A book released in October of 2008 combines the text of the Doctrine and Covenants with commentary and historical background in an effort to make the modern-day scriptures more accessible. "Unlocking the Doctrine and Covenants: A Side-by-Side Commentary," written by Ed J. Pinegar and Richard J. Allen, is put out by American Fork-based Covenant Communications. The 281-page compilation is about the same size as a gospel doctrine lesson manual — and is similar in that it isn't meant to be read like a book from start to finish but rather intended to be used as a reference manual to support and expound upon principles and history. The commentary is designed to help readers understand both the meaning of the scriptures and the historical context from which they arose.The resource book contains the text of the Doctrine and Covenants — minus the section headings, summaries and footnotes — as well as quotes from church leaders that examine selected scriptures and information pertaining to the era that are not found in the scriptures."The authors offer this commentary as an adjunct to the systematic process of acquiring increased understanding of the word of God...," the authors state in the commentary's introduction. A rule divides each page of the book, with a Doctrine and Covenants section printed in its entirety on the left side of the page, and commentary by the authors and other information provided on the right side of the page. There are photos throughout the book that relate to the passages, making it easy to visualize the setting each section relates to. Particularly useful are the historical profiles on both widely known and more obscure people who are referenced in the Doctrine and Covenants. The commentary, for instance, includes profiles on lesser-known people mentioned only in one section of scripture, such as Warren A. Cowdery, brother of Oliver Cowdery, who "was censured for a prideful repudiation of the Twelve Apostles" and eventually left the church "as a result of his disaffection with Church leaders," the book states. That information isn't recorded in the scriptures, and not necessary to the passage of scripture in which Warren is mentioned, but it's interesting just the same.Though the scriptural text is included in its entirety, readers will likely prefer the familiarity of their scriptures, if only so they highlight insights on their own.
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