Doctrine and Covenants Historical Resources: Doctrine and Covenants 23–26Doctrine and Covenants Historical Resources (2020)
Doctrine and Covenants 23–26Doctrine and Covenants Historical Resources
Doctrine and Covenants 23–26
In an 1830 revelation, the Lord called Emma Smith “an elect lady” and instructed her to select sacred songs for the Church’s use. This hymnal was specially bound for Sally Phelps, the wife of hymnist William W. Phelps.
A Collection of Sacred Hymns for the Church of the Latter Day Saints, selected by Emma Smith, owned by Sally Phelps, 1835, paper and leather, Church History Museum.
Texts
Historical background and the earliest manuscript of each revelation, as published in The Joseph Smith Papers
Revelation, April 1830–A [D&C 23:1–2]
Each of the following five revelations, which were dictated soon after the organization of the Church of Christ on 6 April 1830, addressed one of Joseph Smith’s family members or a close associate who desired to know the Lord’s will concerning himself. More …
Revelation, July 1830–A [D&C 24]
During the two months after the Church of Christ was organized, Joseph Smith met with believers in three New York locations: the areas of Manchester, Fayette, and Colesville. More …
Revelation, July 1830–C [D&C 25]
Joseph Smith dictated this revelation for Emma Hale Smith, his wife, in July 1830. As with the other two July 1830 revelations, the precise date of the revelation is unknown. More …
Revelation, July 1830–B [D&C 26]
After the publication of the Book of Mormon in March 1830, Joseph Smith spent much of his time building up the Church and ministering to its members. More …
People
Biographical facts and historical images of individuals associated with the revelations
Historical Background
Revelations in Context
Essays on the background of each revelation
Joseph Smith’s Support at Home
On April 6, 1830, at Fayette, New York, Joseph Smith formally organized what was then called the Church of Christ. Shortly afterward, he was approached by Oliver Cowdery, Hyrum Smith, Samuel H. Smith, Joseph Smith Sr., and Joseph Knight Sr., each “being anxious to know of the Lord what might be their respective duties. More …
“Thou Art an Elect Lady”
In the months following the April 1830 organization of the Church of Christ (as the Church was then known), Emma Hale Smith began to understand more fully what her husband’s prophetic calling would mean for her and their young family. More …
William Whitaker, Emma Hale (ca. 1826), 2015, oil on canvas, Church History Museum.
The Journey of the Colesville Branch
In July 1830, Joseph was counseled in two revelations, now found in Doctrine and Covenants 24 and 26, to visit the members in Colesville, including the Knights, to devote his time to “studying the Scriptures & to preaching & to confirming the Church at Colesvill.” More …
Saints: The Story of the Church of Jesus Christ in the Latter Days
Narrative history of events surrounding the revelations
Volume 1, Chapter 9
Come Life or Come Death
Back home, Joseph tried again to work on his farm, but the Lord gave him a new revelation on how he should spend his time. “Thou shalt devote all thy service in Zion,” the Lord declared. More …
Volume 1, Chapter 20
Do Not Cast Me Off
Emma’s book included new hymns by Saints and older works from other Christian churches. William wrote some of the new pieces, as did Parley Pratt and a recent convert named Eliza Snow. More …
Volume 1, Chapter 37
We Will Prove Them
Joseph read the revelation he had received for Emma in 1830 and noted that she had been ordained or set apart at that time to expound scriptures and teach the women of the Church. More …
Church History Topics
Essays on subjects related to the revelations.
Angel Moroni
In 1823 an angel named Moroni appeared to Joseph Smith and told him of the existence of an ancient record engraved on plates, buried in a hill near his home. More …
Common Consent
The Lord commanded Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery not to ordain each other as elders until other believers could “decide by vote whether they were willing to accept” Joseph and Oliver’s leadership. More …
Gifts of the Spirit
In the New Testament, Jesus Christ promised His disciples that “signs shall follow them that believe.” More …
Healing
During His mortal ministry, Jesus Christ healed the sick and afflicted. He gave His disciples power and authority to heal. More …
Hymns
The singing of hymns in private and public devotions traces back to antiquity. More …
Opposition to the Early Church
In 1823, the angel Moroni warned Joseph Smith that his “name should be had for good and evil among all nations.” More …
Places
Maps and information about places associated with the revelations from The Joseph Smith Papers, Historic Sites, and other helpful sources
Chronology
Timeline placing each revelation in the context of key events in the Church’s first century