The following comment in the “com box” of
this blog article provides evidence that early Latter-day Saints understood
that the “Covenants” (read: the revelations) of the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants
to be inspired, distinguishing the origins of the “Doctrine” (Lectures onFaith) from the inspired “Covenants”:
The Prophet's
uncle, John Smith, represented the Kirtland High Council and quote him as
having said, "...that the revelations in said book were true, and the
lectures were judiciously arranged and compiled, and were profitable for
doctrine." Levi Jackman, representing the High Council in Missouri
"bore testimony that the revelations in said book were true, and the said
High Council of Missouri accepted and acknowledged them as the doctrine and
covenants of their faith, by a unanimous vote." (See History of the Church
2:244) Clearly, by specifying the "revelations" they were emphasizing
an important distinction.
When the
book was published, the preface explained that "the first part of the book
will be found to contain a series of Lectures as delivered before a Theological
class in this place, and in consequence of their embracing the important
doctrine of salvation, we have arranged them into the following work. Te second
part contains items or principles for the regulation of the church, as taken
from the revelations which have been given since its organization, as well as
from former ones."
Additionally,
the page where the revelations begin is titled, "Covenants and
Commandments of the Lord."
