Show rt ’ I i t t lumuiffoa "I I nr I-- 'Xi- “$ St - viS i'Sxc k v- - Study to focus on revelation history Mormons turn ear to Christ manuals However one cannot study this book without also The “tender but firm” voice of studying the church’s history Before each revelation for exJesus Christ as revealed in the LDS Church's Doctrine & Coveample historical background is nants will be the focus of study always given In addition the by Mormons worldwide during church has provided a supple1989 mental text “My Kingdom Shall In addition to study of the Roll Forth” that is to be used at book which Howard W Hunter the completion of the study of president of the Council of the Doctrine & Covenants at the Twelve Apostles called “a book end of the year of revelation for our day” the Some of the topics in this church also will study its own book include chapters on all the rich and sometimes tumultuous church presidents the Mormon exodus west and even some of history — one that poses dilemmas for historians and students the more controversial elements alike of its history such as polygamy The explanatory introduction But not everything in its colof the Doctrine & Covenants orful past is mentioned — espesays the book is unique because cially those things that may not it is not a translation of an anbe perceived as cient document “but is of modsaid Newell G Bringhurst ern origin and was given of God professor of history at the Colthrough his chosen prophets for lege of the Sequoias Visalia the restoration of his holy work Calif and the establishment of the author of Bringhurst kingdom of God on the earth in “Brigham Young and the Exthese days” panding American Frontier" It goes on to say that in these published in 1986 by Little revelations “one hears the tender Brown & Co said he does not but firm voice of the Lord Jesus consider it some kind of conspirChrist speaking anew in the disacy to suppress the truth when the church chooses not to print the of fullness of pensation certain aspects of its history in times” During a recent satellite its Sunday School manuals and broadcast introducing the LDS other church publications It’s course of study for Gospel Docsimply a matter of the audience trine classes in the Sunday purpose and the image it wants to portray Schools Hunter expounded upon the uniqueness of the Doc“Nobody wants controversy” trine & Covenants which he said “The church is very PR Latter-da- y Saints hold equal to minded” the Bible and the Book of MorFor church historians who are mon faithful to their beliefs but who “It is the only book on the are also trained to write history face of the entire earth with a — not ignore it — this can pose a troublesome dilemma preface composed by the Creator In the book “Mormons and himself” Hunter said “Furthern more this book of scripture contheir Historians” by Davis and Leonard J Arringtqn tains more direct quotations from the Lord than any other published this year by the Uniexisting book of scripture” versity of Utah Press this probAs has been the practice since lem was addressed by Spencer W Kimball then president of 1972 the church continues to the LDS Church during an ademphasize the study of the standard works (Bible Book of Mordress to scholars- at Brigham mon Doctrine & Covenants Young University He told the university faculty Pearl of Great Price) as a primathat its Mormon scholars must be for source School ry Sunday texts rather than secondary See DOCTRINE on Page 4 By JOHN DeVILBISS Standard Examiner religion editor “faith-promotin- g” Bit-to- - Photo illustration by Clyde Mueller LDS Church’s Doctrine & Covenants will be the focus of study by Mormons uiMgiipTOaiy’ - A mims s lfrrrrrrflhr lasusaS ItftemalNSGMNK - - - f - - “r' - |