Doctrine and Covenants (Mormonism)
The Doctrine and Covenants is a significant scripture within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS), representing modern revelations received by Joseph Smith and other prophets of the faith. Unlike traditional Christian texts, it is not a translation of ancient scripture but provides contemporary spiritual guidance intended to prepare followers for the return of Jesus Christ. This scripture, along with the Holy Bible, the Book of Mormon, and the Pearl of Great Price, forms the foundation of Mormon beliefs and practices.
The Doctrine and Covenants emphasizes the importance of covenants, or sacred agreements, between individuals and God, including essential rites such as baptism and eternal marriage. It outlines the concept of eternal familial connections, asserting that relationships can endure beyond death. Additionally, the text describes a three-tiered heaven, consisting of the celestial, terrestrial, and telestial kingdoms, each designated for different levels of righteousness.
Priesthood authority plays a crucial role in the faith, with the Mormon community recognizing two types of priesthood that empower individuals to perform sacred ordinances. Overall, the Doctrine and Covenants serves as both a guide for personal conduct and a source of theological insight for members of the LDS Church, reflecting their unique beliefs and practices within the broader Christian tradition.
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Doctrine and Covenants (Mormonism)
The Doctrine and Covenants is the scripture of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints that was revealed to John Smith and other prophets of the Mormon faith. It is unique in Christian texts in that it is not a translation of ancient written scripture but instead provides new information for members of the faith and all humankind. In addition to the Doctrine and Covenants, Mormons follow the teachings of God through the Holy Bible, the Book of Mormon, and the Pearl of Great Price. Mormonism was officially founded in 1831 when A Book of Commandments for the Government of the Church was published. In 1833, the scriptures were released in a newer edition titled The Book of Commandments, which was revised again in 1835 to become the Doctrine and Covenants. Further revisions were released in 1844, 1876, 1921, 1981, and 2013.
Background
Mormonism is a Christian faith founded in the nineteenth century. Most followers of Mormonism are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS), which is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah. Smaller denominations of Mormons include the Community of Christ of Independence, Missouri.
Mormonism was founded by Joseph Smith, who is revered as a modern prophet of God. Smith was born in Vermont in 1805. According to Smith, when he was fourteen years old, he had a vision of God and Jesus. When he was seventeen, he was visited by an angel named Moroni. The angel told Smith to translate a sacred text that was written by Mormon, Moroni’s father, in the fourth century. Later, Moroni told Smith that the sacred text was inscribed on golden plates. These were hidden near Palmyra, New York, but Smith was not to get them for another four years.
As Smith worked to translate the Book of Mormon with two devices he found with the golden plates, he was visited by John the Baptist. John told Smith he was to preach the true Gospel and bestowed the Aaronic Priesthood on him. This referred to the lineage of the first high priest of the Hebrews, Aaron the Levite.
Smith completed the translation and published the Book of Mormon in 1830. He drew many followers and helped to establish Mormon communities in Illinois, Missouri, and Ohio. The Mormons were persecuted in the East, however, and Smith was arrested with his brother in Carthage, Illinois. An angry mob broke into the jail and killed them both. Smith’s death split the Mormon Church. Most followed Brigham Young, who led settlers to Utah to establish a new community where they could practice their religion freely. They founded Salt Lake City, where about sixteen thousand Mormons joined Young during the 1850s.
Although Mormons believe in Jesus and the Christian God, many Christians do not consider Mormonism to be a Christian faith. Mormons believe that God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit exist as three separate deities, rather than in one holy trinity as most Christians do. The LDS church believes that Adam and Eve, the first humans created by God, lived in Daviess County, Missouri, after God banished them from the Garden of Eden. Mormons also believe in three levels of heaven: celestial, terrestrial, and telestial. Only those who attain the celestial kingdom will spend eternity in the presence of God.
Overview
The scriptures of Mormonism are a combination of the Holy Bible, translations of biblical and other ancient texts conducted by Smith, and revelations received by Smith and other modern prophets of the faith. The Doctrine and Covenants is a book composed of these revelations that is meant to prepare humankind for the return of Jesus Christ. Doctrine refers to beliefs or sets of beliefs; covenants are agreements.
The Doctrine and Covenants explain the Mormon belief in eternal familial connections. Mormons believe that through certain ceremonies, family groups will be bound for eternity. This binding can also be performed on family who have already died, thus linking them with their kin.
The book describes the three degrees of glory, or the three levels of heaven. The celestial kingdom is the highest level of heaven, which will be inhabited by those who have found favor with the Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Children and others who die without having a chance to accept the gospel in life but would have done so also inhabit this level. Those who achieve celestial glory will be in the presence of God the Father forever. The terrestrial kingdom is reserved for individuals who were good and kind in life but did not adequately testify for their faith. Others who will spend eternity in this kingdom are individuals who rejected the gospel in life but accept it afterwards. They will be rewarded by being in the presence of the Son. The telestial kingdom, which will be ministered by the Holy Spirit, will be inhabited by the wicked.
Covenants are a central aspect of Mormonism. Individuals enter into various covenants with God, such as baptism, which occurs when a member of the faith is about eight years old. Eternal marriage, which binds a couple for all time, is another covenant, as is the endowment, a temple ceremony that depicts creation, the fall of Adam and Eve, and God’s eventual return; participants vow to act, speak, and think in keeping with God’s commands. All covenants must be entered only through priestly authority. Priesthood in the Mormon Church is the authority to act in the name of God. This authority is achieved through the laying on of hands by someone with priestly authority. The faith recognizes two forms of priesthood. Mormon men receive the Aaronic Priesthood when they are between twelve and eighteen years old, or as adult converts. They gradually progress through various rankings as they mature in their faith. The Melchizedek Priesthood is conferred by the laying on of hands by bishops and stake presidents with the consent of the holders of the Priesthood in the community. One who is ordained to the Melchizedek Priesthood enters into a covenant with God to live a virtuous life, obey God’s commandments, and learn the duties of the priesthood.
The Old and New Testaments mention God’s everlasting covenants, which are agreements between humankind and God. God’s promise is to send a savior and reward his people with eternity in heaven. His people promise to abide by God’s terms, keeping his commandments. Mormons believe that God renewed the everlasting covenants through Smith.
Mormons believe in a premortal life. They believe that the first covenants are made in this premortal life and are renewed in one’s earthly life. When one breaks a covenant, one forfeits blessings.
Bibliography
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“The Everlasting Covenant: The Fulness of the Gospel.” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/doctrine-and-covenants-instructors-guide-religion-324-325/the-everlasting-covenant-the-fulness-of-the-gospel-lesson-25-sections-66-68. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.
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“Scriptures.” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/scriptures. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.