Come, Follow Me Companion

Doctrine and Covenants 137-138

The Vision of the Redemption of the Dead

Doctrine and Covenants 135; 136:37–39

From Come, Follow Me:

The revelations recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 137 and 138 are separated by more than 80 years and 1,500 miles...But doctrinally, these two visions belong side by side. They both answer questions about the destiny of God’s children in the next life ... Joseph Smith's vision helped him understand the eternal destiny of his beloved brother Alvin, who had died six years before the authority to baptize was restored. Questions about Alvin’s eternal salvation had stayed with Joseph ever since. Joseph F. Smith’s vision revealed glorious truths about the spirit world ...

Doctrine and Covenants 137

Every soul will have the opportunity to choose celestial glory.

From Come, Follow Me:

The common understanding among Christians in 1836 was that if a person died without being baptized—as Joseph Smith’s brother Alvin had—that person could not go to heaven. Yet Joseph saw Alvin in a vision of the celestial kingdom. As you read section 137, ponder what you learn about Heavenly Father, His plan of salvation, and the celestial kingdom.

A fundamental teaching of the plan of salvation is that after death your spirit goes to the spirit world. “While in the spirit world, those who have died without the chance to learn about the gospel in this life are taught about the Savior and the plan of salvation...They can then choose to accept the gospel and repent.” (Salvation for the Dead) 

“Temple baptisms and confirmations performed for those who have died are gifts offered in love. And because we believe that life continues after death, we also believe that those who have died are aware of the ordinances and can choose whether or not to accept them.” (About Proxy Baptism and Confirmation) 

Find some family members that need some temple ordinances performed on their behalf and do it.

• Ordinances Ready is a FamilySearch tool that simplifies finding names for the temple. See Ordinances Ready on the FamilySearch App.
• Temple Opportunities—See "Recommended Tasks" on the FamilySearch home page and click the Temple tab for a list of names for possible ordinances. Be sure to check each name for possible duplicates or other issues before reserving them.
• Descendancy Research—Find descendants of ancestors (such as distant cousins) who need temple work done. 
• See also: Latter-day Saint Youth: Take Ancestors To The Temple 

Doctrine and Covenants 138:1–11, 25–30

Reading and pondering the scriptures prepares me to receive revelation.

From Come, Follow Me:

Sometimes revelation comes even though we do not seek it. But more often, it comes because we diligently search and prepare for it. As you read Doctrine and Covenants 138:1–11, 25–30, note what President Joseph F. Smith was doing when “the eyes of [his] understanding were opened” to better understand the Savior’s redeeming mission. Then consider how you can follow President Smith’s example. For instance, what changes can you make to your scripture study to allow for more “pondering over the scriptures” and more “reflecting upon the [Savior’s] great atoning sacrifice”? (verses 1–2).

“In sharing, exploring and teaching from the scriptures, Elder Bednar taught students about what matters most in the tumult of the latter days: the holy covenants and sacred ordinances of the gospel that yoke them to and with the Savior.

‘My beloved brothers and sisters, understanding the covenants and the associated ordinances — learning, understanding, living, honoring, remembering them — that is the work of salvation and exaltation. The covenants and ordinances are the heart and the focus of missionary work. The covenants and ordinances are the heart and the focus of temple and family history work.

‘Everything in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is focused on the covenants and ordinances,’ he declared….” (Through the power of the scriptures, Elder Bednar)

Look for scriptures that relate to temple and family history work. What do you learn from these scriptures that helps you understand why “covenants and ordinances are the heart and the focus of temple and family history work.” Ponder on what that means to you.

You have probably found that "Family History" is not likely listed as a topic. Try words such as Genealogy or Ordinances in the Guide to the Scriptures or Genealogy and Temple Work in the Topical Guide. In the aforementioned sources and in scriptural indexes, you may get better results using words related to family history such as: baptism, baptize, book of remembrance, family, ordinances, priesthood, salvation, salvation for the dead, and temples as some to get you started.

Doctrine and Covenants 138:25–60

The work of salvation is happening on both sides of the veil.

From Come, Follow Me:

President Russell M. Nelson taught, “Our message to the world is simple and sincere: we invite all of God’s children on both sides of the veil to come unto their Savior, receive the blessings of the holy temple, have enduring joy, and qualify for eternal life”...You could also consider these questions:

• What do you learn from these verses about how the work of salvation is being accomplished in the spirit world? Why is it important for you to know that this work is taking place? How do these verses strengthen your faith in the Savior’s Atonement?

• What do these verses teach about those who are participating in the work of salvation in the spirit world? Why is it important to understand that the work of salvation is being done on both sides of the veil?

Viewing and Discussing Videos about the Spirit World

Watch the three videos below and then continue your discussion from the questions above. Also, as promised in the following quote, how does temple and family history work bless you and those beyond the veil?

“While temple and family history work has the power to bless those beyond the veil, it has an equal power to bless the living. It has a refining influence on those who are engaged in it. They are literally helping to exalt their families.” (“Generations Linked in Love,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2010, 93).

Doctrine and Covenants 138:38–55.

From Come, Follow Me:

These verses describe those whom President Joseph F. Smith saw in the spirit world and brief details about them. Maybe your family could make a list of your ancestors who are in the spirit world, along with details about their lives.

What family stories do you have for the individuals on your list? Share Family Stories with Others suggests some questions to help you get started. 

• What stories do you know about your ancestors?
• Do you have any traits in common with them?
• What were some of your Ancestors’ Characteristics?
• What are some of their family traditions?
• Where are your ancestors from? 

Find some stories about your ancestors. If you need help locating some stories, All the Stories is a tool that syncs with FamilySearch to help you easily find the stories of your ancestors.

The Family History Guide Activities Index offers a myriad of ways to find, learn, record, be inspired by, and share ancestor stories to inspire others. See Find "All The Stories" on Your Branch of the FamilySearch Tree for specific ideas.

Play “Ancestor Fruit Basket” to get to know your ancestors and their stories. Find it and more activities on the Latter-day Saint Youth: Temple & FH Activities page and in the Activities Index.

Note: President Nelson encouraged us to do the following for six months, but it may be a wonderful opportunity to carry this invitation through your study of the Doctrine and Covenants this year: 

“As you study your scriptures for the next six months, I encourage you to make a list of all that the Lord has promised He will do for covenant Israel. I think you will be astounded! Ponder these promises. Talk about them with your family and friends. Then live and watch for these promises to be fulfilled in your own life." (President Russell M. Nelson, Let God Prevail, October 2020 General Conference)

Suggestion for journaling this week: Find the promises in Doctrine and Covenants 137-138. Write or audio-record about their influence in your life, and share with your family.