28 Great Shall Be Their Reward and Eternal Shall Be Their Glory
Great Shall Be Their Reward and Eternal Shall Be Their Glory
Great Shall Be Their Reward and Eternal Shall Be Their Glory
Many have asked the question, “What will happen to me after
I do.” I’m thankful for the many scriptures that teach us the Plan of Salvation
and the eternal nature of the soul. I am thankful for the experience that our
family had in the life and death of our son Robby. I am thankful for latter-day
revelation that lets us know there isn’t just one heaven and one hell, but
there are many kingdoms of glory. Our Father loves us all, and He sent His Son
to redeem us all. I am thankful to be a recipient of His grace.
verse 19
When has the Lord touched the eyes of your understanding? Like Joseph and
Sidney, we can feel and know the truth of the Vision and of other revelations
through our desire, the Lord’s kindness, and the power of the Holy Ghost.
Heaven is broad and expansive and inclusive. Thanks be to God for His love and
His mercy, and for the gift of His Son.
Saints, 1:147–50
The
Vision
Salvation comes through Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Doctrine
and Covenants 76
This section teaches us about Jesus Christ, the kingdoms of
glory, the redemption of mankind, and the final state of those who refused to
be redeemed.
As you read section 76, take notes on each of the kingdoms
of glory. (See notes below)
I know that to strengthen my relationship with Heavenly
Father and Jesus Christ, I need to be more mindful and more prayerful. I need
to rely on them more and yield my heart to them.
Voices
of the Restoration: Testimonies of ‘the Vision’
Wilford Woodruff said, “I felt to love the Lord more than
ever before in my life.”
verses
1–5, 20–24, 39–43, 107–8
As you read these verses, note the Savior’s great love for you. How is your
love, understanding, and appreciation for Him growing? (See notes below)
1 Peter
3:18–19 18 For Christ also hath once suffered for
sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put
to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
19 By which also he went
and preached unto the spirits in prison;
4:6
6 For for this cause was
the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they
might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to
God in the spirit.
What
Has Our Savior Done for Us?
Focus on
Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and Their doctrine. Of everything we can learn in
the scriptures, the most important truths help us build faith in Heavenly
Father and Jesus Christ, repent, make and keep covenants with Them, and receive
the Holy Ghost. Although it may be interesting to compare or analyze the
attitudes or behavior of people who will receive the different kingdoms of
glory, it’s more important to focus on Heavenly Father and the Savior.
Everything They do to prepare us for that glory will turn us toward Them.
For Kids
Studying the scriptures can help me “understand the
things of God.”
Doctrine
and Covenants 76:12, 15–19, 114–16
verses
15–19 What were Joseph and Sidney doing when they saw the Vision? They were
translating.
15 For while we were doing the work
of translation, which the Lord had appointed unto us, we came to the twenty-ninth
verse of the fifth chapter of John, which was given unto us as follows—
16 Speaking of the resurrection of the dead,
concerning those who shall hear the voice of the Son of Man:
17 And shall come forth; they who have
done good, in the resurrection of the just; and they who
have done evil, in the resurrection of the unjust.
18 Now this caused us to marvel, for it was
given unto us of the Spirit.
19 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.
I have received revelation too when I am studying the
scriptures. Have you? Share experiences.
For Kids
We are all children of God.
Doctrine
and Covenants 76:24
Show family pictures of the children with their parents.
Aren’t you happy to be part of a loving family?
Heavenly Father wanted us to pattern our lives after His
divine nature and plan. He is our Father. We also have a Heavenly Mother. They
love us. Jesus, who is just like Heavenly Father was our Oldest Brother when we
were in heaven.
Read Doctrine
and Covenants 76:24 24 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.
How does it make you feel to know you are sons and daughters
of God? He sent us here to have a body and to learn new things. We are being
schooled in the gospel and doctrine of Jesus Christ, to help us to learn and
choose to follow the covenant path back home to Them.
Point to yourself as we sing I
Am a Child of God. Sing it again as you, and have them point to their
friends.
I can understand God’s will “by the power of the Holy
Spirit.”
