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D&C 3–5
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, Susan Easton Black, Anthony Sweat, Casey Griffiths, and Mariana Richards. Read commentaries and other resources from KnoWhys, Steven C. Harper, Casey Griffiths, and Susan Easton Black.
Overview
Doctrine and Covenants 3
Doctrine and Covenants 4
Doctrine and Covenants 5
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 3 Context (Steven C. Harper)
- Scripture: D&C 3:1–8
- KnoWhy 504: What Can We All Learn about Repentance from the Tragic Loss of the 116 Book of Mormon Pages?
Further Reading
- Video: For A Wise Purpose - D&C 3, John Hilton III
Tuesday
- Scripture: D&C 3:9–20
- KnoWhy 484: Why Is the Book of Mormon So Focused on Jesus Christ?
- KnoWhy 486: Who Are the Lamanites?
Further Reading
- KnoWhy 480: Why Is the Book of Mormon’s Historical Authenticity So Important?
- KnoWhy 319: Why Did Lehi Divide His People into Seven Tribes? (Jacob 1:13)
Wednesday
- Commentary: Section 4 Context (Steven C. Harper)
- Scripture: D&C 4:1–6
- Video: A Marvelous Work (D&C 4), Taylor Halverson
Further Reading
Thursday
- Commentary: Section 5 Context (Steven C. Harper)
- Scripture: D&C 5:1–8
- KnoWhy 407: Are There Other Ancient Records Like the Book of Mormon?
Further Reading
- KnoWhy 403: Are the Accounts of the Golden Plates Believable?
- KnoWhy 454: What Do the Kinderhook Plates Reveal About Joseph Smith’s Gift of Translation?
Friday
- Scripture: D&C 5:9–20
- KnoWhy 267: Why Were Three Key Witnesses Chosen to Testify of the Book of Mormon?
Saturday
- Scripture: D&C 5:21–26
- KnoWhy 291: How Did Martin Harris Help Bring Forth the Book of Mormon?
Sunday
- Video: The Lost 116 Pages - D&C 3, Casey Paul Griffiths
- Scripture: D&C 5:27–35
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Commentary: This revelation had a powerful effect on both Joseph and Martin. In the time immediately following its reception, Joseph appears to have overcome the crisis of confidence he suffered in the aftermath of the lost manuscript episode. With the arrival of Oliver Cowdery in early April 1829, Joseph commenced translation again, producing the entire Book of Mormon as we know it in the span of just a few months. The Lord’s words of affirmation in the revelation, along with Oliver’s arrival, spurred Joseph to stop hesitating and again dive fully into the translation.
It also appears that the Lord’s words in this revelation strengthened Martin’s witness of the work. Martin took up the Lord’s challenge to share his witness with the people around him. When Martin returned to Palmyra he was called to testify in a trial in which Lucy Harris accused Joseph of defrauding her husband. According to Lucy Mack Smith, Martin “testified with boldness and energy.” She wrote, “When he rose he raised his hand to Heaven and said I can swear that Joseph Smith never got one dollar from me since God made me.” Martin also told the accusers that if they continued “to resist the truth it one day be the means of damning your souls,” bringing a swift end to the trial (History, 1844–1845, bk. 8, 7, JSP).
Casey Griffiths, Doctrine and Covenants Minute, D&C 5:30–35.
Additional Resources (Bibliography)
D&C 3
“The Contributions of Martin Harris,” 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.
“All Is Lost,” Saints, Volume 1: The Standard of Truth (Salt Lake City, UT: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2018), 1:43–53.
“Book of Mormon Translation,” Church History Topics.
“Lost Manuscript of the Book of Mormon,” Church History Topics.
Steven C. Harper, “Joseph Smith and Hearty Repentance,” Religious Educator 12, no. 2 (2011): 69–81.
J.B. Haws, “The Lost 116 Pages Story: What We Do Know,” in The Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon: A Marvelous Work and a Wonder, edited by Dennis L. Largey, Andrew H. Hedges, John Hilton III, and Kerry Hull (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center; Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2015), 81–102.
