Section 76 A vision given to Joseph Smith the Prophet and Sidney Rigdon, at Hiram, Ohio, February 16, 1832. Prefacing the record of this vision, Joseph Smith’s history states: “Upon my return from Amherst conference, I resumed the translation of the Scriptures. From sundry revelations which had been received, it was apparent that many important points touching the salvation of man had been taken from the Bible, or lost before it was compiled. It appeared self-evident from what truths were left, that if God rewarded every one according to the deeds done in the body the term ‘Heaven,’ as intended for the Saints’ eternal home, must include more kingdoms than one. Accordingly, … while translating St. John’s Gospel, myself and Elder Rigdon saw the following vision.” At the time this vision was given, the Prophet was translating John 5:29.
For the Strength of Youth July 2021 “The Vision”
Friend July 2021 “A Vision of God’s Plan”
We Are All Children of God.
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025
- To help your children understand their divine potential, you could show them pictures of children and their parents. You could then read Doctrine and Covenants 76:24 and share with each other why you’re happy to know that we are all “sons and daughters unto God.”
24 That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God.
Explain that God is another name for Heavenly Father.
We lived in Heaven: Explain that before we were born on earth we lived in heaven with Heavenly Father.
Explain that Heavenly Father is the father of our spirits, and we are his spirit children
We were spirits there. A spirit is what is inside of us that makes us alive. When we were spirits, we didn’t have flesh and bones like our bodies have now, but we looked the same.
Friend January 2017 “Kylie’s Parents” Kylie is like her earthly parents, and she is also like her Heavenly Parents. PDF version
Heavenly Father is the father of our spirits, so we can grow to be like him. Heavenly Father is loving, good, and kind. When we are loving, good, and kind, we are being like Heavenly Father. We should try to become more like Heavenly Father every day.
Have children tell or act out ways they can be loving, good, or kind.
- Sing together “I Am a Child of God” (Children’s Songbook,2–3), and invite the children to point to themselves when they sing “I.” Ask them to sing the song again, replacing “I am” with “you are” and pointing to someone else in the class.
(The below visuals are from the Nursery Manual. Also see lds.org for the music)
Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world.
Doctrine and Covenants 76:5, 41–42, 69
40 And this is the gospel, the glad tidings, which the voice out of the heavens bore record unto us
41 That he came into the world, even Jesus, to be crucified for the world, and to bear the sins of the world, and to sanctify the world, and to cleanse it from all unrighteousness;
42 That through him all might be saved whom the Father had put into his power and made by him;
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 76”
The word gospel means good news. The good news that the gospel brings is that Jesus Christ “came into the world … bear the sins of the world ” “that…all might be saved” (verse 41 & 42).
- Show a picture of Jesus Christ. Ask the children if they know what Jesus Christ did for us. Show the children something dirty and something clean (like a white handkerchief or sheet of paper), and explain that sin is like dirt on our spirits, but Jesus Christ came to help us become clean again.
- Ask the children how this good news makes them feel. Share with them the joy this good news brings to you.
Jesus Christ is my Savior.
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025
- Consider role-playing with your children a scenario in which someone asks, “What has Jesus Christ done for me?” You and your children can look for possible answers in verses 5, 41–42, or 69 in section 76. (or Write on the board What has Jesus Christ done for me? Ask each child to silently read verses 41–42 and verse 69. looking for possible answers to the question on the board. Let them share their answers
Friend February 2020 “Funstuff: Blessing from Jesus” Match the cards to finish each sentence. Examples: Because Jesus died for us… … everyone who dies will live again. Because Jesus paid for our sins… …we can repent and be forgiven.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 76”
- Help the children understand that the glorious blessings God promises to the faithful in the next life are possible only because of the Savior Jesus Christ.
You could also sing “He Sent His Son,” Children’s Songbook, 34–35. How can we show our gratitude for what the Savior has done for us?
Heavenly Father has Prepared a Kingdom of Celestial Glory for Me.
Heavenly Father wants me to return to live with Him forever.
Doctrine and Covenants 76:50–70
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025
- You and your children could read or watch part or all of “Chapter 26: The Three Kingdoms of Heaven” (in Doctrine and Covenants Stories, 97–103, or the corresponding video in Gospel Library) and share with each other what you like about the vision Joseph Smith had. Let your children share their thoughts and feelings about what it would be like to live with Heavenly Father in the celestial kingdom.
