Welcome to the Doctrine and Covenants
This section of the website is designed to assist teachers and individuals in their personal study of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The format is based upon the standard lessons for the
Doctrine and Covenants
Gospel Doctrine class, as far as the basic area of study. I've tried to provide additional insights and commentary on the meaning of the scriptures as taught by the writer.Some of my goals for having this section of the website is to strengthen individuals faith in the Doctrine and Covenants as:
- A collection of divine revelations and inspired declarations
- Warnings and messages to all mankind
- Unique scripture in that it isn't a translation of any kind
- A great source of clarification and explanation of doctrines and principles of the gospel
- The capstone of our religion - wherein doctrine is more completly explained
Please contact me if you find any issues/errors with what is being taught. It should always be sourced with where the information came from to help you in your understanding of why it is being taught.
Here are a few additional links you may find useful in your study of the Doctrine and Covenants:
Joseph Smith Research - research on Joseph Smith to date
Scriptural Citation Index - a site that provides references to talks/articles based upon specific scriptural references
Conference Reports - Old Conference Reports not on the LDS site
Journal of discourses Beta- Discourses recorded by individuals as they were given - dubious authority
Teachings of Joseph Smith Additional Link - 1922 Teachings 1938
Our Heritage - a summarized history of the church
History of the Church - 6 Volume Set
Church History Site
Study guide for Doctrine and Covenants
Study guide for Church History
The Joseph Smith Papers
Doctrine and Covenants Study Guide - Joseph Smith Papers
Improvement Era Magazine - Listings - Pre Esngin church Publication - Fairmormon.org
Lectures On Faith
The Book of Commandments - Online scanned edition
Doctrinal Disclaimer.
The following information is provided as a service to users of this site. I have to my best ability confirmed that the information herein is doctrinally correct, but this website is not an official site of the church and I do not claim to represent the church in any way. I would request you follow the admonition of Paul to prove all things hold fast to that which is good.
What is Mormon Doctrine and how is it to be determined?
Mormon Newsroom - article 4 May 2007
Not every statement made by a Church leader, past or present, necessarily constitutes doctrine.
Some doctrines are more important than others and might be considered core doctrines.
The mistake that public commentators often make is taking an obscure teaching that is peripheral to the Church’s purpose and placing it at the very center.
Joseph Fielding Smith clarifies how members need to compare what church leaders teach to the standard works:
It makes no difference what is written or what anyone has said, if what has been said is in conflict with what the Lord has revealed, we can set it aside. My words, and the teachings of any other member of the Church, high or low, if they do not square with the revelations, we need not accept them. Let us have this matter clear. We have accepted the four standard works as the measuring yardsticks, or balances, by which we measure every man’s doctrine. You cannot accept the books written by the authorities of the Church as standards in doctrine, only in so far as they accord with the revealed word in the standard works.
Doctrines of Salvation, comp. Bruce R. McConkie, 3 vols., (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1954–56), 203.