D&C Section One

When the church was organized in 1830, Joseph Smith received Section 20 and this became known as the articles and covenants of the church. The missionaries would carry a copy of this with them on their mission to instruct new priesthood leaders and form new branches. By November of 1831, nearly 70 revelations had been given. The elders of the church voted to publish these and call them the Book of Commandments. The Lord gave Joseph a revelation that was to serve as a preface to the Book of Commandments and this is Section 1. It is the only section, except for Sections 133, 134, and 137, that is not in chronological order. Persecution prevented its publication when a mob stormed the printing press in Missouri and destroyed the type. This delayed publication until 1833. In 1835, after a large number of additional revelations had been received, an enlarged version was published as the Doctrine and Covenants.

Among the many important doctrines in this Section, I'll just summarize what I think are the main points. The Lord emphasizes that the commandments contained in this book are given so that his kingdom on earth can be established in preparation for his second coming. In verses 4 and 6, he states that missionaries, who he authorizes, will provide the voice of warning to all people. The Lord always uses missionaries to send his word forth. This voice of warning will go forth because as he says in verses 12-16, the world has become so deaf to spiritual things they will not listen to his voice, to his servants (missionaries) or his apostles and prophets. Christianity has so changed his ordinances and doctrines that religious thought is no longer based on his truth, but on each person's or church's interpretation. The most critical error lies in their conception of God, which has been replaced with materialism and idolatry.

Knowing the terrible consequences of this, the Lord has reestablished his kingdom on the earth, and in doing so, he has called a new prophet and bears testimony that this prophet is Joseph Smith. Then he lists several reasons in verses 19-30 why he's doing this. They are:

1. So that men won't have to trust only in the word of other men

2. So that men can authoritatively speak in the name of God

3. So that faith will increase

4. To establish his everlasting covenant or the gospel

5. So that the fulness of the gospel can preached to all people from the weakest to the kings of the earth

6. So that all people can come to an understanding of the truth

7. To correct errors

8. So that those that seek wisdom will get understanding

9. So that those who have sinned can repent

10. So the humble can provide the strength the earth needs and receive knowledge when it is given

11. And so that men will have power to bring forth new scripture, lay the foundation of the Lord's church, and bring it to prominence in the world.

In the last verses, the Lord challenges us to search these words for their truthfulness and bears testimony, that his words contained in these revelations are true. He then bears testimony of all his prophets in saying that whether his words are given "by mine own voice, or by the voice of my servants, it is the same." This is a powerful testimony that every seriously religious person should consider. Because if it is true, then we will be accountable for how we have treated those words.