Section 7

John the Beloved was allowed to stay on the earth and not taste of death.  This means that Jesus changed John's body so that he would not die but instead be a "translated being" meaning he doesn't age, cannot die, doesn't feel any pain, and has been on earth serving as a missionary from the time Jesus was on the earth until now.  John came with Peter and James to confer the Melchizedec Priesthood or "higher" priesthood upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery.  With this priesthood now restored, the Church of Jesus Christ could be organized, which took place April 7, 1830. (Previous to their visit with the prophet, John the Baptist had appeared to them and conferred the Aaronic Priesthood upon them.  This gave them the authority to perform baptisms. The Melchizedec Priesthood gave them the authority and keys to perform the ordinances of Confirmation of the Holy Ghost and temple ordinances.)

Section 6

Sometimes we are guided and counseled by our fears.   Jesus does not want us to be full of fear.  He wants us to have faith in him.  The Lord said to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery: "Look to me in every thought; doubt not, fear not."

Section 5

Joseph was a prophet, seer, and revelator.  God gave him the ability to translate the Gold Plates (which were written in reformed Egyptian).  He was told by the Lord that he and Three Witnesses would testify that the Plates existed, that he (Joseph) translated them, and that what he wrote was the word of God.  The testimonies of the Three Witnesses (Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris) are found in the introducton section to the Book of Mormon.  Eight others would also give their sworn testimonies that the plates existed, were written by ancient prophets, were delivered to the prophet Joseph by an angel named Moroni, and that the book was a second witness to the reality of our living Savior, Jesus Christ.  The testimony of the Eight Witnesses is also published in the introduction section of the Book of Mormon.

I add my witness and testimony that the Book of Mormon is true!  I have read it many times through and have studied it carefully for over 40 years.  I have prayed and received my personal testimony that the Savior did come to America after his resurrection at Jerusalem.  He descended from Heaven and his visit is documented in the Book of Third Nephi found in the Book of Mormon.  This record of his visit and the things he said and did while he was here, are the foundation of my belief.  No one can ever convince me otherwise.  I know.  I know by the power of the Holy Ghost.  I invite my beloved family and friends to join with me in reading this book and learning for yourselves that it is true.  I love you.  I wish you well in your journey.

Section 4

We live in the time that ancient prophets called the "latter-days."  They saw our day and rejoiced.  Isaiah, for example, saw the coming forth of the Book of Mormon as another witness (along with the Bible) of Jesus Christ.  He saw Joseph Smith and the other latter-day prophets and he saw temples being built throughout the world so that the sealing ordinances could be performed.  We too can rejoice and join in the work of salvation as we prepare for the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ upon the earth. How can we qualify for this exciting duty?   "And faith, hope, charity and love...qualify him for the work....Ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you."

Section 3

God had given Joseph the gold plates.  He had begun the translation.  By the gift and power of God, he translated one hundred and sixteen precious pages from the Book of Lehi, the first book of the Large Plates of Nephi.  But now they were lost!  He had loaned them to Martin Harris and he had lost them.  Joseph felt his soul was lost forever along with the pages.  Yet the Lord, after a period of severe chastisement of Joseph, forgave the prophet and allowed him to continue the work.  The number 116 could stand as a metaphor for those times when we disobey God's will and his commandments.  We do it every day!  Yet, in his love and grace, he gives us opportunities to be made clean from the stains of sin through repentance.

Section 2

Three years after Joseph was visited by the Father and Son, he received another heavenly messenger.  Moroni, the ancient Book of Mormon prophet (and now a resurrected being or angel), came to his bedroom and delivered wonderful news and instructions to Joseph.  Among his words to Joseph, Moroni quoted the prophet, Malachi, who spoke of Elijah coming again to the earth to restore the sealing keys of the priesthood.  Elijah said that unless these keys of sealing were restored, the earth, and its inhabitants, would pass away without having been sealed together, thus the phrase: "the whole earth would be wasted at his coming," speaking of the Second Coming of Christ.
Being "sealed together" means that a person holding the priesthood keys of sealing has performed the proper ordinances necessary for eternal life for an individual, couple, and family.  These ordinances include baptism, confirmation of the Holy Ghost, temple endowment, temple marriage.
If you want to read all of what Elijah said, look in the Old Testament, Malachi 4:5-6.

Section 1

This section is the "Lord's Preface" to the book of Doctrine and Covenants.  It is in His voice and His words, given by revelation to the prophet, Joseph Smith.  "Hearken, O ye people of my church...Hearken ye people from afar; and ye that are upon the islands of the sea, listen together.  For verily the voice of the Lord is unto all men...And the voice of warning shall be unto all people, by the mouths of my disciples, whom I have chosen in these last days....What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same."
I am so grateful that we have a prophet on the earth today.  His name is Thomas S. Monson.  He has the keys and authority of the priesthood restored to the earth.  These keys were received by Joseph Smith from John the Baptist and Peter, James, and John.  These resurrected beings visited the prophet and bestowed the priesthoods of Aaron and Melchizedek, the lower and higher priesthoods. Together they are the same priesthood as Jesus holds.  It is the authority to administer the church with its ordinances of baptism, confirmation of the Holy Ghost, and Temple endowments and sealings, including marriage for eternity. It is also the power to perform miracles such as healing the sick and giving sight to the blind.