Doctrine and Covenants 77

Firstborn

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

Q. What are we to understand by sealing the one hundred and forty-four thousand, out of all the tribes of Israel—twelve thousand out of every tribe? A. We are to understand that those who are sealed are high priests, ordained unto the holy order of God, to administer the everlasting gospel; for they are they who are ordained out of every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, by the angels to whom is given power over the nations of the earth, to bring as many as will come to the church of the Firstborn. Doctrine and Covenants 77:11

The 144,000 are high priests who bring people from every nation into the church of the Firstborn, the church that belongs to Christ, the Firstborn.

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 is the Firstborn; those begotten through Him are the church of the Firstborn.

Second Coming

Q. What are we to understand by the sounding of the trumpets, mentioned in the 8th chapter of Revelation? A. We are to understand that as God made the world in six days, and on the seventh day he finished his work, and sanctified it, and also formed man out of the dust of the earth, even so, in the beginning of the seventh thousand years will the Lord God sanctify the earth, and complete the salvation of man, and judge all things, and shall redeem all things, except that which he hath not put into his power, when he shall have sealed all things, unto the end of all things; and the sounding of the trumpets of the seven angels are the preparing and finishing of his work, in the beginning of the seventh thousand years—the preparing of the way before the time of his coming. Doctrine and Covenants 77:12

This verse explains John's seven trumpets: they prepare the way for the Lord's coming. At the start of the seventh thousand years He will make the earth holy, finish the salvation of mankind, judge, and redeem all things. Verse 13 names the one coming as Christ.

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

• interprets Revelation 8:6 — The seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.
• the same event in D&C 77:13 — Names the coming as the coming of Christ.

Second Coming

Q. When are the things to be accomplished, which are written in the 9th chapter of Revelation? A. They are to be accomplished after the opening of the seventh seal, before the coming of Christ. Doctrine and Covenants 77:13

The plagues of Revelation 9 happen after the seventh seal is opened but before Christ comes again. This helps place those events in time in relation to His return.

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

• interprets Revelation 9:1-21 — The fifth and sixth trumpets' woes, dated before Christ's coming.