Doctrine and Covenants Section 77

Historical Background

The Prophet Joseph Smith continued his inspired revision of the King James Bible. This revelation, according to his notes, was a revealed “explanation of the Revelation of St. John.”

D&C 77:1-4 Questions Concerning Revelation 6:4

Revelation 6:4 reads as follows: “And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.”

Read the answers to the questions in D&C 77:1-4 and put them into your own words. In verse 2A, the word “figurative” is used. What does that mean? In verse 3A what does the word “felicity” mean? As you read verses 1-4, how do they help you understand the symbolism John is using in Revelation 4:6?

D&C 77:5 Questions Concerning Revelation 4:4

Revelation 4:4 reads as follows: “And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in whit raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.”

What is the answer, in your own words, to Joseph’s question in verse 5?

D&C 77:6-7 Questions Concerning Revelation 5:1

Revelation 5:1 reads as follows: “And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.”

Put the answer the Lord gave to Joseph in verse 6A in your own words. What word in this verse appears to be the most important to you? Why? Remember the answer given in verse 7A. It will be a great key to understanding the whole book of Revelation.

D&C 77:8 Questions Concerning Revelation 7:1

Revelation 7:1 reads as follows: “And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.”

What power is given to the four angels? Cross-reference: 1 Kings 17:1; Malachi 4:5-6; Helaman 10:6-11; Matthew 16:18-19; D&C 110:13-15.

D&C 77:9 Questions Concerning Revelation 7:2

Revelation 7:2 reads as follows: “And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea.”

Cross-reference: Bible Dictionary, “Elias;” D&C 110:12.

D&C 77:10 The Sixth Seal

The chapter spoken of in this verse is Revelation 6. The specific verses that mention the sixth seal are verses 12-17. The events described in these verses are things which will occur in our generation. Cross-reference: D&C 45:36-44.

D&C 77:11 The 144,000

The 144,000 people spoken of in this verse are mentioned in Revelation 7:1-8. As you study D&C 77:11, explain the purpose of the 144,000. What are they given power to do? What is their purpose? Does it seem that they will be the only ones who are exalted? Cross-reference: Revelation 14:1-5.

D&C 77:12 The Sounding of the Trumpets

The trumpets spoken of in this verse are mentioned in Revelation 8:2, which reads, “And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.”

What is the purpose of the seven angels with trumpets? What do they symbolize?

D&C 77:13 Questions Concerning Revelation Chapter 9

Revelation 9 speaks of terrible wars and plagues that will be poured out upon the earth. Verse 13A explains when these things will happen.

D&C 77:14 The Little Book that John Ate

The little book spoken of in this verse is mentioned in Revelation 10:10, which reads, “And I took the little book out of the angel’s hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.”

Cross-reference: D&C 110:12; 124:58.

D&C 77:15 The Two Witnesses

The two witnesses spoken of in this verse are mentioned in Revelation 11:3-13. Before you read these verses, read verse 15A so that you will understand the significance of the two prophets. The verses read as follows:

3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. [Sack cloth is like burlap. It is a sign of great humility.]
4 These are the two olive trees [This is a tree associated with peace.], and the two candlesticks [This is a symbol associated with priesthood power.] standing before the God of the earth.
5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.
6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy [This is power that we associate with Elijah, see 1 Kings 17:1.]: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues [This is power we associate with Moses.], as often as they will.
7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast [Satan] that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit [hell] shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.
8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city [Jerusalem], which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.
9 And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.
10 And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.
11 And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.
12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.
13 And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.