Church History Matters: Episode 095 - The Restoration: Intro to the Doctrine & Covenants - Come Follow Me - E2
Released on: December 26, 2024
Hosts: Scott Woodward and Casey Griffiths
Podcast Series: Church History Matters by Scripture Central

Introduction

In Episode 095 of Church History Matters, hosts Scott Woodward and Casey Griffiths delve into the foundational aspects of the Latter-day Saint faith by introducing listeners to the Doctrine and Covenants through the Come Follow Me curriculum for the week spanning December 30 to January 5. This episode serves as an extensive primer, setting the stage for an in-depth exploration of the Doctrine and Covenants throughout 2025.

Welcome and Podcast Pivot

[00:04 - 01:31] Scott and Casey welcome listeners to the new year, expressing enthusiasm for focusing on the Doctrine and Covenants after years of broader church history discussions. Scott remarks, "This year we get to just focus in on the Doctrine and Covenants. How you feeling about that?" ([00:31]). Casey emphasizes the significance of the Doctrine and Covenants as one of the four books of canon scripture, underscoring its role in shaping Latter-day Saint identity and doctrine.

Hosts Introduction

[04:46 - 06:03] Scott introduces Casey as a "fun loving scholar" and an Associate Teaching Professor of Church History and Doctrine at BYU Provo. Casey reciprocates by highlighting Scott's expertise in technology and his role as co-managing editor for Doctrine Covenants Central.

Come Follow Me Curriculum Overview

[06:09 - 11:10] The hosts outline the week's curriculum titled "The Restoration of the Fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ", which is anchored by the Restoration Proclamation issued in 2020. Scott enumerates the six church proclamations since 1830, detailing their historical contexts and significance:

1. 1841 Nauvoo Proclamation: Celebrates church progress despite persecution.
2. 1845 Proclamation by the Twelve Apostles: Declares God's voice and invites all nations to witness the restoration.
3. 1865 First Presidency Proclamation: Clarifies doctrines about the nature of God, addressing misconceptions.
4. 1980 Proclamation Celebrating 150th Anniversary: Highlights church doctrines and mission.
5. 1995 Proclamation to the World about the Family: Defines church positions on family, marriage, and gender roles.
6. Restoration Proclamation (2020): Marks the 200th anniversary of the First Vision, outlining major restoration events and future directions.

Casey adds, "I believe that we study the Doctrine Covenants, and then in the final weeks of 2025, we will spend a week on the Family Proclamation." ([10:04])

The Four Cs: Context, Content, Controversies, and Consequences

[17:22 - 19:58] Introducing their foundational framework, Scott and Casey present the Four Cs approach for studying the Doctrine and Covenants:

1. Context: Understanding the historical backdrop when a revelation was given.
2. Content: Analyzing the actual text and concepts conveyed.
3. Controversies: Exploring any debates or disputes surrounding the revelation.
4. Consequences: Assessing the impact of the revelation on both the original recipients and contemporary Latter-day Saints.

Scott articulates, "We're going to do Doctrine and Covenants in context. We're going to be doing history behind. As we get into the text, we're going to be talking about all of...." ([01:31])

Understanding the Doctrine and Covenants

[20:48 - 37:15] The discussion transitions to a comprehensive overview of the Doctrine and Covenants (D&C). Scott emphasizes the necessity of context, comparing it to appreciating the full narrative of a powerful musical composition. He quotes Joseph Smith: "To ascertain its meaning, we must dig up the root and ascertain what it was that drew the saying out of Jesus." ([23:06])

Casey echoes this sentiment, highlighting that the D&C comprises answers to specific questions posed by church leaders, which explains its sometimes fragmented nature. They recommend supplementary resources like the Saints series and the book Revelations in Context to aid in understanding the D&C ([24:54]).

