Category: Doctrine and Covenants

Categories
Doctrine and Covenants Latter-day Saint History

Emma Smith’s Role in Shaping the ‘Elect Lady’ Revelation (D&C 25)

A portrait of Emma Hale Smith, the recipient of D&C 25 (also known as the 'Elect Lady' revelation).

Section 25 of the Doctrine and Covenants is significant as one of the few revelations Joseph Smith received that directly addresses a woman, his wife, Emma Hale Smith. Given in 1830, the revelation designates Emma as an “elect lady” and outlines her roles in the early Church, including the compilation of a hymnbook and providing comfort to her husband. In this interview, Latter-day Saint scholar Robin Jensen explains the historical context of D&C 25 and how Emma’s personal experiences influenced the revelation’s text.

Continue reading “Emma Smith’s Role in Shaping the ‘Elect Lady’ Revelation (D&C 25)”
Categories
Book excerpts Doctrine and Covenants Joseph Smith

A Brief History of the Doctrine & Covenants

A photograph of an original first edition of the Doctrine and Covenants.

There has not always been a Doctrine and Covenants. It has a history and can best be understood by those who know that history. Robert Woodford, a great scholar of the Doctrine and Covenants, described how we tend to think of it as a “tidily defined book, quietly resting with the other scriptures.” But the story of how those revelations were written, prepared for publication, and moved through various states until they reached our present edition is the story of trying to keep up with a flood of revealed knowledge.

Continue reading “A Brief History of the Doctrine & Covenants”
Categories
Doctrine and Covenants

What Are Keys of the Ministering of Angels?

An AI-generated image of birds shaped like angels carrying keys, signifying the majesty and mystery of the keys of the ministering of angels spoken of by Joseph Smith.

The most straightforward definition of the keys of the ministering of angels might mean having a special right to behold angels. There are other possible interpretations of the phrase found in the Doctrine and Covenants as well. For example, some general authorities have suggested it means that priesthood holders serve as ministering angels or empower others to receive the ministry of angels. The phrase could also have meant a number of things in Joseph Smith’s time. In this interview, Chad Nielsen discusses how our understanding of the keys of the ministering of angels has evolved.

Continue reading “What Are Keys of the Ministering of Angels?”
Categories
Doctrine and Covenants

Seeing: Themes in the Doctrine and Covenants

A Jorge Cocco painting of the Savior healing a blind man, reflecting the importance of seeing as a theme in the Doctrine and Covenants.
"Your Faith Has Made You Whole" by Jorge Cocco. Used by permission.

The Doctrine and Covenants includes an invitation to develop an eye single to the glory of God. A volume from the Maxwell Institute’s Themes in the Doctrine and Covenants series looks at what this means and how it can be accomplished. It also examines various ways sight can serve as a devotional tool. For instance, the book offers strategies for managing visual distractions like social media and explains how pornography prevents seeing others as God does. In this interview, author Mason Allred discusses his new book, Seeing.

Continue reading “Seeing: Themes in the Doctrine and Covenants”
Categories
Book excerpts Doctrine and Covenants

A Modern Interpretation of D&C 1

A cropped book cover of "Restoration" by Patrick Mason, in which he provides an "urgent paraphrase" of Section 1 of the Doctrine and Covenants.

On November 1, 1831, Joseph Smith received a revelation at a church conference held in Hiram, Ohio, in which the elders were discussing the preparation of a Book of Commandments—a compendium of teachings and revelations to the prophet Joseph Smith. The Lord sent a message through Joseph and designated that it should be placed at the opening of the book as its “preface.” The revelation was published as Chapter 1 of the Book of Commandments and has appeared as Section 1 in every succeeding edition of the Doctrine and Covenants.1

Continue reading “A Modern Interpretation of D&C 1”
Categories
Doctrine and Covenants

Why Does the Savior’s Church Matter?

The logo for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, referred to as "the only true and living church" in D&C 1:30.

The first revelation in the Doctrine and Covenants says that the Savior called and empowered Joseph Smith 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” (Doctrine and Covenants 1:30). If you are anything like me, you wonder what it means every time you or someone else says, “I know this church is true.”

Continue reading “Why Does the Savior’s Church Matter?”
Categories
Doctrine and Covenants Latter-day Saint History

What’s in the New Joseph F. Smith Biography?

A side profile photo of the Latter-day Saint prophet, Joseph F. Smith.

Joseph F. Smith is known for many things. He was the son of Hyrum Smith and nephew of the Prophet Joseph. He served a legendary mission to Hawaii. And he received the vision of the redemption of the dead (D&C 138). The prophet’s life was also filled with lesser-known complexities that make him an especially fascinating figure. In this interview, Stephen C. Taysom elaborates on his new biography of Joseph F. Smith.

Continue reading “What’s in the New Joseph F. Smith Biography?”
Categories
Doctrine and Covenants Theology

Did Joseph Smith Write D&C 76 in Poetic Form?

The poetic form of Section 76 as published in the pioneer periodical, Times and Seasons.

The poetic version of Section 76 of the Doctrine and Covenants has been lauded since it was first published under Joseph Smith’s name in 1843. However, the latest scholarship suggests that it was ghostwritten by William W. Phelps. While some also think it may have resulted from coordination between the Prophet and Eliza R. Snow or Parley P. Pratt, most scholars agree that Joseph Smith wasn’t the sole author of “The Vision” in poetic form.

Continue reading “Did Joseph Smith Write D&C 76 in Poetic Form?”
Categories
19th Century Come Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants Latter-day Saint History

Susa Young Gates and the Vision of the Redemption of the Dead

An aerial black-and-white photo of a 1900s crowd at Temple Square where the vision of the redemption of the dead recounted to Susa Young Gates was shared with the general church membership.

Susa Young Gates was one of the first members of the church to learn about the vision of the redemption of the dead. Joseph F. Smith told her about his revelatory experience before it was publicly known. In this interview, historian Lisa Olsen Tait tralks about the relationship between Susa Young Gates and the prophet—and what happened the night she learned about the vision.

Continue reading “Susa Young Gates and the Vision of the Redemption of the Dead”
Categories
Doctrine and Covenants Latter-day Saint History

Let’s Talk About the Law of Consecration

Historian Steven C. Harper clarifies misunderstandings about the law of consecration.

Many believe that the Lord gave the Law of Tithing as a lesser commandment after pioneer Latter-day Saints failed to live the Law of Consecration. However, early church history reveals a different story. In this interview, historian Steven C. Harper explains that tithing is part of consecration—and that living both laws as found in the Doctrine and Covenants is a necessary prerequisite to building Zion.

Continue reading “Let’s Talk About the Law of Consecration”