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 12:Intro SECTION 12
At the invitation of the Whitmer family, Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery went from Harmony, Pennsylvania, to Fayette, Seneca County, New York, where they stayed in the Whitmer home until the translation of the Book of Mormon was completed. The following revelation, addressed to David Whitmer, was received in June 1829, while the prophet was still in Fayette.
DC 13:Intro SECTION 13
Revelation given through Joseph Smith, Jr., the prophet, to John Whitmer, June 1829, at the home of Peter Whitmer, Sr., John's father, at Fayette, Seneca County, New York. John Whitmer became one of the eight witnesses whose testimony is published with all editions of the Book of Mormon.
DC 14:Intro SECTION 14
Revelation given through Joseph Smith, Jr., to Peter Whitmer, Jr. It is identical with the message to John, Peter's brother, and was received at the same time and place, June 1829, at Fayette, Seneca County, New York.
DC 19:Intro SECTION 19
Revelation given through Joseph Smith, Jr., the prophet, on the day the church was organized, April 6, 1830, at Fayette, Seneca County, New York, before or, possibly, during the organization meeting, and is addressed to both Joseph and the church. It refers to the organization in the past tense and gives instruction concerning the ordination of Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery as though this were yet to be consummated. The ordinations did take place at the organization meeting, after the other brethren participating had indicated their willingness to accept Joseph and Oliver as their teachers and leaders.
DC 58:Intro SECTION 58
Revelation given through Joseph Smith, Jr., prophet and seer to the church, August 1, 1831, in Jackson County, Missouri. Groups of Saints were arriving in Jackson County. The Colesville Saints from the Thompson Branch arrived under the leadership of Newel Knight. On the first Sunday after the arrival of the prophet and party, W. W. Phelps preached to a mixed audience of white pioneers, Negroes, and Indians. On this day two were baptized. The Saints were eager for the dedication of the land and to learn of God's will concerning their work. This revelation is addressed to the elders of the church in Missouri, the "Land of Promise," the place for the "City of Zion."
DC 75:Intro SECTION 75
A conference was held at Amherst, Lorain County, Ohio, January 25, 1832. Some of the elders asked Joseph to "inquire of the Lord that they might know his will, or learn what would be most pleasing to him for them to do, in order to bring men to a sense of their condition." Joseph made inquiry of the Lord and received the following message. The conference is also noteworthy because here Joseph Smith was ordained President of the High Priesthood.
DC 77:Intro SECTION 77
Revelation addressed to the high priests, given through Joseph Smith, Jr., at Hiram, Portage County, Ohio, March 1832. It is concerned with the establishment of a storehouse and the care of the poor, both in the Kirtland area and in Zion.
The unusual names found in this and other revelations were probably used to hide the identity of the men and places mentioned from the enemies of the church. Identifications are suggested as follows:
"City of Enoch" City of Joseph
"Ahashdah" Newel K. Whitney
"Gazelam" or "Enoch" Joseph Smith
"Pelagoram" Sidney Rigdon
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 98:9g all the land which can be purchased in Jackson County, and the counties round about, and leave the residue in mine hand.
DC 102:8b and I will soften the hearts of the people, as I did the heart of Pharaoh, from time to time, until my servant Baurak Ale, and Baneemy, whom I have appointed, shall have time to gather up the strength of my house, and to have sent wise men, to fulfill that which I have commanded concerning the purchasing of all the lands in Jackson County, that can be purchased, and in the adjoining counties round about; for it is my will that these lands be purchased, and after they are purchased that my Saints should possess them according to the laws of consecration which I have given;
DC 107:15c Therefore, for this cause have I accepted the offerings of those whom I commanded to build up a city and a house unto my name, in Jackson County, Missouri, and were hindered by their enemies, saith the Lord your God;
DC 110:20b A voice of the Lord in the wilderness of Fayette, Seneca County, declaring the three witnesses to bear record of the book.
DC 110:20d The voice of Peter, James, and John, in the wilderness between Harmony, Susquehanna County, and Colesville, Broome County, on the Susquehanna River, declaring themselves as possessing the keys of the kingdom, and of the dispensation of the fullness of times.
DC 110:21a And again, the voice of God in the chamber of old Father Whitmer, in Fayette, Seneca County, and at sundry times, and in divers places, through all the travels and tribulations of this Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
DC 116:Intro SECTION 116
Revelation given through President Joseph Smith III, May 4, 1865.
A council of the first Presidency and the Quorum of Twelve was in session at the home of Bishop Israel L. Rogers in Kendall County, Illinois, May 1-5, 1865. Among other things the council was concerned about "the ordination of men of the Negro race." President Joseph Smith was asked to seek divine guidance in this connection, and the revelation was received in response to the fasting and prayers of the members of the council. It should be studied against the background of the American Civil War and with the social and educational status of the American Negro of that period in mind.
The revelation was presented to the Quorum of Twelve, who voted unanimously to approve it. The semiannual conference of 1878 authorized its inclusion in the Doctrine and Covenants.
