D & C 1 - Preface to The Doctrine and Covenants

W. Cleon Skousen Insights

Revelation given on 11/01/1831 at a Church Conference, held in Hiram, Ohio

Historical Background: By the fall of 1831, Joseph and Emma were staying with the Johnson family in Hyrum, Ohio. Many revelations had already been received from the Lord through the prophet Joseph Smith yet time had not allowed for their copying and distribution. Missionaries urgently needed copies of these revelations to take on their missions. The Lord instructed the saints to procure a printing press for this purpose and required Joseph to do 2 things:

- First, he was directed to receive a revelation dictated by the Lord as a Preface to this compilation of revelations;

- Secondly, he was directed to gather an assembly of the saints to review and approve the compilation as a book of scripture, to be used to direct and govern the Lord's church.

At this conference of November 1, 1831, the Lord dictated Section 1 of this compilation, called the Book of Commandments and later changed to the Doctrine and Covenants.

Recap of D & C 1:

These revelations are a voice of warning from the Lord and will go out to all people to repent and prepare for the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. These proclamations will go to the ends of the earth by the weak and simple to kings and rulers. The Lord's only true and living church upon the face of the earth is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Therefore, search these revelations for whether spoken by the Lord or by His servants the prophets, it is the same. These prophecies and promises are declared by the Lord to be true and they will all be fulfilled.