The Restoration of the GospelWidtsoe, Osborne J. P.
Religion
The Restoration of the Gospel
Widtsoe, Osborne J. P.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
As the Prophet Joseph Smith revealed the condition of man in the life
before this, so he revealed also the condition of man when this life
shall be ended. Early in the year 1832, the Prophet had attended a
conference of the Church held at Amherst. On his return home from that
conference, he resumed the translation of the Scriptures, which had
occupied him for nearly two years. Undoubtedly, many questions arose
in his mind as the work progressed. Among others came to him also the
question of man's future state.
"From sundry revelations which had been received," he writes, "it was
apparent that many important points touching the salvation of man, had
been taken from the Bible, or lost before it was compiled. It appeared
self-evident from what truths were left that if God rewarded every one
according to the deeds done in the body the term 'Heaven' as intended
for the Saints' eternal home, must include more kingdoms than one."[F]
[Footnote F: "History of the Church," Vol. I, p. 245.]
On February 16, 1832, the word of the Lord came with power. Joseph was
accompanied this time by Sidney Rigdon. Suddenly the visions of heaven
opened before them, and they were permitted to see both the damnation
and the exaltation of men hereafter. They were commanded to write the
vision as they saw it. It forms now Section 76 of the Doctrine and
Covenants. As a revelation, it is one of the noblest sections in the
sacred Book of Today. Analyzed, the section falls naturally into eleven
parts.
1. The introduction. The Lord will reveal His mysteries to the
faithful. Verses 1 to 10.
2. Explanation. The circumstances under which the vision was given are
stated. Verses 11 to 18.
3. The beginning of the vision. Joseph and Sidney behold the glory of
the Son on the right hand of God. Verses 19 to 24.
4. Lucifer, a Son of the Morning, is cast out of heaven. The Elders are
commanded to write the vision. Verses 25 to 30.
5. The vision of the sons of perdition. They are they who crucify
Christ unto themselves. The special mission of the Christ is explained.
Verses 31 to 49.
6. The resurrection of the just. The condition of those who come forth
in this resurrection is explained. The celestial glory. Verses 50 to 70.
7. Terrestrial world. The condition of those who attain the second
glory is described. Verses 71 to 80.
8. The glory of the telestial. The condition of those who attain the
telestial is described. Verses 81 to 89.
9. A summary. The degrees of glory are compared. Verses 90 to 98.
10. The glory of the telestial. The condition of those who attain the
third glory is further described. Verses 99 to 113.
11. Conclusion. Many things revealed which cannot be written. Verses
114 to 119.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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