Explanations for the Doctrine and Covenants Section Headings
Explanations for the Doctrine and
Covenants Section Headings
On March 1, 2013,
the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced a
new edition of the Latter-day Saint scriptures. The 2013 edition includes
adjustments made to the headings of seventy-eight sections of the Doctrine and
Covenants. In 2025, adjustments were made to the headings of twenty-five sections,
some of which had also been changed for the 2013 edition. For more information on
all these changes, see the materials posted with the First Presidency’s
announcement. In particular, see Adjustments to the Scriptures, an overview of the types of adjustments made
in 2013 and 2025; and Side by Side Comparison, a comparison of the former Doctrine and Covenants
section headings against the 2013 revised headings.
Explanations for
most of the significant changes made to the headings are provided below. Detailed
information supporting these changes is available in several volumes of the Documents series
of The Joseph Smith Papers, as well as the Church publication
Revelations in Context.
In identifying
Joseph Smith’s location when Moroni first appeared to him, the revised 2025 heading
deletes “the house of the Prophet’s father at Manchester” and adds “the Smiths’ log
home at Palmyra.” This change is based on research by the Historic Sites Division of
the Church History Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Although the Smith family lived for a time in the frame home in Manchester, New
York, at the time of Moroni’s visit they were living in a small log building a few
hundred feet north and west across the road. Though the two structures were not far
apart, the frame home was in Manchester while the log home was in Palmyra, New York.
For more information, see Donald L. Enders, “‘A Snug Log House’: A Historical Look at the Joseph Smith, Sr., Family Home in
Palmyra, New York,” Ensign, August 1985, 14–23.
In identifying the
location where Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery were ordained to the Aaronic
Priesthood, the revised heading in the 2013 edition deletes the mention of “along
the bank of the Susquehanna River.” This change is based on recent research by the
historic sites group of the Church History Department of The Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints. Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery described this ordination as
occurring in a “woods” some distance from the river. Nineteenth-century Latter-day
Saint descriptions of this ordination consistently noted that the event occurred in
the “woods.” Evidence indicates that the land near the river had been cleared of
trees at the time of the ordination. In contrast, there was a grove of sugar maples
on Joseph Smith’s property some distance from the river. This is where the
ordination likely occurred. In the early twentieth century, some Latter-day Saint
sources began erroneously introducing the notion that the ordination occurred along
the banks of the Susquehanna River, evidently in large part because of an unsourced
statement made in a caption of a photograph of the river. For more information, see
Mark Lyman Staker, “Where Was the Aaronic Priesthood Restored? Identifying the Location of John the
Baptist’s Appearance, May 15, 1829,” Mormon Historical Studies
12 (Fall 2011): 143–159.
The revised heading
in the 2013 edition changes the date of the revelation to April 16, 1830, making the
date more specific. The source for this change is a manuscript copy of the revelation in the handwriting of William E.
McLellin, housed in William E. McLellin, Papers, Church History Library, Salt
Lake City.
Section 23
The revised heading
in the 2013 edition explains that this section is constituted of five separate
revelations, all received in April 1830. The source for this change is Revelation
Book 1, pages 29–30.
Section 32
The revised heading
in the 2013 edition inserts the location of the revelation as Manchester, New York.
The source for this change is Revelation Book 2, page 84.
Section 36
The revised heading
in the 2013 edition changes the date of the revelation to December 9, 1830, making
the date more specific. The source for this change is Revelation
Book 1, page 48.
Section 39
The heading in the
1981 edition identified the subject of this revelation as James Covill, a Baptist
minister. The revised heading in the 2013 edition identifies this individual as
James Covel, a Methodist minister. For more information, see the Historical Introduction to Revelation, 5 January 1831 [D&C 39]; and the
for Covel.
Section 40
See the information
immediately above regarding section 39.
The revised heading
in the 2013 edition changes the date of the revelation to March 10, 1830, making the
date more specific. The source for this change is Revelation Book 1, page 79.
The revised heading
in the 2013 edition changes the date of the revelation to May 9, 1831, making the
date more specific. The source for this change is Revelation Book 1, page 82.
Section 51
The revised heading
in the 2013 edition changes the date of the revelation to May 20, 1831, making the
date more specific. The source for this change is Revelation Book 1, page 86.
Section 52
The revised heading
in the 2013 edition changes the date of the revelation to June 6, 1831. The source
for this change is Revelation Book 1, page 87.
Section 53
The revised heading
in the 2013 edition changes the date of the revelation to June 8, 1831, making the
date more specific. The source for this change is Revelation Book 1, page 89.
