The Doctrine and Covenants of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The Doctrine and Covenants of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Reviews

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  Yvonne

  I first read this all the way on my own my senior year of high school when we were studying it in seminary. The interesting thing about all the scriptures is that no matter which prophet is recording the history of God's people, or the revelations of God - when the Lord speaks, it is the same 'voice'. So to me, this book of scripture is strong evidence of Joseph Smith's divine calling as a prophet of God.
  To add to this testimony, my great-grandmother lived in Tasmania, Australia and was away at college when her mother started meeting with the LDS missionaries. As soon as my great-grandmother heard this, she took the train home as soon as she was able to talk her mother out of this 'Mormon nonsense' because they were good Methodists. To prove to her mother that Joseph Smith was a fraud, my great-grandmother actually read the Doctrine and Covenants so she could 'prove' to her mother that Joseph Smith just made it up. As I said before, they really were good Methodists were well acquainted with the Old and New Testament, so as she read the Doctrine & Covenants, she recognized that it was also scripture and that it's author, Joseph Smith, must be a true prophet just as the prophets of the Old and New Testament were.
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  Shiloah

  The knowledge, power, and spirit contained herein make me a better person each time I read this book.
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  Nancy

  December 10, 2021
  I got a lot more out of my reading/study this year than I have in the past. I think that using the Come Follow Me study guide and the Don't Miss This companion were helpful to me. Which is saying something since I have been rather resistant to the CFM guides.
  
  Other than the important guidance for a more faithful approach to life, the Doctrine and Covenants provides a snapshot of some troubling times in the United States. The atrocities that were allowed to be perpetrated on its citizens then have their counterparts in the atrocities we see today. That was an 'interesting' and heartbreaking aspect of reading this year, when the country has been in such turmoil.
  
  I'm am grateful for ongoing revelation and a living prophet today.
  
  October 24, 2009
  It seems odd to rate a set of scripture. We were reading this as a family to go along with the year's Sunday school study. I found it amazingly difficult at times to read out loud and other family members had the same problem. It just twisted my tongue up at times. The D&C has some great sections that I don't even remember reading before, even though I have read it all at one time or another. Section 134 on government seemed very important in today's climate. There are a few sections that I have to wonder why on earth they were included, but these things are for our good and must have some purpose.
  
  The differences between the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants simply in the writing are a kind of testimony of Joseph Smith.
• 
  Connie

  August 2015
  Of all the times I have read The Doctrine and Covenants I think this one meant the most to me. Over the past year I've heard a lot of criticism about this book and our early church leaders. As I read it again this year I went into it with different thoughts. Not negative but with more contemplation. I wanted to really understand the revelations and stories of this book. Maybe I am slow to recognize things but it hit me hard that these revelations came directly from the Savior. He was there with these imperfect men and women all along the way leading and guiding them, right there with them as they restored His church to the earth. When I highlight my scriptures I have different colors for different things. When the Savior is speaking I use yellow. My digital copy of Doctrine and Covenants is now covered in yellow. How did I miss that before?? I know with all my heart this book and the revelations contained in it are true and are from above.
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  Marissa

  I decided to read this book again, since it had been about 15 years. It was a great reminder to me of all the sacrifices Joseph Smith made... for us (everyone). He had such a great relationship with God, and though he wasn't perfect, he was close to it. His life is a testament that Jesus lives and restored the fullness of the gospel back in the 19th century. If it weren't true, there's no way Joseph would've gone through everything he did, put his family through everything they went through, maintained a positive attitude through it all, and then die a martyr. If you haven't read the Doctrine & Covenants lately, I highly recommend that you do.
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  Wayne Goodworth

  Perhaps one of my favorite aspects of reading the Doctrine and Covenants is the fact, that it is a book full of revelations. I believe that God reveals his will to people today, as he did in ages past. "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets" (Old Testament, Amos, Chapter 3:7). I believe that we should seek The Lord's will in our own lives, and I believe that he will guide and help us through personal revelation. One major reason I enjoy reading the revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants is because by reading revelations I better understand how The Lord speaks to us. I want to know and do God's will.
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  Michelegg

  I love the D&C. I find it very scary. But it teaches me so much. I always learn so much every time I read it. Joseph Smith was the most amazing man. I have a testimony of his prophecy. I know he received the writings in the D&C as revelation for our day. I need to do so much to be more spiritually prepared.
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  Diane Mueller

  I read this right after I had read the Book of Mormon for the first time. I didn't fully understand it at the time but as I continued to reread it through the years I have found scriptures that reach out and touch me.
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  B. D. Mann

  As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I consider the Doctrine and Covenants to be Scripture equal in stature to The Holy Bible, The Book of Mormon, and The Pearl of Great Price. Each book of Scripture testifies of Jesus Christ's dealings with the "Children of Men."
  
  The Old Testament tells of His dealings with those who lived from Adam and Eve down to the time Jesus Christ was born of Mary in Bethlehem. The New Testament speaks of Christ's birth and ministry in the Holy Land.
  
  The Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ, speaks of two separate migrations of people from the "Old World" to the "New World." It is a powerful witness of Jesus Christ and His dealings with those peoples. The Book of Mormon gives a detailed description of Jesus Christ to these people after his death and resurrection.
  