Historical Development of the Doctrine and Covenants

[37:15 - 44:11] Casey provides a detailed historical account of the D&C’s evolution:

• 1831-1832: Initial compilation of ~60 revelations, primarily Joseph Smith’s dictations.
• 1833 - Book of Commandments: First publication attempt thwarted by mob violence; limited copies survive.
• 1835 - Book of Covenants: Expanded edition including Lectures on Faith and additional revelations.
• 1876 Edition: Under Brigham Young, significant additions like section 132 (eternal and plural marriage) and removal of the Lectures on Faith.
• 1981 Edition: Reorganization into chronological order, addition of significant sections such as section 137 (vision on salvation for the dead) and section 121-123 (Liberty Jail letters).
• 2013 Edition: Incorporates findings from the Joseph Smith Papers Project, introducing corrections and updates without altering doctrinal content.

Scott notes, "In 2013 we got a new edition that's also when the completely electronic edition that's in Gospel Library became available." ([44:11])

Controversies Surrounding the Doctrine and Covenants

[44:11 - 61:28] The hosts address the primary controversy: textual changes and additions over time. Scott points out that critics refer to these modifications as evidence against the D&C's authenticity. However, he clarifies that most changes are minor, such as correcting typographical errors or updating names, without altering doctrinal meanings. For instance:

• Section 35: Changed from "thrash" to "thresh" to better reflect agricultural terminology ([59:28]).
• Section 40: Correcting the spelling of "James Coville" to "James Covel" ([59:54]).
• Section 127: Capitalizing "T" in "the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints" ([60:21]).

Casey emphasizes the transparency of these changes, stating, "They have been super transparent about this... they haven’t tried to hide this stuff." ([46:36]). Scott reinforces this by highlighting that doctrinal integrity remains intact, and changes enhance clarity rather than undermine faith.

The Consequences and Significance of the Doctrine and Covenants

[61:28 - 66:00] Scott and Casey elaborate on why the D&C is crucial for Latter-day Saints:

1. Modern Origin: It's the only scripture given in original English.
2. Voice of Christ: Predominantly presents teachings and directives from Jesus Christ.
3. Living Scripture: The D&C is open for future revelations, maintaining its relevance and adaptability.

Scott quotes President Ezra Taft Benson, who described the D&C as the "capstone of our religion with continuing Latter Day Revelation." ([62:16])

Casey adds, "The Doctrine and Covenants has more red letters words than any other book of Scripture that we have, and we should cherish it, because it’s not just the words of Christ, it’s the words of Christ to us in our time." ([64:11])

Closing Remarks

[66:06 - 67:21] The episode concludes with the hosts expressing anticipation for the year's study, emphasizing the vital role the Doctrine and Covenants plays in understanding the restoration and ongoing revelations within the church. They invite listeners to engage with the upcoming content, promising a thorough exploration of each revelation through their Four Cs framework.

Notable Quotes

• Scott Woodward ([00:31]): "This year we get to just focus in on the Doctrine and Covenants. How you feeling about that?"

• Joseph Smith ([20:48]): "To ascertain its meaning, we must dig up the root and ascertain what it was that drew the saying out of Jesus."

• Casey Griffiths ([24:54]): "Everything up to section 137 is in Saints."

• Steve Harper ([52:46]): "Revelation is communication in which God is a flawless divine encoder, but mortals are the decoders. Various kinds of noise prevent perfect understanding."

• President Ezra Taft Benson ([62:16]): "The Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion and the Doctrine and Covenants is the capstone of our religion with continuing Latter Day Revelation."

• Casey Griffiths ([64:11]): "The Doctrine and Covenants has more red letters words than any other book of Scripture that we have, and we should cherish it..."

Conclusion

Episode 095 of Church History Matters offers a comprehensive introduction to the Doctrine and Covenants, laying the groundwork for a year-long study. Through historical context, analytical content exploration, addressing controversies with transparency, and highlighting the enduring consequences, Scott and Casey provide listeners with valuable insights into one of the church's foundational texts. Notable quotes sprinkled throughout the discussion enhance the depth and engagement of the episode, making it an essential listen for those seeking to deepen their understanding of Latter-day Saint doctrine and history.