Section 1 – The Doctrine and Covenants

Background: At this time Joseph Smith Jr. was residing at John and Elsa Johnson’s home. It was here that eleven revelations were given, (sections 1, 65, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80).

A conference of elders were gathered in John Johnson’s home, and were contemplating publishing a collection of Joseph Smith Jr.’s revelations. This collection would later become The Book of Commandments, and then later revised into the Doctrine and Covenants.

William E. McLellin, Sidney Rigdon, and Oliver Cowdery had been assigned to write the preface for this collection, but when they presented a draft to the conference of elders it was not well received. Many people petitioned Joseph Smith Jr. to write the preface. Between the morning and afternoon sessions Joseph Smith Jr. dictated a preface with Sidney Rigdon as his scribe, and this section is that preface.

The purpose of this section was to introduce the collection of revelations as a new book of scripture.

1

A. Listen, O people of My Restoration, both near and far, for I, the Almighty who dwells in Heaven and watches all, have a message for you.

B. Without exception, my message is for everyone. It will be seen, heard, and felt in the hearts of all.

C. Those who rebel against Me will be filled with great sorrow, because I will publicly expose their wrongdoings.

D. My disciples will be messengers to all people. They will go forth and no one will be able to stop them.

2

A. Listen carefully, for I consider this message authoritative for my followers. This document is to serve as the preface to the Book of Commandments, and I ask you to share it with the world.

B. What I have spoken will inevitably come to pass.

C. I want to make it clear that those who carry these messages to the people of earth are given the power to seal the fate of the unbelieving and rebellious, both on earth and in Heaven.

D. This sealed fate will last until I come to hold the wicked accountable.

E. The wicked shall be treated as they have treated their fellow beings.

3

A. My voice echoes across the vastness of the earth, reaching to its very ends, so that all who will listen may hear it.

B. Prepare yourselves, for the time when I will reveal My strength is nearly here.

C. The day is coming that those who reject My voice, My messengers, and My scriptures will find themselves separated from My community.

D. They have gone astray from my laws and have violated my eternal covenant have turned away from Me and do not intend to establish righteousness.

E. Each person walks their own unique path in life, and are guided by their individual conceptions of me. However, these conceptions, like all things in the world, are transient and will eventually fade away.

4

A. As I Divine, I foresaw humanity’s fate, and thus, from the Heavens, called upon Joseph Smith Jr.. I taught him, and directed him to give these teachings to everyone upon the earth.

B. All of this was done to fulfill ancient prophecies.

C. These writings said that the meek of the Earth will rise up and overthrow the powerful and dominant. They also spoke of how the people will not depend on the words of their peers, but will have the ability to speak in My name.

D. These things will come to pass so that the world will better trust Me and so I can firmly establish My eternal covenant.

E. I have been orchestrating these events so that even those who are weak and unassuming may deliver my message to the farthest corners of the world, even to the ears of kings and presidents.

5

A. As the Divine, I have declared that these events will come to pass. I have given these messages to my messengers during their moments of vulnerability, so they may comprehend them.

B. If they have made mistakes in conveying these messages, these errors will be brought to their attention. If they continue to seek wisdom, they will be given it.

C. Those who have made mistakes will be taught until they stop making them and instead seek to make amends for them. Those who are unable will be strengthened and receive blessings and knowledge from Heaven.

D. By my Divine power, Joseph Smith Jr. was granted the ability to write the Book of Mormon after receiving the Golden Plates.

E. Those who were given messages were also given the power to lay the foundation of the Restoration and to bring it out of obscurity and darkness. I am pleased with their work.

F. Those who seek forgiveness of their misdeeds will receive it.

G. Those who refuse to seek forgiveness will lose the light they have already been given, as my Spirit will not perpetually abide with humanity.

6

A. Once more, I want to emphasize that I reveal these truths to all of humanity, because I do not show favoritism.

B. Although the precise hour remains unknown, the time is coming that I will come to the Earth and the wicked will be held accountable.

C. I will have the respect of my people and will be with them as the wicked receive their reward.

7

Study these messages, for they contain truth. All the prophecies and promises contained within them will eventually come into fruition.

8

A. I stand by what I have said, and make no excuses.

B. Even if the Heavens and the Earth were to vanish, My messages will endure. These messages hold the same authority whether they come to you through My own voice or through one of my messengers.

C. I testify that these messages will endure for all eternity.