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D&C 51–57
New from BMC
Watch videos from Gospel scholars and teachers to learn more about these sections of the Doctrine and Covenants. Book of Mormon Central produces weekly videos from Tyler Griffin, Taylor Halverson, John Hilton III, Anthony Sweat, Casey Griffiths, Stephanie Dibb Sorensen and Marianna Richardson. Read commentaries and other resources from KnoWhys, Steven C. Harper, Casey Griffiths, and Susan Easton Black.
Overview
Doctrine and Covenants 51
Doctrine and Covenants 52
Doctrine and Covenants 53
Doctrine and Covenants 54
Doctrine and Covenants 55
Doctrine and Covenants 56
Doctrine and Covenants 57
Daily Reading Plan
Structure your personal scripture study by following a 15-minute, day-by-day plan. Each day's assignment includes the required scripture passages from the Come, Follow Me curriculum, as well as suggestions for additional resources to bring context and understanding to your study. For the best experience, use our Reading Plan in the free ScripturePlus app! You can track your progress and have access to the best resources.
Monday
- Commentary: Section 51 Context, Steven C. Harper
- Scripture: D&C 51:1–20
- Commentary: Casey Paul Griffiths, Doctrine and Covenants Minute, Doctrine and Covenants 51:1–8.
- Commentary: Casey Paul Griffiths, Doctrine and Covenants Minute, Doctrine and Covenants 51:13–15.
Tuesday
- Commentary: Section 52 Context, Steven C. Harper
- Scripture: D&C 52:1–21
- Commentary: Casey Paul Griffiths, Doctrine and Covenants Minute, Doctrine and Covenants 52:1–2.
- Commentary: Casey Paul Griffiths, Doctrine and Covenants Minute, Doctrine and Covenants 52:7–11.
Wednesday
- Scripture: D&C 52:22–43
- Commentary: Casey Paul Griffiths, Doctrine and Covenants Minute, Doctrine and Covenants 52:22–44.
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Quote: That one cannot be a true disciple of Christ without significant giving is dramatically emphasized in the revelation received by the Prophet Joseph Smith in Kirtland, on June 7, 1831. In this revelation, the Lord directed twenty-eight of the elders to travel two by two from Kirtland to Jackson County, Missouri. They were to go by different routes, preaching the gospel as they went. You will recall that they were destitute in those days and had to travel through primitive country. Joseph Smith and his immediate companions “journeyed by wagon and stage and occasionally by canal boat to Cincinnati, Ohio,” then to Louisville, Kentucky, and on to St. Louis by steamer. “From this city on the Mississippi, the Prophet of God walked across the entire state of Missouri to Independence, Jackson County, a distance of nearly three hundred miles as traveled.” I call these facts to your attention that you may have in mind the background against which the Lord said to these men as they started, “Remember in all things the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted, for he that doeth not these things, the same is not my disciple” Imagine that! These elders were nearly destitute and the Lord said, “Remember … the poor and the needy.”
Marion G. Romney, “Living Welfare Principles,” October 1981 General Conference.
Thursday
- Commentary: Section 53 Context, Steven C. Harper
- Scripture: D&C 53:1–7
- Bio: Algernon Sidney Gilbert
- Commentary: Section 54 Context, Steven C. Harper
- Scripture: D&C 54:1–10
Friday
- Commentary: Section 55 Context, Steven C. Harper
- Scripture: D&C 55:1–6
- Bio: William Wines Phelps
Saturday
- Commentary: Section 56 Context, Steven C. Harper
- Scripture: D&C 56:1–20
- Bio: Frederick G. Williams
- KnoWhy 485: How Thomas B. Marsh was Led to the Book of Mormon Without Knowing It
Further Reading
- Bio: Thomas Baldwin Marsh
Sunday
- Commentary: Section 57 Context, Steven C. Harper
- Scripture: D&C 57:1–16
- Commentary: Casey Paul Griffiths, Doctrine and Covenants Minute, Doctrine and Covenants 57:1–3.
- Commentary: Casey Paul Griffiths, Doctrine and Covenants Minute, Doctrine and Covenants 57:4–7.
- Commentary: Casey Paul Griffiths, Doctrine and Covenants Minute, Doctrine and Covenants 57:8–16.
Bibliography
Doctrine and Covenants 51
Steven C. Harper, “Section 51,” Doctrine and Covenants Contexts (Springville, UT: Book of Mormon Central, 2021), 116–119.
