Doctrine and Covenants Section 76

Historical Background

In September 1831, Joseph Smith moved his family Kirtland to Hiram, Ohio, so that he might dedicated himself more fully to the revision of the King James Bible. Almost immediately there were interruptions to this effort. First there was the planning and publication of the revelations already received. Then there came false accusations against the Church and its leaders, requiring that missionaries be sent out, and that Joseph himself be involved in preaching the gospel. By February 1832, Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon were able to focus on the inspired revision. On the 16th of February, Joseph was inspired to make a revision of John 5:29. The circumstances in which they translated are not fully understood. It appears that there were at least a dozen men in the room in the John Johnson home when Joseph received the vision known as Section 76. Philo Dibble was one of the men in the room. The first known reporting of his experience came 60 years after the event. This is his account:

“Joseph would, at intervals, say: ‘What do I see?’ Then he would relate what he had seen or what he was looking at. Then Sidney replied, ‘I see the same.’ Presently Sidney would say, ‘What do I see?’ and would repeat what they had seen or was seeing, and Joseph would reply, ‘I see the same.’ This manner of conversation was repeated at short intervals to the end of the vision, and during the whole time not a word was spoken by any other person. Not a sound nor motion made by anyone but Joseph and Sidney, and it seemed to me that they never moved a joint or limb during the time I was there, which I think was over an hour, and to the end of the vision. Joseph sat firmly and calmly all the time in the midst of a magnificent glory, but Sidney sat limp and pale, apparently as limber as a rag, observing which Joseph remarked, smilingly, ‘Sidney is not used to it as I am’ (The Juvenile Instructor, 15 May 1892, p. 304).

Brigham Young wrote, “When God revealed to Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon that there was a place prepared for all, according to the light they had received and their rejection of evil and practice of good, it was a trial to many, and some apostatized because God was not going to send to everlasting punishment heathens and infants, but had a place of salvation, in due time, for all, and would belss the honest and virtuous and truthful, whether they ever belonged to any church or not” (Journal of Discourses, 16:42).

Joseph Smith declared, “The document is a transcript from the records of the eternal world” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 11; February 1832).

He also added, “The rewards of faithfulness, and the punishments for sins, are so much beyond the narrow-mindedness of men, that every man is constrained to exclaim: ‘It came from God’” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 11; February 1832).

D&C 76:1-10 A Promise to Those Who Fear God and Serve Him in Righteousness

List the things that are revealed about the Lord and the promises He makes to those who fear Him and serve Him in righteousness.

D&C 76:11-24 The Testimony of Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon

Read verses 11-14, 20-24. What is the testimony that Joseph and Sidney bear? What do they say about God the Father and Jesus the Son? According to verses 15-19, what were Joseph and Sidney doing when this vision was shown to them? How can scripture study regular and profound scripture study help you acquire and strengthen your own testimony?

D&C 76:25-49 The Suffering of the Ungodly

According to verses 25-35, how did Lucifer fall? How does he make war with the saints of God? What are the saints who fall called? See verse 32. In verses 36-38, 44-49 we learn of the eternal destiny of those who are called the Sons of Perdition? Why would such a terrible punishment be given to any of God’s spirit children? See verses 40-43. What kind of person would you have to be in order to have the Father reveal the Son to you, to be able to see the Son of God in vision while you are still in mortality? If such a person denies this ever happened, why would the God reject him? See verse 35.

D&C 76:50-70, 92-97 Those Who Inherit the Celestial Kingdom

In verses 50-53 are found the expectations of those who will “come forth in the resurrection of the just” and “whose bodies are celestial.” List the requirements. In verses 54-70, 92-97 there is an extensive list of blessings that will be given to those who meet the requirements. As you look through this list, keep track of how the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are involved in the lives of these people.

D&C 76:71-80 Those Who Inherit the Terrestrial Kingdom

According to verse 74, how are people who are terrestrial different from people who are celestial? Remember, to “receive” the testimony of Jesus you must have it presented to you. What other differences are there between celestial and terrestrial people? What can you do to help yourself qualify for the celestial kingdom?

D&C 76:81-91, 98-112 Those Who Inherit the Telestial Kingdom

Find the word “glory” in these verses. What do you learn about the glory of the telestial kingdom? According to verses 99-112, what do people do to qualify for the telestial kingdom? What can you do to avoid becoming a part of this kingdom?

D&C 76:113-119 A Promise to Those Who Love God

What promise is made to all who love God and purify themselves before Him?