Doctrine and Covenants 138

Published on October 15, 2025 at 11:08 AM

Unveiling the Mysteries of the Afterlife: A Deep Dive into Doctrine and Covenants 138

The question of "what happens after we die" has captivated humanity for millennia. Religions, philosophies, and personal beliefs grapple with this profound mystery. For members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a pivotal revelation within the Doctrine and Covenants, section 138, offers unparalleled insight into the nature of the afterlife, the spirit world, and the unfolding of God's eternal plan. This divinely inspired vision, received by President Joseph F. Smith, illuminates crucial aspects of our existence beyond the veil.

The Spirit World Revealed

Doctrine and Covenants 138 opens a window into the spirit world, a realm where our disembodied spirits reside after earthly death. President Joseph F. Smith's vision paints a vivid picture of a place of continued learning, growth, and anticipation. It's not a static destination but an active environment where spirits await the resurrection and final judgment. This section clarifies that the spirit world is a place of both rest and work, where the Gospel is taught and opportunities for eternal progression continue.

Joseph Smith’s Vision

While the section is attributed to President Joseph F. Smith, the historical context often links revelations about the spirit world and the resurrection to the foundational teachings of Joseph Smith. His early revelations laid the groundwork for understanding God's plan, including the pre-mortal existence of spirits and the eventual resurrection. Doctrine and Covenants 138 builds upon this foundation, offering a remarkable expansion of our knowledge. As President Joseph F. Smith himself recorded in the vision, the Lord "opened the heavens unto me and suffered me to behold in myんど the order of God." This direct divine intervention provided clarity on previously dimly understood doctrines.

Pre-Mortal Existence & Agency

A cornerstone of Latter-day Saint theology, the concept of pre-mortal existence is intricately woven into the understanding presented in Doctrine and Covenants 138. We lived as spirit children of God before coming to this earth, a time of learning and preparation. This awareness of our eternal origins underscores the importance of our agency on earth. The choices we make now have eternal consequences, shaping our progression and our eternal destiny. This principle empowers us, reminding us that we are not merely passive participants in God's plan, but active agents with the power to choose righteousness.

Missionary Work for the Dead

The most profound revelation in this section is the gospel's expansion to those who didn't have a full chance to hear and accept it in this life. Doctrine and Covenants 138 describes how the gospel was preached in the spirit world to those who had died without a knowledge of it. This offers immense hope and explains the vital importance of missionary work for the dead, a sacred practice performed by living proxy. It underscores the Savior's boundless love and the universal reach of His atoning sacrifice. The Lord’s desire is that all His children might have access to the truths of salvation.

Eternal Progression & Resurrection

Doctrine and Covenants 138 powerfully reinforces the doctrine of the resurrection. It clarifies that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, all mankind will be resurrected, receiving their spirit bodies back in an immortal state. This is not the end of the journey but a crucial step in eternal progression. The vision emphasizes that the afterlife is a place of continued learning and preparation for judgment and the highest degrees of glory. As the revelation states, "the spirits of the just are softened and subdued into righteousness." This implies an ongoing process of refinement and purification.

Spirit Bodies & Celestial Glory

Understanding the nature of spirit bodies and their reunion with glorified physical bodies is central to the message of Doctrine and Covenants 138. The vision confirms that our resurrected bodies will be perfected and immortal, capable of dwelling with God. This offers a hopeful perspective on the plan of salvation, assuring us that through faith, repentance, and obedience, we can ultimately inherit the celestial kingdom and live eternally in the presence of our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. The doctrine of eternal families is also powerfully supported, as the ultimate goal is to be reunited with our loved ones in a glorious eternal state.

Doctrine and Covenants 138 is a beacon of light, dispelling the darkness surrounding the unknown of death. It testifies of God's infinite love, His perfect justice, and His magnificent plan for the salvation and eternal progression of all His children. By studying and pondering this revelation, we can gain a deeper understanding of our eternal identity and our divine potential.

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What have you learned?

What is Doctrine and Covenants 138 about?
Who received this revelation, and when?
What did Jesus do in the spirit world after He died?
How does the gospel get taught to people who died without hearing about it?
Why is this revelation important for us today?

Answers:

Doctrine and Covenants 138 is a vision received by President Joseph F. Smith in 1918. It describes the Savior's visit to the spirit world after His crucifixion and clarifies how the gospel is taught to spirits who have died without hearing it on earth.
Joseph F. Smith, the sixth President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, received this revelation on October 3, 1918. He received this vision while meditating on passages of scripture concerning the Resurrection and the Savior's visit to the spirit world.
According to this revelation, after His death on the cross, Jesus Christ went to the spirit world. He preached the gospel to the righteous spirits who were waiting there. However, He did not go in person to preach to the wicked or disobedient spirits. Instead, He organized and commissioned righteous spirits to go and teach the gospel message to those spirits who had not yet heard or accepted it, giving them a chance to repent and be redeemed.
D&C 138 teaches that after Christ organized the missionary work in the spirit world, faithful spirits (like prophets and disciples from all ages) are called and sent to teach the gospel to all spirits who died without that knowledge. This way, everyone has the opportunity to hear the gospel, accept it, and receive saving ordinances through temple work performed by living individuals on their behalf.
This revelation is incredibly important because it reveals God's perfect love, mercy, and justice. It clarifies that everyone will have a chance to hear and accept the gospel, even after death. It also helps us understand the purpose of temple work, such as baptisms for the dead, and gives us hope and comfort regarding the salvation of our ancestors and loved ones who may have died without knowing the gospel.