December 1–7: “The Vision of the Redemption of the Dead”: Doctrine and Covenants 137–138
“December 1–7: ‘The Vision of the Redemption of the Dead’: Doctrine and Covenants 137–138,” Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025 (2025)
“Doctrine and Covenants 137–138,” Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: 2025
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Jesus Christ teaching in the spirit world
Detail from Christ Preaching in the Spirit World, by Robert T. Barrett
December 1–7: “The Vision of the Redemption of the Dead”
The revelations recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 137 and 138 are separated by more than 80 years and 1,500 miles (2,400 km). Section 137 was received by the Prophet Joseph Smith in 1836 in the Kirtland Temple, and section 138 was received by Joseph F. Smith, sixth President of the Church, in 1918 in Salt Lake City. But doctrinally, these two visions belong side by side. They both answer questions that many people—including God’s prophets—have about life after death. Joseph Smith wondered about the fate of his brother Alvin, who had died without being baptized. Joseph F. Smith, who had lost both of his parents and 13 children to untimely deaths, thought often about the spirit world and wondered about the preaching of the gospel there.
Section 137 casts some initial light on the destiny of God’s children in the next life, and section 138 opens the curtains even wider. Together, both revelations testify of “the great and wonderful love made manifest by the Father and the Son” (Doctrine and Covenants 138:3).
All of Heavenly Father’s children will have the opportunity to choose eternal life.
Alvin Smith, the Prophet Joseph’s beloved brother, passed away six years before God restored the authority to baptize. The common understanding among some Christians in 1836 was that if a person died without being baptized, that person could not go to heaven. Joseph wondered about Alvin’s eternal salvation for many years—until he received the revelation in Doctrine and Covenants 137.
Many people today have similar questions. Why would God require ordinances and covenants when so many people never have the opportunity to receive them? What would you say to someone who wonders this? How would you build their faith in God and His requirements for salvation? Look for truths you could share in section 137 and in section 138:30–37, 57–60. You could also look for these truths expressed in the hymn “The Glorious Gospel Light Has Shone” (Hymns, no. 283) and in President Henry B. Eyring’s message “Gathering the Family of God” (Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 19–22).
As you study and ponder, you might record your impressions by completing sentences like these:
Because of these revelations, I know that Heavenly Father .
Because of these revelations, I know that the Father’s plan of salvation .
Reading and pondering the scriptures prepares me to receive revelation.
Sometimes revelation comes even though we do not seek it. But more often it comes because we diligently search and prepare for it. As you read Doctrine and Covenants 138:1–11, 25–30, note what President Joseph F. Smith was pondering when “the eyes of [his] understanding were opened.” You could also compare his experience to 1 Nephi 11:1–6; Joseph Smith—History 1:12–19. Then consider how you can follow President Smith’s example. For instance, what changes do you feel inspired to make to your scripture study to receive more personal revelation?
In his message “The Vision of the Redemption of the Dead” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018, 71–74), President M. Russell Ballard suggested other ways President Smith was prepared to receive this revelation. What do you learn from his experiences? Consider how the Lord has prepared you for experiences you are having—and how He might be preparing you for experiences in your future.
See also Saints, 3:202–5; “Ministry of Joseph F. Smith: A Vision of the Redemption of the Dead” (video), Gospel Library.
Invite the Spirit. “What have you observed that contributes to a spiritual environment for learning the gospel? What detracts from it?” (Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 18). As you study President Joseph F. Smith’s experience in Doctrine and Covenants 138:1–11, consider how you can encourage pondering and invite spiritual impressions for yourself and, if you are a teacher, for the people you teach.
The Savior’s work continues on the other side of the veil.
President Russell M. Nelson taught, “Our message to the world is simple and sincere: we invite all of God’s children on both sides of the veil to come unto their Savior, receive the blessings of the holy temple, have enduring joy, and qualify for eternal life” (“Let Us All Press On,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 118–19). Ponder this statement as you read Doctrine and Covenants 138:25–60. You could also consider these questions:
What do you learn from these verses about how the Savior’s work is being accomplished in the spirit world? Why is it important for you to know that this work is taking place?
What impresses you about the Lord’s messengers in the spirit world?
How does this revelation strengthen your faith in God’s plan of redemption?
If you’d like to learn more about the spirit world, you could study President Dallin H. Oaks’s message “Trust in the Lord” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2019, 26–29).
All Heavenly Father’s children will have the chance to hear the gospel.
To learn about what it would have meant for Joseph Smith to see several of his family members in the celestial kingdom, your children could watch the video “Ministry of Joseph Smith: Temples” (Gospel Library), or you could share Doctrine and Covenants Stories, 152–53 (or the corresponding video in Gospel Library). Perhaps you could also talk about someone you know who died without the chance to be baptized. What does Doctrine and Covenants 137:5–10 teach us about that person?
Consider using a picture of the Savior’s tomb (see Gospel Art Book, no. 58, or Bible Photographs, no. 14) and the picture at the end of this outline to teach your children where Jesus’s spirit went when His body was in the tomb. Then you could read together Doctrine and Covenants 138:18–19, 23–24, 27–30 to learn about what Jesus did while He was there. Who did He visit? What did He ask them to do? Why did He do this?
You could also use this week’s activity page to help your children compare what missionaries teach on this side of the veil (see, for example, Articles of Faith 1:4) with what missionaries teach in the spirit world (see Doctrine and Covenants 138:33). What is similar in these verses, and what is different? What does this teach us about Heavenly Father and His plan?
When I ponder the scriptures, the Holy Ghost can help me understand them.
As you and your children read Doctrine and Covenants 138:1–11 together, you could invite them to pretend they are President Joseph F. Smith and do actions that go along with the words in verses 6 and 11. You might also show them a picture of President Smith (there’s one in this outline) and explain that he was the sixth President of the Church. You could also talk about a time when you pondered something in the scriptures and the Holy Ghost helped you understand it.
Consider singing together a song about scripture study, such as “Search, Ponder, and Pray” (Children’s Songbook, 109). What does this song say we should do to understand the scriptures?
For more ideas, see this month’s issue of the Friend magazine.
