Blogging Through the Book of Mormon

78:11-13 - I've been thinking, with all the revelations about the law of consecration, why this one, and why now? It seems to be a big deal because from 1832 until 1981 the names in this revelation had been changed. The IM teaches, "Elder Orson Pratt answered this question in this way: 'The law of Enoch is so named in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, but in other words, it is the law given by Joseph Smith, Jr. The word Enoch did not exist in the original copy; neither did some other names. The names that were incorporated when it was printed, did not exist there when the manuscript revelations were given, for I saw them myself. Some of them I copied. And when the Lord was about to have the Book of Covenants given to the world it was thought wisdom, in consequence of the persecutions of our enemies in Kirtland and some of the regions around, that some of the names should be changed, and Joseph was called Baurak Ale, which was a Hebrew word; meaning God bless you. He was ...

Section 78 is the beginning of a series of 4 revelations comprising sections 78-81. The IM gives background information saying, “During the early part of the year 1832, the Prophet and Sidney Rigdon continued the work of the revision of the scriptures. At the time the Prophet was still residing in the house of Father John Johnson, at Hiram. It was during this time that this important revelation was given to the members of the Priesthood who were assembled imparting instructions in relation to the plan of the ‘united order’ or ‘order of Enoch,’ on which the promised Zion should be built. The Lord had revealed that it was only through obedience to his divine will, the celestial law, that Zion could be built. The members of the Church rejoiced when the Lord revealed to them the site on which the New Jerusalem, or City of Zion, should be built. Their enthusiasm, however, was not sufficient to carry them through to a conclusion in strict obedience to the divine will. In this revelation the ...

77:1 - The first question is “What is the sea of glass spoken of by John, 4th chapter, and 6th verse of the Revelation? A. It is the earth, in its sanctified, immortal, and eternal state.” The IM teaches, “The following incident from the history of the Prophet Joseph Smith amplified this verse: ‘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 Stains could look in it and see as they are seen.’ President Brigham Young gave the following insight: ‘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.’” It’s cool to know that we can know all things through this medium, even if I didn’t understand it. 77:2-4 - The next several verses deal with the “four beasts, spoken of in the same verse?” I don’t understand much at all. I’m no...

Section 77 is pretty interesting and deals with the Joseph Smith Translation of the book of Revelation and is formed in a question and answer format. The IM gives background as follows: “After the return of the Prophet from Amherst, (Ohio,) he resumed his translation of the Scriptures. About the first of March, while engaged in this work, questions arose in regard to the meaning of some of the figurative and symbolic writings of John in the Book of Revelation. There are many things therein which the brethren did not understand, therefore the Prophet inquired of the Lord and received answer to his questions.’ 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 small part of the house. It unlocks the door through which an entrance may be gained, bu...

76:81-90 - Now we get to the vision on telestial glory. DJR gives 2 requirements for receiving telestial glory, “ 1. They who received not the gospel of Christ… 2. They who deny not the Holy Ghost.” The IM gives an very graphic description saying, “Those who inherit the telestial glory will pass through hell.” And quotes Elder Bruce R. McConkie saying, “that part of the spirit world inhabited by wicked spirits who are awaiting the eventual day of their resurrection is called hell. Between their death and resurrection, these souls of the wicked are cast out into outer darkness, into the gloomy depression of sheol, into the hades of waiting wicked spirited, into hell. There they suffer the torments of the damned; there they welter in the vengeance of eternal life; there is found weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth; there the fiery indignation of the wrath of God is poured out upon the wicked. Hell will have an end. Viewing future events, John saw that ‘death and hell delivered up ...

76:71-80 - The terrestrial kingdom is one that has always been difficult for me to understand. I always imagined the celestial kingdom as difficult to get to, but now I know that it’s about doing our best to become like the Savior, that’s what is most important. I also know that any of us who are willing to repent will be given the opportunity to do so, so therefore, it only makes sense to me that those who are in the terrestrial kingdom want to be there, which I can’t understand that mindset, but I believe that that is who will be there, those who choose to be. Those in the terrestrial kingdom will not be in families, but be separate and alone, and I don’t believe that our God will not allow those who want to be with their families, and are willing to do anything, to include repenting, will not be allowed to do so and will be cursed to spend the rest of eternity longing to be with their families, but being denied to opportunity to repent for some reason. DJR gives the qualifications ...

76:54-70 - The list of requirements for those who are “just” continues “they are they who are the church of the Firstborn.” The IM teaches about this phrase saying, “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 fullness, and of his glory,’ who shall ‘dwell in the presence of God and his Christ forever and ever,’ with full exaltation.’ Certain apostates have taken this sacred name upon themselves, blasphemously claiming to have met all of these requirements, when they are in fact in a state of wickedness and rebellion.” The Lord says that “they are they into whose hands the Father has given all things- They are they who are prie...