Doctrine
and Covenants 76:5–10, 114–18
The
Vision Like Brigham Young, many people have been brought up with a
sectarian concept of heaven and hell. Brigham Young didn’t understand this to
begin with. It didn’t jive with his core knowledge. He didn’t reject it, but
allowed himself time to study and pray and know that it was true for himself.
What do you learn about God in Doctrine
and Covenants 76:5–10, 114–18?
(See notes below.)
verse
7 Will you make yourself worthy of this blessing?
7 And to them will I reveal all mysteries, yea, all
the hidden mysteries of my kingdom from days of old, and for ages to come, will
I make known unto them the good pleasure of my will concerning all things
pertaining to my kingdom.
For Kids
Jesus Christ is my Savior.
Doctrine
and Covenants 76:5, 41–42, 69
“What has Jesus Christ done for me?”
verses 5
5 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.
41–42
41 That he came into the world, even Jesus, to
be crucified for the world, and to bear the sins of
the world, and to sanctify the world, and
to cleanse it from all unrighteousness;
42 That through him all might
be saved whom the Father had put into his power and made by
him;
69 69 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.
What will I do to show my gratitude for what the Savior has
done for me?
For Kids
Heavenly Father wants me to return to live with Him
forever.
Doctrine
and Covenants 76:62
Chapter 26:
The Three Kingdoms of Heaven
Have you made it your desire and goal to return to Heavenly
Father with your family in the celestial kingdom. That’s our Father’s greatest
desire, to have you back home with Him. He will be so happy to see you again,
and to give you the biggest hug.
Doctrine
and Covenants 76:62 62 These shall dwell in
the presence of God and his Christ forever and ever.
Would you like to draw a picture of yourself with Heavenly
Father and Jesus Christ?
Video: The Kingdoms of Glory: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/9c9d13b59af711efb7f40286e0573c6390940652?lang=eng
“It is a Plan that completely honors your agency” (President
Oaks).
Exaltation is the highest form of salvation.
Doctrine
and Covenants 76:39–44, 50–70
It is said that salvation is an individual matter, and
exaltation is a family matter. I want to be together with both my earthly
family and my Heavenly Family for all eternity.
Doctrine
and Covenants 76:39–44 Salvation: Ultimately everyone who inherits a
kingdom of salvation will be saved!
Verses
50–70 Exaltation: Those who are given the gift of eternal life are
those who have lived with faith in Jesus Christ, lived His doctrine, stayed on
the covenant path, and are working on living by His divine nature in developing
charity and overcoming the world through Him.
Without the Savior, none of us can attain any kingdom of
glory. It is through the love and grace of Heavenly Father and His Son that we
can be forgiven, progress, and become like Them if we choose. It takes faith
and work every day, over and over.
The life and death of our son Robby, and the sweet
experiences that we were permitted to have through the Spirit and the love of
Heavenly Father, His Son, our family, and friends, gave me the desire to make
eternal life a family goal.
John
3:16–17 16 ¶ For God so loved the world,
that he gave his only begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but
have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the
world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might
be saved.
Doctrine
and Covenants 132:20–25 20 Then shall they be gods, because they
have no end; therefore shall they be from everlasting to everlasting, because
they continue; then shall they be above all, because all things are subject
unto them. Then shall they be gods, because they have all power, and the angels
are subject unto them.
21 Verily, verily, I say unto you, except ye abide my
law ye cannot attain to this glory.
22 For strait is the gate, and narrow the way that
leadeth unto the exaltation and continuation of the lives, and few there be
that find it, because ye receive me not in the world neither do ye know me.
23 But if ye receive me in the
world, then shall ye know me, and shall receive your exaltation; that where I
am ye shall be also.
24 This is eternal lives—to know
the only wise and true God, and Jesus Christ, whom he hath sent. I am he.
Receive ye, therefore, my law.
25 Broad is the gate, and wide the way that leadeth
to the deaths; and many there are that go in thereat, because they receive me
not, neither do they abide in my law.
My Heavenly Father wants me to receive eternal life in
the celestial kingdom.
Doctrine
and Covenants 76:50–70, 92–95
Doctrine
and Covenants 76:50–70, 92–95 What has God done, and what is He doing for
us, to help us become like Him? Consider how much He loves you and how your
efforts really matter to Him. (See notes below.)
