Doctrine and Covenants 76

Savior

Savior — the one who rescues and delivers from sin and death

Hear, O ye heavens, and give ear, O earth, and rejoice ye inhabitants thereof, for the Lord is God, and beside him there is no Savior. Doctrine and Covenants 76:1

The vision opens by calling heaven and earth to rejoice because the Lord is the only Savior. This repeats Jehovah's words in Isaiah, and the vision shows that Jehovah is Jesus Christ, the Son.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Isaiah 43:11 — I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.

Jehovah

Great is his wisdom, marvelous are his ways, and the extent of his doings none can find out. Doctrine and Covenants 76:2–4

'He' is the Lord just called the only Savior in verse 1. His wisdom is beyond measure, His purposes never fail, and He does not change, from eternity to eternity.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Hebrews 13:8 — Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
• alludes to Moroni 8:18 — God is unchangeable from all eternity to all eternity.

Jehovah

For thus saith the Lord—I, the Lord, am merciful and gracious unto those who fear me, and delight to honor those who serve me in righteousness and in truth unto the end. Doctrine and Covenants 76:5–10

The Lord speaks in the same words Jehovah used to describe Himself to Moses: merciful and gracious. He promises to reveal His mysteries by His Spirit to those who serve Him, things 'eye has not seen, nor ear heard.'

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Exodus 34:6 — The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious.
• alludes to 1 Corinthians 2:9 — Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man.

Only Begotten Son

Only Begotten — the only child of the Father in the flesh

Even those things which were from the beginning before the world was, which were ordained of the Father, through his Only Begotten Son, who was in the bosom of the Father, even from the beginning; Doctrine and Covenants 76:13

Everything God planned from before the world was, He carried out through His Only Begotten Son. The Son was with the Father, 'in the bosom of the Father,' from the beginning.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to John 1:18 — The only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father.
• the same title in Moses 1:33 — By the Son I created them, which is mine Only Begotten.

Jesus Christ

Of whom we bear record; and the record which we bear is the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, who is the Son, whom we saw and with whom we conversed in the heavenly vision. Doctrine and Covenants 76:14

Joseph and Sidney testify that they saw Jesus Christ and talked with Him in the vision. Their record is the fulness of His gospel.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• the same event in D&C 76:22-23 — The same vision of the Son, with their witness that He lives.

Son of Man

Son of Man — Son of the Man of Holiness, a name of God the Father (Moses 6:57)

Speaking of the resurrection of the dead, concerning those who shall hear the voice of the Son of Man: Doctrine and Covenants 76:16–17

The vision began while they were translating John 5:29, where Jesus teaches that everyone who has died will hear the voice of the Son of Man and come forth. Because of Him, all will be resurrected, the just and the unjust.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• quotes John 5:28-29 — The verse being translated: all in the graves shall hear his voice and come forth.
• interpreted by Moses 6:57 — Man of Holiness is God's name, and the name of His Only Begotten is the Son of Man.

Son of God

And while we meditated upon these things, the Lord touched the eyes of our understandings and they were opened, and the glory of the Lord shone round about. Doctrine and Covenants 76:19–20

The Lord opens their spiritual eyes, and they see the glorified Son standing at the Father's right hand. They receive of His fulness, as John said all of us receive of Christ's fulness.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Acts 7:55-56 — Stephen sees the glory of God and Jesus standing on the right hand of God.
• alludes to John 1:16 — Of his fulness have all we received.

Lamb of God

Lamb of God — the sacrificial Lamb God provides, whose blood saves

And saw the holy angels, and them who are sanctified before his throne, worshiping God, and the Lamb, who worship him forever and ever. Doctrine and Covenants 76:21

Angels and sanctified beings worship God and the Lamb, the name that points to Christ's sacrifice. This is the heavenly worship John also saw.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Revelation 5:11-13 — Angels round the throne give glory to him that sitteth upon the throne and unto the Lamb.

