Doctrine and Covenants 137

Published on October 15, 2025 at 12:08 PM

Embracing the Celestial Destiny

Crucially, the Lord's work involves teaching the gospel to those spirits who did not have a full opportunity during mortal life, allowing them to exercise their agency and accept or reject these truths. This principle underpins the practice of baptism for the dead, a visible ordinance that enables eternal progression for all who accept the gospel, ensuring salvation is available to those who embrace it, regardless of their earthly circumstances.

Unlocking Eternal Mysteries: What Doctrine and Covenants 137 Reveals About Our Eternal Journey

Have you ever pondered what lies beyond this mortal life? The questions surrounding the afterlife, the spirit world, and our ultimate destiny have occupied human minds for millennia. Thankfully, sacred scripture offers profound insights, and one particularly illuminating passage is found in Doctrine and Covenants 137. This revelation, received by Joseph Smith, sheds light on the spirit world, the resurrection, and the eternal nature of our existence, offering comfort, hope, and a deeper understanding of Heavenly Father's plan.

Spirit World Insights

Doctrine and Covenants 137 opens a window into the immediate post-mortal existence, commonly referred to as the spirit world. It reveals that this is not a static realm, but a place of continued learning and progression. Those who have passed on do not immediately enter their eternal reward. Instead, they await the resurrection, a crucial event in the plan of salvation.

This period in the spirit world is a time for those who have not yet received the fullness of the gospel to learn and potentially accept its truths. It underscores the principle of agency, even in the afterlife, allowing individuals to make choices about their eternal path.

Joseph Smith’s Vision

The vision recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 137 was granted to Joseph Smith in January 1836, during a solemn assembly within the Kirtland Temple. This was a period of intense spiritual outpouring for the early Latter-day Saints. The vision begins with Joseph seeing his deceased brother, Alvin, in the celestial kingdom. This was a profound comfort to Joseph and his family, assuring them of Alvin's eternal salvation, even though he had died before receiving the ordinances of the gospel.

The vision then expands to encompass a grand panorama of souls in the eternal realms. It’s a testament to God's boundless love and justice, showing that all will receive according to their desires and deeds. As the revelation states, "All who have died without a knowledge of the gospel, who would have received it with all their hearts, shall be heirs of the celestial kingdom of God" (Doctrine and Covenants 137:7).

Premortal Life & Choice

While Doctrine and Covenants 137 primarily focuses on the post-mortal spirit world, the principles it teaches are deeply connected to our pre-mortal existence. The idea that individuals will be judged by their willingness to accept the gospel implies that they had the opportunity to learn and choose in a prior state. This concept of a pre-mortal existence is fundamental to understanding the fullness of the plan of salvation. It teaches us that our spirits existed before this life, and that we made foundational choices that led us to this mortal experience.

The vision emphasizes that God is a God of love, mercy, and justice. He has provided a way for all His children to receive salvation, regardless of the circumstances of their mortal lives. This includes providing opportunities for those who did not have access to the gospel on earth to hear and accept it after death.

Missionary Work Beyond the Veil

A particularly inspiring aspect of Doctrine and Covenants 137 is its implication for missionary work. The vision shows that those in the spirit world who did not hear or accept the gospel while in mortality are still being ministered to. This signifies that dedicated individuals on earth, empowered by the Holy Ghost, are engaged in missionary work not only for the living but also for the dead.

This doctrine provides immense motivation for temple work and vicarious ordinances. It assures us that our efforts to bring the gospel to those who have passed on are vital and bring joy to both the living and the dead. It is a beautiful demonstration of the interconnectedness of all God’s children and the eternal progression available to each spirit body.

Resurrection & Eternal Life

Ultimately, Doctrine and Covenants 137 points toward the glorious promise of the resurrection and eternal life. The vision shows individuals in various states of exaltation, culminating in the potential to inherit the celestial kingdom. This is made possible through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ and our willingness to follow Him.

The resurrection reunites our spirit bodies with our physical bodies, perfected and immortal. This is the promise of eternal progression, where we can continue to learn and grow throughout eternity. The vision reminds us that God’s plan is one of infinite love and opportunity, designed to bring about the "immortality and eternal life of man" (Moses 1:39). Understanding the principles within Doctrine and Covenants 137 can deepen our faith, strengthen our resolve to live righteously, and provide solace in the knowledge of our eternal destiny with eternal families.

Doctrine and Covenants 137 is a powerful reminder of God's profound love and His perfect, merciful plan for all His children. It offers hope, clarifies eternal truths, and invites us to participate actively in the divine work of salvation, both for ourselves and for those who have gone before.

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What have you learned?

What is Doctrine and Covenants 137 about?
When and where was this revelation received?
What is the main message of this vision?
Who is mentioned specifically in this revelation?
Why is this revelation important for us today?

Answers

Doctrine and Covenants 137 is a revelation given to Joseph Smith, the first prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It primarily describes a vision Joseph Smith had of the celestial kingdom and the salvation of those who had died without knowing the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The Kirtland Temple in Kirtland, Ohio, received this revelation on January 21, 1836. The Kirtland Temple was a significant building where early members of the Church worshipped and received important revelations.
The core message of this vision is that salvation and eternal life are available to all of God's children. Even those who did not hear and accept the gospel in this life can still inherit the celestial kingdom through Jesus Christ's grace and work on their behalf. This includes those who were "not valiant in the testimony of Jesus."
Joseph Smith saw many individuals in his vision, including his deceased brother Alvin. The vision confirmed that Alvin, despite dying before the Church was organized and before he could be baptized, would still receive a place in the celestial kingdom. This showed Joseph, and us, that God's love and plan extend to all who live righteously according to the light they have.
Doctrine and Covenants 137 is important because it teaches us about God's infinite love and justice. It reassures us that God does not leave anyone without an opportunity for salvation. It also underscores the importance of temple work, such as baptism for the dead, which allows those who did not have the chance to accept the gospel in life to do so in the spirit world. It offers hope and comfort regarding the eternal destiny of our loved ones.