T HE V ISION

T HE V ISION (S ECTION 76)

P HILO D IBBLE “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 would reply, ‘I see the same.’ Presently Sidney would say ‘what do I see?’ and would repeat what he was seeing, and Joseph would reply, ‘I see the same.’ “Not a sound nor motion made 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. After the vision, “Joseph sat firmly and calmly in the midst of a magnificent glory, but Sidney sat limp and pale, as limber as a rag, observing which, Joseph remarked, smilingly, ‘Sidney is not as used to it as I am.’” ( Juvenile Instructor, May 1892, pp. 303–4.)

J OSEPH ’ S R EACTION "Nothing could be more pleasing to the Saints …than the light which burst upon the world through the foregoing vision. Every law, every commandment, every promise, every truth, and every point touching the destiny of man, from Genesis to Revelation… witness the fact that that this is a transcript from the records of the eternal world.” (D. H. C. 1: )

T HERE ’ S MORE “I could explain a hundredfold more than I ever have of the glories of the kingdoms manifested to me in the vision, were I permitted, and were the people prepared to receive them” (TPJS, 305).

T HE L ORD ’ S P REFACE D&C 76: 1-10

The Outline What lead to this vision? (see vs 11-19) “When I say ‘study,’ I mean something more than reading. … I see you sometimes reading a few verses, stopping to ponder them, carefully reading the verses again, and as you think about what they mean, praying for understanding, asking questions in your mind, waiting for spiritual impressions, and writing down the impressions and insights that come so you can remember and learn more. Studying in this way, you may not read a lot of chapters or verses in a half hour, but you will be giving place in your heart for the word of God, and He will be speaking to you” (“When Thou Art Converted,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2004, 11).

The Outline What lead to this vision? (see vs 11-19) “Reading, studying, and pondering are not the same. We read words and we may get ideas. We study and we may discover patterns and connections in scripture. But when we ponder, we invite revelation by the Spirit. Pondering, to me, is the thinking and the praying I do after reading and studying in the scriptures carefully” (President Eyring, “Serve with the Spirit,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2010, 60).

C ONCERNED … When section 76 was first revealed, some members of the Church had a difficult time accepting it. President Brigham Young said, "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).

How often do you see this in the scriptures? Read D&C 76:22-24.

D&C 76 ·Glory of the Son (see vv. 19–24) ·Fall of Lucifer (see vv. 25–29) ·Sons of Perdition (see vv. 30–38, 43–49) ·Celestial Glory (see vv. 50–70, 92–96) ·Terrestrial Glory (see vv. 71–80, 87, 91, 97) ·Telestial Glory (see vv. 81–86, 88–90, 98–112) Study your piece of the vision and seek to discover three important truths IDENTIFY ONE PHRASE TO UNDERLINE

SATAN v Who was he? What’s he doing now? SONS OF PERDITION v. 30–38, 43–49 Who are they? How do you become one? CELESTIAL v Who are they? What did they do to be there? TERRESTRIAL v Who are they? What did they do to be there? What didn’t they do to be celestial? TELESTIAL v , Who are they? What did they do to be there? D&C 76 Glory of the Son v. 19–24

Deny the Holy Ghost Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men: Matt. 12:31–32; ( Mark 3:29; Luke 12:10; ) It is impossible for those who were made partakers of the Holy Ghost to renew them again unto repentance: Heb. 6:4– 6; If ye deny the Holy Ghost and know that ye deny it, this is a sin which is unpardonable: Alma 39:5–6; ( Jacob 7:19; ) They have no forgiveness, having denied the Only Begotten Son, having crucified him unto themselves: D&C 76:30–35;

Deny the Holy Ghost “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. 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.” (Joseph Smith, King Follet Discourse, Ensign, May 1971).

“The sin against the Holy Ghost requires such knowledge that it is manifestly impossible for the rank and file to commit such a sin. Comparatively few Church members will commit murder wherein they shed innocent blood, and we hope only few will deny the Holy Ghost. (Spencer W Kimball, Miracle of Forgiveness, pg 112)

D&C 76 Why do you think "the testimony of Jesus" plays such an important part in which kingdom we inherit? (Doctrine and Covenants 76:51, 74, 79, 82, 101) President Ezra Taft Benson: "  Not to be valiant in one's testimony is a tragedy of eternal consequence. These are members who know this latter ‑ day work is true, but who fail to endure to the end. Some may even hold temple recommends, but do not magnify their callings in the Church. Without valor, they do not take an affirmative stand for the kingdom of God. Some seek the praise, adulation, and honors of men; others attempt to conceal their sins; and a few criticize those who preside over them" (in Conference Report, Apr. 1982, 89; or Ensign, May 1982, 63).

F INAL J UDGMENT “The Final Judgment is not just an evaluation of a sum total of good and evil acts – what we have done. It is an acknowledgment of the final effect of our acts and thoughts – what we have become. ” Dallin H. Oaks, “The Challenge to Become,” Ensign, Nov. 2000, p. 32

D OCTRINE AND C OVENANTS 76:69. W HAT DOES “P ERFECTION ” MEAN ? Elder Russell M. Nelson: “The perfection that the Savior envisions for us is much more than errorless performance.… The Lord restored his church to help us prepare for perfection. … “The perfect man … is the completed person … the glorified soul! … “We need not be dismayed if our earnest efforts toward perfection now seem so arduous and endless. Perfection is pending. It can come in full only after the Resurrection and only through the Lord. It awaits all who love him and keep his commandments. It is the end for which we are to endure. It is the eternal perfection that God has in store for each of us” (“Perfection Pending,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 87, 88).

T HE V ISION