D&C 1:1-39
Doctrine & Covenants > Section 1
- Subpages: Verses 1-10, Verses 11-16, Verses 17-23, Verses 24-33, Verses 34-39
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Contents
Historical setting
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- Received: November 1, 1831 at Hiram, Ohio[1]
- First section in chronological order: D&C 2
- Prior section in chronological order: D&C 65
- Next section in chronological order: D&C 67
The immediate setting of D&C 1 was a conference at Hiram, Ohio attended by ten elders including Joseph Smith. The conference was held on November 1-2, 1831, a year and a half after the organization of the Church. The purpose of the conference was to make plans for publishing Joseph Smith’s revelations for the first time. The conference determined to print several thousand copies of the revelations in book form under the name Book of Commandments. D&C 1 was received on the first day of this conference.[2]
William McLellin later recalled that:
- A committee had been appointed to draft a preface [to the Book of Commandments], consisting of himself [William McLellin], [Oliver] Cowdery and [probably] Sidney Rigdon, but when they made their report the conference picked it all to pieces. The conference then requested Joseph to inquire of the Lord about it, and he said that he would if the people would bow in prayer with him. This they did, and Joseph prayed. When they arose, Joseph dictated by the Spirit the Preface found in the book of Doctrine & Covenants [D&C 1] while sitting by a window of the room in which the conference was sitting, and Sidney Rigdon wrote it down.[3]
In Revelation Book 1 the following explanation introduces D&C 1:
- A Preface or instructions upon the Book of Commandments which were given of the Lord unto his Church through him who he appointed to this work by the voice of his Saints through the prayer of faith.[4]
From this background we learn that D&C 1 is the Preface or Introduction to the Doctrine & Covenants, the book of the Lord’s commandments to the inhabitants of the earth. It is thus intended to orient the reader to the content and purpose of the entire Doctrine & Covenants.
For a brief overview of D&C 1 in historical relation to the rest of the Doctrine & Covenants, see D&C: Historical Overview. For lengthier discussions of the historical setting, see Historical Context of the Doctrine & Covenants, chapter 9 or Church History in the Fulness of Times, chapter 10.
Summary
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D&C 1 is addressed to "ye people of my church" and to "all men" as the Lord's Preface to the Book of his Commandments published to the "inhabitants of the earth" (D&C 1:-2, 6, 11, 34)
D&C 1 can be outlined as follows (items in blue or purple text indicate hyperlinked pages that address specific portions of this section):
D&C 1 is the preface or introduction to the Doctrine & Covenants. Section 1 opens and closes with statements that the Lord’s word is unstoppable; it will go forth and it will be fulfilled, whether spoken by himself or his servants. In between these two statements, the Lord gives three lists: (1) reasons why the Lord's anger is kindled against the world, (2) reasons why the Lord's servants are to preach these commandments to the world, and (3) reasons why these commandments have been given to his servants.
The major units of D&C 1 are discussed in more detail on the following subpages: Verses 1-10, Verses 11-16, Verses 17-23, Verses 24-33, Verses 34-39
Discussion
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Points to ponder
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I have a question
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Relation to other scriptures
This heading is for notes about the relationship of this section to other sections and passages. Click the link above and to the right to edit or add content to this heading. →
Related sections and chapters
- D&C 1 was immediately followed by D&C 67 and D&C 68. These three sections comprise a group that were all received during the first conference called to consider publishing Joseph Smith's revelations. These sections address the content and truthfulness of the revelations contained in the Doctrine & Covenants. In contrast, D&C 69 and D&C 70, which were received at another conference later that month, address the mechanics of getting the revelations published.
- D&C 1 was followed two days later by D&C 133. These two sections are the bookends of the Doctrine & Covenants. D&C 1 appears at the beginning as a Preface, while D&C 133 was placed at the end as an Appendix. Both sections quote many of the same Bible passages.
Parallel passages
- There are many parallel passages in D&C 1, so they are listed on the subpages for this section.
