Insights from T. Edgar Lyon, Introduction to the Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price (1948)

In a book published by the LDS Department of Education, Introduction to the Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price (Salt Lake City: LDS Department of Education and Deseret News Press, 1948), T. Edgar Lyon discussed (and refuted) some popular misconceptions about the Doctrine and Covenants, such as the revelations being dictated by God to Joseph Smith. Here are some interesting portions of the book:

The Revelations in the Doctrine and Covenant’s not being reflective of “Divine Dictation”

Many people have assumed that all of the revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants were dictated by the Lord and are therefore in divine language. That this is a mistaken interpretation is shown by some of the statements contained in the revelations themselves.

Behold, I am God and have spoken it; these commandments are of me, and were given unto my servants in their weakness, after the manner of their language, that they might come to understand. (Doc. And Cov. 1:24)

And now, I the Lord give unto you a testimony of the truth of these commandments which are lying before you.
Your eyes have been upon my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and his language you have known, and his imperfections you have known; and you have sought in your hearts knowledge that you might express beyond his language; this you also know. (Ibid., 67:4, 5) (pp. 23-24)

Revelations and Prophecies Being Conditional

The fact that the Lord inspires a prophet to make a pronouncement does not necessarily mean that what the Prophet says must happen. Prophecy is not necessarily irrevocable, but may be conditional. Conditions or circumstances may alter the situation to the extent that the revealed word of the Lord is not applicable. For instance, through repentance, a person or group could avoid the consequences that the Lord had said would follow. This matter of the conditional nature of revelation is illustrated by the following quotation:

Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, that the people in Ohio call upon me in much faith, thinking I will stay my hand in judgment upon the nations, but I cannot deny my word.
Wherefore lay to with your might and call faithful laborers into my vineyard, that it may be pruned for the last time.
And inasmuch as they do repent and receive the fulness of my gospel, and become sanctified, I will stay mine hand in judgment.
Wherefore, go forth, crying with a loud voice, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand; crying: Hosanna! blessed be the name of the Most High God.
Go forth baptizing with water, preparing the way before my face for the time of my coming;
For the time is at hand; the day or the hour no man knoweth; but it surely shall come. (Ibid., 39:16-21) (p. 26)

Prophets, Prophecy, and Prediction

Too often people suppose that the only function of a prophet of God is to predict future events. As a matter of fact, a search of the scriptures will indicate that most prophets have done relatively little predicting. Their primary purpose was to speak forth the word and will of the Lord to the contemporary world. Sometimes their utterances were designed to clarify past events. Most of their work was directed toward the improvement of day by day living. And as the Lord willed, they projected their teachings into the future. The following very significant declarations, some of which have been fulfilled in the century since they were given, are among the most prominent predictions of Joseph Smith that can be found in the Doctrine and Covenants. (p. 115; what follows on pp. 115-8 is a discussion of D&C 87 and other prophecies fulfilled after the time of Joseph Smith. On the topic of Joseph Smith’s prophecies, see Resources on Joseph Smith’s Prophecies)