Doctrine and Covenants: Explanatory Introduction and Section 1

Explanatory Introduction

Invite students to number the paragraphs in the Explanatory Introduction, with the Testimony of the Twelve Apostles as one paragraph. There should be 14 paragraphs when they are finished numbering. The following questions are answered by the paragraphs in the Explanatory Introduction:

Paragraph 1 – What is the Doctrine and Covenants and what is its purpose?

Paragraph 2 – Who received the revelations found in the Doctrine and Covenants?

Paragraph 3 – How is the Doctrine and Covenants different from the other standard works?

Paragraph 4 – Who was Joseph Smith, Jr.?

Paragraph 5 – What events lead to the restoration of the true Church of Jesus Christ?

Paragraph 6 – What circumstances brought about the revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants?

Paragraph 7 – What is the relationship between the revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants and other standard works?

Paragraph 8 – What makes the Doctrine and Covenants valuable to this generation?

Paragraph 9 – What other names did this collection of revelations have?

Paragraph 10 – What did the Twelve Apostles testify to and who were they?

Paragraph 11 – Has the Doctrine and Covenants always been as it was when it was first published?

Paragraph 12 – Why were the Lectures on Faith removed from the Doctrine and Covenants?

Paragraph 13 – What revelations are new to the Doctrine and Covenants in the 1981 edition?

Paragraph 14 – How is this edition of the Doctrine and Covenants different from all previous editions?

Invite students to either discover the answers to these questions are write questions that are answered by the Explanatory Introduction.

Doctrine and Covenants 1 – The Lord’s Preface

Refer students to the Chronological Order of Contents at the beginning of the Doctrine and Covenants. Have students locate the date and place of the writing of section 1. (See November 1831.) Invite students to read the section heading to Section 1 (the large italicized words) and discover the title associated with this section.

D&C 1:1-16 The Messengers and the Message

In these verses the Lord announces that messengers have been sent to the people of the world. Invite students to list the authority and power the Lord has given his messengers. According to verse 12-16, what is the message they will bring? Ask students what they can do to prepare for the coming of the Lord.

D&C 1:17-23 The Blessing of Commandments

Have students define the word “calamity” in verse 17. How are the conditions listed in verses 13-16 like a calamity? According to verses 17-23, what four things did the Lord do to overcome the calamity? What four things were accomplished because of the Lord’s intervention? How have you been blessed by these four things in your own life?

D&C 1:24-33 The Only True and Living Church

According to these verses, what power was given to those who obeyed the commandments that are revealed in the Doctrine and Covenants? What blessings come to those who obey those commandments today? According to verses 30-33, why is it important for members of this true and living church to repent? What happens to church members who do not repent? How has repentance been a blessing in your life?

D&C 1:34-39 Search These Commandments

Have students read these verses and list all the reasons the Lord gives for obeying the commandments found in the Doctrine and Covenants. What blessings come to those who are “his saints”? In many ways, peace has already been taken from the earth. How have you been able to have peace in your life despite the fact that “peace [has been] taken from the earth”?