Doctrine and Covenant Gems spells out the visions the Prophet Joseph Smith received in the early 1800’s, fulfilling the prophesied restoration of the Gospel and the Church of Jesus Christ in the latter days. The book follows faithfully the authorized scriptural volume, Doctrine and Covenants, including the use of identifying headings for each scriptural entry throughout the text, but makes it easy to grasp the essence of each passage by highlighting the Gem, or essence of the entry.
For a person interested in the far-reaching purpose and meaning of life here and beyond, Doctrine and Covenant Gems also shares from the introduction of the authorized 1981 Doctrine and Covenants edition, a summary, like a field of Gems, such revealed knowledge included in the book as follows: “the nature of the Godhead, the origin of man, the reality of Satan, the purpose of mortality, the necessity of obedience, the need for repentance, the workings of the Holy Spirit, the ordinances and performances that pertain to salvation, the destiny of the earth, the future condition of man after the resurrection and the judgment, the eternity of the marriage relationship, and the eternal nature of the family”.
What makes Doctrine and Covenant Gems particularly unique and valuable is its focus on each scriptural entry found in the volume by carefully separating it as a polished Gem. And further, placing an appropriate heading or label for each entry clearly facilitates a reader’s ease in grasping the essence of the revealed truths therein.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Doctrine and Covenant Gems is a book organized primarily to facilitate a reader’s ease in identifying and enjoying the sacred and remarkable revelations recorded in the book Doctrine and Covenants, which the prophet Joseph Smith, Jr. received during the restoration of the Gospel and Church of Jesus Christ during the early 1800’s. This restoration had for centuries been prophesied to take place in the latter days. Doctrine and Covenant Gems follows the original 138 sections, and provides a chronological arrangement of the remarkable revelations of principles, truths, doctrines, proclamations, priesthood keys and authority restored at that time. Each section includes the date, location and circumstances associated with the revelation received.
Doctrine and Covenant Gems carefully identifies and polishes each scriptural gem in facilitating a reader’s ready grasp of the truths therein. It follows the same system used in the 1981 Church-authorized publication in identifying the individual subjects addressed in each section.
The book in no way proposes to replace the value of a person’s reading and enjoying the Doctrine and Covenants in its full text. Apology is rendered for any errors or valued scriptural oversights. What makes Doctrine and Covenant Gems particularly valuable in a person’s reading about the restoration of the Gospel is the clarity it offers in focusing on just the pertinent scriptural truths found in the Doctrine and Covenants without having to read as well the sometimes more voluminous circumstantial history and extraneous writing experienced in various sections of the original scriptural document itself.
What’s inside
Selected Samples
The Voice of Warning Is to All People
HEARKEN, O ye people of my church, saith the voice of him who dwells on high, and whose eyes are upon all men; yea, verily I say: Hearken ye people from afar; and ye that are upon the islands of the sea, listen together. For verily the voice of the Lord is unto all men, and there is none to escape; and there is no eye that shall not see, neither ear that shall not hear, neither heart that shall not be penetrated. And the rebellious shall be pierced with much sorrow; for their iniquities shall be spoken upon the housetops, and their secret acts shall be revealed. D&C 1:1-3
Revelation Comes by the Power of the Holy Ghost
…verily, verily, I say unto you, that assuredly as the Lord liveth, who is your God and your Redeemer, even so surely shall you receive a knowledge of whatsoever things you shall ask in faith, with an honest heart, believing that you shall receive…. Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart. Now, behold, this is the spirit of revelation; behold, this is the spirit by which Moses brought the children of Israel through the Red Sea on dry ground. D&C 8:1-3
Eternal Punishment Is God’s Punishment
I speak unto you that are chosen in this thing, even as one, that you may enter into my rest. For, behold, the mystery of Godliness, how great is it! For, behold, I am endless, and the punishment which is given from my hand is endless punishment, for Endless is my name. Wherefore Eternal punishment is God’s punishment. Endless punishment is God’s punishment. D&C 19: 9-12
Christ Suffered for All, That They Might Not Suffer If They Should Repent
Therefore I command you to repent–repent, lest I smite you by the rod of my mouth, and by my wrath, and by my anger, and your sufferings be sore–how sore you know not, how exquisite you know not, yea, how hard to bear you know not. For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent; But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I; Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men. D&C 19:15-19
