The Articles and Covenants

Section 20 of the Doctrine and Covenants is also known as "The Articles and Covenants of the Church of Christ."  This is the most often references section in the Doctrine and Covenants by the Lord, as well as by the brethren at General Conference.  It was read in full at every General Conference of the church until the year 1835, which is when it was published, thus allowing the Saints to read it on their own on a regular basis.  Why was it so important that they would read the entire section—and it's not a short section either—at every General Conference?  And why is it referenced so often?  The answer is, of course, in what it contains.

On page 433 of the Joseph Smith Papers book (Volume 2: Revelations and Translations), there is a previously unpublished revelation given to a man named Lincoln who has been called on a mission.  He is commanded to bring the "Articles and Covenants" and "some of the commandments."  Interestingly, aside from the Book of Mormon and the Bible, this is really all he would need.  The Articles and Covenants as contained in Section 20 of the Doctrine and Covenants had all of the information that a missionary would need.

The first twelve verses of the section cover a brief history of the Restoration up through 1830, which is when the revelation was received.  This tells of Joseph Smith's call as a Prophet and a Seer, and as a Translator.  It also tells of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon.  This would be akin to our first lesson on the Restoration in Preach My Gospel, which is what the missionaries worldwide use today!

Verses 17 through 37 talk about the restored doctrines of the creation, fall, atonement, repentance and baptism.  These basic truths are necessary for any convert to understand, and can be found in the second and third lessons of Preach my Gospel.

The remainder of the chapter talks about the organization and regulation of the church.  These early missionaries, unlike most missionaries today, not only proselyted, but actually established wards of Zion in the places they went.  These verses are much like a Priesthood Handbook of Instruction, explaining how all of the basic ordinances of the restoration are performed, the duties and organization of the several priesthood offices, and other details of the restored church.

The Articles and Covenants were all the information necessary to learn of the restoration, receive the saving ordinances of baptism and the sacrament through proper priesthood authority, and organize Zion.  No wonder the Lord commanded Lincoln to bring a copy on his mission!  It was obviously one of the most important revelations to the early Saints, and still of great benefit to us today.