Resurrection — the living Christ

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! Doctrine and Covenants 76:22–23

This is one of the best-known testimonies in scripture. After all the witnesses of past ages, Joseph and Sidney add theirs: Jesus Christ lives, because they saw Him at God's right hand.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Job 19:25 — I know that my redeemer liveth.
• alludes to Acts 7:55-56 — Another witness who saw the Son on the right hand of God.

Only Begotten Son

Only Begotten — the only child of the Father in the flesh

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— Doctrine and Covenants 76:23

They also hear a voice testifying that the one they see is the Only Begotten of the Father. The Father bears witness of His Son, as He did at Jesus' baptism and in the First Vision.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in Moses 1:6 — The Father speaks of mine Only Begotten, who is the Savior.

Creation by Christ

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. Doctrine and Covenants 76:24

Christ created not just this earth but many worlds. Through Him their inhabitants become sons and daughters of God, so His saving work reaches far beyond our planet.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to John 1:3 — All things were made by him.
• alludes to Colossians 1:16 — By him were all things created.
• alludes to Moses 1:33 — Worlds without number have I created... by the Son I created them.

Premortal Christ

And this we saw also, and bear record, that an angel of God who was in authority in the presence of God, who rebelled against the Only Begotten Son whom the Father loved and who was in the bosom of the Father, was thrust down from the presence of God and the Son, Doctrine and Covenants 76:25

Lucifer rebelled in the premortal world against the Only Begotten Son, whom the Father loved and chose. He was cast out from the presence of God and of the Son.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Moses 4:1-3 — Satan sought to replace my Beloved Son and was cast down.

Christ

Christ — the Anointed One (Greek for Messiah)

And while we were yet in the Spirit, the Lord commanded us that we should write the vision; for we beheld Satan, that old serpent, even the devil, who rebelled against God, and sought to take the kingdom of our God and his Christ— Doctrine and Covenants 76:28

Satan's war has always aimed at the kingdom that belongs to God and His Christ. This is the language of Revelation.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Revelation 12:10 — Now is come... the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ.

Crucifixion

Having denied the Holy Spirit after having received it, and having denied the Only Begotten Son of the Father, having crucified him unto themselves and put him to an open shame. Doctrine and Covenants 76:35

Sons of perdition know the Only Begotten Son and then deny Him. Scripture says they crucify Him again in their own lives and shame Him openly.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Hebrews 6:6 — They crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

Lamb of God

Lamb of God — the sacrificial Lamb God provides, whose blood saves

Yea, verily, the only ones who shall not be redeemed in the due time of the Lord, after the sufferings of his wrath. Doctrine and Covenants 76:38–39

Everyone except the sons of perdition will be redeemed and resurrected through the triumph of the Lamb who was slain. The same Lamb was with the Father before the world was made, chosen from the beginning to be the sacrifice.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him

• alludes to Revelation 5:12 — Worthy is the Lamb that was slain.
• alludes to Revelation 13:8 — The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

Atonement

And this is the gospel, the glad tidings, which the voice out of the heavens bore record unto us— Doctrine and Covenants 76:40–41

A voice from heaven defines the gospel, the good news: Jesus came to be crucified, to carry the world's sins, and to make the world clean and holy. The gospel is, at its heart, Jesus Christ and His Atonement.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to 3 Nephi 27:13-14 — Christ defines his gospel: I came into the world... to be lifted up upon the cross.
• alludes to John 1:29 — The Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

Savior

That through him all might be saved whom the Father had put into his power and made by him; Doctrine and Covenants 76:42–44

The Father put everything He made into the Son's power, and the Son saves all of it and glorifies the Father. The only ones left out are those who deny the Son after the Father has revealed Him to them. His saving reach is almost universal.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to John 17:2 — Thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

Doctrine of Christ

And again we bear record—for we saw and heard, and this is the testimony of the gospel of Christ concerning them who shall come forth in the resurrection of the just— Doctrine and Covenants 76:50–51

Celestial people received the testimony of Jesus, believed on His name, and were baptized in His name. Baptism by immersion is a likeness of His burial: going under the water and rising again pictures His death and Resurrection.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Romans 6:3-5 — Buried with him by baptism into death... in the likeness of his resurrection.

