One of my favorite things about the Doctrine and Covenants and especially Section 1 is how it democratizes revelation. In the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord makes it clear that he is speaking to the whole world and inviting every man to receive personal revelation, a knowledge of the truthfulness of the scriptures and the modern prophets.

In verse 2, the Lord emphasizes that “verily the voice of the Lord is unto all men, and there is none to escape; and there is no eye that shall not see, neither ear that shall not hear, neither heart that shall not be penetrated.” The message of God will come to every person whether or not the person is willing to receive it

Again in verse 4, the Lord emphasizes “ And the voice of warning shall be unto all people, by the mouths of my disciples, whom I have chosen in these last days.”

In Verse 11 the lord focuses on the fact that all mankind has the agency to choose whether or not to listen to the Gospel message.  “Wherefore the voice of the Lord is unto the ends of the earth, that all that will hear may hear:”

The Lord desires each one of us to be personal witnesses of him and to speak in the name of the Lord. “ 20 But that every man might speak in the name of God the Lord, even the Savior of the world;” The authority to speak on behalf of the lord is not limited only to those who are leaders in the Church but i given to all mankind in our own capacities and callings.

God also desires that each one of us have the opportunity to gain a personal witness of the truth of the restored gospel and the impending second coming:

 “34 And again, verily I say unto you, O inhabitants of the earth: I the Lord am willing to make these things known unto all flesh;

 35 For I am no respecter of persons, and will that all men shall know that the day speedily cometh. . . . “

For me, this is one of the most unique and powerful messages of the doctrine and covenants. While the New Testament is full of examples of God inviting individuals to pray for things, the invitation to truly pray for a witness is pretty extraordinary. Likewise, while the Book of Mormon also emphasis the centrality of personal revelation exemplified by Moroni’s promise, this is nowhere to powerful as in the D&C. Here, the lord is speaking in his own voice through a living and modern prophet. The message is clearly to all the earth and for all of us.



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