How do your expectations for life after death affect your behavior today?
As Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon worked on a set of inspired revisions to the English text of the Bible, they came across a passage which made them wonder about our postmortal life. The passage, John 5:29, contrasted “the resurrection of life” with “the resurrection of damnation.” A similar passage appears in the Book of Mormon (see 3 Nephi 26:5).
Joseph and Sidney wanted to understand the breadth of possible outcomes from the Final Judgment. Their meditation on this question led to an open vision, which they saw together in the presence of about twelve other men. They described what they were seeing during the experience and wrote their testimony of it (see Saints, Volume 1, Chapter 14: “Visions and Nightmares”).
This document, which church members called simply “The Vision,” expands upon the apostle Paul’s comparison of resurrected bodies with the sun, moon, and stars (see 1 Corinthians 15:40-42). It provides detailed descriptions of three kingdoms of glory to which nearly all of God’s children will be assigned after this life. Here is a brief outline of the revelation:
- Doctrinal preface: God delights to reward His children. (v. 1-10)
- Joseph and Sidney testify of Jesus Christ and lament that some people will not receive the glory He offers. (v. 11-49)
- Decription of the celestial glory, symbolized by the sun (v. 50-70)
- Description of the terrestrial glory, symbolized by the moon (v. 71-80)
- Description of the telestial glory, symbolized by the stars (v. 81-112)
- Conclusion: Some things can only be known by the power of the Holy Spirit. (v. 113-119)
This expanded understanding can give us confidence and determination—confidence that God will give us all of the glory we are willing to receive, and determination to follow the path which will enable us to receive all of His blessings.
Here are some of my favorite passages from this revelation with relevant blog posts and Book of Mormon connections.
Scripture Highlights and Related Blog Posts
God is eager to reveal truth to us.
Doctrine and Covenants 76:10
For by my Spirit will I enlighten them, and by my power will I make known unto them the secrets of my will—yea, even those things which eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor yet entered into the heart of man.
Blog Posts
📄 “Eye Hath Never Seen”
Some of God’s mysteries are so transcendent that they can’t be written.
Book of Mormon connection: 3 Nephi 17:16-17
There is power in personal testimony.
Doctrine and Covenants 76:22-24
And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!
For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father—
That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God.
Blog Posts
📄 I Will Testify unto You of Myself
Sharing our own personal experiences and convictions can be as impactful as sharing the words of prophets.
Book of Mormon connection: Alma 34:7-8
The Savior’s core message — His gospel — is simple and clear.
Doctrine and Covenants 76:40-42
And this is the gospel, the glad tidings, which the voice out of the heavens bore record unto us—
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 and made by him.
Blog Posts
📄 “This Is the Gospel”
The good news of the gospel is that Jesus came to us and willingly suffered so that we can be freed from sin and made holy.
Book of Mormon connection: 3 Nephi 27:13-17
We are children of God with extraordinary potential.
Doctrine and Covenants 76:58-59
Wherefore, as it is written, they are gods, even the sons of God—
Wherefore, all things are theirs, whether life or death, or things present, or things to come, all are theirs and they are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.
Blog Posts
📄 His Offspring
Remember your divine heritage, and take confidence in the fact that God knows and loves you.
Book of Mormon connection: 3 Nephi 14:11
📄 “Ye Are Gods”
God sees us in terms of our potential, not merely our current state.
Book of Mormon connection: Moroni 7:48
The testimony of Jesus is a key differentiator in the next life.
Doctrine and Covenants 76:51, 79, 82
[Celestial glory] They are they who received the testimony of Jesus, and believed on his name and were baptized after the manner of his burial, being buried in the water in his name, and this according to the commandment which he has given …
[Terrestrial glory] These are they who are not valiant in the testimony of Jesus; wherefore, they obtain not the crown over the kingdom of our God.
[Telestial glory] These are they who received not the gospel of Christ, neither the testimony of Jesus.
Blog Posts
📄 Testimony of Jesus = Spirit of Prophecy
A testimony of Jesus Christ must be received by revelation. Therefore, those who have a testimony of Jesus are those who receive revelation.
Book of Mormon connection: Alma 17:3
God can help us see ourselves more clearly.
Doctrine and Covenants 76:94
They who dwell in his presence are the church of the Firstborn; and they see as they are seen, and know as they are known, having received of his fulness and of his grace;
Blog Posts
📄 Seeing as We Are Seen
Self-awareness is both elusive and essential. God and other people can help us see ourselves more clearly if we are willing to seek and accept their feedback.
Book of Mormon connection: Ether 12:27
Questions to Ponder
Here are some questions and topics I intend to work on this week:
- What is the purpose of the biblical phrases in the revelation, such as “Hear, O heavens” (v. 1) from Isaiah or “God and the Lamb” (v. 119) from Revelation?
- What is the “resurrection of the unjust”? (v. 17)
- How does Jesus save “all the works” of the Father’s hands? (v. 41-43)
- What is the church of the Firstborn? (v. 54, 67, 71, 94, 102)
- What does it mean to be valiant? (v. 79)
- How can I become more reverent? (v. 92-93)
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