Christ Created All Things
Thus saith the Lord God, even Jesus Christ, the Great I Am, Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the same that looked upon the wide expanse of eternity, and all the seraphic hosts of heaven, before the world was made; The same which knoweth all things, for all things are present before mine eyes; I am the same which spake, and the world was made, and all things came by me. I am the same which have taken the Zion of Enoch into mine own bosom; and verily, I say, even as many as have believed in my name, for I am Christ, and in mine own name, by the virtue of the blood which I have spilt, have I pleaded before the Father for them. D&C 38:1-4
True Disciples Will Receive and Keep the Lord’s Laws
He that receiveth my law and doeth it, the same is my disciple; and he that saith he receiveth it and doeth it not, the same is not my disciple, and shall be cast out from among you; For it is not meet that at the things which belong to the children of the kingdom should be given to them that are not worthy, or to dogs, or the pearls to be cast before swine. D&C 41:5-6
Marriage Is Ordained of God
And again, verily I say unto you, that whoso forbiddeth to marry is not ordained of God, for marriage is ordained of God unto man. Wherefore, it is lawful that he should have one wife, and they twain shall be one flesh, and all this that the earth might answer the end of its creation; D&C 49:15-16
Many False Spirits are Abroad in the Earth
Behold, verily I say unto you, that there are many spirits which are false spirits, which have gone forth in the earth, deceiving the world. And also Satan hath sought to deceive you, that he might overthrow you. D&C 50:2-3
That Which Doth Not Edify is Not of God
And that which doth not edify is not of God, and is darkness. D&C 50:23
That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light growth brighter and brighter until the perfect day. And again…I say it that you may know the truth, that you may chase darkness from among you; D&C 50:24-25
The Saints Are to Obey the Laws of the Land
Let no man break the laws of the land, for he that keepeth the laws of God hath no need to break the laws of the land. Wherefore, be subject to the powers that be, until he reigns whose right it is to reign, and subdues all enemies under his feet. D&C 58:21-22
By This Ye May Know If a Man Has Repented of His Sins
Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more. By this ye may know if a man has repented of his sins behold, he will confess them and forsake them. D&C 58:42-43
The Way in Which Man Offends God
And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments. D&C 59:21
He That Forgiveth Not His Brother His Trespass
. Wherefore, I say unto you, that ye ought to forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin. I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men. D&C 64:9-10
Little Children are Holy and are Sanctified Through the Atonement
That their children might remain without circumcision; and that the tradition might be done away, which saith that little children are unholy; for it was had among the Jews; But little children are holy, being sanctified through the atonement of Jesus Christ; and this is what the scriptures mean. D&C 74:6-7
Pray to Receive the Comforter, Which Teaches All Things
And let my servant(s)…proclaim the things which I have commanded them Praying always that they faint not; and inasmuch as they do this, I will be with them even unto the end. And thus, if ye are faithful ye shall be laden with many sheaves, and crowned with honor, and glory, and immortality, and eternal life. D&C 75:9-11
Where Much is Given, Much is Required
For of him unto whom much is given much is required; and he who sins against the greater light shall receive the greater condemnation. D&C 82:3
Those Who Will to Abide in Sin Remain Filthy Still
And they (not of the celestial, terrestrial or telestial glories) who remain shall also be quickened; nevertheless, they shall return again to their own place, to enjoy that which they are willing to receive, because they were not willing to enjoy that which they might have received. For what doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift? Behold, he rejoices not in that which is given unto him, neither rejoices in him who is the giver of the gift. D&C 88:32-33
Honest, Wise, and Good Men Should Be Supported for Secular Offices
Nevertheless, when the wicked rule the people mourn. D&C 98:9
Wherefore, honest men and wise men should be sought for diligently, and good men and wise men ye should observe to uphold; otherwise whatever is less than these cometh of evil. D&C 98:10
The Lord Established the Constitution of the United States
Therefore, it is not right that any man should be in bondage one to another. And for this purpose have I established the Constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose, and redeemed the land by the shedding of blood. D&C 101:79-80
The Lord Provides for the Saints in His Own Way
