For those who are new to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes referred to as the Mormon church), the amazing resources of scriptures might feel overwhelming! Not only is there the Bible, but also the Book of Mormon, the Pearl of Great Price, and the Doctrine and Covenants.
But before being bowled over by it all, stop for just a moment. What a thing to rejoice! The Lord loves us. And He knows how confusing a place this world could seem. That is why He gives so much instruction through His prophets! (Incidentally, this is why the missionary program of the Church is so important – just think how many people there are who might not understand God’s love and the purpose to life.)
I love the scriptures. I really, really do. They bring peace and comfort on dark or dismal days in my life. And I particularly love the Doctrine and Covenants for its rich application potential in my personal struggles.
Just a bit of history as to the evolution of the Doctrine of Covenants. Imagine, if you will, for just a moment what it must have been like (on another topic) for Moses as he led the children of Israel away from the Pharaoh toward the promised land. Moses now had a huge group to lead, not just spiritually but in every way.
Did you know that in the Bible book of Numbers, the Lord is recorded as speaking to Moses at least 150 times! As Moses’ group faced challenges during their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, so too did Moses receive instruction on how to lead them.
This is exactly what happened to the prophet Joseph Smith in the early days of the Mormon Church. The gospel of Jesus Christ had just been restored after a long dark period of apostasy. The Lord gave Joseph Smith the responsibility of leading this new church. And just like He did with Moses, the Lord spoke to Joseph Smith numerous times, giving instruction.
Many of those instructions from the Lord are recorded and preserved in the book that is now called the Doctrine and Covenants. It is a register, so to speak, of those counsels and commands from God to the prophet Joseph.
And they are potent pieces of instruction. Would not anyone, if they knew they could hear the voice and mind of God, would they not greatly desire this? Today we can by reading in the Doctrine and Covenants.
Here is what one modern prophet had to say regarding this great book of scripture:
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“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” (President Ezra Taft Benson, Doctrine and Covenants Church History: Seminary Student Study Guide, 9).
To read from the Doctrine and Covenants, click here.
