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The Doctrine and Covenants Study Guide: Start to Finish
More than anything, the Doctrine and Covenants stands as the founding scriptural account of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As we study this book of scripture, how can we deepen our understanding of the revelations, covenants, blessings, and doctrine received from God by His prophets through revelation to the Church?
The Doctrine and Covenants Study Start to Finish is a comprehensive question-and-answer commentary set alongside the text of the Doctrine and Covenants. It draws from thousands of powerful scriptural and historical insights, including those from General Authorities and Officers of the Church, Church magazines and manuals, scripture commentaries, reference books, and other publications, as well as firsthand historical accounts. This volume gathers together into one place unique insights and explanations about the Doctrine and Covenants to help individuals and teachers gain more from their personal scripture study. Asking inspired questions as we seek a deeper understanding of the scriptures invites personal revelation and draws us closer to Jesus Christ, inviting His strength and power into our lives.
The Doctrine and Covenants Study Start to Finish is a comprehensive question-and-answer commentary set alongside the text of the Doctrine and Covenants. It draws from thousands of powerful scriptural and historical insights, including those from General Authorities and Officers of the Church, Church magazines and manuals, scripture commentaries, reference books, and other publications, as well as firsthand historical accounts. This volume gathers together into one place unique insights and explanations about the Doctrine and Covenants to help individuals and teachers gain more from their personal scripture study. Asking inspired questions as we seek a deeper understanding of the scriptures invites personal revelation and draws us closer to Jesus Christ, inviting His strength and power into our lives.
960 pages, Paperback
Published October 28, 2024
67 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 4, 2025
As I’ve been reading the Doctrine and Covenants this year, one resource I’ve enjoyed reading is The Doctrine and Covenants Study Guide: Start to Finish (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2024), ed. Thomas R. Valletta. The book is formatted as the text of the Doctrine and Covenants with comments in wide margins and footnotes. The commentary is a blend of historical and linguistic context and devotional commentary and offers a variety of insights into the text and the people who are being addressed in the revelations.
In many ways, it feels like this commentary is a culmination of Church-centric discussions about the Doctrine and Covenants. Throughout, the words of church leaders discussing the scriptures in question are represented, as are faithful commentaries (like the Doctrine and Covenants Commentary, by Hyrum M. Smith and Janne M. Sjodahl) and scholarly analysis (such as quotes from the Joseph Smith Papers Project and Steven Harper’s Making Sense of the Doctrine & Covenants). The feel is similar to the Doctrine and Covenants Institute manuals that the Church has published (which makes a lot of sense, given that Valletta is director of seminary and institute curriculum for the Church Educational System), with the added benefit of the scripture text being present on the same page.
As far as intended audience, this commentary is directed primarily towards active Latter-day Saints. That audience will benefit greatly from engaging with The Doctrine and Covenants Study Guide: Start to Finish, doubly so if they are teaching in Sunday School. Academic audiences can still benefit from the discussion in the commentary, but will be better served by reviewing the resources available in the Joseph Smith Papers Project unless they are interested in how the text has been received and interpreted since publication.
If you’re looking for a great commentary on the Doctrine and Covenants to study alongside the text, then The Doctrine and Covenants Study Guide: Start to Finish is a great option that I would recommend.
In many ways, it feels like this commentary is a culmination of Church-centric discussions about the Doctrine and Covenants. Throughout, the words of church leaders discussing the scriptures in question are represented, as are faithful commentaries (like the Doctrine and Covenants Commentary, by Hyrum M. Smith and Janne M. Sjodahl) and scholarly analysis (such as quotes from the Joseph Smith Papers Project and Steven Harper’s Making Sense of the Doctrine & Covenants). The feel is similar to the Doctrine and Covenants Institute manuals that the Church has published (which makes a lot of sense, given that Valletta is director of seminary and institute curriculum for the Church Educational System), with the added benefit of the scripture text being present on the same page.
As far as intended audience, this commentary is directed primarily towards active Latter-day Saints. That audience will benefit greatly from engaging with The Doctrine and Covenants Study Guide: Start to Finish, doubly so if they are teaching in Sunday School. Academic audiences can still benefit from the discussion in the commentary, but will be better served by reviewing the resources available in the Joseph Smith Papers Project unless they are interested in how the text has been received and interpreted since publication.