  Briefly, The Doctrine and Covenants records revelations from Jesus Christ to Joseph Smith, Junior, as He directed the establishment of His True Church in our day. It also records the visits of Moses, John the Baptist, Elijah, Peter, James, and John, each of whom restored Priesthood Keys necessary to officially restore the power and authority to establish The Church of Jesus Christ once again upon the earth.
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  Scott

  This is a very complicated book, that like Paul's epistles you need to take with a grain of salt. This is because so much of it was written for other people. However, their teachings can still be learned from. I will say that I enjoy that last thirty sections more than the earlier ones. They were more in depth and represented to me Joseph Smith's peak in spiritual growth. This is where the sublime truths of the gospel can overwhelm my understanding. I need to study these more with topic to topic rather than section by section.
  
  I took a class at BYU that made me memorize every section's topic. That was a lot of work, and I've forgotten it since then, but that class was very stimulating and made me appreciate the D&C more with appropriate background on who the people were and circumstances in each seciton after having memorized each section's topic.
  
  Next time I read it, I will use a guide to help me understand those involved.
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  Verona

  This book of scripture is more meaningful to me today than before because I appreciate the value of all scripture more as I get older. I especially liked reading it this year as I thought about the value of having a prophet that speaks to us as a people today in our lifetime, not just the ancient prophets. I really thought about what the prophet Joseph Smith and the early leaders went through to bring us these doctrines. Their life was hard and full of trials. I felt close to those courageous people who pioneered our church and paved the way for me and my family.l
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  Danny

  In some ways it takes more to believe in the words of a prophet in our time, as opposed to giving credence to the words of ancient prophets. I am so glad that I was introduced to the Doctrine and Covenants at a tender age when the idea of doubt had not yet been considered in my mind. I am grateful for the instruction and counsel in its pages and the small, but distinct characteristics and whisperings of phrases that speak truth to my heart and give me strength in hard times. It seems that hard times present themselves with more frequency these days. It's good to have something to hold on to.
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  Olivia

  I'm way behind on my goodreads. Tom and I finished reading this book of religious scripture with our kids several months ago as part of our home school. I love the strong, prophetic voice of Joseph Smith. It would be great to hear current day LDS apostles and prophets get up in conference and open talks in the same revelatory fashion as Joseph Smith. I don't think the same type of revelation is happening at the moment; life is way too easy! Just biding time....
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  David

  Found out that Presbyterians are the only religion mentioned specifically as being wrong! Cool. Also learned that protestant churches are "dead branches off a dead tree" and the R.C. Church is the "whore of the world" or some such nonsense.
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  Laura

  The Doctrine & Covenants is not as easy to read as the Book of Mormon, but I am finding so much more to it now that I'm using the book "Making Sense of the Doctrine & Covenants". I love church history & the people involved in helping Joseph Smith restore the gospel.
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  Deanna Sutter

  3/12: Finished reading as a family again.
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  Rebecca

  Some nice thoughts. I have always struggled to understand that role that it ultimately plays in the LDS faith. Is it just advice or is it gospel law?
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  Marilee

  On my quest to read all the standard works in one year. I just have the BoM left.
  
  Reread 8/26/17.
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  Emily

  This religious text has been my main source of spiritual study this year. Some verses have been answers to prayers and others have guided me to be more Christlike. The time I have spent reading and pondering over these words have fed my spirit and helped me to feel closer to Christ. Each time I read it, different scriptures stand out to me. Here are a few that stood out to me this year:
  
  -"Let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed." D&C 123:17
  
  -"For I am God, and mine arm is not shortened: and I will show miracles, signs, and wonders, unto all those who believe on my name." D&C 35:8
  
  -"If though shalt ask, thou shalt receive revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge, that thou mayest know the mysteries and peaceable things--that which bringeth joy, that which bringeth life eternal." D&C 42:61
  
  -"Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great." D&C 64:33
  
  -"And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith." D&C 88:118
  
  -"Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers." D&C 112:10
  
  -"I have looked upon thee and thy works. I have heard thy prayers, and prepared thee for a great work. Thou art blessed to do great things." D&C 35:3-4
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  SHERI HALE

  Gives a clearer understanding of commandments, church history, recognizing answers to prayer, etc.
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  Vivienne

  I loved studying the Doctrine and Covenants this year. I gained more from it than ever before. You can "hear" God's voice in these revelations. The truths therein will change your life.
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  Tanya Wadley

  This is a book of scripture revealed through the prophet called to restore the Church of Jesus Christ, Joseph Smith. The revelations are the words of Jesus Christ. In most case there is a background to each section and it is addressed to a particular individual, but many of the sections and verses have application to all of us. Like all books of holy scripture, this one has it's verses that might seem boring or not particularly relevant to us. But this has so many verses that are personally very relevant and inspiring. Here are a couple that I like to turn to:
  
  6:20 ...Be faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments of God, and I will encircle thee in the arms of my love."
  That is how I feel walking on the path of God... encircled in the arms of my Savior.
  
  D&C 19:23: Learn of me [Jesus Christ], and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me.
  Who doesn't need peace in Jesus?
  
  I could add many verses to this review and may do that when I read the entire book again. It's easy to overlook this gem of scripture as we often focus our daily scripture reading on the Holy Bible and The Book of Mormon.