Lesson 85: Doctrine and Covenants 76

Doctrine and Covenants 76:1–19

“The Eyes of Our Understanding Were Opened”

In January 1832, the Prophet Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon pondered the meaning of John 5:29 while working on the inspired translation of the Bible. As they pondered, they experienced a series of visions where the Lord revealed important truths about His plan. This lesson can help students learn by the power of the Holy Ghost as they make time to ponder the Savior’s words.

Possible Learning Activities

Seeking personal revelation

Consider displaying the following questions on the board. Students could record their responses to the questions in their study journals. Consider asking a few willing students to share answers that are not too personal.

• What are some circumstances or situations you are facing, or might face, where you would like to receive guidance from the Lord through the Holy Ghost?

• Why do you desire the Lord’s help with these things?

Today you will learn about one way you can invite the Lord to speak to you through the Holy Ghost. As you study, pay attention to promptings from the Spirit that could help you with one of the situations or questions you identified.

The vision

The following summary can help prepare students to study Doctrine and Covenants 76. Consider whether it would be best to read or summarize it yourself or to invite a student to do it. Alternatively, you could invite students to read from Saints, 1:147 to learn about the circumstances leading to this revelation.

On February 16, 1832, Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, and about 12 other men were in the upstairs room of the John and Elsa Johnson home in Hiram, Ohio. While Joseph and Sidney worked on the inspired translation of the Bible, they were studying John 5:29, a scripture which described heaven, and they wanted to know more. As they pondered, they saw a vision, which is recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 76. The Savior showed Joseph and Sidney a series of distinct visions that taught them important truths about Heavenly Father’s plan of salvation.

Explain that as students study Doctrine and Covenants 76 throughout the week, they will have opportunities to learn about many different parts of this vision. Today’s lesson will focus on the Savior’s teachings and the experiences recorded at the beginning of section 76.

Doctrine and Covenants 76 begins with the Lord sharing important truths about Himself.

Read Doctrine and Covenants 76:1–10, looking for words or phrases that you feel show what Jesus Christ wants us to understand about Him. Note that to fear God (verse 5) means to worship, love, and hold Him in awe.

After students have had sufficient time to study these verses, invite them to share their insights. Questions such as the following might help the students discuss the Savior’s desire to reveal truth to them through the Holy Ghost.

• What do these verses help you better understand about the Savior?

• How can knowing these things about the Savior impact you?

Pondering the scriptures leads to revelation

Read Doctrine and Covenants 76:11–19, looking for what Joseph and Sidney did prior to experiencing their vision.

• What actions do you think led Joseph and Sidney to experience what they did?

  Consider explaining that although we may not experience the type of vision Joseph and Sidney had, their experience can teach us a principle about preparing ourselves to receive revelation from the Lord through the Holy Ghost.

• What is a truth you learn from these verses about one way we can prepare ourselves to receive revelation through the Holy Ghost?

Students might mention a truth similar to the following: As we prayerfully study and ponder the scriptures, we prepare ourselves to receive understanding from the Lord through the Holy Ghost.

Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles described how we can study and ponder the scriptures in a way that leads to revelation through the Holy Ghost.

When I say “study,” I mean something more than reading. … I see you sometimes reading a few verses, stopping to ponder them, carefully reading the verses again, and as you think about what they mean, praying for understanding, asking questions in your mind, waiting for spiritual impressions, and writing down the impressions and insights that come so you can remember and learn more. Studying in this way, you may not read a lot of chapters or verses in a half hour, but you will be giving place in your heart for the word of God, and He will be speaking to you. (D. Todd Christofferson, “When Thou Art Converted,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2004, 11)

• What are some obstacles that might sometimes prevent us from pondering? What can help us overcome these obstacles?

Consider sharing an experience where you have studied and pondered prayerfully over the scriptures and received revelation. Invite students to share any experiences they have had as well.

Practice prayerfully studying and pondering

Consider giving students time in class, perhaps 7–10 minutes, to practice prayerfully studying and pondering the scriptures. Share the following instructions:

Take some time to practice studying and pondering the scriptures. Think of the circumstance or situation you identified earlier that you want the Lord’s help with. Pray for guidance, ponder what you are reading, and pay attention to the promptings of the Spirit that can provide you with the direction or help you need. Record your thoughts and impressions in your study journal.

Give students the option to choose the scriptures they will study during this activity. For students who would like guidance about which passages to select, consider providing a few options, such as the following:

• Enos 1:1–17 (Enos prays to God.)

