Lesson 1

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 (1999), 3


  • 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.

This dispensation can be divided into six historical periods, each of which will be discussed in this year’s course:

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

Scripture Chain: The Lord’s Word in the Doctrine and Covenants

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