“The Kingdoms of Glory”
Lesson 20
– D&C 76; 131; 132:19-24; 137
Last week’s lesson on the Plan of Salvation reviewed
teachings on three stages of our eternal existence: premortal life, mortality,
and life after death. We would remain
woefully ignorant about the third stage—life after death—if it were not for
D&C sections 76, 131, and 137.
President Wilford Woodruff said: “I will refer to the ‘Vision’ alone, as a revelation
which gives more light, more truth, and more principle than any revelation
contained in any other book we ever read. It makes plain to our understanding
our present condition, where we came from, why we are here, and where we are
going. Any man may know through that
revelation what his part and condition will be” (The Discourses of Wilford
Woodruff, sel. G. Homer Durham [1946], 47-48). Today, we will review teachings about the
eternal inheritances in the kingdoms of glory and seek to understand how we
might merit that inheritance along with our families.
The kingdoms of glory and “the testimony of Jesus” D&C 76:11-24, 40-43, 119.
D&C 76:11-19 and the heading to D&C 76 provide a
look at the circumstances that led up to the reception of D&C 76 – “The
Vision”—by Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon.
This vision, from start to finish, is a testimony of Christ and His
mission and Atonement. Look
specifically at 76:20-24 and 76:119 for strong testimony of the Savior. Look
also at D&C 76: 40-43.
As we discuss the three kingdoms or “degrees” of glory—the
telestial, the terrestrial, and the celestial—in which most people will have an
inheritance, consider how you have received “the testimony of Jesus” (D&C
76:51) to see which kingdom you think your choices will entitle you to inhabit
for eternity. Remember that your reward
will depend on not only what you do here, but also why you did it. Doing the right things for the right reasons
is required to merit celestial glory.
D&C 76:25-26, 31-32.
This state of existence after mortality is the consequence of choosing
to follow Satan rather than the Savior in this life. The “sons of Perdition” will dwell in this state because they
chose the enticings of Satan over the invitation of Christ. (Note: We are counseled by our
leaders to avoid speculation on this subject and focus only on what has
been taught in the scriptures and by latter-day prophets.)
·
D&C 29:36-37; 76:25-28; Moses 4:1-3 record Lucifer’s
expulsion from the Council in Heaven and his banishment to earth.
·
D&C 76:29 and Moses 4:4 indicate that after being cast
out, he made war on the saints.
·
D&C 10:5; 27:15-18 tell us that we will win the war with
Satan and his forces if we will pray always, be faithful and believing, prepare
and protect ourselves, put on the whole armor of God, and do all that we can to
stand firm in the gospel. We must be
righteous, truthful, devoted to the gospel of peace, shielded with faith,
partakers of salvation, armed with the Spirit and the word of the Lord, and
endure faithfully to the end. (Teacher’s note: He cautions us to prepare for the battles and the
war—he does not say that we will not have to struggle in that conflict—he only
promises that we can win.)
·
D&C 76:32-34, 36-38, and 44-49 reveal the suffering of
the sons of perdition. They are condemned to experience this eternal punishment
and tremendous suffering because they allowed themselves to be overcome in the
war with Satan’s armies; denying the Holy Ghost and having crucified the Lord
(see D&C 76:30-31, 35). The Prophet Joseph Smith said: “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. After a man has sinned
against the Holy Ghost, there is no repentance for 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; and from that time he begins to be an enemy” (Teachings of the Prophet
Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 385).
·
The criteria for those who will inherit this lowest kingdom
of glory are recorded in D&C 76:81-83, 98-101, 103. They did not receive the gospel of Christ,
the testimony of Jesus, the prophets, or the everlasting covenant, but neither
did they deny the Holy Spirit. Theses are the liars, sorcerers, adulterers,
whoremongers, and those who love and make lies.
·
The limitations on those in this kingdom are found in
D&C 76:84-86, 102, 104-106, 112. (Note: The “hell” referred to in verses 84
and 106 is defined as the temporary spirit prison.) Telestial beings will suffer conditions including being cast into
hell, waiting till the last resurrection, not receiving “of his fullness”, not
being gathered with the saints, suffering the wrath of God on earth and eternal
fire, and suffering until the fullness of times when they will become servants
outside the presence of God.
