Discussion No. 3
Doctrine and Covenants
1. A compilation of revelations given to the Prophet Joseph Smith with some additions by his successors in the Presidency of the Church.
2. Through a period of ten years prior to the organization of the Church, and many years thereafter, Joseph Smith, the prophet, received at intervals divine revelations and commandments.
3. As early as the summer of 1830, the Prophet, acting under divine commandment, copied and arranged these revelations received up to that time with the view of publishing them in book form, and on August 17, 1835, the same had been compiled into a book and given the name, by revelation, of Doctrine and Covenants.
4. From Adam to John the Revelator we have a chain of visions, revelations, visitations, inspired dreams and direct instruction and commandments form God; some of these begin:
“Thus saith the Lord” Amos 1:3
“Go and tell the people” Isa. 6:1
“the revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave unto him” Rev. 1:1
With the restoration of the true Gospel these sources of heavenly instruction came again.
Most of the revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants begin with “Thus saith the Lord” and show that the manner of giving instruction from Heaven has not changed. When there is a prophet upon the earth, the Lord by inspiration, revelation and other means instructs him on matters pertaining to His children and His Gospel: Numbers 12:6
“Listen to the Voice of the Lord” D. & C. 335:1
“Thus saith the Lord” D. & C. 36:1
5. The preface to the Doctrine and Covenants, given by revelation from the Lord, acknowledges the contents of the book and admonishes all people to heed its teachings. D. & C. 1.
6. The Twelve Apostles at that day bore testimony to all the world that the Lord had borne record to them through the Holy Ghost that the commandments contained in the book “were given by inspiration of God and are profitable for all men and are verily true.” Explanatory Introduction, Doctrine and Covenants.
7. It was necessary to receive these revelations in order to:
a. Organize the Church. D. & C. 20:1-4. Also that it bear the right name. D. & C. 115:4.
b. Designate officers of the Priesthood, their quorums and the duties of each. D. & C. 107 and 20.
c. Through revelation information was given on Temple work, such as baptism for dead – D. & C. 128 – Marriage for eternity – D. & C. 132.
d. On the gathering of Israel, and building of Zion. D. & C. 110:11; 133:8-13.
e. The Millennium – D. & C. 101:24-35; Christ’s second coming – D. & C. 88; Resurrection and eternal judgment – D. & C. 43:29-30; Degrees of glory – D. & C. 76; and all other principles and doctrines of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
8. Doctrine and Covenants contains revelations enabling the infant church to organize and grow, teaching true doctrines and explaining the new and everlasting covenant.
9. Evidence of Truth of Doctrine and Covenants as shown by prophecy. Deut. 18:21-22; Jer. 28:9; Num. 12:6.
a. It contains predictions or prophecies of world-wide interest – civil war, other wars. D. & C. 87. Coming forth of marvelous work – the church. D. & C. 4.
10. Predicted by scripture – visions, dreams and prophecies.
a. Ancient prophets, speaking of the last days, declare that the Spirit of God will be poured out upon all flesh in visions, dreams and prophecies. Isa. 44:3; Ezek. 36:27; Joel 2:287; Acts 2:16-20.
11. Contains revelations giving information unknown at the time it was published.
a. Minute description of Degrees of Glory.
b. Who shall inherit each glory. Name of Third Degree of glory. 1 Cor. 15:40-41; D. & C. 76:81.
c. Word of Wisdom, D. & C. 89.
12. “While Christendom still stumbles in the dark and continues to divide and increase in numbers of man-made churches, we go on advancing unitedly, guided by the revelations of light and truth as recorded in the Doctrine and Covenants given especially for this dispensation – the Fullness of /Times. – D. & C. Comm.
