D&C 81 From Jesse to Frederick After becoming a counselor in the First Presidency, Jesse Gause traveled with Joseph Smith to Missouri. Upon his return, he left for a mission to the Shakers—the religion to which he had previously belonged. As noted in the section...
read moreD&C 76:1-10, 113-119 Introduction to the Vision Wilford Woodruff said that Doctrine and Covenants 76 “gives more light, more truth, and more principle than any revelation contained in any other book we ever read” (Journal of Discourses, 22:146-47). Think of the...
read moreD&C 67:1-9 The Book of Commandments In this section the Lord addresses the publication into book form of many of the revelations that had been given to the Prophet Joseph Smith. This became the “Book of Commandments” (later to become the Doctrine and Covenants)....
read moreD&C 60:1-15 “With Some I Am Not Well Pleased” These revelations give us insights into the Lord’s workings with His children: A number of brethren had been called to travel from Ohio to Missouri, in preparation for the gathering to Zion (see D&C 52:3, 7-8,...
read moreD&C 51 Setting up the Law of Consecration It is right to try to figure things out “on your own” and move forward in accomplishing them. But it is also right to seek guidance from others and from the Lord. The heading for Section 51 tells us that the gathering...
read moreD&C 46:1-6 Church Meetings The section heading indicates that this revelation was given “to the Church,” rather than for any individual, and in verse 1 the Lord declares that it is for our “profit and learning.” What does the Lord say in verses 2-6 about church...
read moreD&C 41 Preparation to Live “the Law” In obedience to the call to gather in Ohio (see D&C 37) Joseph Smith and his family have now moved to Kirtland, along with other members of the Church. Section 41 is the first of forty-six sections that Joseph...
read moreD&C 29:5; 38:7; 76:14, 20, 23; 110:2-4 He Lives Through all eternity, two of the greatest announcements ever made are “It is finished” and “He is Risen” (John 19:30; Matthew 28:6). In those few words it is declared that Jesus...
read moreD&C 29 A Perfect Plan Section 29 is delightfully packed with doctrine and prophecy. Among other questions, Joseph Smith was praying for further information regarding the Fall of Adam and Eve, and this revelation followed. In the first verse the Savior makes...
read moreD&C 23 The Lord Personalizes His Messages Section 23 is actually a series of five revelations. The Lord told the first four recipients that they were “under no condemnation,” but did not say this to Joseph Knight, perhaps because he was the only one of...
read moreD&C 77 The Book of Revelation It is March 1832 and Joseph Smith is 26 years old. He and Emma have an adopted child (Julia Murdock), but all four of their other children have died. They are living in the home of John and Elsa Johnson in Hiram, Ohio—the same...
read moreD&C 71 “Confound Your Enemies” Ezra Booth had been a Methodist minister before joining the Church, but he later left the Church. As noted in the section heading, some of his post-apostasy writings had stirred up “unfriendly feelings” against the Church. Through...
read moreD&C 64:1-11 Forgive In verse 2 the Lord says that He wants us to overcome the world, and surely the following verses address one significant quality we must develop in order to do so. The lead-up goes as follows: “Hearken ye and hear, and receive my will...
read moreD&C 58:2-4; 59:1-4 Whether You Live or Die As the first Saints begin arriving in Missouri—the place of gathering to Zion—the Lord makes tremendous promises to those who obey Him: “He that is faithful in tribulation, the reward of the same is greater in the kingdom...
read moreD&C 49 Correcting Mistaken Beliefs The section heading mentions four of the beliefs or practices of the members of the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing (also known as “Shakers,” because of their tendency to shake and contort when they felt...
read moreD&C 45 For Our Joy Section 45 is one of our most precious revelations. A major portion covers the Savior’s discourse given to His disciples on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, during the last week of His life. These teachings are so significant that we have...
read moreD&C 37-38 To Gather and to Receive His Law In a footnote to his October 2020 general conference talk, “Let God Prevail,” President Russell M. Nelson revealed that in the more than 800 talks he has given since being ordained an apostle in April 1984, he...
read moreD&C 30:1-4 Do Not Fear Man We all struggle from time to time. After David Whitmer had seen the Angel Moroni and the gold plates and heard the voice of God, he slackened somewhat and the Lord saw fit to chasten him. What did the Lord say in verses 1-3 that David...
read moreD&C 27:5-14 “The Hour Cometh” After revealing what is important—and what is not—in relation to the ordinance of the sacrament (see verse 2), the Lord teaches Joseph Smith about a future event that will involve the sacrament. Jesus had also...
read moreD&C 20:1-36 “The Rise of the Church of Christ” Section 20 may be considered our first church “handbook,” given within a few days after the April 6, 1830 formal organization of the Church, and containing various instructions relating to...
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