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 53 (Community of Christ)
Reading Time: < 1 minuteRevelation given to Sidney Gilbert through Joseph Smith, Jr., June 1831, at Kirtland, Ohio. Sidney went to Missouri and served ably and faithfully until his death in June 1834. 1 Behold, I say unto you, my servant Sidney Gilbert, that I have heard your prayers, and you have called upon me, that it should be…
Section 52 (Community of Christ)
Reading Time: 4 minutesRevelation given through Joseph Smith, Jr., early in June 1831 at Kirtland, Ohio. This revelation is addressed to the elders of the church. It was received the day following a conference at which the first high priests in the Restoration were ordained. Missouri is designated as the land of the inheritance of the Saints. The…
Section 51 (Community of Christ)
Reading Time: 3 minutesRevelation given through Joseph Smith, Jr., to Edward Partridge at Kirtland, Ohio, May 1831. This revelation has the same background as Doctrine and Covenants 48, both being concerned with locating the Saints from the East in harmony with Zionic principles. Edward Partridge was the only bishop in the church at this time. 1 A. Hearken…
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…
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 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 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 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 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 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…