Joseph Smith Jr. Era

The Joseph Smith Jr. Era Doctrine and Covenants contains foundational revelations that shaped early Community of Christ beliefs. Covering theology, church organization, and spiritual guidance, these sections reflect the challenges and hopes of a growing movement in the 19th century.

Section 41 (Community of Christ)

Reading Time: 2 minutesRevelation given through Joseph Smith, Jr., February 4, 1831. This was the first revelation received in Kirtland, Ohio, Joseph having arrived shortly before this time. It should be noted that while the revelation is addressed to the whole church, special responsibilities are placed on the elders in connection with the administration of church affairs. 1…

Section 42 (Community of Christ)

Reading Time: 10 minutesRevelation given through Joseph Smith, Jr., and addressed to the elders of the church. It was given February 9, 1831, in the presence of twelve elders who had assembled at Kirtland, Ohio, in harmony with instruction given them in an earlier revelation (D. and C. 41:1b). In the 1835 edition of the Doctrine and Covenants…

Section 43 (Community of Christ)

Reading Time: 5 minutesRevelation given through Joseph Smith, Jr., February 1831 at Kirtland, Ohio. It is addressed to the elders of the church, and contains directions sought by Joseph for the guidance of some who had been misled by a Mrs. Hubble, who claimed to have received “revelations” concerning the government of the church. A similar difficulty had…

Section 44 (Community of Christ)

Reading Time: < 1 minuteRevelation given through Joseph Smith, Jr., at Kirtland, Ohio, February 1831. Two urgent problems prompted the prayers which led to this revelation: the need for enough members to enable the Saints to organize for their work and the economic situation in Kirtland. The poor were in great distress. 1 A. Behold, thus saith the Lord…

Section 45 (Community of Christ)

Reading Time: 8 minutesRevelation given through Joseph Smith, Jr., March 7, 1831, at Kirtland, Ohio. In connection with this manifestation Joseph wrote: “To the joy of the Saints who had to struggle against everything that prejudice and wickedness could invent, I received the following”: 1 A. Hearken, O ye people of my church, to whom the kingdom has…

Section 46 (Community of Christ)

Reading Time: 4 minutesRevelation addressed to the church, given through Joseph Smith, Jr., March 8, 1831, at Kirtland, Ohio. This instruction was very important in setting the patterns of public worship in the church, especially in regard to the Sacrament services and the exercise of the spiritual gifts. It was greatly needed, since converts came into the church…

Section 47 (Community of Christ)

Reading Time: < 1 minuteRevelation given through Joseph Smith, Jr., March 8, 1831, at Kirtland, Ohio, and addressed to John Whitmer. Oliver Cowdery’s departure upon the mission to the West had left Joseph without a scribe who could keep an official record of the church’s history. John Whitmer, who was now called to this responsibility, wrote only eighty-five pages….

Section 48 (Community of Christ)

Reading Time: 2 minutesRevelation given through Joseph Smith, Jr., March 8, 1831, at Kirtland, Ohio. This is addressed to the Saints in Kirtland who needed guidance concerning the manner of locating members of the church arriving from the East (D. and C. 45:12). They were uncertain about the advisability of purchasing land in view of the projected move…

Section 49 (Community of Christ)

Reading Time: 4 minutesRevelation given through Joseph Smith, Jr., March 1831, at Kirtland, Ohio, addressed to Sidney Rigdon, Parley P. Pratt, and Lemon Copley. These elders were sent on a mission to the Shakers. Copley had been a member of the Society of Shakers but had recently joined the church. The revelation sets forth the major teachings of…

Section 50 (Community of Christ)

Reading Time: 5 minutesRevelation given to the elders of the church through Joseph Smith, Jr., May 1831, at Kirtland, Ohio. Some of the elders who returned from their missions in order to share in the June conference (D. and C. 44) reported that they had been embarrassed by strange and unedifying spiritual manifestations which were experienced among the…

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