Firstborn

Firstborn — Christ, the first spirit child of the Father and heir of all He has

They are they who are the church of the Firstborn. Doctrine and Covenants 76:54

The celestial Saints belong to the church of the Firstborn. The Firstborn is Christ, and those born again through Him share His inheritance. The phrase comes back in vv. 67, 71, 94 and 102.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• interpreted by D&C 93:21-22 — Christ: I am the Firstborn; those begotten through me are the church of the Firstborn.
• alludes to Hebrews 12:23 — The general assembly and church of the firstborn.

Melchizedek

And are priests of the Most High, after the order of Melchizedek, which was after the order of Enoch, which was after the order of the Only Begotten Son. Doctrine and Covenants 76:57

The priesthood the exalted hold is named for Melchizedek, but it is really the order of the Only Begotten Son. Melchizedek and Enoch held Christ's own priesthood and foreshadowed Him, the great High Priest.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• the same title in D&C 107:3 — The Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God.
• alludes to Hebrews 5:6 — Christ is a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

Christ

Christ — the Anointed One

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. Doctrine and Covenants 76:59

Paul's words describe the exalted: everything is theirs because they belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God. They receive through Him.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• quotes 1 Corinthians 3:21-23 — All things are yours... and ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.

Christ subdues all enemies

Wherefore, let no man glory in man, but rather let him glory in God, who shall subdue all enemies under his feet. Doctrine and Covenants 76:61

Putting all enemies under His feet is language scripture uses for Christ's final victory. Verse 106 of this chapter says it directly of Christ.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to 1 Corinthians 15:25 — He must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
• interpreted by D&C 76:106 — Christ shall have subdued all enemies under his feet.

Christ

Christ — the Anointed One

These shall dwell in the presence of God and his Christ forever and ever. Doctrine and Covenants 76:62

The celestial reward is to live forever in the presence of both the Father and His Christ.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

Second Coming

These are they whom he shall bring with him, when he shall come in the clouds of heaven to reign on the earth over his people. Doctrine and Covenants 76:63–65

Christ will come in the clouds of heaven, bring the righteous with Him, and reign over His people on the earth. The righteous come forth in the first resurrection, at His coming.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to 1 Thessalonians 4:14 — Them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
• alludes to Matthew 24:30 — The Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

Christ the Judge

These are they who are come unto Mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly place, the holiest of all. Doctrine and Covenants 76:66–68

These verses use the words of Hebrews 12 but make one change: 'God and Christ are the judge of all.' The Father has given judgment to the Son, and the faithful belong to the church of the Firstborn.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Hebrews 12:22-23 — Mount Zion, the city of the living God, the church of the firstborn, and God the Judge of all.
• alludes to John 5:22 — The Father hath committed all judgment unto the Son.

Mediator of the New Covenant

Mediator — one who stands between two parties to reconcile them

These are they who are just men made perfect through Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, who wrought out this perfect atonement through the shedding of his own blood. Doctrine and Covenants 76:69

No one is perfected alone. Celestial people are made perfect through Jesus, who stands between us and the Father as Mediator and who worked out a perfect Atonement by shedding His own blood.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Hebrews 12:24 — Jesus the mediator of the new covenant.
• alludes to Hebrews 9:12 — By his own blood he entered in once into the holy place.

Christ's ministry in the spirit world

And also they who are the spirits of men kept in prison, whom the Son visited, and preached the gospel unto them, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh; Doctrine and Covenants 76:73–74

Between His death and Resurrection, the Son visited the spirits in prison so the gospel could reach them. Some who did not accept the testimony of Jesus in mortality accepted it afterward.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to 1 Peter 3:18-19 — He went and preached unto the spirits in prison.
• alludes to 1 Peter 4:6 — The gospel preached to the dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh.
• interpreted by D&C 138:29-30 — The Lord organized righteous messengers to carry the gospel to the spirits.