Susan Easton Black, “Law of Consecration,” Restoration Voices Volume 2: Insights and Stories of the Doctrine and Covenants (Springville, UT: Book of Mormon Central, 2021).
Susan Easton Black, “Edward Partridge,” Restoration Voices Volume 1: People of the Doctrine and Covenants (Springville, UT: Book of Mormon Central, 2021).
Joseph F. Darowski, “The Journey of the Colesville Branch,” Revelations in Context: The Stories Behind the Sections of the Doctrine and Covenants. Salt Lake City, UT: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2016.
Sherilyn Farnes, “'A Bishop Unto the Church',” Revelations in Context: The Stories Behind the Sections of the Doctrine and Covenants. Salt Lake City, UT: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2016.
Book of Mormon Central. “How Can the Book of Mormon Help Saints Live the Law of Consecration? (Mormon 4:19).” KnoWhy 297 (April 7, 2017).
“Church Discipline,” Church History Topics.
“Consecration and Stewardship,” Church History Topics.
Doctrine and Covenants 52
Steven C. Harper, “Section 52,” Doctrine and Covenants Contexts (Springville, UT: Book of Mormon Central, 2021), 120–121.
Susan Easton Black, “Conference in Missouri - Insight Into D&C 52,” Restoration Voices Volume 2: Insights and Stories of the Doctrine and Covenants (Springville, UT: Book of Mormon Central, 2021).
Jed Woodworth, “The Center Place,” Revelations in Context: The Stories Behind the Sections of the Doctrine and Covenants. Salt Lake City, UT: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2016.
“After Much Tribulation,” Saints, Volume 1: The Standard of Truth (Salt Lake City, UT: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2018), 1:125–135.
Book of Mormon Central, “How Does the Book of Mormon Prepare Missionaries to Sacrifice, Serve, and Preach? (Alma 4:20),” KnoWhy 333 (June 30, 2017).
“Early Missionaries,” Church History Topics.
D&C 52:2–5
Book of Mormon Central. “Where Did Joseph Smith Get His Ideas about the Physical and Spiritual Gathering of Israel? (2 Nephi 21:11).” KnoWhy 290 (March 22, 2017).
Doctrine and Covenants 53
Steven C. Harper, “Section 53,” Doctrine and Covenants Contexts (Springville, UT: Book of Mormon Central, 2021), 122.
Susan Easton Black, “Calling and Election - Insight Into D&C 53,” Restoration Voices Volume 2: Insights and Stories of the Doctrine and Covenants (Springville, UT: Book of Mormon Central, 2021).
Susan Easton Black, “Algernon Sidney Gilbert,” Restoration Voices Volume 1: People of the Doctrine and Covenants (Springville, UT: Book of Mormon Central, 2021).
Doctrine and Covenants 54
Steven C. Harper, “Section 54,” Doctrine and Covenants Contexts (Springville, UT: Book of Mormon Central, 2021), 123–124.
Susan Easton Black, “Selfishness - Insight Into D&C 54,” Restoration Voices Volume 2: Insights and Stories of the Doctrine and Covenants (Springville, UT: Book of Mormon Central, 2021).
Susan Easton Black, “Newel Knight,” Restoration Voices Volume 1: People of the Doctrine and Covenants (Springville, UT: Book of Mormon Central, 2021).
Joseph F. Darowski, “The Journey of the Colesville Branch,” Revelations in Context: The Stories Behind the Sections of the Doctrine and Covenants. Salt Lake City, UT: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2016.
Sherilyn Farnes, “'A Bishop Unto the Church',” Revelations in Context: The Stories Behind the Sections of the Doctrine and Covenants. Salt Lake City, UT: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2016.
D&C 54:8
Book of Mormon Central, “Who Are the Lamanites? (2 Nephi 5:14),” KnoWhy 486 (November 20, 2018).
Doctrine and Covenants 55
Steven C. Harper, “Section 55,” Doctrine and Covenants Contexts (Springville, UT: Book of Mormon Central, 2021), 125–126.
Susan Easton Black, “Talents - Insights Into D&C 55,” Restoration Voices Volume 2: Insights and Stories of the Doctrine and Covenants (Springville, UT: Book of Mormon Central, 2021).
