The Section Explorer is the heart of the Doctrine and Covenants Project, designed to make Restoration scripture accessible, searchable, and available to all. This feature allows users to navigate our growing library of sections from various versions of the Doctrine and Covenants, providing a unique opportunity to explore the words that have shaped the Latter Day Saint movement.
Whether you’re studying the text as scripture, seeking historical understanding, or simply curious about the similarities and differences between versions, the Section Explorer offers a straightforward and powerful tool for discovery. Each section is presented in its original wording from multiple editions, such as the Community of Christ’s version and earlier editions like the 1833 Book of Commandments.
Section 63 (Community of Christ)
Reading Time: 7 minutesJoseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, and Oliver Cowdery arrived in Kirtland, August 27, 1831, from their first visit to the land of Zion. Joseph wrote in his history, “In these infant days of the church, there was great anxiety to obtain the word of the Lord upon every subject that in any way concerned our salvation;…
Section 62 (Community of Christ)
Reading Time: 2 minutesRevelation given through Joseph Smith, Jr., on the bank of the Missouri River, August 13, 1831. The prophet and his party on their way from Independence to Kirtland met several elders who were going to the land of Zion. This revelation is addressed to these elders. 1 A. Behold, and hearken, O ye elders of…
Section 61 (Community of Christ)
Reading Time: 4 minutesRevelation given to eleven elders camped at McIlwain’s Bend on the Missouri River, August 12, 1831. It was received by Joseph Smith, Jr., after prayer concerning a vision received by W. W. Phelps in which was depicted the danger of travel by water. 1 A. Behold, and hearken unto the voice of him who has…
Section 60 (Community of Christ)
Reading Time: 3 minutesThis is the last of four revelations given through Joseph Smith, Jr., during the first visit of the leading elders of the church to the land of Zion. It was received August 8, 1831. During their stay in Independence the Center Place and “the spot for the temple” had been pointed out, and some sound…
Section 59 (Community of Christ)
Reading Time: 3 minutesRevelation given through Joseph Smith, Jr., prophet and seer to the church, August 7, 1831, in Missouri. Events were happening very rapidly during the week of August 1 to August 7. Monday, August 2, Joseph assisted the Colesville Saints to lay the first log for a house as the foundation for Zion. It was consecrated…
Section 58 (Community of Christ)
Reading Time: 7 minutesRevelation given through Joseph Smith, Jr., prophet and seer to the church, August 1, 1831, in Jackson County, Missouri. Groups of Saints were arriving in Jackson County. The Colesville Saints from the Thompson Branch arrived under the leadership of Newel Knight. On the first Sunday after the arrival of the prophet and party, W. W….
Section 57 (Community of Christ)
Reading Time: 3 minutesRevelation addressed to the elders who had come to Independence, Missouri, in fulfillment of the instructions given them in Kirtland. It was given through Joseph Smith, Jr., in July 1831. In it the Center Place and “the spot for the temple” are designated, and the instructions previously given to Edward Partridge, Sidney Gilbert, W. W….
Section 56 (Community of Christ)
Reading Time: 3 minutesRevelation given through the prophet Joseph Smith, Jr., at Kirtland, Ohio, June 1831. Lemon Copley and Ezra Thayre had entered into a stewardship covenant with the Saints at Thompson, but later refused to carry out its provisions. In view of this, Ezra Thayre’s commission to travel with Thomas B. Marsh to Missouri was revoked. Of…
Section 55 (Community of Christ)
Reading Time: 2 minutesRevelation given through Joseph Smith, Jr., at Kirtland, Ohio, in June 1831. While Joseph and those who were to accompany him were preparing for their journey to Missouri, William W. Phelps and his family arrived at Kirtland. William desired to know the will of God concerning his work and was instructed to join the church…
Section 54 (Community of Christ)
Reading Time: 2 minutesRevelation given through Joseph Smith, Jr., at Kirtland, Ohio, in June 1831. It is addressed to Newel Knight, who was president of the Colesville, New York, branch of the church whose members had recently settled at Thompson, Ohio, in the vicinity of Kirtland. Some of the brethren previously settled at Thompson had broken an agreement…