Son of God

These are they who receive of the presence of the Son, but not of the fulness of the Father. Doctrine and Covenants 76:77

Those in the terrestrial glory receive the Son's presence but not the fulness of the Father. The Son ministers even to people who are not exalted.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

Testimony of Jesus

These are they who are not valiant in the testimony of Jesus; wherefore, they obtain not the crown over the kingdom of our God. Doctrine and Covenants 76:79

The line between terrestrial and celestial is valor in the testimony of Jesus. It is not enough to believe in Him; you have to be valiant in that testimony.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

Testimony of Jesus

These are they who received not the gospel of Christ, neither the testimony of Jesus. Doctrine and Covenants 76:82

Telestial people are marked by what they rejected: the gospel of Christ and the testimony of Jesus. Each kingdom is defined by how people respond to Him.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

Lamb of God

Lamb of God — the sacrificial Lamb God provides

These are they who shall not be redeemed from the devil until the last resurrection, until the Lord, even Christ the Lamb, shall have finished his work. Doctrine and Covenants 76:85

Even telestial people are eventually redeemed from the devil, at the last resurrection, when Christ the Lamb finishes His work. The Lamb's work reaches them in the end.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

Testimony of Jesus

For these are they who are of Paul, and of Apollos, and of Cephas. Doctrine and Covenants 76:99–101

Some telestial people claimed to follow Christ or a prophet the way people claim a team, but never received the testimony of Jesus or His covenant. A label is not the same as receiving Him.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to 1 Corinthians 1:12 — I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.

Christ

Christ — the Anointed One

These are they who are cast down to hell and suffer the wrath of Almighty God, until the fulness of times, when Christ shall have subdued all enemies under his feet, and shall have perfected his work; Doctrine and Covenants 76:106–107

At the end of His work, Christ will have conquered every enemy. He will present the kingdom to the Father, spotless, having finished everything He was sent to do.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to 1 Corinthians 15:24-25 — He shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father... till he hath put all enemies under his feet.

Treader of the Wine-press

When he shall deliver up the kingdom, and present it unto the Father, spotless, saying: I have overcome and have trodden the wine-press alone, even the wine-press of the fierceness of the wrath of Almighty God. Doctrine and Covenants 76:107

Christ's own words: He has overcome, and He trod the wine-press alone. Just as grapes are crushed in a wine-press, He bore the full weight of God's wrath against sin and evil by Himself, with no one to help.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Isaiah 63:3 — I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me.
• the same title in D&C 133:50 — The Lord at His coming: I have trodden the wine-press alone.
• the same title in D&C 88:106 — He hath overcome and hath trodden the wine-press alone.
• alludes to John 16:33 — Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

King of Kings

Then shall he be crowned with the crown of his glory, to sit on the throne of his power to reign forever and ever. Doctrine and Covenants 76:108

After His victory Christ is crowned and sits on the throne of His power to reign forever. The one who was mocked with a crown of thorns receives the crown of His glory.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Revelation 11:15 — The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

Every knee shall bow

And heard the voice of the Lord saying: These all shall bow the knee, and every tongue shall confess to him who sits upon the throne forever and ever; Doctrine and Covenants 76:110

Even the uncountable telestial multitudes will bow and confess. Paul says every knee will bow at the name of Jesus and every tongue confess He is Lord. Here the one on the throne could be the Father (v. 92) or the enthroned Son (v. 108).

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Philippians 2:10-11 — At the name of Jesus every knee should bow... every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
• alludes to Isaiah 45:23 — Unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.

Christ

Christ — the Anointed One

And they shall be servants of the Most High; but where God and Christ dwell they cannot come, worlds without end. Doctrine and Covenants 76:112

The telestial become servants of the Most High, but they can never come where God and Christ dwell. Being in Christ's presence is the heart of the highest glory.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

Lamb of God

Lamb of God — the sacrificial Lamb God provides

And to God and the Lamb be glory, and honor, and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Doctrine and Covenants 76:119

The vision ends the way heaven's worship does, giving glory to God and the Lamb.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Revelation 5:13 — Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.