·
The terrestrial kingdom will be the inheritance of those who
are described in D&C 76:71-75, 79.
These died without law, received the testimony of Jesus only in the
spirit world, were honorable people deceived by men, and were not valiant in
the testimony of Jesus.
·
Elder Bruce R. McConkie explained: “Those destined to inherit
the terrestrial kingdom are: (1) those who died ‘without law’—those heathen and
pagan people who do not hear the gospel in this life, and who would not accept
it with all their hearts should they hear it; (2) those who hear and reject the
gospel in this life and then accept it in the spirit world; (3) those ‘who are
the honorable men of the earth, who [are] blinded by the craftiness of men’;
and (4) those who are lukewarm members of the true church and who have
testimonies, but who are not true and faithful in all things” (A New Witness for the Articles of Faith [1985],
146)
·
In D&C 76:76-78 we find that conditions and limitations
on the terrestrial inhabitants include: receive visits from the Savior but not
the Father, and have less than a fulness of glory.
·
Guidance on how to avoid “the craftiness of men” is given in
D&C 3:7-8; 21:4-6; 52:14-20. (1)
fear (respect) God more than man, (2) be faithful—relying on God in times of
trouble, (3) give heed to the prophets, (4) walk in holiness (live
righteously), (5) pray, (6) obey the Lord’s commandments, (7) have a contrite
spirit, (8) use meek and edifying language, and (9) bring forth good fruits
(works).
·
Those inheriting this highest degree of glory are described
in D&C 76:50-53, 68-69. Note that
the Holy Spirit of Promise is the Holy Ghost who functions in his capacity as
the confirmer and witness of validity of the ordinances and covenants we have
received and fulfilled honorably. They
received the testimony of Jesus, were baptized and cleansed of sin, received
the Holy Ghost, overcame the world through faith, are just and true, are known
by Christ and the Father, or are “just men made perfect”.
·
Not quite four years after receiving D&C 76, “The
Vision”, the Prophet Joseph Smith received another vision, recorded in D&C
137, in which he beheld Alvin, his other brother who had died a dozen years
earlier—seven years before the Church was restored in this dispensation. He recognized that Alvin was in the celestial
kingdom. From this (D&C 137:7-9),
he learned of the mercy of Christ and the benefit it has for those who did not
hear the gospel in this life, but who—if they had been privileged to hear
it—would have accepted it with all their hearts. Next, in D&C 137:10, he saw the condition of children who die
before the age of accountability. These
teachings bring us comforting doctrine that is not taught by many other
churches.
·
Blessings received in the celestial kingdom include those
recorded in D&C 76:54-67, 94-95: Membership and fellowship in the Church of
the Firstborn; the trust of their Father; ordination as priests and kings;
reception of the fullness of the Father’s gospel, his glory, and his priesthood
power; godhood; the ability to overcome all things; dwelling with God forever;
coming forth in the first resurrection;
and fellowship with prophets and holy men (and women).
·
Our testimony of Jesus is a determining factor in our
assignment to a kingdom of glory. We
must be “valiant in the testimony of Jesus”. According to Elder Bruce R.
McConkie, that means:
·
Some eleven years after D&C 76 was revealed, the Prophet
taught us in D&C 131:1 that there are three degrees within the celestial
kingdom. The highest degree of glory is
reserved for those who are exalted… D&C 131:1-3; 132:19. Celestial beings inherit thrones,
kingdoms, …powers… and eternal
increase.
·
Only those in the highest degree of the celestial kingdom
will have “eternal increase”—spirit children in the eternities. D&C 131:4;
132:19-20. They will be gods because
they have no end ..and all power.
·
President Joseph Fielding Smith said: “Section 76 of the Doctrine
and Covenants…should be treasured by all members of the Church as a priceless
heritage. It should strengthen their
faith and be to them an incentive to seek the exaltation promised to all who
are just and true” (Church History and Modern Revelation, 2 vols. [1953], 1:279)
The great blessings of exaltation in the celestial kingdom
are available to all people through the mercy and suffering of Jesus Christ. We
can be perfected and be exalted with our families in the highest degree of the
celestial kingdom if we are willing to obey the commandments, receive the
ordinances of salvation, and keep all of the covenants we make with our
Heavenly Father.
Lesson website: www.NeumannInstitute.org