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Lectures on Faith

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Deseret Book E-Mail Trivia of the Day:

Question:
When were the Lectures on Faith removed from the Doctrine and Covenants?  
Answer:
1921.  

Now, my question is what are the Lectures on Faith and why were they removed from the Doctrine and Covenants.  When did the Church officially name what the standard works were for the first time.  Before or after 1921.  

In other words, this seems to mean we once considered the Lectures on Faith a part of the standard works and now we don't.

How can this be?  Who decided, and how was it decided?

Faith Lectures

Some fairly difficult questions to answer.

The Lectures on Faith are a group of lesson plans that were used in the School of the Prophets during Joseph Smith's time.  They were included in the Doctrine & Covenants, and most people apparently considered them scripture.  However, there is some controversy about whether or not Joseph Smith wrote all of them, or even approved any of them.

You can probably find some more information on the FAIR website:
https://www.fairlds.org/home.html

NightHawk

Lectures on Faith Studies Doctrine Mormon

QUOTE

Now, my question is what are the Lectures on Faith and why were they removed from the Doctrine and Covenants.  When did the Church officially name what the standard works were for the first time.  Before or after 1921.   In other words, this seems to mean we once considered the Lectures on Faith a part of the standard works and now we don't. How can this be?  Who decided, and how was it decided?

The Lectures of Faith were part of the original Doctrine and Covenants.  They were seven lectures about different topics for the School of the Prophets (Faith, salvation, Holy Ghost, etc).  As far as I know nobody knows who actually wrote it. (some say that it was Sidney Rigdon).
Regards to your question in why they were removed I found the following:

"Until 1921 the "Lectures on Faith" were printed in almost all the English-language editions of the Doctrine and Covenants, and in many, but not all, non-English editions. An introductory statement in the 1921 edition of the Doctrine and Covenants explains that the lectures were deleted because "they were never presented to nor accepted by the Church as being otherwise than theological lectures or lessons" (see Doctrine and Covenants Editions). The decision may also have been influenced by what many readers have perceived as conflicts between statements about the Godhead in the fifth lecture and certain later revelations (D&C 130; Dahl and Tate, pp. 16-19). Others have found these conflicts to be more apparent than real and have attempted reconciliations (R. Millet, in Dahl and Tate, pp. 221-40).

LDS scripturalist and apostle Bruce R. McConkie wrote regarding the lectures, "They were not themselves classed as revelations, but in them is to be found some of the best lesson material ever prepared on the Godhead; on the character, perfections, and attributes of God; on faith, miracles, and sacrifice. They can be studied with great profit by all gospel scholars" (MD, p. 439). The 1990 republication of the lectures signals the desire of some LDS scholars to stimulate interest in their historical and doctrinal significance for the Church."

https://ldsfaq.byu.edu/emmain.asp?number=219

Faith Lectures

I went to the FAIR website like Nighthawk suggested and read about the Lectures on Faith.  Thanks for the suggestion Nighthawk.  I knew you would know something about them.  

LDS, quoted from that site too.

QUOTE

LDS scripturalist and apostle Bruce R. McConkie wrote regarding the lectures, "They were not themselves classed as revelations, but in them is to be found some of the best lesson material ever prepared on the Godhead; on the character, perfections, and attributes of God; on faith, miracles, and sacrifice.

This quote sums it up for me.  Thanks LDS.  

If they were never classified as revelations then they never really belonged in the Doctrine and Covenants to begin with and I don't believe they can correctly be labeled as scripture or a part of the standard works.  Doesn't mean they don't contain good stuff so I will try to find complete copy to read.

Faith Lectures

QUOTE

Doesn't mean they don't contain good stuff so I will try to find complete copy to read.

Try this site:
https://www.centerplace.org/hs/dc/lectures.htm

There are some excellent historical Mormon documents on this website, mostly from an RLDS point of view.

NightHawk