DC 21:Intro SECTION 21
This section is a composite of five revelations given through Joseph Smith, Jr., at Manchester, New York, April 1830, and addressed to Oliver Cowdery, Hyrum Smith, Samuel H. Smith, Joseph Smith, Sr., and Joseph Knight, Sr. They were given in answer to the prayers of these brethren concerning their relation to the work of the church. Each paragraph in Doctrine and Covenants 21 was printed as a separate chapter in the "Book of Commandments," but the chapters were combined in the 1835 (first) edition of the Doctrine and Covenants and have been published in this form ever since. They were received on the day the church was organized.
DC 39:Intro SECTION 39
Revelation given through Joseph Smith, Jr., January 1831, at Fayette, New York. This message was addressed to James Covill, a Baptist minister, who had sought light concerning his relation to the Restoration movement.
DC 107:Intro SECTION 107
This statement was removed from the main body of the book by the action of the 1970 World Conference. Its subject is primarily concerned with arrangements for the construction of a boardinghouse in Nauvoo and with the practice of the ordinance of baptism for the dead. It will be noted that several paragraphs are devoted to references to such practices as "washings," "anointings," and "memorials for your sacrifices" and matters which "have been kept hid from before the foundation of the world" (paragraphs 10, 11, 12, 13).
Concerning such esoteric practices the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints declared as early as April 9, 1886, that "we know of no temple building, except as edifices wherein to worship God, and no endowment except the endowment of the Holy Spirit of the kind experienced by the early saints on Pentecost Day." And also, "that 'baptism for the dead' belongs to those local questions of which the body has said by resolution: 'That the commandments of a local character, given to the first organization of the church, are binding on the Reorganization only so far as they are either reiterated or referred to as binding by commandments to this church.' And that principle has neither been reiterated nor referred to as a commandment" (Conference Resolution 308, paragraphs 2, 3).
Instruction to the church bearing on this matter is contained in a revelation through W. Wallace Smith on April 5, 1968, referring to temple building in which the church is told that "there is no provision for secret ordinances now or ever" and that one temple function is priesthood education (Doctrine and Covenants 149A:6).
This section is retained in the Appendix for its historical value in relation to the development of ordinances for the dead and other ordinances for which the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints finds no justification either in the historical scriptures or in the documents approved by the church as latter--day revelation.
A series of messages given by Joseph Smith, Jr., prophet and seer to the church, January 19, 1841, at Nauvoo, Illinois. A portion of it was published in "Times and Seasons," June 1, 1841, vol. 2, page 424. It was first included in the 1844 edition of the Doctrine and Covenants as Section 103. It has been included in every succeeding edition since that date. With other sections of the Doctrine and Covenants, it came under the blanket motion passed in the General Conference of 1878.
GENERAL CONFERENCE RESOLUTION NO. 215
"That this body, representing the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, recognize the Holy Scriptures, the Book of Mormon, the revelations of God contained in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, and all other revelations which have been or shall be revealed through God's appointed prophet, which have been or may be hereafter accepted by the church as the standard of authority on all matters of church government and doctrine, and the final standard of reference on appeal in all controversies arising, or which may arise in this Church of Christ."
Under this recognition it has been included in all editions of the Reorganization.
DC 109:5a And again, I give unto you a word in relation to the baptism for your dead. Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you concerning your dead:
DC 110:1a As I stated to you in my letter before I left my place, that I would write to you from time to time, and give you information in relation to many subjects, I now resume the subject of the baptism for the dead;
DC 110:2a I wrote a few words of revelation to you concerning a recorder. I have had a few additional views in relation to this matter, which I now certify.
DC 110:3a Now, in relation to this matter, it would be very difficult for one recorder to be present at all times, and to do all the business.
DC 110:6a And further, I want you to remember that John the Revelator was contemplating this very subject in relation to the dead, when he declared, as you will find recorded in Revelation 20:12,
DC 110:11b For him to whom these keys are given there is no difficulty in obtaining a knowledge of facts in relation to the salvation of the children of men, both as well for the dead as for the living.
DC 110:14b And as are the records on the earth in relation to your dead, which are truly made out, so also are the records in heaven. This, therefore, is the sealing and binding power, and in one sense of the word, the keys of the kingdom, which consists in the key of knowledge.
DC 110:15a And now my dearly beloved brethren and sisters, let me assure you that these are principles in relation to the dead and the living that cannot be lightly passed over, as pertaining to our salvation.
DC 110:16 And now in relation to the baptism for the dead, I will give you another quotation of Paul. I Corinthians 15:29. "Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?"
DC 112:1 We believe that governments were instituted of God for the benefit of man, and that he holds men accountable for their acts in relation to them, either in making laws or administering them, for the good and safety of society.
DC 126:1 On the night of April 16 I made the condition of the church a subject of prayer, intensely desirous of receiving light and information in relation thereto and my duty. I awoke at the hour of three and had in presentation the following vision:
DC 126:10b To this question I was answered, that the Book of Doctrine and Covenants as accepted by the church was to guide the advice and action of the Bishopric, taken as a whole, each revelation contained therein having its appropriate bearing upon each of the others and their relation thereto;
