Doctrine and Covenants 71—Sections 1–12, 14–17

THE DOCTRINE AND

COVENANTS AND THE
FIRST VISION
L E S -

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
unique book of scripture, the Doc- the last dispensation. The Bible is loved and

A
trine and Covenants differs from accepted by the Saints as the word of the Lord,
all other scriptures in that it is not but it is not the only word. The Prophet Joseph
only the word of God to man, Smith wrote: “We are differently situated from
any other people that ever existed upon this
written for our day and time, but
earth. Consequently those former revelations
has also been recorded by proph-
cannot be suited to our condition, because they
ets of this dispensation. It contains the word and were given to other people who were before us;
will of the Lord for us in these last days. It includes but in these last days, God was to call a remnant,
many truths and doctrines not as completely re- in which was to be deliverance, as well as in
vealed in other scripture. This first lesson will help Jerusalem, and Zion. Now if God should give no
you learn some of these great truths, especially of more revelation, where will we find Zion and
one of the greatest visions given to man since the this remnant. He said that the time was near
coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh: the First Vision. when desolation was to cover the earth, and
then God would have a place of deliverance in

Lesson 1: The Doctrine and Covenants and the First Vision

his remnant, and in Zion, etc.” [“Kirtland Coun-
................................. cil Minute Book,” (Historical Department
Archives, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-
What You’ll Learn to Do day Saints, Salt Lake City, 43–44)]
.................................
1 Explain why the Doctrine and Cove- ............
nants is scripture for our day.
Nor did revelation cease when the mobs
2 Identify what revelation is, why it finally succeeded in killing the Prophet. The
comes, and to whom. mantle was passed on from man to man,
prophet to prophet, and is still borne today by a
3 List six different ways revelations
were received in the Doctrine and Cov- living prophet. With the transfer of the keys to
enants. each succeeding prophet came revelation. Presi-
dent Spencer W. Kimball testified: “There are
4 Discuss the nature of God and man as those who would assume that with the printing
learned from the First Vision. and binding of these sacred records, that would
The Doctrine and Covenants records many of be the ‘end of the prophets.’ But again we testify
the revelations given from the beginning of the to the world that revelation continues and that
the vaults and files of the Church contain these
Church.
revelations which come month to month and
From that spring day of 1820 until the bleak day to day” (Ensign, May 1977, 78). [Doctrine and
afternoon of 27 June 1844, revelation upon reve- Covenants Student Manual (Church Educational
lation flowed through the man chosen to open System manual, 1981), 1]

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 What is Revelation? • Scriptural explanations of passages in other
Doctrine and Covenants 71—Sections 1–12, 14–17
standard works (D&C 86)
As used in the gospel, “revelation signifies the • Prophetic predictions (D&C 87)
making known of divine truth by communica-
• Minutes of special Church meetings (D&C
tion from the heavens” (James E. Talmage, Arti-
102)
cles of Faith, 296–313). Revelation comes from
God to man in various appointed ways, accord- • Revelations presented to the Saints by letters
ing to the laws ordained by the Almighty. The (D&C 121, 122, 123, 128)
Lord appears personally to certain spiritually
receptive persons; he speaks audibly by his own • Historical account (D&C 135)
voice, on occasions, to those whose ears are • Official declarations (D&C 134, OD 1 and 2)
attuned to the divine wave length; angels are
sent from his presence to minister to deserving
individuals; dreams and visions come from him
to the faithful; he often speaks by the still small How We Got the Doctrine
voice, the voice of the Spirit, the voice of proph-
ecy and revelation; he reveals truth by means of and Covenants
the Urim and Thummim; and he gives his mind
and will to receptive mortals in whatever ways The first publication of the revelations was enti-
seem appropriate as circumstances require. tled the Articles and Covenants (see D&C 33:14). It
[Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. consisted only of Doctrine and Covenants 20 and
(1966), 643–44] 22.
The second major publication of the revela-
tions, the Book of Commandments, was published in
Zion (Independence, Missouri) (see D&C 1:6; D&C
Types of Revelations in the 67 heading; D&C 67:6). It consisted of 65 sections.
Doctrine and Covenants The third publication was called the Doctrine
and Covenants, published in 1835 in Kirtland, Ohio,
You can find many different types of revela- and consisted of 101 sections.
tions in the Doctrine and Covenants. The following In various editions of the publications of the
lists give examples of the different types of revela- revelations, the sections numbers have changed; so
tion: when we identify a revelation as having been re-
ceived we will identify this revelation by the cur-
rent section number. For example: “In answer to
How They Were Received these questions Doctrine and Covenants 66 was re-
ceived.” Of course we do not mean the Lord identi-
• Personal appearances by the Lord Jesus
Christ (D&C 110) fied the revelation as Doctrine and Covenants 66,
but we mean that this revelation was received and
• The voice of God (D&C 137) later became known as Doctrine and Covenants 66.
• Words spoken by heavenly messengers
(D&C 2, 13, 27)
Did You Grasp the Facts?
• Visions (D&C 76) ................................
The following are thought questions on the
• The Urim and Thummim (D&C 3) introduction and chronological order of
contents. Answer these questions and then
• Spiritual confirmations (D&C 8) check your answers in the Answer Key at the
back of this course manual. Do not submit your
• Translation (D&C 7) answers to Independent Study.