What will you do different going forward after studying this
section?
Moses
1:39 39 For behold, this is my work and
my glory—to bring to pass
the immortality and eternal life of man.
Am
I Good Enough? Will I Make It?
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/76?lang=eng
verses
1–5, 20–24, 39–43, 107–8
As you read these verses, note the Savior’s great love for you. How is your
love, understanding, and appreciation for Him growing?
What do you learn about God in Doctrine
and Covenants 76:5–10, 114–18?
Doctrine
and Covenants 76:50–70, 92–95 What has God done, and what is He doing for
us, to help us become like Him? Consider how much He loves you and how your
efforts really matter to Him.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/76?lang=eng
A vision given to Joseph Smith the Prophet and Sidney
Rigdon, at Hiram, Ohio, February 16, 1832. Prefacing the record of this vision,
Joseph Smith’s history states: “Upon my return from Amherst conference, I
resumed the translation of the Scriptures. From sundry revelations which had
been received, it was apparent that many important points touching the
salvation of man had been taken from the Bible, or lost before it was compiled.
It appeared self-evident from what truths were left, that if God rewarded every
one according to the deeds done in the body the term ‘Heaven,’ as intended for
the Saints’ eternal home, must include more kingdoms than one. Accordingly, …
while translating St. John’s Gospel, myself and Elder Rigdon saw the
following vision.” At the time this vision was given, the Prophet was
translating John
5:29.
As you read section 76, take notes on each of the kingdoms
of glory.
Celestial (verses
50–70, 92–96)
Relationship with Jesus Christ: Received
testimony of Jesus: Made and kept covenants with Him
Eternal blessings: Cleansed from
sin; Overcome by faith
Vs 50 58: I want to be among that number. I have been
baptized; I have believed on Jesus Christ; I have received the Spirit and the
baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost. I am striving to keep the commandments. I
feel the Spirit testifying of the things that are true.
Vs 53 I can only overcome through faith in Jesus Christ.
What do I need to be doing to be sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promised? I need
to be praying more, and I need to be following the promptings of the Spirit
continually.
Vs 54 The Church of the Firstborn is truly the true Church
for eternity. I need to be sealed as His to obtain membership.
Vs 55 ff Through my temple endowment and sealings, and
through faith in Jesus Christ and our Father's plan, and through the efficacy
of the Atonement in my life, the Father is desirous to give all things into my
hands. I can become a queen and a priestess and receive His fulness, inheriting
all that He has and is both physically and spiritually; He will share His glory
with me.
Vs 57 ff The fulness of the gospel as found in the temple
teachings, ordinances, and covenants, blesses hubands and wives (families) to
obtain the blessings of being priests of the Most High, after the order of the
Son of God. It is His good pleasure to share His inheritance with all who
believe on His name.
Through this blessing we become gods ourselves, even the
sons and daughters of the Most High God.
59 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.
60 And they shall overcome all things.
61 Wherefore, let no man glory in man,
but rather let him glory in God, who shall subdue all
enemies under his feet.
62 These shall dwell in the presence of
God and his Christ forever and ever.
63 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.
64 These are they who shall have part in
the first resurrection.
65 These are they who shall come forth in the
resurrection of the just.
66 These are they who are come unto Mount Zion,
and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly place, the holiest of all.
67 These are they who have come to an
innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of Enoch,
and of the Firstborn.
68 These are they whose names are written in
heaven, where God and Christ are the judge of all.
69 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.
70 These are they whose bodies are celestial,
whose glory is that of the sun, even the glory of God, the highest of
all, whose glory the sun of the firmament is written of as being typical.
Terrestrial (verses
71–79, 97)
Relationship with Jesus Christ:
Eternal blessings:
Telestial (verses
81–90, 98–106, 109–12)
Relationship with Jesus Christ:
Eternal blessings:
I will study this section in greater detail another time. I
am thankful to be on the covenant path for the Celestial Kingdom. I hope to
help make this path available to many more; most especially, my children,
grandchildren and all my family.
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