Susan Easton Black, “William Wines Phelps,” Restoration Voices Volume 1: People of the Doctrine and Covenants (Springville, UT: Book of Mormon Central, 2021).
Bruce A. Van Orden, “William W. Phelps His Contributions to Understanding the Restoration,” in Foundations of the Restoration: Fulfillment of the Covenant Purposes, eds. Craig James Ostler, Michael Hubbard MacKay, and Barbara Morgan Gardner (Provo, UT: BYU Religious Studies Center, 2016).
Doctrine and Covenants 56
Steven C. Harper, “Section 56,” Doctrine and Covenants Contexts (Springville, UT: Book of Mormon Central, 2021), 127–128.
Susan Easton Black, “Agency - Insight Into D&C 56,” Restoration Voices Volume 2: Insights and Stories of the Doctrine and Covenants (Springville, UT: Book of Mormon Central, 2021).
Susan Easton Black, “Ezra Thayre,” Restoration Voices Volume 1: People of the Doctrine and Covenants (Springville, UT: Book of Mormon Central, 2021).
Susan Easton Black, “Frederick G. Williams,” Restoration Voices Volume 1: People of the Doctrine and Covenants (Springville, UT: Book of Mormon Central, 2021).
Susan Easton Black, “Thomas Baldwin Marsh,” Restoration Voices Volume 1: People of the Doctrine and Covenants (Springville, UT: Book of Mormon Central, 2021).
Joseph F. Darowski, “The Journey of the Colesville Branch,” Revelations in Context: The Stories Behind the Sections of the Doctrine and Covenants. Salt Lake City, UT: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2016.
“Church Discipline,” Church History Topics.
“Early Missionaries,” Church History Topics.
D&C 56:5
Book of Mormon Central, “How Thomas B. Marsh was Led to the Book of Mormon Without Knowing It (2 Nephi 21:12),” KnoWhy November 15, 2018).
D&C 56:17–18
Book of Mormon Central, “Why Did Jesus Tell All People to Sacrifice a Broken Heart and a Contrite Spirit? (3 Nephi 9:19-20),” KnoWhy 198 (September 29, 2016).
Doctrine and Covenants 57
Steven C. Harper, “Section 57,” Doctrine and Covenants Contexts (Springville, UT: Book of Mormon Central, 2021), 129–130.
Susan Easton Black, “The Land of Zion - Insight Into D&C 57,” Restoration Voices Volume 2: Insights and Stories of the Doctrine and Covenants (Springville, UT: Book of Mormon Central, 2021).
Sherilyn Farnes, “'A Bishop Unto the Church',” Revelations in Context: The Stories Behind the Sections of the Doctrine and Covenants. Salt Lake City, UT: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2016.
Jed Woodworth, “The Center Place,” Revelations in Context: The Stories Behind the Sections of the Doctrine and Covenants. Salt Lake City, UT: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2016.
Matthew McBride, “Ezra Booth and Isaac Morley,” Revelations in Context: The Stories Behind the Sections of the Doctrine and Covenants. Salt Lake City, UT: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2016.
Taunalyn Rutherford, “’Her Borders Must Be Enlarged’: Evolving Conceptions of Zion,” in Foundations of the Restoration: Fulfillment of the Covenant Purposes, eds. Craig James Ostler, Michael Hubbard MacKay, and Barbara Morgan Gardner (Provo, UT: BYU Religious Studies Center, 2016).
Scott C. Esplin, "'Let Zion in Her Beauty Rise': Building Zion by Becoming Zion," in You Shall Have My Word: Exploring the Text of the Doctrine and Covenants, ed. Scott C. Esplin, Richard O. Cowan, and Rachel Cope (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center; Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2012), 134–48.
D&C 57:1–3
Book of Mormon Central. “Where Did Joseph Smith Get His Ideas about the Physical and Spiritual Gathering of Israel? (2 Nephi 21:11).” KnoWhy 290 (March 22, 2017).
Book of Mormon Central, “Where is the Land of Promise? (2 Nephi 1:5),” KnoWhy 497 (January 8, 2019).
Book of Mormon Central, “How Are Oliver Cowdery’s Messenger and Advocate Letters to Be Understood and Used? (Mormon 6:6),” KnoWhy 453 (July 26, 2018).
Book of Mormon Central, “Where Did the Book of Mormon Happen? (2 Nephi 1:8),” KnoWhy 431 (May 8, 2018).
