The Degrees of Glory D&C 76, 131,132,137

1. The Degrees of GloryD&C 76, 131,132,137

2. D&C 76:11-1916 February 1832 • Joseph Smith and Sydney Rigdon read John 5:29 while working on the JST: "And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation." • The vision that resulted in this section lasted about one and one-half hours.

3. D&C 76:11-1916 February 1832 • Philo Dibble, one of a dozen men present when this vision was received, said that he saw the glory and felt the power but did not see the vision. • He described the event by saying: “Joseph would, at intervals, say: ‘what do I 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.’

4. “This manner of conversation was repeated 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.”

5. “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” • “Recollections of the Prophet Joseph Smith,” The Juvenile Instructor, May 15, 1892, 303–4

6. Comments on D&C 76“The Vision” • “I will refer to the ‘Vision’ alone, as a revelation which gives more light, more truth, and more principle than any revelation contained in any other book we ever read. It makes plain to our understanding our present condition, where we came from, why we are here, and where we are going. Any man may know through that revelation what his part and condition will be” (The Discourses of Wilford Woodruff, sel. G. Homer Durham [1946], 47–48).

7. Comments on D&C 76 • “It was a new doctrine to this generation, and many stumbled at it” ( Discourses of Brigham Young, 391). • “My traditions were such, that when the Vision [ D&C 76 ] 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.” With time President Young came to view it as “one of the best doctrines ever proclaimed to any people” (in Journal of Discourses, 6:281). What is it about this revelation that caused some to stumble and gave others inspiration and guidance?

8. D&C 76:57-61 • Each of us must understand theologically that we have more to do than “play marbles” not only here in mortality but especially in the worlds to come. We are the children of God. He has a plan of happiness filled with power, principles, and doctrines that are wonderfully promissory. • Jerry Wilson, The Great Plan of Happiness, 4 Story of David O McKay and marbles, inspirational Stories from the Life of Pres David o McKay, 769

9. D&C 76An Incentive • “Section 76 of the Doctrine and Covenants … should be treasured by all members of the Church as a priceless heritage. It should strengthen their faith and be to them an incentive to seek the exaltation promised to all who are just and true” • Joseph Fielding Smith,(Church History and Modern Revelation, 2 vols. [1953], 1:279). • How can this revelation strengthen our faith and inspire us to seek exaltation? • How can we overcome any discouragement we may feel as we strive for celestial glory? EX: Within Reach, Robert Millet

10. What is the Lord’s delight?D&C 76:5 • To honor those who serve me in righteousness and in truth unto the end

11. Honors to those who serve in righteousness and truthD&C 76:6-10 • 1) Great shall be their reward • 2) Eternal shall be their glory • 3) To them will I reveal all mysteries • 4) Make known unto them the good pleasure of my will • The wonders of eternity shall they know • Things to come will I show them • Their wisdom shall be great • Their understanding shall reach to heaven • Before them the wisdom of the wise shall perish • The understanding of the prudent shall come to naught • By my spirit will I enlighten them • By my power will I make known unto them the secrets of my will

12. D&C 76 Overview Seminary Student manual Intro Six Visions How

13. Series of Visions • The Son of God • Satan and His Followers • The Celestial Kingdom • The Terrestrial Kingdom • The Telestial Kingdom

14. How did the vision begin, and in what order did they see the kingdoms of glory?

15. What is mentioned as qualification for each kingdom? • D&C 76:31,35 [perdition]; • D&C 76:82, 101 [telestial]; • D&C 76:79 [terrestrial]; • D&C 76:51–53, 69; 121:29 [celestial].)

16. Begins and Ends with Testimony of ChristD&C 76:20-24,40-42,119

17. What does it mean to you to be “valiant in the testimony of Jesus”? D&C 76:79 Lisa Hatch, BYU Women’s Conf, 2004

18. Valiant in the testimony of Jesus? • “What does it mean to be valiant in the testimony of Jesus? • “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. • “To be valiant in the testimony of Jesus 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.’ (Moro. 10:32.) • “To be valiant in the testimony of Jesus is to believe in Christ and his gospel with unshakable conviction. It is to know of the verity and divinity of the Lord’s work on earth. • “But this is not all. It is more than believing and knowing. We must be doers of the word and not hearers only. It is more than lip service; it is not simply confessing with the mouth the divine Sonship of the Savior. It is obedience and conformity and personal righteousness. …

19. Valiant in the testimony of Jesus? • “To be valiant in the testimony of Jesus is to ‘press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men.’ It is to ‘endure to the end.’ (2 Ne. 31:20. [2 Nephi 31:20]) It is to live our religion, to practice what we preach, to keep the commandments. It is the manifestation of ‘pure religion’ in the lives of men; it is visiting ‘the fatherless and widows in their affliction’ and keeping ourselves ‘unspotted from the world.’ (James 1:27.) • “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 overcome the world as did he who is our prototype and who himself was the most valiant of all our Father’s children. It is to be morally clean, to pay our tithes and offerings, to honor the Sabbath day, to pray with full purpose of heart, to lay our all upon the altar if called upon to do so. • “To be valiant in the testimony of Jesus is to take the Lord’s side on every issue. It is 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” • Bruce R McConkie(in Conference Report, Oct. 1974, 45–46; or Ensign, Nov. 1974, 35).