The revised heading
in the 2013 edition changes the date of the revelation to June 14, 1831, making the
date more specific. The source for this change is Revelation Book 1, page 91.
The revised heading
in the 2013 edition changes the date of the revelation to August 30, 1831, making
the date more specific. One source for this change is Revelation
Book 1, page 104.
Section 65
The revised heading
in the 2013 edition changes the date of the revelation to October 30, 1831, making
the date more specific. The source for this change is Revelation
Book 1, page 112.
The revised heading
in the 2013 edition explains that this section is constituted of two separate
revelations, both received January 25, 1832. The sources for this change include
early manuscript copies of the revelations made by Sidney Rigdon (Revelation
A, Revelation
B).
The revised heading
in the 2013 edition corrects and clarifies the revelation’s historical context. The
revised 2025 heading more accurately reflects the wording of the original
revelation. The phrase “mercantile and publishing establishments” does not appear in
the original revelation; instead, the phrase is “literary and mercantile
establishments.” For more information, see the Historical Introduction to Revelation, 1 March 1832 [D&C 78]; and the
glossary entry for “.”
Section 79
The revised heading
in the 2013 edition changes the date of the revelation to March 12, 1832, making the
date more specific. The source for this change is Revelation Book 2, page 12.
Section 80
The revised heading
in the 2013 edition changes the date of the revelation to March 7, 1832, making the
date more specific. The source for this change is Revelation Book 2, page 18.
Section 81
The revised heading
in the 2013 edition changes the date of the revelation to March 15, 1832, making the
date more specific. The source for this change is Revelation Book 2, page 17.
The revised heading
in the 2013 edition deletes the last sentence of the earlier heading, which stated
that the first three verses of the revelation were written by Joseph Smith. The
sources for this change include the versions of the revelation in Revelation Book 1, page 167, and Revelation Book 2, pages 49–50,
which treat the opening statement as part of the revelation. The revised 2025
heading changes “As a consequence of the early brethren using tobacco in their
meetings, the Prophet was led to ponder upon the matter; consequently, he inquired”
to “As a consequence of the early brethren using tobacco in their meetings, and how
that concerned his wife, Emma Smith, the Prophet inquired.” This change acknowledges
Emma’s role in prompting Joseph Smith to pray about tobacco use in the School of the
Prophets. For more information, see Historical Introduction to Revelation, 27 February 1833 [D&C 89]; and
Jed Woodworth, “The Word of Wisdom: D&C 89,” in Revelations in
Context.
Section 92
The revised heading
in the 2013 edition clarifies the revelation’s historical context. In reference to
the appointment of Frederick G. Williams, the heading changes “a counselor in the
First Presidency” to a “counselor to Joseph Smith.” This change was made because the
term “First Presidency” was not in use until later in the 1830s. See the glossary
for more information on the historical development of the term “” and for more information on the .
Section 94
The revised heading
in the 2013 edition changes the date of the revelation from May 6, 1833, to August
2, 1833. The sources for this change include a letter from Joseph
Smith and others dated 6 August 1833; a letter from Oliver Cowdery, Joseph Smith, and others dated 10
August 1833; and Revelation Book 2, page 64. The
revised 2025 heading changes “Hyrum Smith, Reynolds Cahoon, and Jared Carter are
appointed” to “outlining the layout of Kirtland, a stake of Zion, and appointing
Hyrum Smith, Reynolds Cahoon, and Jared Carter.” This change demonstrates that much
of this revelation is about the establishment of Kirtland, Ohio, as a stake of Zion.
For more information, see Historical Introduction to Revelation, 2 August 1833–B [D&C 94].
Section 95
The revised heading
in the 2013 edition changes the plural “houses” to the singular “house,” in
reference to the temple then being built in Kirtland, Ohio. This change is based on
the language of the revelation itself.
Section 96
The revised 2025
heading deletes “showing the order of the city or stake of Zion at Kirtland, Ohio,”
and “as an example to the Saints in Kirtland” because those items are more pertinent
to section 94 than to section 96. For more information, see Historical Introduction to Revelation, 2 August 1833–B [D&C 94].
Section 97
The revised 2025
heading adds “about a school of the prophets in Missouri” after “in response to the
Prophet’s inquiry of the Lord for information” to provide more specificity to what
Joseph Smith was inquiring about when he received this revelation. For more
information, see Historical Introduction to Revelation, 2 August 1833–A [D&C 97].