• Words spoken by prayer (D&C 65, 109) 1. Who received the revelations in our current
edition of the Doctrine and Covenants?
• Inspiration (most of the revelations in the
D&C)

Different Methods of Delivery 2. In what year were the revelations first pub-
lished under the title Doctrine and Cove-
• General revelations for members of the
nants?
Church and for the world (D&C 1)
• General revelations for the benefit of the
priesthood (D&C 42)
• Revelations given to individuals (D&C 4, 11, 3. In what year were the most revelations
and 25) received?
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 4. Where were the most revelations received? The Doctrine and Covenants is a glorious book

Doctrine and Covenants 71—Sections 1–12, 14–17

of scripture given directly to our generation. It
contains the will of the Lord for us in these last
days that precede the second coming of Christ. It
contains many truths and doctrines not fully
5. In what year and place was the last revela- revealed in other scripture. Like the Book of
tion received, and to whom was it given? Mormon, it will strengthen those who carefully
and prayerfully study from its pages. [Ezra Taft
Benson, Ensign, November 1986, 80]

6. What are the basic doctrines taught in the

Doctrine and Covenants? The First Vision
Although the First Vision is not part of the Doc-
trine and Covenants, it is a part of our study be-
The Capstone of Our cause it is the “bedrock theology” upon which the
Church is built. It is also the very first revelation in
Religion this dispensation. We cannot fully understand the
restoration of the gospel nor the subsequent revela-
President Ezra Taft Benson called the Doctrine tions received by the Prophet Joseph Smith with-
and Covenants the “capstone of our religion.” The out an understanding of this important revelation.
significance of a capstone is that is it the finishing Quoted below are four of our most recent prophets
stone of a structure; it is the crowning achievement and one member of the Twelve who have taught us
of an event. the importance of this vision.
The Doctrine and Covenants is the binding I thank my Father in Heaven for the testimony
link between the Book of Mormon and the con- I have of the reality of the First Vision. I have
tinuing work of the Restoration through the stood among the trees where Joseph knelt as a
Prophet Joseph Smith and his successors. boy, and heard the whisperings of the Spirit that
it happened as he said it happened. I have read
In the Doctrine and Covenants we learn of the words of critics, who from 1820 until now
temple work, eternal families, the degrees of have tried to destroy the validity of that account.
glory, Church organization, and many other They have made much of the fact that there were
great truths of the Restoration. . . . several versions and that the account as we now
The Book of Mormon brings men to Christ. have it was not written until 1838. So what? I
The Doctrine and Covenants brings men to find security for my faith in the simplicity of his

Lesson 1: The Doctrine and Covenants and the First Vision

Christ’s kingdom, even The Church of Jesus narrative, in its lack of argument, in its straight-
Christ of Latter-day Saints, “the only true and forward reasonableness, and in the fact that he
living church upon the face of the whole earth” sealed his testimony with his life’s blood. Could
([D&C 1] v. 30). I know that. there have been a stronger endorsement?

The Book of Mormon is the “keystone” of our Is it strange that James, writing anciently,
religion, and the Doctrine and Covenants is the would invite all who lacked wisdom to ask of
capstone, with continuing latter-day revelation. God in faith? (see James 1:5). Is it strange that
The Lord has placed His stamp of approval on such prayer would receive an answer? I thank
both the keystone and the capstone. [Ezra Taft the Lord for the faith to believe that the answer
Benson, Ensign, May 1987, 83] to that prayer came with a glorious manifesta-
tion of the Eternal Father and His Beloved Son,
to part the curtain after centuries of darkness
and open a new and promised and final dispen-
Scripture for Our Day sation of the gospel. Did it happen? I have no
doubt of it. Was it not time, as a great age of
enlightenment began to dawn upon the world,
As a unique book of scripture, the Doctrine and that these, the Father and the Son, should reveal
Covenants differs from all other scriptures in two themselves to show their form and power and
important ways. First, unlike other scriptures, this living reality, and thus declare, once and for all,
book was not translated from another language the true nature of Deity? [Gordon B. Hinckley,
into English. It has come to us in its purest form. Ensign, November 1993, 51]
Second, this book is not a closed volume, but an
open book of scripture to which revelations are ............
appended. The most recent revelation added was The first vision of the Prophet Joseph Smith
Official Declaration 2, which was received in 1978 is bedrock theology to the Church. The adver-
and published in the Doctrine and Covenants in sary knows this and has attacked Joseph Smith’s
1981. credibility from the day he announced the 9
Doctrine and Covenants 71—Sections 1–12, 14–17 visitation of the Father and the Son. You should 4. Was Joseph Smith’s encounter with Satan a
always bear testimony to the truth of the First mental or physical experience? Explain.
Vision. Joseph Smith did see the Father and the
Son. They conversed with him as he said they
did. Any leader who, without reservation, can-
not declare his testimony that God and Jesus
Christ appeared to Joseph Smith can never be a 5. What was the purpose of Joseph Smith’s
true leader, a true shepherd. If we do not accept prayer?
this truth—if we have not received a witness
about this great revelation—we cannot inspire
faith in those whom we lead. [Ezra Taft Benson,
Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson (1988), 101] 6. How does the Prophet Joseph Smith describe
............ the Father and the Son in this vision?
Joseph Smith’s first vision restored knowledge of
God. Of all the great events of the century, none
compared with the first vision of Joseph Smith.
[Spencer W. Kimball, The Teachings of Spencer W. 7. What do we learn from the First Vision?
Kimball (1982), 428]
............

