2/5/2019 - Section 138:35-60

February 5, 2019

Section 138:35-60

Vision of the Spirit World, Life After Death, Learning and Teaching Continue Forever, Temple Work Importance Of, Rest of the Lord, Wayward Children,

V 35 makes it clear that missionary work continues on into the spirit world so that all may know Christ’s mission of redemption.  And v 36 makes it clear that work, and our callings to help in that work, do not end with mortal life. For the life we have is much fuller and deeper than what we are used to in this mortal world.

V’s 47 & 48 emphasizes the importance of ‘planting in the hearts of the children the promises made to their fathers.   Foreshadowing the great work to be done in the temples of the Lord in the dispensation of the fullness of times, for the redemption of the dead, and the sealing of the children to their parents, lest the whole earth be smitten with a curse and utterly wasted at his coming.’  We can learn and grow whether we are in heaven or on earth. But earthly ordinances that seal us up for blessings in the eternities, can only be administered here on earth. Hence, the world will be wasted if we do not get busy and do the work for the millions of those who did not have, or did not take, the opportunity of making those promises—life changing promises—to the Lord. The temple ordinances point us toward a higher plane of living. Fortunately, we are able to get there one step at a time—which also makes our attendance at the temple so much more important to those we are there to help, but also more important to our step by step progress.

President Joseph Fielding Smith: “the promises made to the fathers as the promise of the Lord made through Enoch, Isaiah, and the prophets to the nations of the earth, that the time should come when the dead should be redeemed. And the turning of the hearts of the children is fulfilled in the performing of the vicarious temple work and in the preparation of their genealogies.” (Doctrines of Slvation2:154)

P 360: “In the pre-mortal life promises were made regarding the salvation of those who would not have the gospel in mortality. President Kimball said that in the pre-mortal existence ‘you and I made a solemn commitment, made an oath that we would do all things whatsoever the Lord our God shall command us” (Church News 18 Jan 1975. The Saints have been commanded to see after their dead and perform ordinances for them (see Smith, Teachings p 356; D&C 128:15)”  Moroni emphasized these things in his first visits with Joseph Smith.

Our work for the priorities of our world (the Lord’s priorities of our world) still continues with blessings to all even after this mortal life ends for us:

V 50-52 “For the dead had looked upon the long absence of their spirits from their bodies as a bondage. 51 These the Lord taught, and gave them power to come forth, after his resurrection from the dea, to enter into his Father’s kingdom, there to be crowned with immortality and eternal life,    And continue thence forth their labor as had been promised by the lord, and be partakers of all blessings which were held I reserve for them that love him.”

I’ve often wondered about the phrase: rest in the Lord. This is what the student manual says (p360):  “The Lord Said, This is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man: (Moses 1:39). Those who are crowned with immortality and eternal life will continue their labor in the eternal worlds. Man’s goal is to become as God is, and the Lord has said “there is no end to my works” (Moses 1:38). To enter into the “rest” of the Lord means to enter into a fullness of God’s glory (see D&C 84:24) where one will rest from the cares and sorrows of mortality. It does not mean that one will cease to work.” There have been times in my life when I have felt the peace of the Lord during very difficult times, that that peace made it possible for me to go on with courage and confidence. While I feel so very tired these days, I know the Lord knows best. Doing my best to keep His commandments in this world has changed my life. Even though I must admit I am fearful of, and shrink from, the possibility of become gods and goddesses, I know the Lord knows best. At this point in my life, I see the Lord much as I saw my parents as they guided me through my early years. I had faith that they were there to keep me safe, and happy, and warm. They often asked me to do hard things, but I grew from my efforts to obey. They were always there for back up, if needed. They loved me dearly and feeling that made my life sweet and happy and full. The Lord’s ‘parenting’ must be like what my earthly parents have blessed me with…only magnified in a way that I won’t fully understand until I leave this world and find myself standing in the eternities again…with my Heavenly Father. So, for now, I’m happy to walk in faith, and secure in the knowledge that doing so has never brought me grief or heartache.

Joseph F Smith ends this recording of his vision with these verses: “The dead who repent will be redeemed, through obedience to the ordinances of the house of God.    And after they have paid the penalty of their transgressions, and are washed clean, shall receive a reward according to their works, for they are heirs of salvation.” (v 58-59) These verses bring sweet comfort to me.

12/2/2021 – D&C138:23-60

V 26 speaks of Christ’s earthly mission among the Jews; it is so very interesting to me: “…notwithstanding his mighty works, and miracles, and proclamation of the truth, in great power and authority, there were but few who hearkened to his voice, and rejoiced in his presence, and received salvation at his hands.” Christ can certainly teach us—whether we are in His presence, or listening to Him through His scriptures-- but it’s up to us to draw nearer to Him by following His commandments and by reviewing His scriptures again, and again, and again—for the same verse can (and has) provided me with multiple insights at different times as I search for understanding—for He knows where I am and what I most need for that particular time. President Nelson describes the ‘why’ of our efforts: “Our message in the world is simple and sincere: we invite all of God’s children on both sides of the veil to come unto their Savior, receive the blessings of the holy temple, have enduring joy, and qualify for eternal life.” 

V 33-34 tells us what the Savior taught to those who had died without a testimony of Him: “These were taught faith in God, repentance from sin, vicarious baptism for the remission of sins, the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands. And all other principles of the gospel that were necessary for them to know in order to qualify themselves that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.”  While Christ has organized this teaching of those who had not developed a testimony on earth, He also caused temples to be built on earth, so that we too can help those who have lived & died on this earth—but who still need help to be able to enjoy the great knowledge and blessings that are found in the temple. 

And then v 58 gives us the ultimate goal that Christ has been working toward: “The dead who repent will be redeemed, through obedience to the ordinances of the house of God.” That won’t happen automatically, but it can happen…and that will be because of their efforts in the spirit world: “And after they have paid the penalty of their transgressions, and are washed clean, shall receive a reward according to their works, for they are heirs of salvation.” (v 59) That is the main goal for all of us: those who haven’t come to this earth, those who are living on this earth, and those who have left this earth—and Christ can be with us throughout our entire journey.

This is what President Lorenzo Snow taught about how the gospel will be received by those in the spirit world:

“I believe, strongly too, that when the Gospel is preached to the spirits in prison, the success attending that preaching will be far greater than that attending the preaching of our Elders in this life. I believe there will be very few indeed of those spirits who will not gladly receive the Gospel when it is carried to them. The circumstances there will be a thousand times more favorable”