“The articles and covenants of the Church of Christ agreeable to the will and commandments of God.” — Articles and Covenants¹

In 1829, Joseph, Oliver Cowdery, and David Whitmer prayed for instructions on building up the Church.² In this revelation, the Lord told Oliver to "rely upon the things which are written," referring to the Book of Mormon.³ Following this revelation, Oliver began to write a document called "The Articles of the Church of Christ" (with instructions for baptism and priesthood ordinances), and Joseph began work on the "Articles and Covenants" (now Doctrine and Covenants 20).²

The "Articles and Covenants" described the Church's doctrines and practices, covering doctrines from baptism to the atonement and practices from the duties of members to the blessings of children.⁴ The earliest known copy was published in an Ohio newspaper, the Painesville Telegraph.²

In June 1830, all Church members (about 30 people) gathered in the Peter Whitmer home for the first conference of the Church.⁵ During this meeting, Joseph Smith read the Articles and Covenants for the sustaining vote of the Saints.⁶

1. Articles and Covenants, circa April 1830, josephsmithpapers.org

2. "The Articles and Covenants of the Church," history.churchofjesuschrist.org

3. Doctrine and Covenants 18:3

4. Doctrine and Covenants 20

5. "Conference Sessions," churchofjesuschrist.org

6. Minute Book 2, 1, josephsmithpapers.org