D&C 76:51-53

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 who die before the age of accountability will be in the highest degree of glory in the celestial kingdom- in other words, in exaltation.” JS begins describing “them who shall come forth in the resurrection of the just.” The IM teaches, “There are two major resurrections: the resurrection of the just and the resurrection of the unjust. President Joseph Fielding Smith wrote about the resurrection of the just: ‘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 fist 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, but who are worthy to come forth to enjoy the millennial reign.’ This first resurrection will extend into the Millennium and include all those worthy of the celestial kingdom who live and die during the thousand years.” I don’t know why I always thought that for some reason my mom wasn’t going to be “caught up to meet him” at the second coming and I would throw her down a rope so that she could climb up. Terrible I know. I wonder why being caught up to meet him is such a big deal? If we’re dead, wouldn’t we already be with him? But we’ll get our resurrected bodies back. If we’re alive, then, yeah that would be pretty exciting.

DJR gives 8 requirements for those who are included in the resurrection of the just in the next several verses, they are those who:

1.       Received the testimony of Jesus

2.       Believed on his name

3.       Were baptized

4.       Kept the commandments

5.       Washed and cleansed from all their sins

6.       Receive the Holy Spirit

7.       Overcome by faith

8.       Sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise

Concerning the Holy Spirit of Promise, The IM teaches, “Elder Bruce R. McConkie defined the Holy Spirit of Promise as ‘the Holy Spirit promised the saints, or in other words the Holy Ghost. This name-title is used in connection with the dealing 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.’ 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. They ‘are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, which the Father sheds forth upon all those who are just and true.’ If they are not just and true and worthy the ratifying seal is withheld.’” I don’t really understand very much about this concept. Or maybe it’s the idea that one can perform an ordinance unworthily, but the only one who knows it is God, so you can take the sacrament, or go to the temple but if you are not worthy, then the Holy Ghost won’t approve the ordinance for your benefit. That would make sense.