The
Doctrine and Covenants (sometimes referred to as
D&C) is a part of the
open scriptural canon of
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints used along with the
Book of Mormon, the
Pearl of Great Price, and the
Bible. The book consists mainly of chapters, called sections, which were either written personally or dictated by the leader of the Church (prophet) at that time. The vast majority of these sections were received by
Joseph Smith, Jr. and are described as revelations to him from
God. The Doctrine and Covenants also contains revelations to later Church presidents; thus the Church's version differs from the version used by splinter groups of the Church such as the
Community of Christ although the material by Joseph Smith is common between them.
An earlier version of the Doctrine and Covenants published by Joseph Smith was called the Book of Commandments, which contains much material in common with it.
The Doctrine and Covenants was officially accepted as a standard work on August 17, 1835. Originally the Doctrine and Covenants contained the Lectures on Faith[?]. But these were removed by the RLDS church in 1897, and later by the LDS church in 1921.