The appearing of the Father and the Son to

Joseph Smith is the foundation of this Church. 8. Why do you think after the First Vision
Therein lies the secret of its strength and vitality. Joseph Smith had no strength?
This is true, and I bear witness to it. That one
revelation answers all the queries of science
regarding God and his divine personality. Don’t
you see what that means? What God is, is 9. What is the importance of the First Vision to
answered. His relation to his children is clear. the Church?
His interest in humanity through authority dele-
gated to man is apparent. The future of the work
is assured. These and other glorious truths are
clarified by that glorious first vision. [David O.
McKay, Gospel Ideals (1957), 85] Reading James 1:5 was a turning point in young
............
Joseph’s life. “It was like a light shining forth in a
dark place, to guide him to the path in which he
This vision was the most important event that should walk” (Dean C. Jessee, The Papers of Joseph
had taken place in all world history from the day Smith [1989], 1:390). As he knelt down he began to
of Christ’s ministry to the glorious hour when it
pour out his heart to God, but his tongue was
occurred. [Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine,
bound so that he could not speak (JS—H 1:15). But
285]
this plowboy prophet would not be deterred, so
the evil one used his ultimate weapon: an all-out
Did You Grasp the Facts? attack. Most of us cannot relate to this type of at-
................................ tack, but Jesus Christ (Matt. 4:5–10), Moses (Moses
The following are thought questions on JS—H 1:19–22), and others could because they also had
1:28. Answer these questions and then check
your answers in the Answer Key at the back of had similar experiences. In Joseph Smith’s case,
this course manual. Do not submit your answers Lucifer was determined to physically destroy him.
to Independent Study.
Here we learn a great principle on how to over-
1. Why was Joseph Smith “induced” to write come Satan’s wiles and temptation: Look to God in
this history? prayer and he will deliver us from the enemy
which binds us (JS—H 1:16). Truly, “In the First Vi-
sion, light released the boy Joseph from oppressive
darkness” (Ted E. Brewerton, Ensign, November
2. Which scripture prompted Joseph Smith to 1991, 11; or Conference Report, Oct. 1991, 12).
pray to the Lord concerning which of all the Once the darkness had disbursed, Joseph saw
churches was right? the Father and the Son, “whose brightness and
glory defy all description” (JS—H 1:17). Our Heav-
enly Father introduced our Lord and Savior with
the affectionate title, “My Beloved Son” and ad-
3. What was Joseph Smith’s reaction to this monished Joseph to “hear” Him. The Prophet was
scripture? informed that his sins were forgiven (D&C 20:5).
He was also informed that he should not join any
10 of the churches on the earth for “they were all
wrong.” When the vision ended Joseph experi- For more than a century and a half, enemies,

Doctrine and Covenants 71—Sections 1–12, 14–17

enced what many before him had experienced—he critics, and some would-be scholars have worn
had no strength. (See Moses [Moses 1:9–11]; Daniel out their lives trying to disprove the validity of
[Daniel 10:8]; Peter [Acts 10:10–11]; Paul [Acts 9:4; that vision. Of course they cannot understand it.
The things of God are understood by the Spirit
22:17-18]; Lehi [1 Ne. 1:7]; Nephi [1 Ne. 17:47;
of God. There had been nothing of comparable
19:20]; Alma [Mosiah 27:19]; Lamoni [Alma 18:42;
magnitude since the Son of God walked the
19:6]; and Ammon [Alma 19:14; 27:17].) earth in mortality. Without it as a foundation
President Gordon B. Hinckley has given us a stone for our faith and organization, we have
clear view of the place of the First Vision in the res- nothing. With it, we have everything. [Gordon B.
toration of the Gospel. Hinckley, Ensign, November 1984, 52]
This transcendent experience opened the mar-
velous work of restoration. It lifted the curtain
on the long-promised dispensation of the ful-
ness of times.

Lesson 1: The Doctrine and Covenants and the First Vision

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Doctrine and Covenants 71—Sections 1–12, 14–17

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