Section 98
The revised heading
in the 2013 edition clarifies the revelation’s historical context. For more
information on tensions and persecution in Missouri at this time, see, for example,
the July 29, 1833, letter from John Whitmer and William W. Phelps to Joseph Smith and others;
and the geographical descriptions for “,” and “.” The revised 2025 heading provides a
more specific date for the mob attacks on the Church in Jackson County, Missouri, by
changing the date from “In July 1833” to “On July 20, 1833.” It also adds “Three
days later, Church leaders signed an agreement to do so” after “demanded that the
Saints leave Jackson County” to show the result of the mob’s demands. For more
information, see Letter from John
Whitmer, 29 July 1833.
Section 99
The revised heading
in the 2013 edition changes the date of the revelation to August 29, 1832, making
the date more specific, and provides information about John Murdock. The source for
the date change is Revelation Book 1, page 148.
For more information about John Murdock, see his .
Section 101
The revised heading
in the 2013 edition changes the date of the revelation to December 16 and 17, 1833,
and adds the detail that some Saints had tried to establish themselves in Lafayette
and Ray counties. The source for the date change is Revelation Book 1, page 183.
For information on the added counties, see their geographical descriptions (, ). The revised
2025 heading changes “Threats of death against individuals of the Church were many”
to “There had been many threats of death against members of the Church.” This change
more accurately reflects that the death threats were made against the Saints when
they were in Jackson County, Missouri, before their forced relocation to Clay
County, Missouri. For more information, see Historical Introduction to Revelation, 16–17 December 1833 [D&C
101].
Section 102
The revised heading
in the 2013 edition corrects and clarifies the revelation’s historical background.
The sources for the changes include Minute Book 1, 19 February 1834, page
36.
Section 103
Because the
historical record is not clear as to whether Joseph Smith received this revelation
before or after he counseled with Parley P. Pratt and Lyman Wight, the revised 2025
heading changes “This revelation was received after the arrival” to “This revelation
was received the same day as the arrival.” For more information, see Historical Introduction to Revelation, 24 February 1834 [D&C 103].
Section 104
The revised heading
in the 2013 edition corrects and clarifies the revelation’s historical context. For
more information on the United Firm, see the .
Section 105
The revised 2025
heading changes the location of the revelation’s reception from “on Fishing River,
Missouri” to “about four miles north of Fishing River in Clay County, Missouri.” The
2013 and 2025 revised headings also correct and clarify the revelation’s historical
context and the purposes of Zion’s Camp. For more information, see Historical Introduction to Revelation, 22 June 1834 [D&C 105]; and
Matthew C. Godfrey, “The Acceptable Offering of Zion’s Camp: D&C 103, 105,” in Revelations in Context
Section 107
The revised heading
in the 2013 edition clarifies the revelation’s historical context. For the text of
the November 1831 revelation referred to in this heading, see Revelation,
11 November 1831–B [D&C 107 (partial)]. The revised 2025 heading makes
two dating changes. Because historical sources indicate that the revelation could
have been received anytime between March 1 and May 4, 1835, the revised heading
changes the revelation’s date from “about April 1835” to “in late winter or spring
1835.” It also corrects the date when Joseph Smith likely delivered the revelation
to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles from May 3, 1835, to May 4, 1835. For more
information, see Historical Introduction to Instruction on Priesthood, between circa 1 March and
circa 4 May 1835 [D&C 107].
Section 108
The revised heading
in the 2013 edition deletes the mention that Lyman Sherman had been ordained a high
priest. The revised 2025 heading provides more specificity to Lyman Sherman’s
calling in the Church by changing “previously been ordained a seventy” to
“previously been ordained one of the seven presidents of the Seventy.” For more
information about Lyman Sherman, see his . See also Historical Introduction to Revelation, 26 December 1835 [D&C 108].
Section 109
The revised 2025
heading changes “According to the Prophet’s written statement, this prayer was given
to him by revelation” to “The prayer had been given to the Prophet and other Church
leaders by revelation as they worked late the previous night to prepare it.” This
change acknowledges that a written statement from Joseph Smith about this section
coming through revelation has not been located, while also providing more context
about the prayer’s preparation. For more information, see Historical Introduction to Minutes and Prayer of Dedication, 27 March 1836
[D&C 109].
