CLASS MEMBER STUDY GUIDE
Lesson 1: Introduction to the Doctrine and Covenants and Church History
Doctrine and Covenants and Church History Class Member Study Guide, (1999), 3
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
GOSPEL DOCTRINE LESSON
Lesson 1: Introduction to the Doctrine and Covenants and Church History
Doctrine and Covenants and Church History: Gospel Doctrine Teacher’s Manual, (1999), 1–5
Purpose
To introduce class members to this year’s study of the Doctrine and Covenants and Church history and to help them understand their place in the dispensation of the fulness of times.
Preparation
- 1. Link to Student Study Guide: Doctrine & Covenants Student Study Guide
- 2. link to Our Heritage: A Brief History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Our Heritage: A Brief History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Suggestions for Lesson Development
Attention Activity
The upper half of the ball that the Angel Moroni stands on at the top of the temple is called the "capstone." On 6 April 1892, the Church held a general conference in the Tabernacle. Shortly before noon, President Wilford Woodruff dismissed the meeting. Forty thousand people gathered on Temple Square, with thousands more surrounding it. President Woodruff then pressed an electric button, and the capstone was lowered into place. Down below, the Tabernacle Choir, accompanied by a band, began singing the hymn “The Spirit of God,” and the Saints joined in. Then they gave the Hosanna Shout and waved white handkerchiefs, showing their joy that the Salt Lake Temple was near completion.
“The Doctrine and Covenants brings men to Christ’s kingdom, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ‘the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth’ [D&C 1:30]. …
“The Book of Mormon is the ‘keystone’ of our religion, and the Doctrine and Covenants is the capstone, with continuing latter-day revelation. The Lord has placed His stamp of approval on both the keystone and the capstone” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1987, 105; or Ensign, May 1987, 83).
Jesus the Christ, our Savior, is the cornerstone of our religion.
EPHESIANS 2:22
EPHESIANS 2:22
19 Now therefore ye are no more astrangers and foreigners, butbfellowcitizens with the csaints, and of the dhousehold of God;
Discussion and Application
This course uses a thematic approach in studying the Doctrine and Covenants and Church history. The lessons are intended to help you learn and apply what the Doctrine and Covenants and Church history teach about specific gospel themes. As a result of this year’s study, you should have a greater desire to seek the blessings of the gospel.
Because this year’s lessons are thematic, some sections of the Doctrine and Covenants are not included in the reading assignments. Nevertheless, class members should plan to read the entire Doctrine and Covenants during the year.
1. The revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants address the needs of our day.
Doctrine and Covenants Introduction 3rd Paragraph
"The book of Doctrine and Covenants is one of the standard works of the Church in company with the Holy Bible, the Book of Mormon, and the Pearl of Great Price. However, the Doctrine and Covenants is unique because it is not a translation of an ancient document, but is of modern origin and was given of God through his chosen prophets for the restoration of his holy work and the establishment of the kingdom of God on the earth in these days. In the revelations, one hears the tender but firm voice of the Lord Jesus Christ, speaking anew in the dispensation of the fulness of times; and the work that is initiated herein is preparatory to his second coming, in fulfillment of and in concert with the words of all the holy prophets since the world began."
- The Doctrine and Covenants is different from other books of scripture because it is the only book of scripture that was directed specifically for us in our days.
- What passages in the Doctrine and Covenants have been especially helpful or meaningful to you?
Doctrine and Covenants Introduction 6th Paragraph
"These sacred revelations were received in answer to prayer, in times of need, and came out of real-life situations involving real people. The Prophet and his associates sought for divine guidance, and these revelations certify that they received it. In the revelations one sees the restoration and unfolding of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the ushering in of the dispensation of the fulness of times. The westward movement of the Church from New York and Pennsylvania to Ohio, to Missouri, to Illinois, and finally to the Great Basin of western America and the mighty struggles of the Saints in attempting to build Zion on the earth in modern times are also shown forth in these revelations."
- The revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants were generally received as answers to prayers.
In the same manner we can receive personal revelation through prayer and through seeking guidance from our Heavenly Father.