Text transmission and circulation
This heading is for notes about the history of the text and when it became widely known to the general church membership. Click the link above and to the right to edit or add content to this heading.
- D&C 1 was written down by Sidney Rigdon as it was received during a conference on November 1, 1831. The oldest surviving copy is the one copied by John Whitmer into Revelation Book 1, p. 125-27 soon after its receipt.
- D&C 1 was first published and first received widespread circulation in the March 1833 issue (p. 78) of The Evening and the Morning Star newspaper printed by William Phelps in Jackson County, Missouri.[5]
- D&C 1 was first included in the Doctrine & Covenants as Chapter 1 in the 1833 Book of Commandments, which was also printed by William Phelps during 1833.
- The text of D&C 1 in significant editions of the Doctrine & Covenants can be found at:
Complete outline and page map
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A. Lord’s word will go forth and be fulfilled (1-10)
- • Lord's voice will go to all, there is none that shall not hear (1-2)
- • the rebellious will be sorrowful for iniquities will become public (3)
- • Lord's servants are his voice, so none shall stay them (4-6a)
- • this same authority applies to Book of Commandments, so all shall be fulfilled (6b-7)
- • Lord's servants have been given power to seal up the wicked unto Second Coming (8-10)
- B. Lord's anger is kindled against the world and wicked will be cut off (11-16)
- • Lord warns those who will hear to prepare because his anger is kindled against the world (11-13)
- • those who will not hear the Lord's voice will be cut off because they: (14)
- • have strayed from his ordinances;
- • have broken his covenant; and
- • seek after idols that will perish when Babylon falls (15-16)
- B. Lord's servants to preach these commandments to the world (17-23)
- • Lord commands his servants to proclaim these things to the world (17-18a)
- • so the weak might break down the strong so that: (18b-19)
- • every man might speak in name of Lord rather than counseled by neighbor;
- • faith might increase rather than trusting in the arm of flesh; and
- • Lord's covenant might be established (19-22)
- B. Lord gave these commandments to his servants (24-33)
- • Lord gave these commandments to his servants (24)
- • so they might come to understanding so that:
- • his servants might be instructed, corrected, chastened, and strengthened;
- • Joseph Smith might translate the Book of Mormon; and
- • his servants might have power to lay the foundation of the Church (25-30)
- • but light will be taken from those who repent not (31-33)
A. Lord’s word will be fulfilled (34-39)
- • Lord speaks to entire earth and is willing that all should know these things (34-35a)
- • the hour is nigh that peace taken from earth and Lord will return in judgment (35b-36)
- • search these commandments, for all shall be fulfilled (37)
- • whether by Lord's own voice or servants, it is the same (38)
- • the Holy Ghost bears record of these truths (39)
Resources
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Notes
Footnotes are not required but are encouraged for factual assertions that average readers cannot easily evaluate for themselves, such as the date of King Solomon’s death or the nuanced definition of a Greek word. In contrast, insights rarely benefit from footnoting, and the focus of this page should always remain on the scriptures themselves rather than what someone has said about them. Links are actively encouraged on all sections of this page, and links to authoritative sources are preferable to footnotes.
- ↑ Revelation Book 1, p.125
- ↑ Minute Book 2 (1 Nov 1831), p.15-16
- ↑ Kelly, William H. Interview with William McLellin, 13 September 1881. In “Letter from Elder W.H. Kelly.” In The Saints’ Herald (1 March 1882) Vol. 29 / No. 5, p.66-68. Plano, Illinois, Lamoni, Iowa and Independence, Missouri: Reorganized Church of Latter-day Saints (now Community of Christ), 1860-present.
- ↑ Revelation Book 1, p.125
- ↑ "Revelations." In The Evening and the Morning Star, original series (March 1833) Vol. 1 / No. 10, p. 78. Independence, Missouri: W.W. Phelps & Co., 1832-1833.
