Come, Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants
Doctrine and Covenants 76

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“What will happen to me after I die?” Nearly everyone asks this question in some form or another. For centuries, many Christian traditions, relying on biblical teachings, have taught of heaven and hell, of paradise for the righteous and torment for the wicked. But can the entire human family really be divided so strictly? In February 1832, Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon wondered if there was more to know about the subject (see Doctrine and Covenants 76, section heading).

There certainly was. While Joseph and Sidney were pondering these things, the Lord “touched the eyes of [their] understandings and they were opened” (verse 19). They received a revelation so stunning, so expansive, so illuminating that the Saints simply called it “the Vision.” It threw open heaven’s windows and gave God’s children a mind-stretching view of eternity. The vision revealed that heaven is grander and broader and more inclusive than most people had previously supposed. God is more merciful and just than we can comprehend. And God’s children have an eternal destiny more glorious than we can imagine.

D&C 76: 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.

In section 76, the Lord expressed how much He wants to reveal truth to us (see verses 7–10). Read the scriptures with faith that He can and will reveal to you “the things of God” (verse 12) that you need to know. Then record the insights you receive “while [you are] yet in the Spirit” (verses 28, 80, 113).

D&C 76: 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.

Resources on ChurchofJesusChrist.org

•   Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families (lesson materials at ChurchofJesusChrist.org)
•   Come, Follow Me—For Sunday School (lesson materials at ChurchofJesusChrist.org)
•   Come, Follow Me—For Aaronic Priesthood Quorums and Young Women Classes (lesson materials at ChurchofJesusChrist.org)
•   Come, Follow Me—For Primary (lesson materials at ChurchofJesusChrist.org)
•   “I Know That My Redeemer Lives,” Hymns, no. 136.

• Joseph Smith’s Bible Translation, Revelations in Context
• “The Vision”, Revelations in Context
• Section 76, The Vision of the Degrees of Glory, Doctrine and Covenants Institute Student Manual (2002), pp 158–66
• Chapter 27: Doctrine and Covenants 76:1–49, Doctrine and Covenants Institute Student Manual (2017)
• Chapter 28: Doctrine and Covenants 76:50–119, Doctrine and Covenants Institute Student Manual (2017)
•   Hearing about the Three Degrees of Glory for the First Time – Doctrine and Covenants 76, Liahona – Come, Follow Me: Doctrine and Covenants

Resources on Interpreter Foundation

•   Come, Follow Me Study and Teaching Helps — Lesson 28: D&C 76, Jonn Claybaugh
•     Audio Roundtable: Come, Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants Lesson 28 (D&C 76)

Resources on Other Sites

•   Doctrine and Covenants 76 (Come, Follow Me), FAIR
•   Section 76, Harper, Steven C. – D&C Contexts (Book of Mormon Central Archive)
•     Come Follow Me Insights (Doctrine and Covenants 76, Jul 5-11), Book of Mormon Central
•     Come Follow Me: Act in Doctrine (Doctrine and Covenants 76, Jul 5-11), Book of Mormon Central
•     Come Follow Me with Taylor Halverson (Doctrine and Covenants 76, July 5-11), Book of Mormon Central
•     Come, Follow Me with John Hilton III (Doctrine and Covenants 76, July 5-11), Book of Mormon Central
•   Doctrine & Covenants 76, Doctrine & Covenants Central
•     Hard Questions in Church History with Lynne Hilton Wilson: Week 28 (D&C 76, Jul 5-11), Doctrine & Covenants Central
•     Doctrine and Covenants 76, with Scott Woodward, Doctrine & Covenants Central
•     Come Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants 76 (July 5-11) Don’t Miss This, Don’t Miss This
•     Come Follow Me – Doctrine and Covenants 76: “The Wonders of Eternity”, Unshaken
•   Come, Follow Me for Sunday School: “Great Shall Be Their Reward and Eternal Shall Be Their Glory”, Doctrine & Covenants 76, Meridian Magazine
•     Come, Follow Me Podcast #28: Section 76 –The Great Vision, Meridian Magazine
•   Doctrine and Covenants 76 – “Great Shall Be Their Reward and Eternal Shall Be Their Glory”, BYU Studies