Talk:D&C 76:71-80

With regard to the exegesis of verse 79 (which seems entirely plausible to me), I wonder what to make of D&C 46:13, where it says that to know Jesus Christ by the revelation of the Holy Ghost is a special gift of the spirit not given to everyone. Does this mean that entry into the Celestial Kingdom is contingent on a particular spiritual gift, not available to everyone? --Nathan Oman 03:22, 7 July 2007 (CEST)

Interesting question, esp. since I've been thinking a fair bit about Paul's doctrine of predestination. Perhaps, as robf has maybe been hinting at, we move between glories in terms of modes of being, and the change from one glory to another is something that is more grace-effected than works-effected, at least relative to what a more conventional reading would suggest. On the other hand, I wonder if "testimony" here means the same thing as the special gift in D&C 46:13.... --RobertC 15:10, 7 July 2007 (CEST)

Well, look at the next verse in section 46. "To others it is given to believe on their words, that they also might have eternal life if they continue faithful." --Mjberkey 19:39, 7 July 2007 (CEST)

Good point, I would say this means we should take "believe on their words" as included in the connotation of "testimony" as used here, rather than just "know[ing] that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." --RobertC 21:14, 7 July 2007 (CEST)

Interesting question. What exactly is the connection between knowledge and testimony? D&C 46:13 talks about knowing that Jesus is the Son of God by power of the Holy Ghost. What does it mean to really "know" that and why might that testimony not come to everyone? I've always pretty much assumed that barring some sort of mental disability, a testimony that Jesus is the Christ would be available to just about anyone. Is that right? Makes you wonder.--Rob Fergus 02:39, 8 July 2007 (CEST)