Doctrine and Covenants Scripture Stories “Chapter 26: The Three Kingdoms of Heaven” Includes images and video
For the Strength of Youth July 2021
- To live in the celestial kingdom means to dwell in the presence of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ with a perfect, resurrected body and to live the kind of life They live. This life is “a state of never-ending happiness” (Mosiah 2:41) and a “fulness of joy” (3 Nephi 28:10).
- Those who live there have been “made perfect through Jesus,” and “all things are theirs” (Doctrine and Covenants 76:59, 69).
- It has the greatest glory of any kingdom. Its glory has been likened to the brightness of the sun.
- The same kinds of relationships we have here will exist there, including family relationships, but they will be “coupled with eternal glory” (Doctrine and Covenants 130:2).
- You could also read Doctrine and Covenants 76:62 and invite your children to draw pictures of themselves with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ in the celestial kingdom (see this week’s activity page).
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 76”
Ask the children to close their eyes and imagine they are outside on a cloudy night when everything is absolutely dark.
- What do you see?
- What could you see if you had the light of the stars?
- What could you see if you had the light of the moon?
- What could you see if you had the light of the sun?
- If you could choose just one of these sources of light to see by, which would it be? Why?
Explain that Heavenly Father has provided three different places for people to live after they are resurrected. These places are referred to as kingdoms of glory in heaven.
- The telestial kingdom is the lowest kingdom. It has a glory compared to the brightness of the stars. (See D&C 76:81.)
- The terrestrial kingdom is the middle kingdom. It has a glory compared to the brightness of the moon. (See D&C 76:71.)
- The celestial kingdom is the highest kingdom. It has a glory compared to the brightness of the sun. (See D&C 76:70.)
As you discuss the three kingdoms, emphasize that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ want all of us to live in the highest level, or degree, of the celestial kingdom with them and our families. To be worthy of the celestial kingdom, we must keep Heavenly Father’s commandments and receive important gospel ordinances. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been restored to the earth to help us reach the celestial kingdom.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 76”
- Draw a large picture of the sun on a piece of paper, and cut it into several puzzle pieces. Give each child a piece, along with one of the following scripture passages to read: Doctrine and Covenants 76:51; 76:52; 76:53; 131:1–2. Ask the children to find in their verses something that we must do to receive eternal life in the celestial kingdom (some verses include more than one answer), and write it on their piece of the sun. As they work together to assemble the puzzle, express your confidence in them that with the Savior’s help, they can qualify for the celestial kingdom.
The Red Crystal Use 131:1 & 2 together.
Friend July 2025 “Come, Follow Me Activities” Someday we can live in the celestial kingdom with Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and our families (see Doctrine and Covenants 76:62, 70, 92). The scriptures compare the celestial kingdom to the sun. Use a paper plate or piece of paper to make a sun. Cut out paper triangles for the rays of sunlight and glue or tape them to the circle. Talk about what you can do now to prepare to live with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ someday.
For younger children: Go outside to feel the sun. Tell your little ones that Heavenly Father’s love for them is warm like the sun.
Doctrine and Covenants Coloring Book “Three Kingdoms of Glory”
Studying the Scriptures can Help Me “Understand the Things of God.”
Doctrine and Covenants 76:12, 15–19, 114–16
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025
- You could invite your children to read verses 15–19 to find out what Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon were doing when they saw the vision in Doctrine and Covenants 76. Tell your children about a time when you received inspiration while reading the scriptures, and ask your children if they have had similar [spiritual feelings] and experiences when reading the scriptures.
Friend September 2015 “A New Feeling” – Child feels Holy Ghost while reading the scriptures
Bright Idea Poster: Elder Richard G. Scott—“Scriptures are like packets of light” (April 2013 Friend)
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 76”
Friend June 2024 “Why Do We Read the Scriptures?”
- “How can I learn more when I read the scriptures?”(April 2009 Friend)
Elder David A. Bednar shares five principles for reading the scriptures.
Additional Resources
- Primary 5: Doctrine and Covenants and Church History “Lesson 23: The Prophet Receives a Vision of the Three Degrees of Glory,”
- Liahona July 2021 “Gospel Basics: Our Heavenly Father Wants Us to Be Happy” Teaches about the plan of salvation.
- Come Follow Me Kid Lesson ideas
Doctrine and Covenants Historical Resources “Doctrine and Covenants 76“
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