DC 1:Intro Revelation given through Joseph Smith, Jr., at a special conference held at Hiram, Portage County, Ohio, November 1, 1831. It was to serve as a preface to the "Book of Commandments." W.W. Phelps and Company began the printing of the "Book of Commandments" at Independence, Missouri, but the plant was destroyed by a mob in July 1833 before the book could be completed. The last section to be set up ended with the words, "blood of Ephraim" (D. and C. 64:7b).
When the first edition of the Doctrine and Covenants was published in 1835, it included the sections (chapters) set in type for the "Book of Commandments" and also instructions received prior to July 1833 but not included in the "Book of Commandments." To this was added further instruction received and a statement of principles approved prior to the date of publication. The preface was continued as Section 1.
If the preface had been included in the order it was received, it would have appeared immediately prior to Section 67 in recent editions.
A revelation received November 3, 1831, known as the Appendix, does not appear in the "Book of Commandments," as was originally intended, but will be found as Section 100 of the 1835 edition of the Doctrine and Covenants and as Section 108 in all subsequent editions.
DC 2:Intro SECTION 2
By July 1828 a total of 116 pages of the Book of Mormon manuscript had been translated. Martin Harris served as Joseph's scribe at this time and wrote most of the translation. To quiet the ridicule of some of his relatives, Martin borrowed the manuscript, promising to preserve it with the utmost care, but the foolscap sheets were stolen from him and never recovered. Under these circumstances the following instruction and rebuke were given to Joseph. The revelation was received at Harmony, Pennsylvania, in July 1828.
DC 3:Intro SECTION 3
After the loss of that portion of the Book of Mormon manuscript which had been translated before July 1828, the mind of Joseph was "darkened" (D. and C. 3:1b). After humbling himself, Joseph was again enlightened, and was permitted to resume his work. Instruction received in this connection is recorded in the following revelation, which was received while Joseph was still at Harmony, Pennsylvania, in July or August 1828.
DC 17:Intro SECTION 17
This section is a compilation of instructions received from time to time in connection with the organization of the church. The "Book of Commandments" describes the section as "the Articles and Covenants of the Church of Christ, given in Fayette, New York, June, 1830," but that part of the instruction which set the date for the organization of the church was given prior to April 6, 1830.
Joseph wrote in "Times and Seasons" (3:928):
"In this manner did the Lord continue to give us instructions from time to time concerning the duties which now devolved upon us, and among many other things of the kind, we obtained of him the following, by the spirit of prophecy and revelation, which not only gave us much information, but also pointed out to us the precise day upon which according to his will and commandment, we should proceed to organize his church once again, here upon the earth."
All editions of the Doctrine and Covenants include paragraphs 16 and 17 of this section, which did not appear in the "Book of Commandments." This further instruction was probably received after July 20, 1833, and selected for inclusion with related material in this section on the same principle as other material received at different times.
DC 23:Intro SECTION 23
Revelation given through Joseph Smith, Jr., July 1830, at Harmony, Pennsylvania. It is addressed to Joseph and Oliver, who were in need of reassurance because of the persecution to which they had been subjected after the publication of the Book of Mormon and the organization of the church.
DC 24:Intro SECTION 24
Revelation addressed to Emma Smith, wife of the prophet. It was given through Joseph Smith at Harmony, Pennsylvania, in July 1830. The selection of hymns that Emma was directed to make was completed and published in 1835. This hymnbook was used at the dedication of the Kirtland Temple.
DC 25:Intro SECTION 25
Revelation given through Joseph Smith at Harmony, Pennsylvania, in July 1830, to Joseph Smith, Jr., Oliver Cowdery, and John Whitmer. It is specifically important because of its affirmation of the principle of "common consent" in the government of the church.
DC 54:Intro SECTION 54
Revelation 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 to share their land with the Colesville Saints, and this caused resentment and confusion. The revelation enabled Elder Knight to unite the faithful and to lead them to Missouri in a body. They arrived in what is now Kansas City late in July 1831.
DC 57:Intro SECTION 57
Revelation 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. Phelps, and Oliver Cowdery are confirmed.
DC 94:Intro SECTION 94
Revelation given through Joseph Smith, Jr., at Kirtland, Ohio, August 2, 1833. This has to do with the work of the church in Zion. Before the revelation was given the Saints in Independence had been forced to sign an agreement to leave Jackson County (July 23, 1833). Word of the agreement did not reach Kirtland until early in September.
DC 105:Intro SECTION 105
Revelation given through Joseph Smith, Jr., July 23, 1837, at Kirtland, Ohio. Having been received subsequent to the publication of the first (1835) edition of the Doctrine and Covenants, it was included in the second (1844) edition as Section 104. This edition was issued after the death of Joseph Smith. Specific approval for the continued publication of this section was given by the 1970 World Conference. This revelation is addressed to Thomas B. Marsh, president of the Council of Twelve, and was apparently prompted by his prayers concerning his brethren in the quorum. Elder Marsh's concern was itself prompted by a rift between Joseph and some of the apostles cause by financial and other difficulties in Kirtland. Note paragraphs 5, 6, 11, and 12 in this connection.
DC 106:Intro SECTION 106
This revelation was first published in the second (1844) edition of the Doctrine and Covenants as Section 107. By action of the 1970 World Conference its inclusion was confirmed. It was given through Joseph Smith, Jr., at Far West, Missouri, July 8, 1838, in answer to the petition, "O Lord, show unto thy servants how much thou requirest of the properties of thy people for a tithing."
