The significance of the Doctrine and Covenants to Latter-day Saints cannot be overemphasized. Elder John A. Widtsoe wrote: “Every doctrine taught by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is found, either outlined or shadowed forth, in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants. As far as I know, there is no doctrine taught by the Church which is not found in some way or form in this book.” He added that the Doctrine and Covenants is essential because “no other one of our sacred books can lay the same claim to a full survey of all the doctrines of the Church.” (John A. Widtsoe, The Message of the Doctrine and Covenants, ed. G. Homer Durham [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1969], 117.)

The revelations included in the Doctrine and Covenants were conveyed to the Prophet Joseph Smith in several ways: through divine instruments such as the Urim and Thummim and seer stone, as messages from angelic beings, by “mind” visions, and as an audible voice from heaven. However, most revelations were received through direct communication from God as actual words to the Prophet’s mind by the power of the Holy Ghost. In this manner the “voice of the Lord” was received and understood. Speaking of this revelatory process, the Lord declared: “These words are not of men nor of man, but of me; wherefore, you shall testify they are of me and not of man; for it is my voice which speaketh them unto you; for they are given by my Spirit unto you, and by my power . . . ; and save it were by my power you could not have them” (Doctrine and Covenants 18:34–35; italics added).

Receiving “the voice of the Lord” is an important theme in the Doctrine and Covenants—hence the title of this book. In fact, the phrase “voice of the Lord,” or a variation thereof, occurs more than forty times in the Doctrine and Covenants, and the phrase “thus saith the Lord” occurs more than sixty times.

This collection of essays is intended to be an additional resource for individuals to enrich and enhance their own personal study and their appreciation for the teachings, doctrines, and principles in Doctrine and Covenants. I hope that this study will also enable individuals to more fully “hear the voice of the Lord,” come unto Jesus Christ, deepen their knowledge and personal testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith and the Restoration, make and keep sacred covenants, and continue on the covenant path.

Each of the essays in this volume were published previously in BYU Religious Studies Center publications. However, in many instances additional text and content material has been added. Revisions in the source notes were also updated to reflect current publication standards and formatting guidelines.

Finally, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to the staff of the BYU Religious Studies Center: Jared W. Ludlow (director), Michael A. Goodman (associate director), Leigh Ann Copas (publications coordinator), Devan Jensen (executive editor), Brent Nordgren (business and production supervisor), Don L. Brugger (senior editor), Becky Call (editor), and Alex Socarras (lead designer), as well as Emma Taylor, Emma Eastman, and Allie Stevens (student interns).