Sunday School: Doctrine & Covenants Insights and Resources, 2025
-Glen Allen Ward Sunday School Presidency
What is the book of the Doctrine and Covenants?
“The Doctrine and Covenants is a collection of divine revelations and inspired declarations given for the establishment and regulation of the kingdom of God on the earth in the last days.”
"The book of Doctrine and Covenants is one of the standard works of the Church in company with the Holy Bible, the Book of Mormon, and the Pearl of Great Price. However, the Doctrine and Covenants is unique because it is not a translation of an ancient document but is of modern origin and was given of God through His chosen prophets for the restoration of His holy work and the establishment of the kingdom of God on the earth in these days.” (Scriptures, Doctrine and Covenants, 2024) https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/introduction?lang=eng#p1
Why do we need the Doctrine and Covenants?
“…The messages, warnings, and exhortations [in the Doctrine and Covenants] are for the benefit of all mankind and contain an invitation to all people everywhere to hear the voice of the Lord Jesus Christ, speaking to them for their temporal well-being and their everlasting salvation.”
“In the revelations, one hears the tender but firm voice of the Lord Jesus Christ, speaking anew in the dispensation of the fulness of times; and the work that is initiated herein is preparatory to His Second Coming, in fulfillment of and in concert with the words of all the holy prophets since the world began.” (Scriptures, Doctrine and Covenants, 2024)
What is the goal of studying sacred scripture?
The stated purpose of all gospel learning is to “deepen our conversion and help us become more like Jesus Christ… This means relying on Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ to… help us change our hearts, our views, our actions and our very natures.” (Come, Follow Me, p. 1, 2025)
Doctrine and Covenants and Church history Resources
The Church News has curated a list of excellent resources to enrich our study of the Doctrine and Covenants this year. These resources are intended to support learning and enrich our individual and collective understanding of Church doctrine and history.
Please follow the QR code or links for additional resources.
(Church News, December 28, 2024) 15 tools for studying Doctrine and Covenants and Church history – Church News
1. ‘Revelations in Context’
Revelations in Context: The Stories Behind the Sections of the Doctrine and Covenants: Contains information about the people, places and context of the revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants.
2. Doctrine and Covenants Historical Resources
Doctrine and Covenants Historical Resources: a collection of information from the Joseph Smith Papers, short biographies of the people mentioned, background from “Revelations in Context,” relevant Church History Topics essays, and places and chronology for each “Come, Follow Me” lesson.
3. Doctrine and Covenants Scripture Stories
Doctrine and Covenants Scripture Stories: Illustrated stories of the Restoration for children. Coloring books, videos and Doctrine and Covenants Stories for Young Readers are also available.
4. ‘Saints’
“Saints”: The four-volume “Saints” series is the third multivolume official history produced by the Church. Members who read Volume 1, Volume 2, Volume 3 and Volume 4, as well as “Saints Stories,” can see how the revelations of the Doctrine and Covenants fit into the Church’s narrative history. Some stories from “Saints” are featured in Saints Videos.
5. Joseph Smith Papers
The Joseph Smith Papers project (josephsmithpapers.org) is an effort to gather together all available documents produced by Joseph Smith himself or by others he appointed as scribes. This comprehensive collection is an essential resource for scholars and students of the life and work of Joseph Smith and early Latter-day Saint history.
The Joseph Smith Papers includes “Joseph Smith’s Revelations: A Doctrine and Covenants Study Companion from the Joseph Smith Papers,” a compilation and historical study of the earliest surviving versions of Joseph Smith’s revelations now found in the Doctrine and Covenants. The Joseph Smith Papers also offers the Joseph Smith Papers Podcasts
6. Podcasts
Joseph Smith Papers Podcasts: The following are documentary-style podcasts that feature interviews with historians, researchers and Church leaders. Each one is designed to take material from the Joseph Smith Papers and present it in an accessible, digestible way, according to host Spencer McBride, a historian and volume editor on the project.
7. Accounts of the First Vision
The Church History page of ChurchofJesusChrist.org provides several resources for learning about the life and mission of Joseph Smith, including accounts of the First Vision.
8. Prophets of the Restoration
Prophets of the Restoration: Learn about the lives of each Latter-day Saint prophet who served before President Russell M. Nelson.
9. Gospel Topics Essays
Gospel Topics Essays: Approved by the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the purpose of the essays has been to gather accurate information from many different sources and publications and place it where the material can more easily be accessed and studied by Church members and other interested parties.
10. Church History Topics
Church History Topics: An alphabetical list of terms and definitions.
11. Answers to Church History Questions
Answers to Church History Questions: Videos featuring discussions with historians of the Church History Department about various topics.
12. Church Magazines
2025 Liahona articles on Restoration topics and historical perspectives.