The Purpose
To introduce ourselves to this year’s study of the Doctrine and Covenants and Church history and to better understand our place in the dispensation of the fulness of times.
Scriptures
Explanatory Introduction to the Doctrine and Covenants
Doctrine and Covenants 1
Introduction to Our Heritage
Scripture Chain
D&C 1:37–39
D&C 84:60
D&C 18:33–36
D&C 88:66
Lesson Resources
Student Manual Link
Teacher's Manual Link
Brother Beardall's Gospel Doctrine Outlines
BYU Studies Series
James E. Neumann Institute
LDS Living
Meridian Magazine Link
Meridian Magazine Link 2
Doctrine and Covenants Resources
Seminary Manual Link
Institute Manual Link
Audio Doctrine & Covenants Downloads
BYU D&C Series
Our Heritage: A Brief History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Supplemental Info on the Doctrine and Covenants (Neumann)
11 comments:
I loved this thought by Wilford Woodruff on the D&C, "I consider that the Doctrine and Covenants, our testament, contains a code of the most solemn, the most godlike proclamations ever made to the human family." (Elder Wilford Woodruff, J.D., Vol. 22, p. 147).
I loved the thought that the D&C is "OUR Testament." Brother Gibbons pointed this out in his article at LDS Living. We have the Old Testament, the New Testament, Another Testament and OUR Testament. What a great thought about the Doctrine and Covenants.
One thing that really struck me this week was verse 16:
"Every man walketh in his own way, and after the image of his own god, whose image is in the likeness of the world, and whose substance is that of an idol... even Babylon the great, which shall fall."
I have SO much lately thought about the importance of keeping Christ as our focus and keeping our focus away from the world. I just think so much of Elder Stone's talk, "Zion in the Midst of Babylon."
Also, a note about Section 1. From an Ensign article, Jan. 1991:
"In the Lord’s preface to his revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants, He warned: “The day speedily cometh; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand, when peace shall be taken from the earth, and the devil shall have power over his dominion” (D&C 1:35).
Today—some 160 years after this revelation was given—we see the fulfillment of this prediction. Satan, in undiminished fury, is displaying power over “his own dominion”—the earth. Never has his influence been so great, and only those who have taken the Holy Spirit as their guide and followed counsel from priesthood leaders will be spared from the havoc of his evil influence." - President Benson
All week I have had the concept of the D&C being OUR testament. I looked up testament in the Bible Dictionary and it says this:
See Covenant
That's it. We truly are the Lord's Covenant people and these are his words for us - today. Not that it does away with all of the other scripture, but it certainly does enhance it and make it our own.
OH, and this is what it says under Covenant:
Sometimes denotes an agreement between persons (1 Sam. 23: 18) or nations (1 Sam. 11: 1); more often between God and man; but in this latter case it is important to notice that the two parties to the agreement do not stand in the relation of independent and equal contractors. God in his good pleasure fixes the terms, which man accepts. The same word is sometimes rendered “testament.”
The gospel is so arranged that principles and ordinances are received by covenant placing the recipient under strong obligation and responsibility to honor the commitment. Thus the severe consequences to Ananias and Sapphira, who deliberately broke their covenant and lied unto God (Acts 5: 1-11).
I love the concept of the Doctrine & Covenants being OUR testament. What I have been thinking about is that most of the revelations that the Prophet Joseph Smith and others received were a result of questions being asked. The questions on their minds then lead them to seek answers through prayer. I know we too need to follow the pattern to search the scriptures and to take the questions of our hearts to the Lord as we kneel in prayer. We too can and will recieve personal revelation.
lorig
I can't get this statement from the introduction out of my head. "Finally, the testimony that is given of Jesus Christ—his divinity, his majesty, his perfection, his love, and his redeeming power—makes this book of great value to the human family and of more worth than the riches of the whole earth." I do take so much for granted. How blessed I am to live at this time on the earth and to have the resources that are available to me to help me with my mission here on earth!
lorig
I missed the first lesson as I was traveling yesterday. When I got my sub I told her she could just do fill in stuff so I could teach the first lesson, but I also didn't want to get off track. I am excited to be studying the Doctrine and Covenants. Thanks for posting the idea that this is OUR Testament. I know that I take the Doctrine and Covenants for granted. so, I am grateful that we have this opportunity to give it an indepth study.
verily
On thing that stuck out to me yesterday was when we looked up in the Bible Dictionary about dispensations.
I liked what it said here:
"Paul writes of “the dispensation of the fullness of times” in which the Lord will “gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth” (Eph. 1: 10). The fullness of times is the final dispensation, and began with the revelation of the gospel to Joseph Smith. It is a dispensation of restoration and of fulfillment of the Lord’s plans and purposes since the world began. There are also things reserved for the fulness of times that have not been revealed previously (D&C 121: 26-32; D&C 124: 41). It is a glorious time, the time in which we live today (see Acts 3: 19-21; D&C 27: 13; D&C 110: 11-16; D&C 112: 14-32; D&C 128: 18-21; D&C 136: 37-40). "
ctr2002
Hello, to all! So excited to be here and see what is happening with you all! I am going to try hard to stay with this thread so that I may better understand 'our testament'. In class Sunday, our teacher pointed out that the word
'hearken' is repeated 90 times! What does that tell us?
scarlett1
tells me I should hearken more... :) :P
ctr2002
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