D&C 128:14-25

128:14-18 - I’m sort of confused by what verses 14-18 say with the “spiritual” and “earthy” and “heavenly” and all that. JS quotes Paul as saying, “that they without us cannot be made perfect- neither can we without our dead be made perfect… Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptized for the dead?” The IM gives a list version of what is taught in these verses saying:

“1. The salvation of our dead ancestors is ‘essential to our salvation.’” – I have always wondered why that is, but now it makes sense because, of course we value our own salvation, but if we only care about our own fate then that is not a Christ-like attribute. In order to love our neighbor as ourselves, their salvation should be a top priority to us just like our own is, that’s how we become truly Christ-like.

“2. Baptism for the dead is the ‘most glorious of all subjects belonging to the everlasting gospel.’ This doctrine shows the love and mercy of an all-wise Father in Heaven. Baptism for the dead and other vicarious work makes it possible for all our Father’s children to receive the same blessings, and be judged on the same terms, whether or not they had a chance to accept the gospel in mortality. President Rudger Clawson said: ‘Oh, the beauty of the justice and mercy of God, who is no respector of persons! And let it be remembered that what it takes to save one who is living; it takes to save one who is living; it takes just that much to save one who is dead.’” I think I said yesterday that I heard the story of a woman who was so happy that the doctrine of baptism for the dead that she ran out and had some baptize her in the freezing river for her son who had died. Really it makes sense if you think about, we all have people who we love that have passed away and they have all had people that they loved who passed away and so on and so forth until we got all the way back to the beginning of time, all those people mattered to someone. I have heard stories many times of people who have been distraught over the death of a loved one who hasn’t been “baptized” by another religion, and their joy when they learn that in the gospel of Jesus Christ those who died without baptism can receive it in the next life, that is incredible. That is joyous doctrine.

“3. Baptism for the dead helps to prevent the earth from being smitten with a curse. As President Joseph Fielding Smith taught: ‘If Elijah had not come, we are led to believe that all the work of past ages would have been of little avail… If this sealing power were not on the earth, then confusion would reign and disorder would take the place of order in that day when the Lord shall come, and of course, this could not be, for all things are governed and controlled by perfect law in the kingdom of God. Why would the earth be wasted? Simple because if there is not a welding link between the fathers and the children- which is the work for the dead- then we will all stand rejected; the whole work of god will fail and be utterly waster. Such a condition, or course, shall not be.’” Again, another phrase that has perplexed me, why would the earth be utterly wasted at his coming? Especially if people are given the opportunity to do work for the dead, but we refuse, then we will essentially be rejecting the gospel and then can’t abide the presence of the Lord because of wickedness.

There is a phrase in verse 18 that the IM gives great information for, the phrase is “the dispensation of the fullness of times.” The IM quotes Elder Charles W. Penrose as teaching, “In this dispensation… will be gathered in one all things that are in Christ, not only His people gathered from the various nations to Zion to build it up, to prepare the place for His feet, but the hoses that have passed away, whom He will bring with Him. Not only are the people to be gathered together, but the glorious truths which what been made manifest in the ages that are past will all be brought forth in the dispensation in which we are living, and things kept hid from the foundation of the world will be made manifest; for the Lord has promised it; and His promises never fail of fulfillment.”

128:19-21 - JS goes on for several verses in a poetic nature about the goodness of God, and goes through many of his experiences with God that he has had, for instance, “the voice of God in the chamber of old Father Whitmer.” He talks about Gabriel, Raphael, “Michael or Adam” and “divers angels.” The IM has a really interesting insight into why JS was so familiar with these ancient prophets by quoting Elder John Taylor saying, “Why was it that all these people should be associated with all these dispensations, and all could communicate with Joseph Smith? Because he stood at the head of the dispensation of the fullness of times, which comprehends all the various dispensations that have existed upon the earth, and that as the Gods in the eternal worlds and the Priesthood that officiated in time and eternity had declared that it was time for the issuing forth of all these things, they all combined together to impart to him the keys of their several missions, that he might be fully competent, through the intelligence and aid afforded him through these several parties, to introduce the Gospel in all its fullness, namely, the dispensation of the fullness of time, when says the Apostle Paul ‘He might gather all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are in earth, even in him.’ Consequently he stood in that position, and hence his familiarity with all these various dispensations and the men who administered in them. If you were to ask Joseph what sort of a looking man Adam was, he would tell you at once; he would tell you his size and appearance and all about him. You might have asked him what sort of men Peter, James, and John were, and he could have told you. Why? Because he had seen them.” That’s incredible to me, talk about an eternal perspective, it brings a different focus to this life and our purposes here.

128:22-25 – JS spent the last several verses glorifying God and apparently giving a sense of urgency to the work for the dead. The IM quotes Elder Orson Pratt as teaching, “We are willing to go the earth over to save the living; we are willing to build temples and administer in ordinances to save the dead; we are willing to enter the eternal worlds and preach to every creature who has not placed himself beyond the reach of mercy. We are willing to labour both in this world and in the next to save men… Let all rejoice that the great day of the dispensation of the fullness of times has come. Let the living rejoice; let the dead rejoice; let the heavens and the earth rejoice; let all creations shout hosanna! Glory to God in the highest! For he hath brought salvation, and glory, and honour, and immortality, and eternal life to the fallen sons of men.”