Doctrine and Covenants 77-81

1. Doctrine and Covenants 77-81

2. Doctrine and Covenants 77 “Questions and Answers on the Book of Revelation” Joseph Smith stated that the Book of Revelation is one of the plainest books, God ever caused to be written (Teachings, 290). Section 77 is given as a “key” to understand the Book of Revelation. Hyrum M Smith taught that this revelation 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 sources of information are there.

3. Doctrine and Covenants 77:1 “Sea of Glass” In the temple in heaven of which the temples on earth are feeble representations, there is a glassy sea, calm, transparent, and solid, and here we are informed that this sea is the earth in it’s sanctified, immortal and eternal state. The sea connected with the temples of God is a baptismal font. It represent the earth. All who desire access to the Church of Jesus Christ must come through the baptismal font and be buried with Christ (Smith and Sjodahl, DCC, 472).

4. Doctrine and Covenants 77:2-4 “The Four Beasts” I have never said much about the beasts, etc., in my preaching. When I have done it, it has been to attract attention and keep the people from running after a greater fool than myself (HC 5:345, April, 1843, John Taylor). John saw curious looking beasts in heaven, he saw every creature that was in heaven, - all the beasts, fowls, and fish in heaven, - actually there giving glory to God. How do you prove it? Revelation 5:13,… I suppose John saw beings there of a thousand forms, that had been saved from ten thousand times ten thousands earths like this, strange beasts of which we have no conception, all might be seen in heaven. The great secret was to show John what there was in heaven (Teachings, 289-91).

5. Says one, I cannot believe in the salvation of beasts. Any man who could tell you that the revelations are not true. John heard the words of the beasts giving glory to God, and understood them. The four beasts were four of the most noble animals that had filled the measure of their creation, and had been saved from other worlds because they were perfect; they were like angels in their spheres (Joseph Smith, HC 5:343-44, 8 April 1843). He (God made the tadpole and the ape, the lion and the elephant; but he did not make them in His own image, nor endow them with God-like reason and intelligence. Nevertheless, the whole animal creation will be perfected and perpetuated in the hereafter, each class in it’s distinct order or sphere and will enjoy eternal felicity (First Presidency, Jan. 1909).

6. I make this broad declaration, that whenever God gives a vision of an image or beast; or figure of any kind, he always hold 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 (Joseph Fielding Smith, 1948).

7. Doctrine and Covenants 77:9 “Sealed the Servants of our God in Their Foreheads” Joseph Smith taught that this sealing signifies the blessing upon the heads, meaning the everlasting covenant, thereby, making their calling and election sure (Teachings, 32). Doctrine and Covenants 77:11“The 144,000” There will be 144,000 saviors on Mount Zion, and with them an innumerable host that no man can number. Oh! I beseech you to go forward, go forward and make your calling and election sure (Teachings, 366).

8. Doctrine and Covenants 77:14 “The Little Book That Was Eaten by John” B.R. McConkie said this was in harmony with the custom and tradition of ancient Israel. It signified he was eating the bread of life.

9. Doctrine and Covenants 77:15 “The Two Witnesses” It is reasonable to suppose, knowing how the Lord has always dealt with his people in all ages, that they will be two members of the Council of the Twelve or of the First Presidency of the Church (Bruce R. McConkie, Millennial Messiah, 390). Doctrine and Covenants 78 Why pseudonyms in the D&C? (Code names) When the Book of Commandments was about to be printed, the names were added because of persecution of their enemies. The code names do not appear in the original manuscripts.

11. Doctrine and Covenants 78:18 “I Will Lead You Along!” Doctrine and Covenants 79 “Jared Carter” • Jared Carter went to upstate New York and baptized John Tanner. John was a wealthy man who later paid $2,000 to save the temple spot in Kirtland. He later gave Joseph Smith $15,000 to help with the expenses of the Church. Joseph promised him that the Church would pay him back. Ten years went by and the Church had still not paid John Tanner. Joseph saw him in Nauvoo and apologized that the Church wasn’t in position to pay him back yet. John Tanner said, “the Church owed him nothing and then he ripped up the promissory note that Joseph had given to him from the Church” Joseph then blessed him and his posterity that they would never want for the basic things in this life. • Jared Carter went to Detroit and fulfilled Lucy Mack Smith’s prophecy concerning the prophecy that our Church would take one-third of his congregation and his deacon also.

12. Doctrine and Covenants 80 Stephen Burnett When Stephen returned to Ohio he became disaffected with the Church. By 1837 he had united with the apostate Warren Parrish and others in opposition to the Prophet. Joseph Smith in the Elder’s Journal denounced Stephen’s irrational conduct:

13. A little ignorant blockhead, by the name of Stephen Burnett, whose heart was so set on money, that he would at any time, sell his soul for fifty dollars; and then think he had made an excellent bargain; and who had got wearied of the restraints of religion, and could not bear to have his purse taxed… ran to Kirtland, got into the temple, and tried with all his powers to bring forth something, nobody knows what, nor did he know himself;… after some terrible grunting, and finding nothing coming but an abortion, rose up in his anger, proclaimed all revelation lies, and ran home to his daddy with all his might, not leaving even an egg behind, and there sat down, and rejoiced in the great victory he had obtained, over the great God and all the holy angels, how he had discovered them liars and imposters (Elder’s Journal 1:57, August 1838). The 1850 Ohio federal census reveals that Stephen was residing in Orange on his father’s family estate at that time, just as Joseph had stated.

14. Doctrine and Covenants 80:3 “North, South, East, or to the West” It does not matter where you go on your mission! It does matter that you preach the gospel! It mattereth not, for ye cannot go amiss!

15. Doctrine and Covenants 81 “Frederick G. Williams” On March 8th, 1832, Joseph Smith selected Jesse Gause and Sidney Rigdon as counselors. Jesse Gause fell away from the Church the same year so on March 18th, 1833, Frederick G. Williams was called as a counselor. Doctrine and Covenants 81:6 “Thou shalt have a crown of immortality and eternal life” Though the revelation is given to Jesse Gause, Frederick’s name was put in because of Jesse Gause’s apostasy. Verse 6 applies to all who will do His will!