Now that I have had more time to read and study this great latter day scripture I understand and appreciate more the voice of the Lord to us. This book is unique in that it was not translated from a different language. It is direct revelation and discusses the ups and downs of the church struggling under the weight of restoring the entire gospel of Jesus Christ. We read and learn of the great mercies of the Lord to his children. He truly taught line upon line and precept upon precept in bringing back to earth his church organization. It is the handbook for prophets in our day.
The explanatory introduction at the beginning of the Doctrine and Covenants outlines the contents as “a collection of divine revelations and inspired declarations given for the establishment and regulation of the kingdom of God on the earth in the last days. Although most of the sections are directed to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the messages, warnings, and exhortations are for the benefit of all mankind, and contain an invitation to all people everywhere to hear the voice of the Lord Jesus Christ, speaking to them for their temporal well-being and their everlasting salvation”. (Paragraph 1, Explanatory Introduction)
There is also great insight in understanding “These sacred revelations were received in answer to prayer, in times of need, and came out of real-life situations involving real people” (Paragraph 6, Explanatory Introduction). This understanding assists us as we remember these came as answers to prayers. Our Heavenly Father cares for us and wants to answer our prayers.
Section 1
On 1 November 1831, the Prophet Joseph Smith presided at a special conference of elders, held in Hiram, Ohio. Those in attendance decided to compile some of the revelations the Prophet had received and publish them in a book called the Book of Commandments. Following the first session of this conference, the Lord signified His approval for the publication by giving Joseph Smith a revelation that He called “my preface unto the book of my commandments” (Doctine & Covenants 1:6). This revelation is now section 1 of the Doctrine and Covenants.
This conference took place after the first 66 sections of the Doctrine and Covenants were revealed. There were several major events which had already taken place. The restoration of the priesthood, the organization of the church, baptisms, and the sacrament prayers revealed, the list goes on and on. It puts section 1 into perspective when we realize the order of the sections and there place in church history.
Before we go on sharing about section 1, it would be important to understand better the major events of the dispensation of the fulness of times (Doctrine & Covenants 112:30–32). The Prophet Joseph Smith said : “Prophets, 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 prophesied 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 to roll forward the Latter-day glory, ‘the dispensation of the fulness of times’ ” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 231).
This dispensation can be divided into six historical periods.
Now, back to discussing the voice of the Lord in section 1. President Ezra Taft Benson said: “The Doctrine and Covenants is 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)” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1986, 101; or Ensign, Nov. 1986, 79).
In D&C 1, the Lord raises a “voice of warning,” which He continues throughout the Doctrine and Covenants (Doctrine & Covenants 1:4). What warnings does the Lord issue in this section? (See Doctrine & Covenants 1:7–10, 12–16, 31–33.) How do these warnings apply to us? They absolutely do on an daily basis.
For whom are the messages of the Doctrine and Covenants intended? How are these messages to go to all people? (See Doctrine & Covenants 1:1-4)
In section 1, the Lord foretells the great destiny of His latter-day work (Doctrine & Covenants 1:23, 30). Explain that when the Lord revealed this section, the Church had been organized for only one and one-half years and had only a few hundred members. How are the prophecies of the Church’s growth being fulfilled in our day?
In D&C 1, the Lord explains some of the purposes for the revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants. See Doctrine & Covenants 1:17–28. As recorded in these verses, what are some of the purposes of the revelations? Here are some answers and insights.
“That every man might speak in the name of God the Lord, even the Savior of the world” (Doctrine & Covenants 1:20).
“That faith also might increase” (Doctrine & Covenants 1:21).
“That mine everlasting covenant might be established” (Doctrine & Covenants 1:22).
“That the fulness of my gospel might be proclaimed” (Doctrine & Covenants 1:23).
To help the Lord’s servants “come to understanding” (Doctrine & Covenants 1:24).
“And inasmuch as they erred it might be made known” (Doctrine & Covenants 1:25).
“And inasmuch as they sought wisdom they might be instructed” (Doctrine & Covenants 1:26).
“And inasmuch as they sinned they might be chastened, that they might repent” (Doctrine & Covenants 1:27).
“And inasmuch as they were humble they might be made strong, and blessed from on high, and receive knowledge from time to time” (Doctrine & Covenants 1:28).
The Lord’s preface to the Doctrine and Covenants concludes with a commandment to search His words. See Doctrine & Covenants 1:37–38 and Doctrine & Covenants 18:34–36. What does the Lord teach us about His words and His voice in these verses? How is searching the scriptures different from merely reading them? How have you benefited from searching the Lord’s words in the Doctrine and Covenants? It is a great blessing to search these words and hear the Lord’s voice in them.
This aids in recognizing the voice of the Lord in our own lives. It has helped me to be able to do and follow the direction of righteousness.
This will be an exciting year. It is a great opportunity to increase our understanding and testimony of the Lord’s work in the latter days.
