Lessons on the Plan of Salvation
Lesson No. Forty-Five
The Vision of Christ and the Resurrection
“Hear, O ye heavens, and give ear, O earth” (D&C 76:1) – These words introduce “the Vision” as it was originally called. It is one of the greatest revelations ever given. These words show that the Vision is intended for both heaven and earth, for both the living and the dead.
President Wilford Woodruff said that this vision “gives more light, more truth, and more principle than any revelation contained in any other book we ever read. It makes plain to our understanding our present condition, where we came from, why we are here and where we are going to” (Journal of Discourses, 22:146-47). Joseph Smith wrote of the origin of the Vision:
“Upon my return from Amherst conference, I resumed the translation of the Scriptures (JST). 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 everyone 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, on the 16th of February 1832, while translating St. John’s Gospel (5:29) myself and Elder Rigdon saw the following vision” (Headnote D&C 76).
The Vision challenges the beliefs of many Christians – Prior to the Vision most Christians believed that there were only two conditions in the next life; a few would live with Christ eternally, but most would be condemned to hell forever. This belief was so ingrained that even members of the Church did not accept this vision at first. Brigham Young explained: “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 great 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 bless the honest and virtuous and truthful, whether they ever belonged to any church or not. It was a new doctrine to this generation and many stumbled at it” (Journal of Discourses, 16:42).
The Vision reveals doctrines of the resurrection previously unknown in our day – All shall come forth in the resurrection; “they who have done good, in the resurrection of the just; and they who have done evil, in the resurrection of the unjust” (D&C 76:17). We learn of the glory and reward of exalted beings in the celestial kingdom. (See Vs 50-70) “These are they who shall have part in the first resurrection” (Vs 64). We learn of those who shall inherit the terrestrial kingdom. (See Vs 71-80) These will come forth next and have part in the first resurrection.
The John Johnson home in Hiram, Ohio where Joseph and Sidney received the Vision.
The first resurrection includes righteous men and women who died after the resurrection of Christ. The first resurrection includes those who are resurrected at the Second Coming, and this resurrection will continue through the Millennium.
The resurrection of the unjust or “the last resurrection” (Vs 85) includes the wicked, who after they repent, will receive a telestial glory. (See Vs 81-90; 99-112) Last to be resurrected are the sons of perdition. We learn of their suffering and punishment. (See Vs 30-49). The sons of perdition will be resurrected to eternal damnation.
The Vision reveals doctrines about Jesus previously unknown in our day – Concerning the role of Jesus Christ we learn: “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” (D&C 76:24). Jesus, at the direction of His Father, created “worlds without number” the purpose of which was “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:33, 39).
In 1843 Joseph wrote a poetic version of D&C 76 which reveals details about the infinite atonement of Christ which were previously unknown in the latter days. Among these is the knowledge that there are innumerable inhabitants of countless worlds, all created and save by the same Jesus Christ who was born in the meridian of time on this earth:
By him, of him, and through him, the worlds were all made,
Even all that career in the heavens so broad,
Whose inhabitants, too, from the first to the last,
Are sav’d by the very same Saviour of ours;
And, of course, are begotten God’s daughters and sons,
By the very same truths, and the very same pow’rs.
The Vision may be “seen and understood by the power of the Holy Spirit, which God bestows on those who love him, and purify themselves before him; To whom he grants this privilege of seeing and knowing for themselves; That through the power and manifestation of the Spirit, while in the flesh, they may be able to bear his presence in the world of glory” (Vs 116-118).