Book of Mormon Central. “Why Was a Stone Used as an Aid in Translating the Book of Mormon? (Alma 37:23).” KnoWhy 145 (July 18, 2016).
Book of Mormon Central. “How Did Martin Harris Help Bring Forth the Book of Mormon? (2 Nephi 27:15).” KnoWhy 251 (March 24, 2017).
Book of Mormon Central, “Why Did Joseph Smith Attempt to Secure the Book of Mormon Copyright in Canada? (Alma 26:3),” KnoWhy 556 (April 7, 2020).
Book of Mormon Central, “What Can We All Learn about Repentance from the Tragic Loss of the 116 Book of Mormon Pages? (Helaman 12:23),” KnoWhy 504 (March 1, 2019).
D&C 3:6
Book of Mormon Central, “Why Doesn’t God Punish Us the Moment We Sin? (Mormon 2:15),” KnoWhy 387 (December 5, 2017).
D&C 3:8
Book of Mormon Central, “What are the “Fiery Darts of the Adversary” Spoken of by Nephi? (1 Nephi 15:24),” KnoWhy 18 (January 25, 2016).
D&C 3:9–10
Book of Mormon Central. “Why Did the Book of Mormon Come Forth as a Miracle? (2 Nephi 27:23).” KnoWhy 273 (February 10, 2017).
Book of Mormon Central, “Why Is the Timing of the Book of Mormon’s Translation So “Marvelous”? (2 Nephi 27:26),” KnoWhy 506 (March 15, 2019).
D&C 3:16
Book of Mormon Central, “Why Is the Book of Mormon “Another Testament of Jesus Christ”? (2 Nephi 3:12),” KnoWhy 494 (December 18, 2018).
Book of Mormon Central, “Why Is the Book of Mormon So Focused on Jesus Christ? (2 Nephi 25:26),” KnoWhy 484 (November 13, 2018).
D&C 3:17–20
Book of Mormon Central. “Why Did Lehi Divide His People into Seven Tribes? (Jacob 1:13).” KnoWhy 319 (May 29, 2017).
Book of Mormon Central, “Why Did the Nephites Preserve Some Items as “National Treasures”? (Mosiah 1:16),” KnoWhy 557 (April 14, 2020).
Book of Mormon Central, “Why Should Readers Pay Attention to the Book of Mormon’s Editorial Promises? (3 Nephi 18:37),” KnoWhy 510 (April 11, 2019).
Book of Mormon Central, “Who Are the Lamanites? (2 Nephi 5:14),” KnoWhy 486 (November 20, 2018).
Book of Mormon Central, “Why Is the Book of Mormon’s Historical Authenticity So Important? (Moroni 10:27),” KnoWhy 480 (October 30, 2018).
Book of Mormon Central, “Are the Accounts of the Golden Plates Believable? (Testimony of the Eight Witnesses),” KnoWhy 403 (January 30, 2018).
Book of Mormon Central, “Why Should We Read the Book of Mormon Daily? (2 Nephi 4:15),” KnoWhy 368 (September 28, 2017).
Book of Mormon Central, “Why Hasn’t Lehi’s DNA Been Found? (Introduction),” KnoWhy 280 (February 27, 2017).
Book of Mormon Central, “Why Does the Book of Mormon Include the Rise and Fall of Two Nations? (Ether 11:20-21),” KnoWhy 245 (December 5, 2016).
D&C 4
“Joseph Smith’s Support at Home,” 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.
“Witnesses of the Book of Mormon,” Church History Topics.
Tait, Lisa Olsen. “Gathering the Lord's Words into One: Biblical Intertextuality in the Doctrine and Covenants.” In You Shall Have My Word: Exploring the Text of the Doctrine and Covenants. Edited by Scott C. Esplin, Richard O. Cowan, and Rachel Cope. Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center; Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2012, 92–107.
Book of Mormon Central. “What Role Does the Book of Mormon Play in Missionary Work? (2 Nephi 30:3).” KnoWhy 288 (March 17, 2017).