20. What does it mean to you to be “valiant in the testimony of Jesus”? D&C 76:79 Lisa Hatch, BYU Women’s Conf, 2004

21. Titles given for SatanD&C 76:25-28“Lucifer” BD 726“Devil” BD 656 • Perdition • Lucifer • Son of the morning • Satan • Serpent • Devil

22. Who are the Sons of Perdition?D&C 76:25-26, 31-32,35

23. Perdition • “What must a man do to commit the unpardonable sin? He must receive the Holy Ghost, have the heavens opened unto him, and know God, and then sin against Him. After a man has sinned against the Holy Ghost, there is no repentance for him. He has got to say that the sun does not shine while he sees it; he has got to deny Jesus Christ when the heavens have been opened unto him, and to deny the plan of salvation with his eyes open to the truth of it; and from that time he begins to be an enemy” • (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 358).

24. Fate of Sons of Perdition • Satan and his unembodied followers, along with his resurrected but unredeemed followers, inherit • a "kingdom which is not a kingdom of glory" (D&C 88:24), • suffering "everlasting," "endless," "eternal" punishment (v. 44 explained to mean "God's punishment" in D&C 19:6-12), • "where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched" (v. 44). The "worm" and "fire" represent "guilt and pain, and anguish" (Mosiah 2:38). Joseph Smith said: "The torment of disappointment in the mind of man is as exquisite as a lake burning with fire and brimstone." What a sad end. It is no wonder that the heavens wept!

25. Glory of the Sun, Moon and Stars

26. Telestial Glory

27. What are the qualifications for the Telestial Glory?

28. What conditions or limitations will be placed on those in the telestial kingdom? D&C 76:84–86,102, 104–6, 112 • Suffer the wrath of God on earth (104) • Not be redeemed from the devil until the last resurrection, which will take place after the Millennium (85) • Be denied the Savior’s fulness (86) • Be able to receive the Holy Ghost through the ministration of beings in higher glories (86-88) • Never be able to come where God and Christ dwell (112)

29. The Vision of the Terrestrial Kingdom (vv. 71-80, 86-89, 91, 97)

30. What are the qualifications for the Terrestrial Glory?

31. How can we keep ourselves from being “blinded by the craftiness of men”? • Ephesians 4:11–15; 1 Nephi 15:24; Helaman 5:12; D&C 3:7–8; D&C 21:4–6; D&C 52:14–20

32. The King’s Son

33. What conditions or limitations will be placed on those in the terrestrial kingdom? D&C 76:76–78 • Come forth in the First Resurrection after celestial beings are resurrected • Receive of God’s glory but not his fulness(76) • Enjoy "the presence of the Son, but not the fulness of the Father" (v. 77). • Not be able to obtain a crown in the kingdom of God (79) • Be ministered to by celestial beings (87) • Their bodies differ from celestial bodies in glory "as the moon differs from the sun" (v. 78). • have a part in governing the telestial kingdom (vv. 86, 88).

34. The Vision of the Celestial Kingdom • vv. 50-70, 92-96

35. What are the qualifications for the Celestial Glory?

36. Why do you think we are required to “overcome by faith” (v. 53)? • overcoming sin? • the world? • whatever trial or obstacle "the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him" (Mosiah 3:19), proving to himself and to God that he is "determined to serve God at all hazards" • Why are hard work, determination, and willpower not enough? D&C 76:69; 2 Nephi 31:19–21; Moroni 6:4

37. Rev 12:11How do we overcome Satan? • We learn in the book of Revelation that during the war in heaven, those who overcame Satan and his followers did so “by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony” (see Rev. 12:7–11). A testimony was an invaluable weapon in the war in heaven, and it is an indispensable weapon here on earth. • A testimony that is continually being nourished and is continually growing will help us at every crossroad when important decisions are made. Indeed, a testimony supplants the need to make certain decisions under fire, because we already know well in advance the course of action we will take. • Spencer J. Condie,“Agency: The Gift of Choices,” Ensign, Sept. 1995, 22

38. Blessings to the Celestial

39. Holy Spirit of Promise • The Holy Spirit of Promise is the Holy Spirit promised the saints, or in other words the Holy Ghost. This name-title is used in connection with the sealing and ratifying power of the Holy Ghost, that is, the power given him to ratify and approve the righteous acts of men so that those acts will be binding on earth and in heaven. "All covenants, contracts, bonds, obligations, oaths, vows, performances, connections, associations, or expectations," must be sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise, if they are to have "efficacy, virtue, or force in and after the resurrection from the dead; for all contracts that are not made unto this end have an end when men are dead" (D&C 132:7).