Supplementary References:
Doctrine and Covenants Commentary
Historical Background, McGavin
Pearl of Great Price
In 1828 Antonio Sebolo, a French traveler, obtained a permit from the Viceroy of Egypt, Mehermit Ali, to make research in the burial grounds of the ancient city of Thebes. He employed 433 men, labored four months and two days, discovered one large ancient catacomb containing several hundred mummies, most of which fell to pieces when the air struck them. Some had been much better embalmed and were preserved sufficient for removal. Sebolo shipped these mummies to England. He contracted Egyptian Fever and died at Triest, Italy, where the ship put into port. During his illness he bequeathed these mummies to his nephew, Michael h. Chandler, of Dublin, Ireland, and they were shipped to him and forwarded to New York where he had moved. He opened up these coffins containing these mummies and found some rolls of papyrus carefully wrapped in linen smeared over with pitch lying across the folded arms of two of the mummies. The papyrus was written upon with red and black ink or paint with strange characters or hieroglyphics. He was informed that Joseph Smith who lived in Kirtland, Ohio, had translated similar characters. In 1835 Chandler took these mummies to Kirtland and presented them to Joseph Smith for translation. The translation of some of the characters which Joseph Smith made, Chandler pronounced more correct than any he had received.
These rolls of papyrus were purchased by the Saints at Joseph’s request, and under the inspiration of the Lord he translated part of these hieroglyphics, which proved to be the writings of Abraham, a descendant of Shem, the tenth generation from Noah who was born 1996 B.C. The book enlightens us on the important events in Abraham’s life.
It also gives us a knowledge of heavenly bodies including the mighty Kolob which is near the throne of God.
In addition there is a detailed account of the creation and the purpose of life.
An account of these writings appeared first in the Messenger and Advocate, published in Missouri, December 1835, over the signature of Oliver Cowdery.
The mummies were left in the possession of Lucy Smith, mother of the Prophet, who showed them to all who wished to see them. They were sold by William Smith, after Joseph’s martyrdom, to a museum in St. Louis, who alter sold them to the Woods Museum in Chicago and in the Chicago fire in 1875 they were destroyed.
Pearl of Great Price also contains the Book of Moses which is:
a. Revelation to Joseph Smith showing the words of God in great detail at the time Moses was called up into Sinai; gives story of creation down to time of Noah and especially emphasizes Enoch.
b. Read what the Lord said to Enoch about the wickedness and destruction of our day just prior to the Millennium, and His promise to us. Moses 7:60-66. Also Moses 1:11; 5:28.
Pearl of Great Price also contains the direct translation of the 24th chapter of Matthew which is also prophecy concerning the wickedness and destruction of the last days.
It also contains Joseph Smith’s story of the restoration of the Gospel and the Articles of Faith.
The Bible, a collection of 66 books, deals with the history of the Kingdom of God chiefly on the Eastern Hemisphere; none of the first manuscripts are extant.
The Book of Mormon is also a collection of books dealing with the Kingdom of God on the Western Continent.
The plates from which the translation was made are now hidden to mortal eye. As portions of the prophecies of Isaiah are found in the Book of Mormon, it becomes a witness for the Bible, as the Bible, through its prophecies, is a witness for the Book of Mormon.
The Pearl of Great Price is a selection from revelations, translations, and narrations of Joseph Smith. It contains some visions of Moses, translation of records found in Egypt. In the Books of Moses and Abraham we obtain a clearer view of the creation, fall, redemption, also a fuller account of the history of Abraham and Enoch, things necessary for this dispensation. its original manuscripts were seen by thousands in our day.
Evidences That the Book Is Genuine
a. Statement of the creation of the earth.
The Pearl of Great Price states that the earth was created in “seven periods of time.” Abraham 4:31; 5. In Joseph Smith’s time all Christian Churches taught that the earth was created in six days. Scientists have proven the earth is very old. The gorge at Niagara Falls, for instance, they claim has been receding for more than 31,000 years.
b. Pearl of Great Price taught pre-existence in great plainness. Abraham 3:22-28.
This doctrine, unknown at the time of the publication of the Pearl of Great Price. It is not believed in at the rpesent time by the Christian Churches, yet taught in the Bible. (See pre-existence.)
c. Urim and Thummin described in Lev. 8:8-10, also used by Abraham who received revelation. P. of G. P. Abraham 3:1; also used in the Bible for the same purpose. 1 Sam. 28:6; Num. 27:21.
d. Read Articles of Faith which are an important part of the Pearl of Great Price.
Reference:
Pearl of Great Price Commentary; Hunter