Doctrine and Covenants and Church History Class Member Study Guide
Introduction to the Doctrine and Covenants and Church History
“Lesson 1: Introduction to the Doctrine and Covenants and Church History,” Doctrine and Covenants and Church History Class Member Study Guide, 3
Reading assignment: Explanatory Introduction to the Doctrine and Covenants; Doctrine and Covenants 1; introduction toOur Heritage.
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• How is the Doctrine and Covenants different from other books of scripture? (See the third paragraph in the Explanatory Introduction.)
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” (D&C 1:6). This revelation is now section 1 of the Doctrine and Covenants.
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• What warnings does the Lord issue in D&C 1? (See verses D&C 1:7–10, 12–16, 31–33.)
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• What are some of the purposes of the revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants? (See D&C 1:17–28.)
This dispensation can be divided into six historical periods, each of which will be discussed in this year’s course:
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New York Period |
1820–1830 |
Ohio-Missouri Period |
1831–1838 |
Nauvoo Period |
1839–1846 |
Pioneering the West |
1846–1898 |
Expansion of the Church |
1899–1950 |
The Worldwide Church |
1951–present |