It is wisdom in me; therefore, a commandment I give unto you, that ye shall organize yourselves and appoint every man his stewardship; That every man may give an account unto me of the stewardship which is appointed unto him. For it is expedient that I, the Lord, should make every man accountable, as a steward over earthly blessings, which I have made and prepared for my creatures. D&C 104:11-13
Why Many are Called But Few Chosen
Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen? Because their hearts are so set upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men….D&C 121:34
Many Among All Sects Will Yet Receive the Truth
For there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations, who are blinded by the subtle craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, and who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it D&C 123:12
Baptisms for the Dead Are to Be Performed in Temples
For a baptismal font there is not upon the earth, that they, my saints, may be baptized for those who are dead For this ordinance belongeth to my house, and cannot be acceptable to me, only in the days of your poverty, wherein ye are not able to build a house unto me. D&C 124:29-30
Intelligence Gained in This Life Rises With Us in the Resurrection
Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection. And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come. D&C 130:18-19
The Father and Son Have Bodies of Flesh and Bones
The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit. Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us. A man may receive the Holy Ghost, and it may descend upon him and not tarry with him. D&C 130:22-23
All Spirit is Matter
There is no such thing as immaterial matter. All spirit is matter, but it is more fine or pure, and can only be discerned by pure eyes: We cannot see it; but when our bodies are purified we shall see that it is all matter. D&C 131:7-8
Governments Should Preserve Freedom of Conscience and Worship
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, both in making laws and administering them, for the good and safety of society. D&C 134:1
The Doctrine of Salvation for the Dead Is Revealed
Thus came the voice of the Lord unto me, saying: All who have died without a knowledge of this gospel, who would have received it if they had been permitted to tarry, shall be heirs of the celestial kingdom of God; Also all that shall die henceforth without a knowledge of it, who would have received it with all their hearts, shall be heirs of that kingdom; For I, the Lord, will judge all men according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts. D&C 137:7-9
How the Preaching of the Gospel was Organized Among the Spirits
Thus was it made known that our Redeemer spent his time during his sojourn in the world of spirits (immediately following his death), instructing the faithful spirits of the prophets who had testified of him in the flesh; That they might carry the message of redemption unto all the dead, unto whom he could not go personally, because of their rebellion and transgression, that they through the ministration of his servants might also hear his words. D&C 138:36-37
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About the author
Sterling H. Redd Sr.
Sterling has had an identified interest in writing since one of his grandmothers recognized his writing skill during his teens. Having been orphaned at 12 years of age, he began living with his mother’s parents. He later studied Sociology and English at Brigham Young University. Sterling served as a missionary in New Zealand. Then came a year of active military service during the Berlin Crisis. Later, upon receiving a BS degree at Brigham Young University, he taught high school English in the Salt Lake area. After receiving an MSW degree at the University of Utah, he served for over thirty years as a clinical social worker and writer/editor for the Utah State Department of Health.
He was called as a member of the Bonneville Stake mission presidency. He served in subsequent years in several stake missions among diverse cultures. Among his service experience, he has been a Gospel Doctrine teacher, a High Priest Group instructor, and a High Priest Group leader. Since his retirement, he has completed a mission call at an LDS Employment Resource Center assisting a widely diverse patronage in personal resume writing. He then served a local service mission in the LDS Family Services Addiction Recovery Program. He is currently enjoying serving in nearby temples.
He has had a life-long drive in recording beautiful and meaningful quotes, poems and scriptures which have helped mold his writing interests and have subsequently found their way into a few books in his retirement years. He has a love of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but in his concern over the national decline in scripture reading, and the fact that the general reading skill is below the junior high school level, he has had increased focus on and has spent decades in making scripture reading much more clear and easy for youth as well as mature readers, while maintaining the integrity of the original texts.
Sterling’s rather palpable love of people, nature, adventure, music and literature is reflected in his writing. He is the father of five grown children, and is currently residing in Salt Lake City with his wife and their aged cat.
Sterling H. Redd Sr.
