken, O ye people of my church, saith the voice of him who dwells on high, and whose eyes are upon all men; yea, verily I say: Hearken ye people from afar; and ye that are upon the islands of the sea, listen together.
For verily the voice of the Lord is unto all men, and there is none to escape; and there is no eye that shall not see, neither ear that shall not hear, neither heart that shall not be penetrated.
And the rebellious shall be pierced with much sorrow; for their iniquities shall be spoken upon the housetops, and their secret acts shall be revealed.
And the voice of warning shall be unto all people, by the mouths of my disciples, whom I have chosen in these last days."
This warning is given to ALL church members not just the rebellious ones. He is telling us that if we do not do what we are supposed to for His church, He will find someone else that will.
Doctrine and Covenants 1: 23 and 30
"That the fulness of my gospel might be proclaimed by the weak and the simple unto the ends of the world, and before kings and rulers.
And also those to whom these commandments were given, might have power to lay the foundation of this church, and to bring it forth out of obscurity and out of darkness, the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth, with which I, the Lord, am well pleased, speaking unto the church collectively and not individually--"
Our destiny is to spread the Gospel throughout the WORLD. Missionaries young and old, as well as members of the church need to be participating in missionary work. "Every member a missionary!"
Doctrine and Covenants 1:37-38
"Search these commandments for they are true and faithful, and the prophecies and promises which are in them shall all be fulfilled.
What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same."
We are commanded to search the commandments that have been given to us and to listen and apply what we have been taught by the leaders of our church.
Doctrine and Covenants 112:30-32
"For unto you, the Twelve, and those, the First Presidency, who are appointed with you to be your counselors and your leaders, is the power of this priesthood given, for the last days and for the last time, in the which is the dispensation of the fulness of times.
Which power you hold, in connection with all those who have received a dispensation at any time fromt he beginning of the creation;
For verily I say unto you, the keys of the dispensation, which ye have received, have come down from the fathers, and last of all, being sent down from heaven unto you."
This is the last dispensation--collectively this is it, we will not get a do over.
"Prophet's, priests and kings...have looked forward with joyful anticipation to the day in which we live; and fired with heavenly and joyful anticipations they have sung and written and prophesized of this our day; but they died without the sight; we are the favored people that God has made choice of to bring about the Latter-day glory; it is left for us to see, participate in and help roll forward the Latter-day glory, 'the dispensation of the fulness of times.'"
The Doctrine and Covenants is different from other scriptures because "it is not a translation of an ancient document." It is modern day revelation that has been given to us for OUR time to prepare us for Christ's second coming.
Explanatory Introduction paragraph 6:
"These sacred revelations were received in answer to prayer, in times of need, and came out of real-life situations involving real people. The prophet and his associates sought for divine guidance, and these revelations certify that they received it. In the revelations one sees the restoration and unfolding of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the ushering in of the dispensation of the fulness of times. The westward movement of the Church from New York to Pennsylvania, to Ohio, to Missouri, to Illinois, and finally to the Great Basin of western America, and the mighty struggles of the saints in attempting to to build Zion on the earth in modern times, are also shown forth in these revelations."
We receive these revelations "in answer to prayers" that were given when the Saints needed answers the most. These are not fictitious scenarios, but rather real people in our church's history.
Explanatory Introduction paragraph 8:
"In the revelations the doctrines of the gospel are set forth with explanations about such fundamental matters as the nature of the Godhead, the origin of man, the reality of Satan, the purpose of mortality, the necessity for obedience, the need for repentance, the workings of the Holy Spirit, the ordinances and performances that pertain to salvation, the destiny of the earth, the future conditions of man after the resurrection and the judgment, the eternity of the marriage relationship, and the eternal nature of the family. Likewise the gradual unfolding of the administrative structure of the Church is shown in the calling of bishops, the First Presidency, the Council of the Twelve, and the Seventy, and the establishment of other presiding offices and quorums. Finally, 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."
There are so many fundamental Gospel doctrine that can be answered in the Doctrine and Covenants; we can easily understand what we are supposed to do and when.
Doctrine and Covenants 1:1-4
"Hearken, O ye people of my church, saith the voice of him who dwells on high, and whose eyes are upon all men; yea, verily I say: Hearken ye people from afar; and ye that are upon the islands of the sea, listen together.
For verily the voice of the Lord is unto all men, and there is none to escape; and there is no eye that shall not see, neither ear that shall not hear, neither heart that shall not be penetrated.
And the rebellious shall be pierced with much sorrow; for their iniquities shall be spoken upon the housetops, and their secret acts shall be revealed.
And the voice of warning shall be unto all people, by the mouths of my disciples, whom I have chosen in these last days."
This warning is given to ALL church members not just the rebellious ones. He is telling us that if we do not do what we are supposed to for His church, He will find someone else that will.
Doctrine and Covenants 1: 23 and 30
"That the fulness of my gospel might be proclaimed by the weak and the simple unto the ends of the world, and before kings and rulers.
And also those to whom these commandments were given, might have power to lay the foundation of this church, and to bring it forth out of obscurity and out of darkness, the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth, with which I, the Lord, am well pleased, speaking unto the church collectively and not individually--"
Our destiny is to spread the Gospel throughout the WORLD. Missionaries young and old, as well as members of the church need to be participating in missionary work. "Every member a missionary!"
Doctrine and Covenants 1:37-38
"Search these commandments for they are true and faithful, and the prophecies and promises which are in them shall all be fulfilled.
What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same."
We are commanded to search the commandments that have been given to us and to listen and apply what we have been taught by the leaders of our church.
Doctrine and Covenants 112:30-32
"For unto you, the Twelve, and those, the First Presidency, who are appointed with you to be your counselors and your leaders, is the power of this priesthood given, for the last days and for the last time, in the which is the dispensation of the fulness of times.
Which power you hold, in connection with all those who have received a dispensation at any time fromt he beginning of the creation;
For verily I say unto you, the keys of the dispensation, which ye have received, have come down from the fathers, and last of all, being sent down from heaven unto you."
This is the last dispensation--collectively this is it, we will not get a do over.
"Prophet's, priests and kings...have looked forward with joyful anticipation to the day in which we live; and fired with heavenly and joyful anticipations they have sung and written and prophesized of this our day; but they died without the sight; we are the favored people that God has made choice of to bring about the Latter-day glory; it is left for us to see, participate in and help roll forward the Latter-day glory, 'the dispensation of the fulness of times.'"
~President Joseph Smith Jr.
"There has never been more expected of the faithful in such a short period of time as there is for us."
~President Ezra Taft Benson
"This is the season of a thousand opportunities. It is ours to grasp and move forward. What a wonderful time it is for each of us to do his or her small part in moving the work of the Lord on its magnificent destiny."
~President Gordon B. Hinckley
This truly is the fulness of times; we were saved by our Heavenly Father to help bring in this dispensation. Each one of us knew what He had planned for us and we agreed to do it, now we need to do our part. We must constantly be prepared for this battle against Satan; he so very much wants us to be not only miserable, but he also wants us to lose our bodies. He is so envious of the fact that we have bodies and will eventually be able to reunite with our Father in Heaven with both our bodies and spirit. Don't let him win; fulfill your callings to fullest extent, read your scriptures and pray daily, and keep the Holy Ghost with you at all times!
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