Book of Mormon Central, “Why Are There So Many Similarities between the Dreams of Lehi and Joseph Smith, Sr.? (1 Nephi 8:4),” KnoWhy 474 (October 9, 2018).
Sharon Anderson, “Return,” in Glory of the Son (Orem, UT: Time-Lines Etc., 2019), 78.
Sharon Anderson, “Open Hand,” in Glory of the Son (Orem, UT: Time-Lines Etc., 2019), 91.
D&C 4:2–3
Book of Mormon Central, “What Does It Mean to Love God with “All Thy Mind”? (Moroni 10:32),” KnoWhy 517 (May 23, 2019).
Book of Mormon Central, “Why Does the Book of Mormon Say We Must Worship God with Our Whole Soul? (2 Nephi 25:29),” KnoWhy 467 (September 13, 2018).
Book of Mormon Central, “How Are Acts of Service Related to Wisdom? (Mosiah 2:17),” KnoWhy 308 (May 3, 2017).
D&C 5
“The Contributions of Martin Harris,” 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.
“The Gift and Power of God,” Saints, Volume 1: The Standard of Truth (Salt Lake City, UT: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2018), 1:54–64.
“Fellow Servants,” Saints, Volume 1: The Standard of Truth (Salt Lake City, UT: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2018), 1:65–75.
Book of Mormon Central. “Why Were Three Key Witnesses Chosen to Testify of the Book of Mormon? (Ether 5:4).” KnoWhy 267 (January 27, 2017).
Book of Mormon Central, “Why Is the Timing of the Book of Mormon’s Translation So “Marvelous”? (2 Nephi 27:26),” KnoWhy 506 (March 15, 2019).
Book of Mormon Central. “Why Did the Book of Mormon Come Forth as a Miracle? (2 Nephi 27:23).” KnoWhy 273 (February 10, 2017).
Book of Mormon Central. “How Did Martin Harris Help Bring Forth the Book of Mormon? (2 Nephi 27:15).” KnoWhy 251 (March 24, 2017).
Book of Mormon Central, “Why Were the Plates Present During the Translation of the Book of Mormon? (Mosiah 1:6),” KnoWhy 366 (September 21, 2017).
Book of Mormon Central, “Did the Book of Mormon Witnesses Really See What They Claimed? (3 Nephi 28:15),” KnoWhy 521 (June 20, 2019).
Book of Mormon Central, “What Can We All Learn about Repentance from the Tragic Loss of the 116 Book of Mormon Pages? (Helaman 12:23),” KnoWhy 504 (March 1, 2019).
D&C 5:1
Book of Mormon Central, “Is the Book of Mormon Like Other Ancient Metal Documents? (Jacob 4:2),” KnoWhy 512 (April 25, 2019).
Book of Mormon Central, “Are There Other Ancient Records Like the Book of Mormon? (Mormon 8:16),” KnoWhy 407 (February 13, 2018).
Book of Mormon Central, “Are the Accounts of the Golden Plates Believable? (Testimony of the Eight Witnesses),” KnoWhy 403 (January 30, 2018).
D&C 5:4
Book of Mormon Central, “What Do the Kinderhook Plates Reveal About Joseph Smith’s Gift of Translation? (Mosiah 8:!2-13),” KnoWhy 454 (July 31, 2018).
D&C 5:10–11
McConkie, Bruce R. “This Generation Shall Have My Word through You.” In Sperry Symposium Classics: The Doctrine and Covenants. Edited by Craig K. Manscill. Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 2004, 35–47.
Book of Mormon Central. “What Unique Doctrines Did the Lord Reveal through the Book of Mormon? (2 Nephi 3:11).” KnoWhy 293 (March 29, 2017).
D&C 5:22
Book of Mormon Central, “What Does it Really Mean to be Blessed For Keeping the Commandments? (Mosiah 2:41),” KnoWhy 367 (September 26, 2017).
Book of Mormon Central, “How Do Commandments Bring Us Peace and Happiness? (2 Nephi 5:10),” KnoWhy 347 (August 2, 2017).
