Revelation has always been a hallmark of the true Church.

In the spring of 1820, God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ appeared to a 14-year-old boy as an answer to prayer and revealed to Joseph Smith that he should not join any existing church.

That young man was to become the Prophet of the Restoration, the Church being re-established through him in 1830.

Understandably, Joseph Smith had a lot of questions pertaining to the kingdom of God. He was not unlike the prophets of the Bible and Book of Mormon who took their concerns to the Lord and received answers.

As noted in Amos, "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets." (Amos 3:7.)

Many of the revelations from the Lord to Joseph Smith are contained in the Doctrine and Covenants.

What sets the Doctrine and Covenants apart from the other standard works is that it contains the word of the Lord in this, the last dispensation.

As stated in its introduction:

"The Doctrine and Covenants is a collection of divine revelations and inspired declarations given for the establishment and regulation of the kingdom of God on the earth in the last days.

". . . the testimony that is given of Jesus Christ — his divinity, his majesty, his perfection, his love, and his redeeming power — makes this book of great value to the human family and of more worth than the riches of the whole earth."

What a blessing it is to be on earth when the gospel has been restored and to be able to read revelations specifically for this dispensation. The Church membership will study the Doctrine and Covenants this year.

As President Gordon B. Hinckley, then the first counselor in the First Presidency, so eloquently noted in the First Presidency Message in the January 1989 Ensign:

"Its remarkable and inspiring messages will be taught and pondered in a score of languages and in a hundred nations across the earth.

"It is a glorious book replete with words of heavenly wisdom. It contains the word of God to us of this generation.

"The Standard Works are all indispensable to our understanding the things of God. The Bible provides the foundation of our faith; the Old Testament gives the word of Jehovah through His ancient prophets; the New Testament sets forth, in language beautiful and moving, the matchless life and sacrifice of the Savior of mankind.

"The Book of Mormon stands as an added testament of Jesus Christ. Through its pages march the testimonies of prophets of the New World. Majestic in sweep of history, its chapters are filled with the tragedy of war, with divine warnings, and with God-given promises. It speaks as a voice from the dust to a world that needs to listen.

"The Pearl of Great Price supplies fascinating details missing from the book of Genesis in the Old Testament and from Matthew 24 in the New Testament. It also contains the remarkable and moving account of early events in the life of the Prophet Joseph Smith.

"But the Doctrine and Covenants is unique among our books of scripture. It is the constitution of the Church. While the Doctrine and Covenants includes writings and statements of various origins, it is primarily a book of revelation given through the Prophet of this dispensation."

President Hinckley then goes on to note: "The variety of matters the book deals with is amazing. They include principles and procedures concerning the governance of the Church. Unique and remarkable rules of health, with promises both physical and spiritual, are set forth. The covenant of the eternal priesthood is described in a manner not found elsewhere in scripture. The privileges and blessings — and the limitations and opportunities — of the three degrees of glory are announced, building on Paul's brief mention of a glory of the sun, and of the moon, and of the stars.

"Repentance is proclaimed in language clear and compelling. The correct mode of baptism is given. The nature of the Godhead, which has troubled theologians for centuries, is described in language understandable to all. The Lord's law of finance is pronounced, mandating how funds for the operation of the Church are to be acquired and disbursed. Work for the dead is revealed to bless the sons and daughters of God of all generations."

President Hinckley concludes his remarks:

"It is my testimony, written with solemnity and great appreciation, that this remarkable book, dealing with so many matters of interest and concern to us, sets forth 'the order and will of God' to this generation. Ours is the opportunity to read it, ponder it, and enjoy its words of counsel and promise."