Doctrine and Covenants Stories Introduction
We lived with Heavenly Father before we came to earth. We did not then have flesh and bone bodies as we do now. We are spirit beings. Heavenly Father made a plan for us to receive bodies and become more like Him. This plan is called the Plan of Salvation. This plan required us to be away from Him for a period of time and come to the earth. If we follow this plan, we can return to live with Heavenly Father.
Jesus then lived with us in heaven. He was willing to follow the Father’s plan. Jesus said that He wanted to come to earth so that we could return to our heavenly home.
Satan then lived in heaven just like us. He refused to follow the Father’s plan. The Father commanded him to leave heaven. Satan wants to destroy the plan of salvation.
Jesus created the earth so that Heavenly Father’s children could live on earth. Jesus sent prophets to teach people to be good.
Some people obeyed the words of the prophets, while others listened to Satan and became evil.
The Old Testament tells the story of an ancient people who lived before the birth of Jesus. The prophets taught these people that Jesus would come to earth to help people be free from sin, become clean, and overcome death.
The Book of Mormon tells of another people who lived long ago. These people came to the American continent from Jerusalem. The prophets also taught people about Jesus. He visited this people after His resurrection.
The New Testament recounts Jesus’ life on earth, telling of His birth, teachings, death, and resurrection. Jesus taught people about His gospel. He taught them to obey Heavenly Father’s commandments.
Jesus chose twelve men to be Apostles and gave them the holy order. He established His Church. Many people love Jesus. They lived righteous lives and followed His teachings.
Satan does not want people to follow Jesus. He tempted people to hate Jesus, and some of them crucified Him and killed Him.
Three days after Jesus died, He was resurrected. He is alive again! He spoke to the Apostles and commanded them to teach the gospel to every creature in the world. Jesus also visited righteous people in the Americas. Later He ascended to heaven to live with the Father.
These Apostles are leaders in the Church of Jesus Christ. They traveled to many places, teaching people the gospel. Many people believed in Jesus and were baptized. The Apostles conferred the priesthood upon righteous men. There were many members in the church at that time.
Satan wants to destroy the Church of Jesus Christ. He tempted people to stop believing in Jesus. The apostles and many other members of the church were killed, and soon there was no leader to lead the church. The Father took the priesthood away from the earth.
The church that Jesus founded no longer exists. People began to form their own churches, and they changed many of Jesus’ teachings and also changed some of the commandments.
Over the centuries, there have been many different churches in the world, but not one is the true church of Jesus Christ. The members of these churches believe in Jesus Christ, but these churches do not have the true gospel. They had no priesthood authority and no prophets or apostles.
Jesus said He would come again. And before He could come, His Church and His priesthood had to be restored. These blessings were restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith.
Heavenly Father is once again calling prophets and apostles to lead the Church in this day. Jesus gave revelation to prophets and apostles, telling us what He wanted us to know and do.
The Doctrine and Covenants is a book that collects the revelations given by Jesus. Most of the revelations were given to the Prophet Joseph Smith. In these revelations, Jesus provides instructions to His Church and teaches the doctrines of His gospel.
The book you are studying is part of the revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants. This book also tells some of the stories of the Restoration and the early history of the Church of Jesus Christ in the latter days.
