LDS History Sites - Doctrine and Covenants Revelation Sites

Doctrine and Covenants Revelation Sites

General Information

Doctrine and Covenants Revelation Sites is a scriptural and photographic tour of every location where a Doctrine and Covenants revelation was received by the Prophet Joseph Smith and several successors.

D&C Sites

Contact

Click here to visit Doctrine and Covenants Revelation Sites

If you would like to know more about the development and purpose of this project, read on.

Project Genesis

I am a life-long member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I believe the testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith regarding Jesus Christ and his plan of salvation. For four years I enjoyed the privilege of living in the area where Jesus Christ restored the fullness of His gospel and priesthood authority to the Prophet Joseph Smith. Many of the revelations received by Joseph Smith and several of his successors were recorded in a book called the Doctrine and Covenants, which members of the LDS church accept as modern-day scripture. As I eventually prepared to move from the area, I determined to visit the location where each revelation found in the Doctrine and Covenants was received by the Prophet, and there read the corresponding revelations. What did I hope to accomplish?

Spirit of the Place

I have an uncle who travels extensively for the LDS Church. He recently shared a memorable experience he had while visiting the Book of Mormon lands of Central America. His story captures the spirit and intent of my desire.

He and a group of Seminary and Institute leaders participated in a training meeting held in the Atitlan region of Guatemala. The artist Arnold Frieburg used this breathtaking area as the background for his Waters of Mormon painting, familiar to many members of the church. In this beautiful setting, they read together the account in Mosiah 18 of the prophet Alma fleeing the wicked King Noah, and leading many souls to repentance and baptism in the pure fountains of a place called Mormon.

Enlightenment and the sweet spirit of testimony accompanied the experience, he recounted. It came not because the participants were convinced that this was the exact place spoken of in the scriptures. Rather, they learned that "in a setting like this," godly sorrow led to repentance, covenants were made, ordinances were administered, testimonies were born, and prayers were heard and answered. In such instances, time seems to stand still, the visions of the past are near at hand, and the Holy Ghost whispers reassuring eternal truths across the ages in a manner that resonates within the heart of the humble and faithful.

The spirit of the place enhances the spirit of the message. I simply wanted to see and feel the places where God had spoken to modern-day prophets, hoping to deepen my understanding of and appreciation for this marvelous book of revelation.

The Challenge

Where were each of the revelations received? Headings in the Doctrine and Covenants generally give clues as to where revelations were received, but don't specify exact locations. For example, the heading to Section (revelation) 2 states that the Prophet Joseph received this revelation while in his father's home at Manchester, New York in September 1823. The Smith family lived in several homes in that area. Which is the home referred to?

Lists prepared by local LDS historians were available at the Kirtland, Hiram, and Fayette visitor centers identifying specific local revelation sites. These lists were helpful, but I came to realize that the exact location of many revelations was not clearly identified in the historical record, and scholars sometimes differed in their opinion as to the revelation sites. I contacted BYU church history professors and CES scholars looking for a comprehensive, accurate, and detailed list of revelation sites, but was repeatedly advised that it did not exist. I was going to have to put one together as best I could.

Research

I present the results of my research in the hope of conveying something of the spirit of those places made sacred by what transpired there. I believe that the spirit of the place enhances the spirit of the message.