DOCTRINE and COVENANTS

Sections 137138

Hurricane Utah Adult Religion Class

Canonization of Sections 137 & 138

25 March 1976: 22 June 1979: Moved Approved by First from Pearl of Great Presidency and the Price to D&C Twelve. (1981 ed.). 3 April 1976: Sustained in General Conference.

The doctrinal foundation

Now, concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrectionBeholdthe spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life. And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow. And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of the wicked, yea, who are evilfor behold, they have no part nor portion of the Spirit of the Lord; for behold, they chose evil works rather than good; therefore the spirit of the devil did enter into them, and take possession of their houseand these shall be cast out into outer darkness; there shall be weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth, and this because of their own iniquity, being led captive by the will of the devil. Alma 40:1113
3

D&C 137
21 January 1836, Kirtland Temple:
All of the Presidency laid their hands upon me, and pronounced upon my head many prophecies and blessings, many of which I shall not notice at this time. But as Paul said, so say I, let us come to visions and revelations. Joseph Smith
History of the Church 2:37980
4

Joseph Smith Journal, 21 Jan. 1836

D&C 137:5

Alvin Smith
Born: 11 February 1798, Tunbridge, Vermont. Died: 19 November 1823, Palmyra, New York. (Appendicitis?)

Doctrines of D&C 137

137:710.
Those who would have received the gospel. Children who die before age of accountability.

Children taken in death

The Lord takes many away, even in infancy, that they may escape the envy of man, and the sorrows and evils of this present world; they were too pure, too lovely, to live on earth; therefore, if rightly considered, instead of mourning we have reason to rejoice as they are delivered from evil, and we shall soon have them again. . All children are redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ, and the moment that children leave this world, they are taken to the bosom of Abraham. The only difference between the old and young dying is, one lives longer in heaven and eternal light and glory than the other, and is freed a little sooner from this miserable, wicked world. Notwithstanding all this glory, we for a moment lose sight of it, and mourn the loss, but we do not mourn as those without hope. Joseph Smith, 20 March 1842 (HC 4:55354) 8

Remainder of the 1836 vision

The Twelve in foreign lands. Elder William McLellin preaching and healing in the South. Brigham Young in the southwest desert place, preaching to about a dozen men of colour. The Twelve in the celestial kingdom. Many of my brethren who received this ordinance with me saw glorious visions also. Angels ministered unto them as well as to myself, and the power of the Highest rested upon us, the house was filled with the glory of God, and we shouted Hosanna to God and the Lamb. Joseph Smith (HC 2:381)
9

D&C 138
Joseph F. Smith, sixth President of the Church (19011918).

10

Joseph F. Smiths family

11

World War I (19141918)

12

In General Conference
I have not lived alone these five months. I have dwelt in the spirit of prayer, of supplication, of faith and of determination; and I have had my communication with the Spirit of the Lord continuously. Joseph F. Smith, 4 October 1918

13

Doctrines of D&C 138

138:1117. Prior to Jesus death.
An innumerable company of the spirits of the just. 138:50. Absence of their spirits from their bodies.

138:1821, 2931. After Jesus death, before his resurrection.

Whom did he teach? 138:5859. Are the dead forced to accept?
14

The location of the spirit world

The inquiry will naturally arise, when our spirits leave our bodies where do they go to? I will tell you. They do not pass out of the organization of this earth on which we live. . Where is the spirit world? It is incorporated within this celestial system. Can you see it with your natural eyes? No. Can you see spirits in this room? No. Suppose the Lord should touch your eyes that you might see, could you then see the spirits? Yes, as plainly as you now see bodies, as did the servant of Elijah. If the Lord would permit it, and it was His will that it should be done, you could see the spirits that have departed from this world, as plainly as you now see bodies with your natural eyes. . 15

The location of the spirit world

We may enquire where the spirits dwell, that the devil has power over? They dwell anywhere [including] this continent; it is full of them. If you could see, and would walk over many parts of North America, you would see millions on millions of the spirits of those who have been slain upon this continent. Would you see the spirits of those who were as good in the flesh as they knew how to be? Yes. Would you see the spirits of the wicked? Yes. .

16

The location of the spirit world

Where is the spirit world? It is right here. Do the good and evil spirits go together? Yes, they do. Do they both inhabit one kingdom? Yes, they do. Do they go to the sun? No. Do they go beyond the boundaries of this organized earth? No, they do not. They are brought forth upon this earth, for the express purpose of inhabiting it to all eternity. Where else are you going? No where else, only as you may be permitted.

17

The location of the spirit world

When the spirits of mankind leave their bodies, no matter whether the individual was a Prophet or the meanest person that you could find, where do they go? To the spirit world. Where is it? I am telling you. The spirit of Joseph, I do not know that it is just now in this bowery, but I will assure you that it is close to the Latter-day Saints, is active in preaching to the spirits in prison and preparing the way to redeem the nations of the earth, those who lived in darkness previous to the introduction of the Gospel by himself in these days.

18

Brighams reaction
He has just as much labor on hand as I have; he has just as much to do. Father [Joseph] Smith [Sr.] and [Don] Carlos [Smith] and brother [Edward] Partridge, yes, and every other good Saint, are just as busy in the spirit world as you and I are here. They can see us, but we cannot see them unless our eyes were opened. What are they doing there? They are preaching, preaching all the time, and preparing the way for us to hasten our work in building temples here and elsewhere. .

19

Brighams reaction
Spirits are just as familiar with spirits as bodies are with bodies, though spirits are composed of matter so refined as not to be tangible to this coarser organization. They walk, converse, and have their meetings; and the spirits of good men like Joseph and the Elders, who have left this Church on earth for a season to operate in another sphere, are rallying all their powers and going from place to place preaching the Gospel, and Joseph is directing them. Brigham Young, 22 June 1856 (Journal of Discourses 3:36772)

20

DOCTRINE and COVENANTS

Thank you for a wonderful year!

Hurricane Utah Adult Religion Class