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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.
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960 pages, Paperback
Published October 28, 2024
116 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 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.
July 30, 2025
This has been very helpful for my study to give more insights and history.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews