Come, Follow Me July 20, 2025 D&C 77-80 AND 76

 

Quotation Used in Lesson Plus additional not used

Section 77

1.  “The Book of Revelation is one of the grandest books in sacred literature, and the Lord clearly designs that the Saints should become familiar with it. Else, why this Revelation in the Doctrine and Covenants?

“But [section 77] is not a complete interpretation of the book. It is a key. A key is a very small part of the house. It unlocks the door through which an entrance may be gained, but after the key has been turned, the searcher for treasure must find it for himself. . . “The Lord has, in this Section, given His people a key to the book. . . .” (1981 Doctrine & Covenants Student Manual, 167)

 

2.  D&C 77:1. The Earth like a Sea of Glass

Prophet Joseph Smith:

“While at dinner, I remarked to my family and friends present, that when the earth was sanctified and became like a sea of glass, it would be one great urim and thummim, and the Saints could look in it and see as they are seen” (History of the Church, 5:279).

President Brigham Young:

“This Earth will become a celestial body—be like a sea of glass, or like a Urim and Thummim; and when you wish to know anything, you can look in this Earth and see all the eternities of God” (in Journal of Discourses, 8:200; see also D&C 88:17–20, 25–26; 130:6–9).

3.  D&C 77:2. Are the Saints Accountable to Understand the Lord’s Use of Symbolic Images of Beasts or Other Figures?

Prophet Joseph Smith:

“I make this broad declaration, that whenever God gives a vision of an image, or beast, or figure of any kind, He always holds Himself responsible to give a revelation or interpretation of the meaning thereof, otherwise we are not responsible or accountable for our belief in it. Don’t be afraid of being damned for not knowing the meaning of a vision or figure, if God has not given a revelation or interpretation of the subject.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 291.)

4.  D&C 77:6–7. Why Was the Book Sealed That John Saw?

Elder Orson F Whitney:

“‘The book which John saw’ represented the real history of the world—what the eye of God has seen, what the recording angel has written; and the seven thousand years, corresponding to the seven seals of the Apocalyptic volume, are as seven great days during which Mother Earth will fulfill her mortal mission, laboring six days and resting upon the seventh, her period of sanctification. These seven days do not include the period of our planet’s creation and preparation as a dwelling place for man. They are limited to Earth’s ‘temporal existence,’ that is, to Time, considered as distinct from Eternity.” (Whitney, Orson F., Saturday Night Thoughts, p. 11.)

5.  D&C 77:11. Who Are the 144,000?

Elder Orson Pratt:

“Before the Lord shall come . . . there is to be a great work among the nations. . . . The ten tribes will have to come forth and come to this land, to be crowned with glory in the midst of Zion by the hands of the servants of God, even the Children of Ephraim; and twelve thousand High Priests will be elected from each of these ten tribes, as well as from the scattered tribes, and sealed in their foreheads, and will be ordained and receive power to gather out of all nations, kindreds, tongues and people as many as will come unto the general assemblage of the Church of the first-born.” (Orson Pratt, in Journal of Discourses, 16:325.)

6. D&C 77:15. Who Are the Two Witnesses Referred to by John?

First note the specific language used: “. . . that are to be raised up to the Jewish nation. . .” not necessarily from the Jewish nation.

Elder Bruce R. McConkie:

They are “Followers of that humble man Joseph Smith, through whom the Lord of Heaven restored the fulness of his everlasting gospel in this final dispensation of grace. No doubt they will be members of the Council of the Twelve or of the First Presidency of the Church.” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3:509.) 

Section 78

7.   Ref 78:5-6   President J. Ruben Clark Jr.:

“One of the places in which some of the brethren are going astray is this: There is continuous reference in the revelations to equality among the brethren, but I think you will find only one place where that equality is really described, though it is referred to in other revelations. That revelation (D&C 51:3) affirms that every man is to be “equal according to his family, according to his circumstances and his wants and needs.”  Obviously, this is not a case of “dead level” equality. It is “equality” that will vary as much as the man’s circumstances, his family, his wants and needs, may vary.” (Conference Report, October 1942, 55)

 

8.   Ref 78:20   Elder Orson Pratt:

“There is one revelation that this people are not generally acquainted with period. I think it has never been published, but probably it will be in the Church history. It is given and questions and answers. The first question is, ‘what is the name of God in the pure language? The answer is ‘Ahman.’ ‘What is the name of the Son of God’? Answer, ‘Son Ahman”. . . .” (Journal of Discourses, 2:342)

This name is also used in D&C 95:17 as well as in the place name “Adam-ondi-Ahman” 

Section 76 “The Vision”

9. The Prophet Joseph Smith:

“Nothing could be more pleasing to the Saints upon the order of the kingdom of the Lord, than the light which burst upon the world through the foregoing vision. Every law, every commandment, every promise, every truth, and every point touching the destiny of man, from Genesis to Revelation, where the purity of the scriptures remains unsullied by the folly of men, go to show the perfection of the theory [of different degrees of glory in the future life] and witnesses the fact that that document is a transcript from the records of the eternal world. The sublimity of the ideas; the purity of the language; the scope for action; the continued duration for completion, in order that the heirs of salvation may confess the Lord and bow the knee; the rewards for faithfulness, and the punishments for sins, are so much beyond the narrow-mindedness of men, that every honest man is constrained to exclaim: ‘It came from God.’” (History of the Church, 1:252–53.)

10. Elder Spencer W. Kimball:

“The sin against the Holy Ghost requires such knowledge that it is manifestly impossible for the rank and file to commit such a sin” (Miracle of Forgiveness, p. 123).

11.  D&C 76:5–10. “I . . . Delight to Honor Those Who Serve Me in Righteousness”

In these verses the Lord indicates that if a person fears Him (that is, respects, reverences, and obeys Him) and serves Him to the end, He will be delighted to honor that person. The honors include:

1. A great reward (see D&C 76:6).

2. Eternal glory (see v. 6).

3. Revelation of all mysteries of God’s kingdom, both past and present (see v. 7)

4. Knowledge of His will concerning all things in the kingdom (see v. 7).

5. Knowledge of the wonders of eternity (see v. 8).

6. Knowledge of many generations (see v. 8).

7. Great wisdom (see v. 9).

8. Understanding that reaches to heaven and which the world cannot equal (see v. 9).

9. Enlightenment by the Spirit and power of God (see v. 10).

(1981 D&C Student Manual0

 

Vs 7: Mystery (from Bible Dictionary)

Denotes in the New Testament a spiritual truth that was once hidden but now is revealed and that without special revelation would have remained unknown. It is generally used along with words denoting revelation or publication. The modern meaning of something incomprehensible forms no part of the significance of the word as it occurs in the New Testament.

On the other hand, there is no spiritual gain in idle speculation about things the Lord has not revealed.

 

[Cal’s thought: The original meaning of mysteries had more to do with “things not spoken of”  than things “not known”]

12.   D&C 76:24 Worlds without Number Were Created by the Lord

Elder Bruce R. McConkie, commenting on Jesus as the Creator, said that

“our Lord’s jurisdiction and power extend far beyond the limits of this one small earth on which we dwell. He is, under the Father, the Creator of worlds without number. (Moses 1:33)

“In addition to the plain meaning of this passage, we have an explanation of it given by the Prophet Joseph Smith. He paraphrased, in poetical rhyme, the entire record of the Vision,. . .” (McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, pp. 65–66.)

Joseph Smith’s Poem regarding D&C 76:22-24 is as follows:

And now after all of the proofs

made of him,

By witnesses truly, by whom

he was known.

This is mine, last of all, that he lives; yea, he lives!

And sits on the right hand of God

on his throne.

And I heard a great voice bearing record from heav’n,

He’s the Savior and Only

Begotten of God,

By him, of him, and through him,

the worlds were all made,

Even all that career [orbit] in

the heavens so broad.

Whose inhabitants, too, from the

first to the last,

Are sav’d by the very same

Saviour of ours;

And of course, are begotten Gods daughters and sons

By the very same truth and the

very same powers.

(Millennial Star, 4:49-55)

13.   D&C 76:50. What Is the Resurrection of the Just?

There are two major resurrections: the resurrection of the just (also called the First Resurrection) and the resurrection of the unjust.

President Joseph Fielding Smith:

“In modern revelation given to the Church, the Lord has made known more in relation to this glorious event. There shall be at least two classes which shall have the privilege of the resurrection at this time: ‘First, those who shall dwell in the presence of God and his Christ forever and ever’; and second, honorable men, those who belong to the terrestrial kingdom as well as those of the celestial kingdom.

“At the time of the coming of Christ, ‘They who have slept in their graves shall come forth, for their graves shall be opened; and they also shall be caught up to meet him in the midst of the pillar of heaven. They are Christ’s, the first fruits, they who shall descend with him first, and they who are first caught up to meet him; and all this by the voice of the sounding of the trump of the angel of God.’

“These are the just, ‘whose names are written in heaven, where God and Christ are the judge of all. These are they who are just men made perfect through Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, who wrought out this perfect atonement through the shedding of his own blood.’

“Following this great event, and after the Lord and the righteous who are caught up to meet him have descended upon the earth, there will come to pass another resurrection. This may be considered as a part of the first, although it comes later.

“In this resurrection will come forth those of terrestrial order, who were not worthy to be caught up to meet him, but who are worthy to come forth to enjoy the millennial reign.” (Doctrines of Salvation, 2:296.) 

14.   D&C 76:53. What Does It Mean to Be Sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise?

Elder Bruce R. McConkie:

“The Holy Spirit of Promise . . . . is Holy Ghost. . . . To seal is to ratify, to justify, or to approve. Thus an act which is sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise is one which is ratified by the Holy Ghost; it is one which is approved by the Lord; and the person who has taken the obligation upon himself is justified by the Spirit in the thing he has done. The ratifying seal of approval is put upon an act only if those entering the contract are worthy as a result of personal righteousness to receive the divine approbation. . . . If they are not just and true and worthy the ratifying seal is withheld.” (Mormon Doctrine, pp. 361–62)

15.   D&C 76:54. What Is the Church of the Firstborn?

Elder Joseph Fielding Smith:

“Those who gain exaltation in the celestial kingdom are those who are members of the Church of the Firstborn; in other words, those who keep all the commandments of the Lord. . . .

“The Lord has made it possible for us to become members of the Church of the Firstborn, by receiving the blessings of the house of the Lord and overcoming all things. Thus we become heirs, ‘priests, and kings, who have received of his fulness, and of his glory,’ who shall ‘dwell in the presence of God and his Christ forever and ever,’ with full exaltation.” (Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 2:41–42.)

President Brigham Young:

“The ordinances of the house of God are expressly for the Church of the Firstborn.” (Young, in Journal of Discourses, 8:154.)

16.   D&C 76:60. “And They Shall Overcome Al Things”

Prophet Joseph Smith:

“When you climb up a ladder, you must begin at the bottom, and ascend step by step, until you arrive at the top. And so it is with the principles of the Gospel; you must begin with the first, and go on until you learn all the principles of exaltation.

“But it will be a great while after you have passed through the veil before you have learned them. It is not all to be comprehended in this world; It will be a great work to learn our salvation and exaltation even beyond the grave.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 348)

17.   D&C 76:79. What Does It Mean to Be Valiant in the Testimony of the Savior?

Elder Bruce R. McConkie:

“It is to be courageous and bold; to use all our strength, energy, and ability in the warfare with the world; to fight the good fight of faith. . . . The great cornerstone of valiance in the cause of righteousness is obedience to the whole law of the whole gospel.

“It is to ‘come unto Christ, and be perfected in him’

“It is to deny ourselves ‘of all ungodliness,’ and ‘love God’ with all our ‘might, mind and strength.

“It is to believe in Christ and his gospel with unshakable conviction.

“But this is not all. We must be doers of the word and not hearers only.

“It is obedience and conformity and personal righteousness.

“It is to ‘press forward with a steadfastness in Christ.

“It is to ‘endure to the end.’

“It is to live our religion, to practice what we preach, to keep the commandments.

“To be valiant in the testimony of Jesus is to bridle our passions, control our appetites, and rise above carnal and evil things.

“It is to be morally clean, to pay our tithes and offerings, to honor the Sabbath day, to lay our all upon the altar if called upon to do so.

“It is to take the Lord’s side on every issue, to vote as he would vote.

“It is to think what he thinks, to believe what he believes, to say what he would say and do what he would do in the same situation.

“It is to have the mind of Christ and be one with him as he is one with his Father.” (In Conference Report, Oct. 1974, pp. 45–46; or Ensign, Nov. 1974, pp. 33–35.)

18.   D&C 76:114-16. They Are Only to Be Seen and Understood by the Power of the Holy Spirit

Prophet Joseph Smith:

“Could we read and comprehend all that has been written from the days of Adam, on the relation of man to God and angels in a future state, we should know very little about it. Reading the experience of others, or the revelation given to them, can never give us a comprehensive view of our condition and true relation to God. Knowledge of these things can only be obtained by experience through the ordinances of God set forth for that purpose.

“Could you gaze into heaven five minutes, you would know more than you would by reading all that ever was written on the subject.” (History of the Church, 6:50.)

  

The Following Items Were Not Included In The Lesson Outline

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From the book “Revelations in Context”

The view of the afterlife laid out in “the Vision” contrasted starkly with the beliefs of most Christians at the time.

A majority believed in a strict heaven-and-hell theology of the world to come: those obedient to the gospel of Jesus Christ would be saved, but the wicked would be consigned to eternal punishment. However, there were a growing number who felt that this view was inconsistent with other biblical teachings about God’s mercy, justice, and power to save.

Others embraced what is known as Universalism. Simply put, Universalists believed that God would not eternally punish sinners but that all would eventually be saved in God’s kingdom. Joseph Smith’s father and his grandfather Asael Smith held Universalist views.

Most Christians felt that Universalism went too far, that its teaching of universal salvation removed all incentive to keep God’s commandments and would lead to an immoral, dissolute life.

In contrast, “the Vision” did not have the extremes of Universalism and the orthodox view of heaven and hell, rather, it suggested that the sufferings of the disobedient would indeed ultimately end but that the Lord also held out the promise of unimaginable rewards for those who are “valiant in the testimony of Jesus.”

Some members of the Church struggles with this revelation.

“It was a great trial to many,” Brigham Young remembered. “Some apostatized because God … had a place of salvation, in due time, for all.” Young himself had difficulty accepting the idea: “My traditions were such, that when the Vision came first to me, it was directly contrary and opposed to my former education. I said, Wait a little. I did not reject it; but I could not understand it.

Many of those who stumbled at the vision simply needed some time to ponder it or the patient explanation of a missionary or spiritual leader.

Joseph Young (Brigham’s brother) remembered,

“After I had prayed over it and Joseph had explained it I could see it was nothing but good sense accompanying the power of God.” Brigham Young had to “think and pray, to read and think, until [he] knew and fully understood it for [himself].”

End of information from the book “Revelations in Contest”

 

Eyewitness to the reception of the “Vision” recorded in D&C 76

Philo Dibble wrote:

“The vision which is recorded in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants was given at the house of ‘Father Johnson,’ in Hiram, Ohio, and during the time that Joseph and Sidney were in the spirit and saw the heavens open, there were other men in the room, perhaps twelve, among whom I was one during a part of the time—probably two-thirds of the time,—I saw the glory and felt the power, but did not see the vision.

“The events and conversation, while they were seeing what is written (and many things were seen and related that are not written,) I will relate as minutely as is necessary.

“Joseph would, at intervals, say: ‘What do I see?’ as one might say while looking out the window and beholding what all in the room could not see. Then he would relate what he had seen or what he was looking at. Then Sidney replied, ‘I see the same.’ Presently Sidney would say ‘what do I see?’ and would repeat what he had seen or was seeing, and Joseph would reply, ‘I see the same.’

“This manner of conversation was reported at short intervals to the end of the vision, and during the whole time not a word was spoken by any other person. Not a sound nor motion made by anyone but Joseph and Sidney, and it seemed to me that they never moved a joint or limb during the time I was there, which I think was over an hour, and to the end of the vision.

“Joseph sat firmly and calmly all the time in the midst of a magnificent glory, but Sidney sat limp and pale, apparently as limber as a rag, observing which, Joseph remarked, smilingly, ‘Sidney is not used to it as I am.’” (Juvenile Instructor, May 1892, pp. 303–4.)

D&C 76:4 “From eternity to eternity he is the same. . .”

Elder Bruce R. McConkie explains this scripture to mean that in every state of the Savior's existence (including but not limited to his premortal life) he was "the possessor and personification of every godly attribute and characteristic in its fulness and perfection" (Promised Messiah, 197).

D&C 76:72–74. Do Those Who Receive the Gospel in the Spirit World Inherit the

Terrestrial Kingdom?

Those who hear the gospel in mortality and do not accept it but lead otherwise honorable lives will inherit the terrestrial kingdom. Those who do not have the opportunity to hear the gospel in mortality but accept it in the spirit world can inherit the celestial kingdom. Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon’s vision of the three degrees of glory Joseph Smith learned through another revelation that “all who have died without a knowledge of this gospel, who would have received it if they had been permitted to tarry, shall be heirs of the celestial kingdom of God” (D&C 137:7). Those “who received not the testimony of Jesus in the flesh” (D&C 76:74) are those who heard the gospel in mortality and rejected it. If they “afterwards received it” (v. 74), that is, in the spirit world, they will go to the terrestrial kingdom.

Elder Bruce R. McConkie taught the foolishness of believing that a person can reject the gospel in this life, accept it in the next, and still inherit celestial glory. “This life is the time and day of our probation. After this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed.

“For those who do not have an opportunity to believe and obey the holy word in this life, the first chance to gain salvation will come in the spirit world. If those who hear the word for the first time in the realms ahead are the kind of people who would have accepted the gospel here, had the opportunity been afforded them, they will accept it there. . . . “. . . Those who reject the gospel in this life and then receive it in the spirit world go not to the celestial, but to the terrestrial kingdom.” (“The Seven Deadly Heresies,” in Speeches of the Year, 1980 [Provo: Brigham Young University Press, 1981], pp. 77–78.)

Elder Theodore M. Burton said: “There are many in this world who lived and died without ever having an opportunity to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. We know that there are many men and women who die unbaptized, because some teacher, missionary, or leader who should have taught them was so poorly trained, so lacking in faith, and so unprepared to bear personal witness of Jesus Christ that the hearer never understood the message as he should have done. Should such people be damned forever for lack of proper instruction, because of an accident of birth, or because of the inadequacies of

others? I say: ‘No!’ God is a God of justice and love and mercy. Every man is entitled to a just chance to know and accept Jesus Christ or to reject him if he feels the price of acceptance is too high” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1964, 72).

D&C 112: “And they shall be servants of the Most High; but where God and Christ dwell they cannot come, worlds without end.”

The question often comes up as to whether it is possible, after the Final Judgment day, to eventually progress from one degree of glory to another. At the time this study guide went to press (2020), the instruction from the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles to curriculum writers for the Church was that we do not have sufficient information from the Lord at this point to answer the question either yes or no. (David J Ridges, The Doctrine and Covenants Made Easy, Book two, page 188)