Beliefs
| Scriptures | Bible | Book of Mormon
| Doctrine & Covenants
Doctrine
and Covenants
The Doctrine and Covenants is a compilation
of documents that the church accepts as representing "the mind and will of
God" and as a standard of church law and practice. In it are contained
descriptions of the various priesthood
offices and the methods for administering the ordinances of the church. The documents date back to 1828
and cover the period from then until the present.
With only a few exceptions, each section of
the book was authored by one of the presidents of the church. One of the
functions of the president is to present in written form what he considers to
be God's will for the church. The documents are presented to the various
councils and quorums of the church and to the World Conference (a meeting with
a body of delegates sent from congregations all over the world) for their
consideration. After a formal vote of the Conference, sections are printed as
additional sections to the Doctrine and Covenants.
The various sections of the Doctrine and
Covenants include several different kinds of material. The early sections of
the book, presented by Joseph Smith, Jr., contain much personal instruction
directed to individuals who were prominent in the church at the time. These
same sections also include details of church government and organization. Other
matters of major significance in these sections include the topics of Zion and Stewardship. Most sections added after 1860 by successors to
Joseph Smith, Jr. have been presented in answer to specific concerns.
The Doctrine and Covenants, like the Bible
and Book of Mormon, affirms Jesus Christ as the cornerstone of the church, the
Only Begotten Son of God, our Savior, and the central element of the Gospel.
The joint witness of all three books is that God is unchanging and has been
actively engaged and involved in Human History throughout the ages, and still
reveals Himself today to mankind. All three books affirm that God has an
eternal purpose for all of us and will not abandon His creation. In fact, God
so loves the world that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth
on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life!
For an on-line version of the Doctrine and
Covenants, go to Scripture
Search.
Beliefs
| Scriptures | Bible | Book of Mormon
| Doctrine & Covenants