D&C 137-138 - Heavenly Visions

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Dec 3, 2025

Explore the profound experiences of Joseph Smith's visions of the celestial kingdom and what they mean for the unevangelized. Discover the relational aspects of heaven and surprising figures who inhabit it, including family and biblical prophets. Delve into the teachings from Joseph F. Smith's revelation amid a time of death and uncertainty, revealing Christ's ministry in the spirit world. The discussion highlights the importance of desire in judgment and the ongoing missionary work beyond the veil, emphasizing God's mercy and plan for all.

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INSIGHT

Heaven Is People Not Just Place

Joseph Smith's vision emphasizes heaven's transcendent beauty and relational nature rather than just physical details.
Heaven centers on people and relationships, not merely gates and gold streets.

ANECDOTE

Seeing Alvin In The Celestial Kingdom

Joseph Smith marveled to see his deceased brother Alvin in the celestial kingdom despite Alvin dying before baptism.
The vision relieved family grief and expanded Joseph's hope for loved ones' salvation.

INSIGHT

Desire Determines Destiny

D&C 137 teaches that God judges by works and the desire of the heart, extending mercy to those who would have accepted the gospel.
Desire matters: if someone would have received the gospel, God counts their intent toward celestial inheritance.

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Imagine seeing your brother, who died before being baptized, standing as an heir of the celestial kingdom. This profound experience, recorded in D&C 137, opens the door to understanding God's infinite mercy. Decades later, another prophet received a vision (D&C 138) that dramatically expanded our knowledge of the work for the dead.

D&C 137: The Desire of the Heart In January 1836, Joseph Smith beheld the celestial kingdom. He "marveled" to see his deceased brother, Alvin, there. The Lord revealed the magnificent principle that "all who have died without a knowledge of this gospel, who would have received it if they had been permitted to tarry, shall be heirs of the celestial kingdom of God". God judges all men according to their "works, according to the desire of their hearts". This section also confirms that "all children who die before they arrive at the years of accountability are saved in the celestial kingdom of heaven".

D&C 138: The Redemption of the Dead In 1918, during a time when death was on everyone's mind , Joseph F. Smith was "pondering over the scriptures". This act of study and reflection was crucial; he found that as he "wondered," his "eyes of my understanding were opened".

Christ's Ministry: The prophet saw Christ's sojourn in the spirit world. Christ "went not in person among the wicked and the disobedient". The Mission Organization: Instead, He spent His time "instructing and preparing the faithful spirits of the prophets" who had testified of Him. He "organized his forces and appointed messengers" —Spirit World Missionaries—to "carry the message of redemption unto all the dead".

The Eternal Work: This revelation clarifies that the faithful elders of this dispensation "continue their labors" after death. The great and mighty ones, including our latter-day prophets, were "chosen in the beginning" and received their "first lessons" in the world of spirits. This work of redemption and temple ordinances is truly a "continuation of the seeds"—a vast family effort.

Call-to-Action: Which person—living or dead—can you extend the "great and wonderful love" of Christ to this week? Share your thoughts on "the desire of their hearts" in the comments! If this message helped clarify God's plan of mercy, please like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay "Unshaken" in your faith.

Chapter Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction

4:41 A Vision of Heaven

13:05 Heirs of the Celestial Kingdom

28:08 Pondering the Word

44:55 No Paradise, Only Prison

59:57 The Fate of the Unevangelized

1:12:00 Spirit World Missionaries

1:23:04 Preschool

1:32:07 One-Liners