If you’re looking for a great commentary on the Doctrine and Covenants to study alongside the text, then The Doctrine and Covenants Study Guide: Start to Finish is a great option that I would recommend.
December 29, 2025
Thomas R. Valletta is the author of eleven books. The Doctrine and Covenants Study Guide: Start to Finish, published in October 2024, is the 93rd title I have completed in 2025.
I purchased a paperback copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving this review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own. Due to its content and tone, I would categorize this book as G.
The Doctrine and Covenants stands as the foundational scriptural record of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, containing revelations, covenants, doctrines, and promised blessings given by God through His prophets. This study guide is designed to deepen readers’ understanding of those revelations and to support thoughtful, prayerful study of the text.
In addition to the complete Doctrine and Covenants text, the book features an extensive question-and-answer commentary presented alongside the scripture. These insights are drawn from thousands of doctrinal, historical, and interpretive sources, including teachings of General Authorities and Officers of the Church, Church magazines and manuals, scripture commentaries, reference works, and firsthand historical accounts.
Whether reading the Doctrine and Covenants for the first time or revisiting it with fresh eyes, this guide offers meaningful insight and context that enhances understanding and application.
I enjoyed the 49+ hours I spent reading this 960-page nonfiction religious work. While the cover design is quite plain, it is fitting for the subject matter and does not detract from the content. I give this book a rating of 4.2 out of 5.
You can access more of my book reviews on my Blog ( https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/).
I purchased a paperback copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving this review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own. Due to its content and tone, I would categorize this book as G.
The Doctrine and Covenants stands as the foundational scriptural record of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, containing revelations, covenants, doctrines, and promised blessings given by God through His prophets. This study guide is designed to deepen readers’ understanding of those revelations and to support thoughtful, prayerful study of the text.
In addition to the complete Doctrine and Covenants text, the book features an extensive question-and-answer commentary presented alongside the scripture. These insights are drawn from thousands of doctrinal, historical, and interpretive sources, including teachings of General Authorities and Officers of the Church, Church magazines and manuals, scripture commentaries, reference works, and firsthand historical accounts.
Whether reading the Doctrine and Covenants for the first time or revisiting it with fresh eyes, this guide offers meaningful insight and context that enhances understanding and application.
I enjoyed the 49+ hours I spent reading this 960-page nonfiction religious work. While the cover design is quite plain, it is fitting for the subject matter and does not detract from the content. I give this book a rating of 4.2 out of 5.
You can access more of my book reviews on my Blog ( https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/).
December 8, 2025
This is a very comprehensive guide. But I had 3 issues.
1. tremendous overuse of Bruce R. McConkie, whom I have found to be unreliable as it is often is his ‘made up’ opinion.
2. Errors in the study guides. 4 times I found errors, often in the citation of scripture or misunderstanding of the historical facts. I was able to trace this back to the source material, often BYU published papers that were also wrong and yet peer reviewed and published. All attempts to discuss this with the publisher and authors (and BYU), though encouraged on their websites, were ignored.
3. Not addressing, in detail, challenging topics. Like polygamy. Harper’s Making Sense of the D&C, which is often quoted in the guide, was a very helpful companion to this.
Still I found it very helpful and enjoyed using it all year.
1. tremendous overuse of Bruce R. McConkie, whom I have found to be unreliable as it is often is his ‘made up’ opinion.
2. Errors in the study guides. 4 times I found errors, often in the citation of scripture or misunderstanding of the historical facts. I was able to trace this back to the source material, often BYU published papers that were also wrong and yet peer reviewed and published. All attempts to discuss this with the publisher and authors (and BYU), though encouraged on their websites, were ignored.
3. Not addressing, in detail, challenging topics. Like polygamy. Harper’s Making Sense of the D&C, which is often quoted in the guide, was a very helpful companion to this.
Still I found it very helpful and enjoyed using it all year.
December 11, 2025
Especially when reading Doctrine and Covenants, I enjoy a good scripture study guide. This one is well done and I appreciate that the commentary is on the side of the original text which makes it easy, so I don’t have to flip back and forth.
July 30, 2025
This has been very helpful for my study to give more insights and history.
December 10, 2025
My favorite study guides to use with my scriptures.
December 18, 2025
Includes the text of the Doctrine & Covenants and quotations from a variety of sources that explain the content.
January 8, 2026
Followed this guide throughout 2025 - I found it very helpful.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews