Key points from this section:

• Preparation for the Second Coming: The Lord commands the Saints to prepare for His Second Coming by sanctifying themselves and gathering to Zion.

• Call to Flee Babylon: The revelation instructs all people to flee from Babylon (symbolizing wickedness) and come to Zion, emphasizing the need for purity and readiness.

• Events of the Second Coming: It describes dramatic events that will accompany the Second Coming, including the Lord standing on Mount Zion, the continents becoming one land, and the return of the lost tribes of Israel.

Read this chapter for free at https://byustudies.byu.edu/online-book/doctrine-and-covenants-contexts/section-133.

Key points from this section:

• Nature of Heavenly Beings: The section explains that there are two kinds of beings in heaven: resurrected beings with bodies of flesh and bones, and spirits of just men made perfect who have not yet been resurrected.

• Identifying True Messengers: It provides three grand keys to distinguish between true messengers from God and false spirits. For example, a true angel will shake hands and you will feel their hand, while a spirit will not move to shake hands.

• Detecting Deception: The revelation teaches that if a devil appears as an angel of light and you ask to shake hands, you will not feel anything, thus revealing the deception.

Read this chapter for free at https://byustudies.byu.edu/online-book/doctrine-and-covenants-contexts/section-129.

Key points from this section:

• Persecution and Tribulation: Joseph Smith writes about the persecution he faces and expresses his determination to endure it with faith, comparing his trials to those of the Apostle Paul.

• Baptism for the Dead: The revelation provides instructions on keeping accurate records of baptisms for the dead, emphasizing the importance of having a recorder present to witness and document these ordinances.

• Continued Work on the Temple: Despite the challenges, the Saints are encouraged to continue their diligent work on the temple and other appointed tasks, with a promise of heavenly rewards for their perseverance.

Read this chapter for free at https://byustudies.byu.edu/online-book/doctrine-and-covenants-contexts/section-127.

Key points from this section:

• Gathering in Iowa: The Lord instructs the Saints to gather in the Iowa Territory, specifically naming the cities of Zarahemla and Nashville as principal gathering places.

• Building Cities: The Saints are commanded to build up cities unto the Lord’s name, preparing for future events and ensuring they are ready for what is to come.

• Unity and Preparation: The revelation emphasizes the importance of unity among the Saints and their preparation for the future by following the Lord’s commandments and gathering in designated places.

Read this chapter for free at https://byustudies.byu.edu/online-book/doctrine-and-covenants-contexts/section-125.

Key points from this section:

• Duty to Document Persecution: Joseph Smith instructs the Saints to gather and document all the facts, sufferings, and abuses they endured in Missouri. This includes recording property damages and personal injuries.

• Petition for Redress: The Saints are encouraged to present these documented injustices to the government, asserting their First Amendment rights to seek redress for their grievances.

• Moral Responsibility: The revelation emphasizes that it is an imperative duty to God, angels, and future generations to record these events, ensuring that the truth is known and justice is sought.

Read this chapter for free at https://byustudies.byu.edu/online-book/doctrine-and-covenants-contexts/section-123.

Key Points:

• Dedicating the Kirtland Temple: On March 26, 1836, Joseph Smith prepared to dedicate the Kirtland Temple, the first House of the Lord in this dispensation. That day, he met with Oliver Cowdery and others to prepare a prayer, a thoughtful process because Joseph had never done this before. Oliver recorded that he helped Joseph compose the prayer for the solemn occasion.

• Solemn Assembly: The next morning, nearly a thousand Saints filled the Kirtland Temple, while others met nearby. Beginning at 9:00 a.m., they sustained Joseph as Prophet and Seer, followed by a dedication service with hymns, scripture, and prayers. In the afternoon, Joseph offered the dedication prayer, reading from what became Doctrine and Covenants 109, summarizing the Church’s aspirations and presenting them to the Lord.

• Content of the Prayer: Section 109 expresses gratitude to God and asks Him to accept the temple, allowing the Saints to receive promised blessings, including the power to become like Him, following principles laid out in section 88. Joseph prayed for the Saints to be endowed with power, organized according to divine law, and equipped to fulfill their missions (Doctrine and Covenants 109:4–15). He also prayed for strength and protection for missionaries, the safety of Saints driven from Jackson County, and mercy upon their persecutors, asking for the repentance of those who had wronged them.

• Personal and Family Prayers: Joseph prayed for himself, recounting his sincere efforts to honor his covenants, and asked for blessings for Emma, their children, his in-laws, Church leaders, and the entire congregation, that they might be “exalted” with their families—a term here first used in the Doctrine and Covenants to indicate temple-enabled salvation (Doctrine and Covenants 109:69).

• Petitions for Eternal Life: The prayer concludes with a desire for Saints to be “clothed with salvation” and rise in the first resurrection, crowned with glory and “robes of righteousness” (v. 76). Joseph repeated his plea that the Lord “hear us” and “accept the dedication,” envisioning Saints joining in worship with heavenly choirs.

• Legacy of Section 109: Section 109 set a precedent for future temple dedications and offers a guide on how to pray in the temple: to ask for blessings aligned with God’s will, and to seek growth in degrees of divine glory until fully exalted. Alongside sections 76, 84, 88, and 93, section 109 extends the doctrine of the temple, encouraging Saints to “grow up” to God’s presence and fullness of joy, laying a foundation for the later revelation on exaltation in section 132. This prayer invites Saints, limited by mortality, to seek divine power and ultimately transcend into the eternal presence of God, surrounded by His majesty, truth, mercy, and infinite fullness (Doctrine and Covenants 109:77).

Read full article here:

https://byustudies.byu.edu/online-book/doctrine-and-covenants-contexts/section-109

Key Points:

• Seeking Revelation through Joseph Smith: On December 26, 1835, Lyman Sherman, a member of the recently established Quorum of the Seventy, approached Joseph Smith with a profound impression. Feeling “wrought upon”—unsettled and prompted—he shared his need for guidance, hoping to receive a revelation clarifying his duty. Joseph then received section 108 for Lyman, providing him with counsel and peace.

• Assurance and Patience: The Lord’s message began with reassurance, encouraging Lyman to “let [his] soul be at rest” and to exercise patience until the coming solemn assembly, where blessings and sacred ordinances awaited him and his fellow Saints. Lyman faithfully waited, and in 1836, he participated in the solemn assembly held in the Kirtland Temple, receiving the anticipated blessings and ordinances (Doctrine and Covenants 108:2, 4).

• Principles of Revelation and Order: Joseph taught that revelation was universally available, yet there was an order to its reception. Section 108 exemplifies both principles. Lyman received a personal impression to seek revelation but did so through Joseph. The Lord forgave Lyman and confirmed his feelings, highlighting the importance of following the revealed order in matters relating to the Church and higher callings.

• Legacy of Loyalty and Devotion: Known for his loyalty and humility, Lyman acknowledged Joseph’s prophetic role and submitted to the order established by God. In 1839, the First Presidency called him to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, though he passed away before his ordination. Lyman’s legacy reflects his faithful commitment to revelation, trust in the Lord’s timing, and respect for divine order.

Read full article here:

https://byustudies.byu.edu/online-book/doctrine-and-covenants-contexts/section-108