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TO THE DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS · 2020. 7. 12. · DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS. Class developed by Gary...
Transcript of TO THE DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS · 2020. 7. 12. · DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS. Class developed by Gary...
Lesson 1IntroductionAN INTRODUCTION
TO THE DOCTRINE AND
COVENANTS
Class developed by Gary R. Whiting2014, updated 2020
INTRODUCTION TO THE CLASS
Series of lessons to introduce the Doctrine and CovenantsHistory and developmentPurposeAuthorityContentRelationship to other Christians and Restoration believers
Not primarily a commentary on the D&C
INTRODUCTION TO THE D&C
Lesson 1 IntroductionLesson 2 Its History and PrintingLesson 3 Authority and PurposeLesson 4 Its AudienceLesson 5 The ProphetsLesson 6 Common ConsentLesson 7 Revelation
INTRODUCTION TO THE D&C
Lesson 8 The GospelLesson 9 Everlasting CovenantsLesson 10 Judgment and RewardLesson 11 Jesus ChristLesson 12 ZionLesson 13 StewardshipLesson 14 PriesthoodLesson 15 Last Days
INTRODUCTION TO THE D&C
Lesson 16 PrayerLesson 17 PreachingLesson 18 Holy Spirit and Spiritual GiftsLesson 19 ScriptureLesson 20 Church GovernmentLesson 21 Restoration of IsraelLesson 22 The Book of MormonLesson 23 Bible and Inspired Translation
INTRODUCTION TO THE D&C
Lesson 24 The Lectures on FaithLesson 25 The Principle of InheritanceLesson 26 Secret CombinationsLesson 27 The Lectures on FaithLesson 28 Use in Other Restoration Churches and GroupsLesson 29 Using the Doctrine and Covenants Today
INTRODUCTION TO THE D&C
LESSON 1
First vision was the prototype of continuing revelation.Faith in the word of God led Joseph
Smith Jr. to the grove Faith grows out of the word of God Faith is dependent on the word of God
Joseph asked the Lord for wisdom and received an answer
INTRODUCTION TO THE D&C
INTRODUCTION TO THE D&C
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him (James 1:5).
The young prophet continued to petition heaven for guidanceOthers asked for help from heavenOliver Cowdery in D&C 6Hyrum Smith in D&C 10
The church needed guidance in matters of conduct and doctrineD&C 17 Articles and Covenants of the churchD&C 20 Baptism
God gave the church instructionD&C 37 Move to Kirtland
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People wanted access to the revelationsThe church was growingBranches and priesthood
needed to know what the Lord had said to the churchA book of the revelations was
eventually produced
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INTRODUCTION TO THE D&C
INTRODUCTION TO THE D&C
INTRODUCTION TO THE D&C
Post – Smith era leaders of the Community of Christ
Community of Christ has added revelations after the split in the churchMost Restorationists agree with using the revelations in the D&C
through Section 144Through the end of Israel A. Smith’s ministryNo additional revelations that are agreed upon.
What about 145 and forward for Restorationists?
INTRODUCTION TO THE D&C
INTRODUCTION TO THE D&C
God has spoken in all ages,Giving light and truth to men;If our minds are tuned to hear him,Shall he not speak now as then?Of those words shall give his children,And his Scriptures still increase
by Evan A. Fry
Why continuing revelation?God spoke to AdamThe word to Adam was not
wholly sufficient for Abram.Abram’s instructions were not
sufficient for Moses.Why should we not expect to
hear God’s word in our day?
INTRODUCTION TO THE D&C
Nephi makes a good argument for continuing revelation.2 Nephi 12:36-38 adapted from
Isaiah 28:9-10.The Lord teaches by precept
upon precept, line upon line and a little here and a little there.Nephi uses this to defend the
book he is writing.
INTRODUCTION TO THE D&C
Living as a Christian without the fresh and living word of God is like asking a person to navigate with a compass whose needle only points in one direction.Trying to get from San
Francisco to Kansas City with directions for leaving from Miami.
INTRODUCTION TO THE D&C
INTRODUCTION TO THE D&C
God seeks to make himself known to men. Indeed, we would never truly know him if he had not taken the initiative to reveal himself to us. Between “In the beginning God” with which the Bible begins, and “I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end” with which it concludes a long history of God's dealings with men, the initiative is always with him. Nowhere in the Scriptures do we find men arriving at the fullness of the truth about God by themselves. On the contrary, all the spiritual giants we come to know in the Scriptures have a sense of having been guided into understanding. Man after man comes before us with an unshakable inner conviction that he has been sought out and found by God. Everywhere it is God who is the great Doer. Men are but receivers (F. Henry Edwards).
Prophet to D&C: How? Inspiration receivedPresented to the quorums of priesthoodPresented to the Conference If accepted, added to the D&C
INTRODUCTION TO THE D&C
INTRODUCTION TO THE D&C
The members of the church have been encouraged to seek evidence of the divinity for that which is given to us as the word of the Lord. Isaiah (8:20) gave us the consistency test: "To the law and the testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." Truth is never at variance with other truths. The examination given by the quorums of the church, when a message is received, is primarily to apply this consistency test. It is also to seek for personal testimony that the Lord has spoken (Chris Hartshorn).
Canonauthoritative list of books accepted as Holy
Scripturean accepted principle or rule; a body of
principles, rules, standards, or norms
An open canonProtestant-Evangelicals believe the canon is
closed.
The originals were given in the native language of the recipients For our understanding
INTRODUCTION TO THE D&C
Section 76 – Revelation book
INTRODUCTION TO THE D&C
The revelations of the Restoration stand as the perfect evidence that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. All who believe that he spoke anciently are bound to believe that he speaks in our day, for such was the promise of the ancient prophets. All who have come to know that he speaks with authority today know in tern that he spoke to his chosen people anciently (Revelations of the Restoration).
We expect to receive light and truth from heaven to lead us as we journey to Zion.The Doctrine and Covenants is part of our pillar of smoke by day
and fire by night.We believe in an open canon of scripture because we believe the
words spoken by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount.
INTRODUCTION TO THE D&C
INTRODUCTION TO THE D&C
Say unto them, Ask of God; ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and unto him that knocketh, it shall be opened (Matthew 7:12-13).
Questions for Review
INTRODUCTIONTO THE
DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS
1. Why is the book of revelations named the Doctrine and Covenants?2. What is the purpose of revelation in the life of a disciple of
Christ? In the life of the church?3. Define the term “canon.”4. Why do we say that we have an open canon of scripture? Why
does that matter?5. Describe the process by which a new revelation is added to
the Doctrine and Covenants?
INTRODUCTION TO THE D&C
6. What is the function of the priesthood quorums in the process of selecting revelations to be added to the D&C?7. Why is the church (General Conference) allowed to vote on the
revelations to be added to the D&C?8. How many sections of the Reorganized D&C are generally
accepted by Restorationists? Why do they make that cutoff?
INTRODUCTION TO THE D&C
9. Sally, a Bible believing Christian, challenges your position on an open canon of scripture. How would you respond to her?10. Name at least three ways that the D&C is unique compared to
the other scriptures of the Restoration?
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