• Mosiah 3:1–20 (King Benjamin prophesies of Jesus Christ.)

• Alma 36:1–30 (Alma describes the remission of his sins.)

• Moses 1:1–39 (Moses speaks with God and resists Satan.)

After sufficient time, display the following questions and invite students to record their responses in their study journals.

• How did studying and pondering the scriptures help to prepare you to receive revelation through the Holy Ghost?

• What did this experience teach you about Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost?

• What might you do, or continue to do, to receive additional help and revelation from the Lord?

Testify of how pondering and studying the scriptures more purposefully and more frequently can bring students closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Encourage the students to continue to prayerfully seek revelation by regularly studying and pondering the scriptures.

Additional Resources

What was it like for Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon to experience this vision?

The following account from Saints, vol. 1 describes the interaction that Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon had as they experienced the vision:

“What do I see?” Joseph asked as he and Sidney marveled at the wonders they saw. He then described what he beheld in the vision, and Sidney said, “I see the same.” Sidney then asked the same question and described the scene before him. Once he finished, Joseph said, “I see the same.”

They spoke like this for an hour. …

When the vision closed, Sidney looked limp and pale, overcome by what he had seen. Joseph smiled and said, “Sidney is not used to it as I am.” (Saints, 1:147–48)

What impact did the vision have on others?

President Brigham Young (1801–1877) called this vision “the greatest vision I ever knew given to the children of men” (Journal of Discourses, 8:34).

President Wilford Woodruff (1807–1898) explained:

I will refer to the “Vision” [in section 76] alone, as a revelation which 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. Any man may know through that revelation what his part and condition will be. (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Wilford Woodruff [2004], 120–21)

What blessings come from pondering and studying the scriptures?

President Thomas S. Monson (1927–2018) shared:

As we read and ponder the scriptures, we will experience the sweet whisperings of the Spirit to our souls. We can find answers to our questions. (Thomas S. Monson, “We Never Walk Alone,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2013, 122)

Elder Robert D. Hales (1932–2017) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

When we want to speak to God, we pray. And when we want Him to speak to us, we search the scriptures; for His words are spoken through His prophets. He will then teach us as we listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. (Robert D. Hales, “Holy Scriptures: The Power of God unto Our Salvation,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2006, 26–27)

How can I ponder effectively?

Watch “How I Hear Him through Personal Study and Prayer” (3:01) to see an example from Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

See the article “Pondering: Giving the Lord Your Full Attention” for more helpful ideas.

Supplemental Learning Activities

Other examples of pondering leading to revelation

Students may benefit from studying other examples in the scriptures of people receiving revelation from the Lord as a result of pondering. You could invite them to study the following passages, looking for similarities between these accounts and the account of Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon in Doctrine and Covenants 76.

• 1 Nephi 10:17–19; 11:1–6

• Doctrine and Covenants 138:1–11

• Joseph Smith—History 1:11–17

Students could list these verses as cross-references next to Doctrine and Covenants 76:19.

Doctrine and Covenants 76:5–7. The Lord will reveal His mysteries to those who honor and serve Him.

Questions such as the following could be used to help students study and discuss Doctrine and Covenants 76:5–7:

• Why do you feel the Lord delights to honor and reveal truth to those who love and serve Him?

Mysteries can refer to spiritual truths that can be known only through revelation.

• What are some examples of mysteries God might reveal to those who serve Him?

Invite students to take a few minutes in small groups to list ways they can serve the Lord in all righteousness continually. When they are finished, they can share with the class what they identified.

An opportunity to explain and apply

The For the Strength of Youth magazine has a “Questions and Answers” section in which youth ask questions and other youth respond with answers. (For an example, see “Questions and Answers” in the October 2022 issue.)

Invite students to imagine that they need to respond to the question “How can I receive revelation from the Lord?” Invite them to spend a few minutes prayerfully writing a response based on what is taught in Doctrine and Covenants 76:1–19. Ask them to consider including the following in their response:

• Specific words or phrases from Doctrine and Covenants 76:1–19

• What they know about Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost that gives them confidence that the suggestions provided will work

• Experiences from their own lives or the lives of others that illustrate the points they are making

Give students sufficient time to write their responses. You could invite all the students to write their responses on a paper and put together a class “magazine” on how to receive revelation. Students could refer to this when they need it. Consider inviting students to make a goal for how to make time to ponder the Savior’s words.