What can latter-day revelation teach us about the vital doctrines of the restored gospel? The final volume of a comprehensive four-volume series provides a verse-by-verse examination of Doctrine and Covenants sections 106 through 138. Each section is introduced in its historical context. As we learn the context of familiar verses, we gain new insight into the unfolding doctrines of the Restoration. Drawing on numerous source materials - diaries, journals, maps, and atlases - the authors bring to life the history and doctrine of this vital standard work. This volume discusses principles relating to eternal marriage, Church government, the exercise of the priesthood, temple work, the Resurrection, and redemption of the dead.
While this is still probably the best commentary on the Doctrine and Covenants, this was my least favorite volume. I don't know if the authors or editors just got tired at this point in the production, but this had considerably more sloppy editing than in the previous three volumes. And I felt like the deeply insightful comments were fewer and farther between. That isn't to say that there aren't some terrific gems; they were just more rare. Also, I felt like the commentary for D&C 107 was more eccentric and didn't seem to demonstrate a great understanding of the organization of priesthood quorums in the Church. As always there are some updates that need to be made in light of the Joseph Smith Papers project and other more recent LDS historical research, but that fault is not to be laid on the authors; readers just ought to be aware. I still recommend this series as the best commentary for helping readers gain a deeper understanding of the significance of these revelations of the Lord in their historical context.
A really good series. I wanted to finish before the end of the year (2021) but was two days short. I learned a lot and this enhanced my study of the D&C over the past year.
This completes the series on the Doctrine & Covenants, which I have read along with my reading of the Doctrine & Covenants these past months.
These books have helped me gain a greater appreciation for the Doctrine & Covenants and the importance of knowing what this work of scripture says.
Each section of the Doctrine & Covenants has its own chapter, in which the authors start by providing background, and then go on to provide commentary on various verses in the section. The commentary is well documented, with notes at the end of each chapter.
I recommend this series to any who want to study the Doctrine & Covenants in depth.