40. D&C 131 • Eleven years after the vision in D&C 76 was revealed, the Prophet Joseph taught that there are three degrees within the celestial kingdom • Who will be exalted in the highest degree of the celestial kingdom? (See D&C 131:1–3; D&C 132:19.)

41. What blessing is available only to those who are exalted in the highest degree of the celestial kingdom? D&C 131:4; D&C 132:19–20. • “an increase” • “a continuation of the seeds forever and ever” • those who abide in the covenant and are exalted in the highest degree of the celestial kingdom will have spirit children in the eternities

42. D&C 137:7-10 • Alvin had died in 1823, before the Church was restored. About four years after the vision in D&C 76 was revealed, Joseph Smith received a vision in which he saw his older brother Alvin in the celestial kingdom. It was in the third-level, west-end office of the Kirtland Temple on January 21, 1836

43. D&C 137:7-10 What did Joseph learn about who inherits celestial glory? •   VIDEO

45. The Vision of the Telestial Kingdom (vv. 81-90, 98-112) • Those who will enter the telestial kingdom, where they will differ in glory from one another as one star differs from another star (v. 98), are described as: • they who received not the gospel of Christ, neither the testimony of Jesus (v. 82) • they who deny not the Holy Spirit (v. 83) • they who say they are some of one, and some of another—some of Christ and some of John, and some of Moses—but received not the gospel, neither the testimony of Jesus, neither the prophets, neither the everlasting covenant (vv. 99-101) • they who are liars and sorcerers, and adulterers, and whoremongers, and whosoever loves and makes a lie (v. 103; Rev. 22:15 adds murderers)

46. “Those destined to inherit the terrestrial kingdom are: • (1) those who died ‘without law’—those heathen and pagan people who do not hear the gospel in this life, and who would not accept it with all their hearts should they hear it; • (2) those who hear and reject the gospel in this life and then accept it in the spirit world; • (3) those ‘who are honorable men of the earth, who [are] blinded by the craftiness of men’; and • (4) those who are lukewarm members of the true church and who have testimonies, but who are not true and faithful in all things” • Bruce R McConkie (A New Witness for the Articles of Faith [1985], 146).

47. You may need to explain that the “hell” referred to in verses 84 and 106 is spirit prison, a temporary state between death and resurrection. Those in spirit prison who do not accept the gospel will eventually be resurrected and inherit telestial glory. Have class members read verses 85 and 106 and the second paragraph in the Bible Dictionary definition of the word hell (the first full paragraph on page 700).

48. If we overcome we are promised… • 1. The fruit of the tree of life • 2. Freedom from the second death • 3. The right to partake of the hidden manna • 4. A white stone • 5. A new name • 6. Power over nations • 7. The morning star • 8. The opportunity to be clothed in white raiment • 9. Your name written in the Lamb’s book of life • 10. That Jesus himself will confess your name before the Father • 11. That you will be a pillar in the temple of God • 12. That you will have the name of God written on you • 13. That you will have the name of the City of God written on you • 14. That you will have the new name of Christ • 15. That you will sit with Christ in the throne of Christ. • Overcome what? Chapter 12:4 answers the question: Satan. Ted Gibbons, LDS Living, Lesson 45.) After describing sins, he promises eternal life! The Lord is merciful, and those who have sinned can obtain eternal life if they will repent.

49. How do we overcome?Testimonies • “Testimonies often come when there is willingness to serve where we are called. • They come when a decision is made to strive to be obedient. • Testimonies come during efforts to help, lift, and strengthen others. • They come from prayer and from studying the scriptures and applying them in our lives. • Whatever our circumstances, there seem to be moments in each of our lives when we can be given the knowledge that God lives and that Jesus is the Christ. There is no greater search in life that we can embark upon than the quest to gain a testimony of the truth” • Robert D. Hales, Ensign, Nov. 1994, 22

50. Satan wants to stop you. He will try to distract, deceive, and weaken your desire, your righteous works, your sincere prayers, and your trust in the Lord. Do not be afraid. We have already overcome the evil one at another time and place… We had a valiant testimony in our preexistent state, and we can resist Satan and awaken that testimony again today. • Robert K. Dellenbach,“Hour of Conversion,” Ensign, Nov. 1990, 24