- In the revelations, the doctrines of the gospel are set forth with explanations about such fundamental matters as the nature of the Godhead, the origin of man, the reality of Satan, the purpose of mortality, the necessity for obedience, the need for repentance, the workings of the Holy Spirit, the ordinances and performances that pertain to salvation, the destiny of the earth, the future conditions of man after the Resurrection and the Judgment, the eternity of the marriage relationship, and the eternal nature of the family. Likewise, the gradual unfolding of the administrative structure of the Church is shown with the calling of bishops, the First Presidency, the Council of the Twelve, and the Seventy and the establishment of other presiding offices and quorums. Finally, the testimony that is given of Jesus Christ—his divinity, his majesty, his perfection, his love, and his redeeming power—makes this book of great value to the human family and of more worth than the riches of the whole earth.
- What are some of the ways in which the Doctrine and Covenants have helped you understand some of these doctrines better? (Please feel free to make a comment to this post and I will add it to this original post)
2. The Lord authored the preface to the Doctrine and Covenants.
President Ezra Taft Benson said: “The Doctrine and Covenants is the only book in the world that has a preface written by the Lord Himself. In that preface He declares to the world that His voice is unto all men (see v. 2), that the coming of the Lord is nigh (see v. 12), and that the truths found in the Doctrine and Covenants will all be fulfilled (see vs. 37–38)” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1986, 101; or Ensign, Nov. 1986, 79).
- •In D&C 1, the Lord raises a “voice of warning,” which He continues throughout the Doctrine and Covenants (D&C 1:4). What warnings does the Lord issue in this section? How do these warnings apply to us?
4 And the avoice of warning shall be unto all people, by the mouths of my disciples, whom I have bchosen in these clast days.
7 Wherefore, afear and btremble, O ye people, for what I the Lord have cdecreed in them shall be dfulfilled.8 And verily I say unto you, that they who go forth, bearing these tidings unto the inhabitants of the earth, to them is power given toaseal both on earth and in heaven, the unbelieving and brebellious;9 Yea, verily, to seal them up unto the aday when the bwrath of God shall be poured out upon the cwicked without measure—10 Unto the aday when the Lord shall come to brecompense unto every man according to his cwork, and dmeasure to every man according to the measure which he has measured to his fellow man.13 And the aanger of the Lord is kindled, and his bsword is bathed in heaven, and it shall fall upon the inhabitants of the earth.14 And the aarm of the Lord shall be revealed; and the bday cometh that they who will not chear the voice of the Lord, neither the voice of his dservants, neither give eheed to the words of the prophets andfapostles, shall be gcut off from among the people;16 They aseek not the Lord to establish his righteousness, but every man bwalketh in his cown dway, and after the eimage of his own god, whose image is in the likeness of the world, and whose substance is that of an idol, which waxeth fold and shall perish in Babylon, evengBabylon the great, which shall fall. - How do these warnings apply to us?
For whom are the messages of the Doctrine and Covenants intended? (See D&C 1:1–4, 11, 34–35.)
1 aHearken, O ye people of my bchurch, saith the voice of him who dwells on high, and whose ceyes are upon all men; yea, verily I say: Hearken ye people from afar; and ye that are upon the islands of the sea, listen together.2 For verily the avoice of the Lord is unto all men, and there is none to bescape; and there is no eye that shall not see, neither cear that shall not hear, neither dheart that shall not be penetrated.3 And the arebellious shall be bpierced with much csorrow; for their iniquities shall be dspoken upon the housetops, and their secret acts shall be revealed.11 Wherefore the voice of the Lord is unto the ends of the earth, that all that will hear may hear:
The messages and warnings in the Doctrine and Covenants will be spread by the mounts of the Lord's disciples, The missionaries. - In D&C 1, the Lord foretells the great destiny of His latter-day work (D&C 1:23, 30). When the Lord revealed this section, the Church had been organized for only one and one-half years and had only a few hundred members. How are the prophecies of the Church’s growth being fulfilled in our day?
23 That the afulness of my bgospel might be cproclaimed by thedweak and the simple unto the ends of the world, and before ekingsand frulers.
30 And also those to whom these commandments were given, might have apower to lay the foundation of this bchurch, and to bring it forth out of obscurity and out of cdarkness, the only true and living dchurch upon the face of the whole earth, with which I, the Lord, am well epleased, fspeaking unto the church collectively and not individually—
- •In D&C 1, the Lord explains some of the purposes for the revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants. Read D&C 1:17–28 with class members. As recorded in these verses, what are some of the purposes of the revelations? (Answers could include those listed below.)
- a. “That every man might speak in the name of God the Lord, even the Savior of the world” (D&C 1:20).
- b. “That faith also might increase” (D&C 1:21).
