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The Doctrine and Covenants Should Be the Foundation of the Teachings and Commandments of the Church

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The Doctrine and Covenants Should Be the Foundation of the Teachings and Commandments of the Church The Doctrine and Covenants Should be the Foundation of the Teachings and Commandments of the Church Index The Doctrine and Covenants is the Word and Voice of God Listen to the Words of Jesus Christ The Doctrine and Covenants Testifies of the Mission of Jesus Christ The Doctrine and Covenants is Authoritative and Binding upon all people All the Prophecies and Promises in the Doctrine and Covenants will be fulfilled Revelations given to Individuals are made applicable to each member The Doctrine and Covenants is to be taught to all People What is accomplished by teaching from the Doctrine and Covenants? The Doctrine and Covenants is to provide Understanding and Correction The Saints Prevail as they obey the Teachings of the Doctrine and Covenants How a person can know the Doctrine and Covenants is a True Record? The Doctrine and Covenants contains the Law of the Church The Doctrine and Covenants Contains the Law which is to govern the Church The Church is to obey the Law of God given in the Doctrine and Covenants Rely upon the Written Word of the Scriptures The Importance of Scripture The Scriptures take Precedence over other Writings The Word of God is Quick and powerful sharper than a two edged sword Comparison between the ‘Doctrine and Covenants’ and the ‘Law of Moses’ Ancient Israel and their Obedience to the Law of Moses The Prophet Joseph Smith is the Head of this Dispensation The Importance of Truth Page - 1 - Truth is Light and comes from Jesus Christ Each individual is responsible for the way he respects the Truth Each individual can know the Truth and gain increased knowledge and Light Why people turn away from the Truth The Importance in having Error in Doctrine Corrected There should be willingness to Reason and Explain There should be Unity in Doctrine It is Important to have Faith and Confidence that those in Leadership teach the Truth What does the Doctrines and Covenants Teach on how Difficult Questions about Church Doctrine and Practice can be resolved? The High Council of the Seat of the First Presidency of the Church Scriptures and Quotes Used in this Study Page - 2 - The Doctrine and Covenants is the Word and Voice of God The Doctrine and Covenants is the Word and Voice of God to the people of this generation. It contains the covenant of God to modern Israel. In the introduction to the Doctrine and Covenants it states that the divine revelations and inspired declarations “contain an invitation to all people everywhere to hear the voice of the Lord Jesus Christ, speaking to them for their temporal well- being and their everlasting salvation.” It further states: “In the revelations one hears the tender but firm voice of the Lord Jesus Christ, speaking anew in the dispensation of the fulness of times; and the work that is initiated herein is preparatory to His Second Coming, in fulfilment of and in concert with the words of all the Holy Prophets since the world began.” President Joseph Fielding Smith observed concerning Section 1 the preface to the book: “The Doctrine and Covenants is distinctively peculiar and interesting to all who believe in it that it is the only book in existence which bears the honour of a preface given by the Lord himself……It is not written by Joseph Smith, but was dictated by Jesus Christ, and contains His and His Father’s word to the church and to all the world……..” Church History and Modern Revelation 1:252 There are many scriptures in the Doctrine and Covenants that bear witness that these revelations are indeed the words of Jesus Christ to His Chosen prophet. The Doctrine and Covenants should be the foundation of the teachings and commandments of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The Doctrine and Covenants contains the light of truth from Jesus Christ and contains the Law of God so righteousness through obedience to that law can be lived. In other words Truth and Righteousness are enabled. Listen to the Words of Jesus Christ D&C 18:34-36: “These words are not of men nor of man, but of me; wherefore, you shall testify they are of me and not of man; for it is my voice which speaketh them unto you; for they are given by my Spirit unto you, and by my power you can read them one to another; and save it were by my power you could not have them; wherefore, you can testify that you have heard my voice, and my words.” D&C 27:1: “Listen to the voice of Jesus Christ, your Lord, your God, and your Redeemer, whose word is quick and powerful. For behold I say unto you......” D&C 29:1: “Listen to the voice of Jesus Christ, your Redeemer, the Great I Am, whose arm of mercy hath atoned for your sins.” D&C 31:13: “These words are not of man nor of men, but of me, even Jesus Christ your Redeemer by the will of the Father. Amen.” D&C 35:1: “Listen to the voice of the Lord your God, even Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, whose course is one eternal round, the same today as yesterday, and forever.” D&C 39:1-2: “Hearken and listen to the voice of Him who is from eternity to all eternity, the Great I Am, even Jesus Christ-The Light and Life of the world…” Page - 3 - D&C 43:34: “Hearken ye to these words, Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world. Treasure these things up in your hearts, and let the solemnities of eternity rest upon your minds.” D&C 50:1: “Hearken, O ye elders of my church, and give ear to the voice of the living God; and attend to the words of wisdom which shall be given unto you, according as ye have asked…” D&C 61:1-2: “Behold, and hearken unto the voice of Him who has all power, who is from Everlasting to Everlasting, even Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. Behold verily thus saith the Lord unto you, O ye elders of my church….” D&C 63:1: “Hearken, O ye people, and open your hearts and give ear from afar; and listen, you that call yourselves the people of the Lord, and hear the Word of the Lord and His will….” D&C 84:60: “Verily verily, I say unto you who now hear my words, which are my voice, blessed are ye inasmuch as you receive these things.” D&C 133:16: “Hearken and hear, O ye inhabitants of the earth. Listen, ye elders of my church together, and hear the voice of the Lord….” The Doctrine and Covenants Testifies of the Mission of Jesus Christ In the introduction to the Doctrine and Covenants is recorded the following statement: “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.” Throughout the Doctrine and Covenants the resplendent testimony of the Glory, Power, Majesty, Might, Dominion, Justice, Mercy, and Love of the Lord Jesus Christ is given. A great portion of the book bears constant testimony to the fulness and perfection of the Mighty God of Jacob. Following are just a few passages of the many scriptures that bear testimony of the Saviour and His mission: D&C 76:20-24: “And we beheld the Glory of the Son, on the right hand of the Father, and received of His Fulness; and saw the Holy Angels, and them who are sanctified before His throne, worshiping God, and the Lamb, who worship Him forever and ever. And after the many testimonies which have been given of Him, this is the testimony last of all, which we give of Him: That He lives! For we saw Him even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that He is the Only Begotten of the Father; that by Him, and through Him. And of Him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God.” D&C 76:40-43: “And this is the gospel, the glad tidings, which the voice out of the heavens, bore record unto us; that He came into the world, even Jesus, to be crucified for the world, and to bear the sins of the world, and to sanctify the world, and to cleanse it from all unrighteousness; that through Him all might be saved whom the Father had put into His power and made by Him. Who glorifies the Father, and saves all the works of His hands…” D&C 110:1-4: “The veil was taken from our minds, and the eyes of our understanding were opened. We saw the Lord standing upon the breastwork of the pulpit, before us; and under His feet was a paved work of pure gold, in colour like amber. His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of His head was white like the pure snow; His countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and Page - 4 - His voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying: I am the First and the Last; I am He who liveth, I am He who was the slain; I am your advocate with the Father.” D&C 45:1-5: “Hearken, O ye people of my Church, to whom the Kingdom has been given; hearken ye and give ear to Him who laid the foundations of the earth, who made the Heavens and all the hosts thereof, and by whom all things were made which live, and move, and have a being.
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