Lesson 1

Introduction to the Doctrine and Covenants and Church History

Reading assignment: Explanatory Introduction to the Doctrine and Covenants; Doctrine and Covenants 1; introduction to Our Heritage.

• 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.

• What warnings does the Lord issue in D&C 1? (See verses D&C 1:7–10, 12–16, 31–33.)

• 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:

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

• D&C 1:37–39

• D&C 18:33–36

• D&C 84:60

• D&C 88:66