His church has been restored on the face of the earth. It is incredible is think that this is true. If you really think about it, it is mind blowing, at least for me it is! Section 20 in the Doctrine and Covenants is a very important section, one which has been mentioned and used incessantly throughout the history of the church. Why is it so important? It establishes a government among the church-order, bringing clarity to the church organization. It contains a historical overview of the church-the major events of the restoration; it contains the Articles of Faith which underline the basic principles of the church. The articles of faith helped strengthen the values and testimonies of the members, given them a “rod of iron” to hold on to, which was essential to many of them since all of them were recent converts to the church and were experiencing many trails that tested their faith and testimonies. Lastly, this section was a “handbook of instruction”. As I mentioned, all the saints were being guided by this. For example, it provided specific details as t how to conduct a baptism, the duties of a member who is baptized. Another specific commandment mentioned in this section are the duties of the “elders, priests, teachers and deacons of the church of Christ”. All that was established then is still used to today with some minor changes.

            This section was a foundation for the organization of the church. It was so essential to the church that many missionaries as they traveled to foreign countries were commanded to take this section with them among other books from the church. Why? Because they could use this section to establish another church- they could create another Zion. This is exactly what God wants us to do-he wants us to establish Zion. Like in Moses 1:39 “this is his work and his glory, to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” and this section was a step closer to this goal.

            This section was crucial to the early establishment of the church as it made the authority of the church concrete and has come to influence and guide the church today. In my opinion, it provided a means of making it known to the saints that the church was not just another religion sect that would rise one day and fall the next.  

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