- c. “That mine everlasting covenant might be established” (D&C 1:22).
- d. “That the fulness of my gospel might be proclaimed” (D&C 1:23).
- e. To help the Lord’s servants “come to understanding” (D&C 1:24).
- f. “And inasmuch as they erred it might be made known” (D&C 1:25).
- g. “And inasmuch as they sought wisdom they might be instructed” (D&C 1:26).
- h. “And inasmuch as they sinned they might be chastened, that they might repent” (D&C 1:27).
- i. “And inasmuch as they were humble they might be made strong, and blessed from on high, and receive knowledge from time to time” (D&C 1:28).
- a.
- •The Lord’s preface to the Doctrine and Covenants concludes with a commandment to search His words. Read D&C 1:37–38 and D&C 18:34–36 with class members. What does the Lord teach us about His words and His voice in these verses? How is searching the scriptures different from merely reading them? How have you benefited from searching the Lord’s words in the Doctrine and Covenants?
3. This course will discuss major events of the dispensation of the fulness of times.
Have class members turn to page 657 in the Bible Dictionary. Read the first sentence in the entry for the word dispensations. Then explain that the lessons this year will cover many of the major events of our dispensation—the dispensation of the fulness of times (D&C 112:30–32). Share the following statement by the Prophet Joseph Smith:
“Prophets, priests and kings … have looked forward with joyful anticipation to the day in which we live; and fired with heavenly and joyful anticipations they have sung and written and prophesied of this our day; but they died without the sight; we are the favored people that God has made choice of to bring about the Latter-day glory; it is left for us to see, participate in and help to roll forward the Latter-day glory, ‘the dispensation of the fulness of times’” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 231).
- •Why is our dispensation different from any of the previous ones? (Answers could include that this dispensation will not end in apostasy and that the Church will continue to grow until it fills the earth and the way is prepared for the Lord’s Second Coming.) What are some of the blessings and responsibilities of living in this dispensation?
Explain that this dispensation can be divided into six historical periods. You may want to write them on the chalkboard as follows:
New York Period
|
1820–1830
|
Ohio-Missouri Period
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1831–1838
|
Nauvoo Period
|
1839–1846
|
Pioneering the West
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1846–1898
|
Expansion of the Church
|
1899–1950
|
The Worldwide Church
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1951–present
|
Point out that many of the important events in these six historical periods are summarized in “Church History Chronology” on pages 272–73 in this manual and pages 27–28 in the Class Member Study Guide. Have class members briefly review these events.
- •Which events in the history of the Church have particular significance to you?
4. We can each help to move forward this great latter-day work.
Ask class members to look around the room at the people in the class. Explain that we are not here on earth at this time by accident. We have been sent by God to help build His kingdom in this last dispensation. President Ezra Taft Benson said, “There has never been more expected of the faithful in such a short period of time as there is of us” (quoted by Marvin J. Ashton, in Conference Report, Oct. 1989, 48; or Ensign, Nov. 1989, 36).
President Gordon B. Hinckley said, “The most serious challenge we face, and the most wonderful challenge, is the challenge that comes of growth” (quoted in “President Gordon B. Hinckley,” Ensign, Apr. 1995, 6).
- •What are some challenges that are presented by the Church’s tremendous growth? What are some examples of the Church’s efforts to meet these challenges? (Answers could include the dramatic increase in temple building, efforts to build priesthood leadership, and the hastening of the translation of scriptures into many languages.)
Emphasize that we can see and feel the excitement of the Church’s growth. However, the Lord needs more than onlookers who cheer from the sidelines; we must ask ourselves if we are keeping pace and doing our part as families and as individuals. President Gordon B. Hinckley said: “This is a season of a thousand opportunities. It is ours to grasp and move forward. What a wonderful time it is for each of us to do his or her small part in moving the work of the Lord on to its magnificent destiny” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1997, 90–91; or Ensign, Nov. 1997, 67).
- •What can we each do individually and in our families to help move forward the Lord’s great latter-day work?
Conclusion
Emphasize that we are privileged to live in the dispensation of the fulness of times. We can see the Church rolling forth as prophesied anciently (Daniel 2:44–45; see also D&C 65:2). We enjoy the blessings of the restored gospel. We hear the voice of the Lord as we read the Doctrine and Covenants. We are led by a living prophet. The course of study this year will help us understand more about the opportunities and blessings of living in this dispensation.
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