The revised 2025
heading provides more specific context to the section by changing “the leaders of
the Church were heavily in debt due to their labors in the ministry” to “the Church
and its leaders were heavily in debt due to the construction of the Kirtland Temple
and persecutions in Missouri.” It also changes “would be available” to “might be
available.” To maintain stylistic consistency with other section headings and for
brevity, the heading deletes “Several of the factors prominent in the background are
reflected in the wording of this revelation.” For more information, see Historical Introduction to Revelation, 6 August 1836 [D&C 111]; and
Elizabeth Kuehn, “More Treasures Than One: D&C 111,” in Revelations in
Context.
Section 112
The revised 2025
heading provides clearer and more direct historical context to the revelation by
deleting “concerning the Twelve Apostles of the Lamb. This revelation was received
on the day Elders Heber C. Kimball and Orson Hyde first preached the gospel in
England. Thomas B. Marsh was at this time President of the Quorum of the Twelve
Apostles” and adding “At this time there was significant dissension in the Church
over Joseph Smith’s leadership, including among some of the Apostles. In the months
before this revelation was given, Thomas B. Marsh had worked to end the conflict
among Church leaders and unite the Apostles.” For more information, see Historical Introduction to Revelation, 27 July 1837 [D&C 112].
The revised 2025
heading deletes “making known the will of God concerning the building up of that
place and of the Lord’s house. This revelation is addressed to the presiding
officers and members of the Church.” It adds “identifying the name of the Church as
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The revelation also approved of Far
West as a new gathering place in the land of Zion.” This change provides more
specific context for the revelation and emphasizes that it is in this revelation
that the Lord gives the name of the Church. For more information, see Historical Introduction to Revelation, 26 April 1838 [D&C 115].
Section 116
By adding “An
extract from Joseph Smith’s history recounting a revelation,” the revised 2025
heading becomes parallel with the headings of sections 2 and 13, which are also
extracts from Joseph Smith’s history. The revised heading also changes the
revelation’s date from May 19, 1838, to May or June 1838, showing the ambiguity in
the historical record of when the revelation was given. For more information, see
Documents, Volume 6, Introduction to Part 1: 15 February–28 June 1838.
Section 119
The revised 2025
heading deletes “The Lord had previously given to the Church the law of consecration
and stewardship of property, which members (chiefly the leading elders) entered into
by a covenant that was to be everlasting. Because of failure on the part of many to
abide by this covenant, the Lord withdrew it for a time and gave instead the law of
tithing to the whole Church. The Prophet asked the Lord how much of their property
He required for sacred purposes. The answer was this revelation.” It replaces this
with “This revelation came after the Saints had suffered financial challenges in
Missouri and Ohio due to the construction of the Kirtland Temple; persecutions in
Jackson County, Missouri; and a nationwide financial crisis. The Saints were also
continuing to build up communities in Missouri.” This change provides more context
for the financial difficulties the Saints were experiencing and helps prevent
misunderstanding that the law of consecration was replaced by the law of tithing and
is no longer in effect. For more information, see Historical Introduction to Revelation, 8 July 1838–C [D&C 119]; and
Steven C. Harper, “‘The Tithing of My People’: D&C 119, 120,” in Revelations in Context.
By changing “dated
March 20, 1839” to “written around March 22, 1839,” the revised 2025 headings for
these two revelations indicate that the letter from which these revelations come is
not dated but was composed around March 22. For more information, see Historical Introduction to Edward Partridge and the Church, circa 22 March
1839.
Section 126
The revised 2025
heading changes “At this time Brigham Young was President of the Quorum of the
Twelve Apostles” to “Brigham Young had just returned to his family in Nauvoo from a
nearly two-year mission to England.” This change provides more relevant historical
context for the content of the revelation. For more information, see Historical
Introduction to Revelation, 9 July 1841 [D&C 126].
The revised heading
in the 2013 edition clarifies the revelation’s historical context. The revised 2025
heading changes “as early as 1831” to “earlier” to indicate that some ambiguity
exists about when principles in this revelation were revealed to Joseph Smith. For
more information, see Historical Introduction to Revelation, 12 July 1843 [D&C 132].
Section 135
The revised heading
in the 2013 edition removes the statement that John Taylor authored this section.
Although he has been identified as its author since the early twentieth century,
those later attributions were only given as tentative. When the section was first
published in the 1844 edition of the
Doctrine and Covenants, it did not include an attribution, and no one
involved in its publication ever identified the author. Evidence of who wrote the
declaration is inconclusive. While it is clear that both Willard Richards and John
Taylor, the only two surviving Latter-day Saint eyewitnesses to the murders of
Joseph and Hyrum Smith, shared information that is part of this document, others may
have contributed to its construction as well.