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Doctrine and Covenants

Dale J. Stevens

The Doctrine and Covenants of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a book of scripture containing 138 sections or chapters and two Official Declarations. Most of the sections were written by Joseph Smith, the first president and prophet of the Church, as he received them as Revelation or other promptings from the spirit of God. Many were in response to prayerful requests. The earliest section (Section 2) was received in Manchester, New York, on September 21, 1823, while the most recent entry is Official Declaration-2, dated September 30, 1978, in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The Doctrine and Covenants is considered by Church officials and its members to be a companion book of scripture to the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and the Pearl of Great Price. Besides containing details and instruction on church organization and practices, it contains many Revelation given to Joseph Smith about issues raised as he translated the Book of Mormon and worked with the Bible. Many Revelation were received for the benefit of particular individuals associated with the Church, but the information contained therein has general application as well. All Revelation in the Doctrine and Covenants are considered to be the will of the Lord, the mind of the Lord, the word of the Lord, or the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation (see, e.g., D&C 68:4). "Its main focus is to build up the Church of Jesus Christ and to bring people into harmony with Christ's kingdom" (Encyclopedia of Mormonism, 1:405).

The first publication of the Revelation received by Joseph Smith was attempted in Independence, Missouri, in 1833, but was destroyed by a mob before it was completed. Only a few copies were saved. The first edition of the Doctrine and Covenants, printed in 1835, contained 103 sections. A subsequent edition was printed in 1844 in Nauvoo, Illinois, and in 1845, a Liverpool, England, edition was published. Subsequent editions were published in 1876, 1879, 1921, and 1981.

A number of changes have been incorporated in each edition. The early printings contained the Lectures on Faith delivered by Joseph Smith and an article on marriage by Oliver Cowdery. Since these contributions were not considered Revelation, they were eliminated in the 1921 and later editions. Other Revelation, although received in the early days of the Church, were not included in the earliest editions. Neither are all of the Revelation received by modern prophets of the Church recorded in the Doctrine and Covenants. Many of the Revelation have been received for individuals and are not appropriate for public use. Some others are considered to be too sacred to be printed for general consumption, while others are recorded in the History of the Church or in other official Church publications. Currently, when additional Revelation are to be added to the Doctrine and Covenants, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of the Church decide which Revelation are to be included. Then the general Church membership has an opportunity to give affirmation to or vote against any proposed inclusions.