76:51-53 - This next section is kind of special to me because I got to read it in the celestial room of the Redlands Temple yesterday. I’m not sure what triggered a thought about the celestial section in my mind, but when I got there, I got the scriptures and read through these verses, and it was very comforting and knowledgeable. I think that it’s important to remember that during this time, the concept of varying degrees of heavens was unknown to the masses, and even though logic might dictate that there would be many different places of destiny, there hadn’t been anything concrete or even whispered about during this time. So these were all new concepts and doctrines and to be honest, probably a little bit overwhelming. DJR says that those to whom the celestial glory refers, “these are faithful, baptized members of the Church who have the gift of the Holy Ghost, and who strive to keep the commandments and thus qualify to be ‘washed and cleaned from all their sins.’ Little children w...

76:40- - The Lord pauses in his description of the sons of perdition long enough to glory in the plan of salvation. Leaving off from when the Lord says that, except for the sons of perdition, "all the rest shall be brought forth by the resurrection of the dead, through the triumph and the glory of the Lamb." All of us who choose to at least abstain from sinning against the absolute knowledge of God, are going to be given glory and a place to live that is more incredible than anything that we can even imagine in this life time. "And this is the gospel, the glad tidings." This is the good news! The plan of salvation is in effect and is glorious and merciful. This is what the gospel of Jesus Christ is all about, "that he came into the world, even Jesus, to be crucified for the world, and to bear the sins of the world, and to sanctify the world, and to cleanse it from all unrighteousness; that through him all might be saved whom the Father had put into his power an...

76:30-36 - So far we've covered the glory, power, and majesty of Jesus Christ, and the fall of Satan. To me this demonstrates that Jesus Christ is our Savior, and that we are tempted because Lucifer wanted to become the Savior and he was not chosen, so he rebelled and was cast down to earth to become the opposition in all things. I wonder when exactly he realized that his rebellion was the missing piece in the puzzle of the plan of salvation, that by becoming the devil, he gave those who were faithful the opportunity to choose for themselves, thus enabling the plan of salvation to move forward. I wonder how upset he was when he realized that his dissension had been planned for from the beginning. Now the Lord begins talking about the Sons of Perdition, which is a concept that I haven't really understood very well. The Lord talks about what requirements the sons of perdition must have fulfilled, "of whom I ay that it had been better for them never to have been born." T...

76:20-24 - Here we start the section that DJR entitles “The Glory of the Son.” JS says that “the Lord touched the eyes of our understanding and they were opened, and the glory of the Lord shone round about.” They saw Jesus standing on the right hand of his Father, the holy angels, worshipping God.” I really like the comments that DJR makes here because this mirrors the thoughts that I have had. He says “The idea in the scriptures of worshipping God ‘forever and ever’ is often misunderstood. It has caused some to wonder if they even want to go to heaven. It conjures up visions of standing on clouds, playing harps forever, and becoming terribly bored. However, when we realize that ‘worshipping God’ includes doing things that bring Him honor and glory, such as serving others, even creating our own worlds and using the same Plan of Salvation for our spirit children that He used for us, the term ‘worship’ becomes exciting and fascinating, the complete opposite of boredom.” I thought that I...

76:1-12 - Yay! We’re starting section 76! The Lord begins giving some perspective, “rejoice ye inhabitants thereof, for the Lord is God, and beside him there is no Savior.” I think that in our lives we can become overwhelmed or focused on things that ultimately don’t matter, but really, when it all comes down to it, what really matters is the Savior, the atonement, and the plan of salvation. Because really, if there weren’t these things, nothing would matter, we wouldn’t have anything, and our existence would be absolutely pointless and painful. We couldn’t console ourselves to the fact that all things would work out for our good. Pretty awful. The IM teaches, “As do many sections of the Doctrine and Covenants, this vision begins with an affirmation of power, glory, and majesty of Jesus Christ. It is fitting that the Lord would begin this revelation of the various eternal rewards with the reminder that only in Him is there power to save, that none can ‘stay his hand,’ that none can st...

Yay!!! Section 76 is finally here! This is a really long section, so we’re probably going to spend a couple of weeks on it but that’s ok because it’s doctrinally intense and I’m excited to learn about it. The IM gives the background information stating that JS had been revising the Bible for over a year when he came to the concept of heaven and hell. DJR says that John 5:29 specifically is the verse that prompted the questions. Verse 28 leads up to it, and together they says, “Marvel not at this: for the hour incoming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 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 Prophet Joseph Smith wrote: “Upon my return from Amherst (Ohio) conference, I resumed the translation of the scriptures. From sundry revelations which had been received, it was apparent that many important points touching the salvation of man, had been tak...