D&C 45:1-75

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Home > Doctrine & Covenants > Section 45
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Summary[edit]

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Historical setting[edit]

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For a brief overview of D&C 45 in historical relation to the rest of the Doctrine & Covenants, see Historical Overview of the Restoration Scriptures. For lengthier discussions of the historical setting, see Historical Context of the Doctrine & Covenants, chapter 7 or Church History in the Fulness of Times, chapter 8.

Discussion[edit]

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  • D&C 45:3-5: Courtroom setting. Verse 3-5 is understood in the setting of a court room. We stand on trial, the Savior is our defense attorney, Satan is our prosecutor, and the Father oversees our judgment.
  • The Savior stands for up for us and pleads our case, "It is my recommendation that ________ be admitted into the Celestial Kingdom."
  • "I OBJECT," cries Satan.
  • "On what grounds?" asks the Father.
  • "On the grounds that he has broken commandments," Satan replies. "See look, I have evidence."
  • Then the Savior stands and presents His evidence. This is verses 4 and 5.
  • Exhibit A: "Father, behold the sufferings and death of him who did no sin, in whom thou wast well pleased; behold the blood of thy Son which was shed..."
  • Exhibit B: "...these my brethren...believe on my name..."
  • We are acquitted not on the grounds that we always do what we are commanded to do; we are acquitted because of Jesus Christ's Atonement and our faith in Him.
In verses 4-5 the Lord shares with us his pleadings for our sake with God the Father. It seems that the reason for Him to share this sacred prayer with us is that He hopes that hearing His love and remembering His sacrifice will help us to listen--to really listen, i.e. listen without hardening our hearts to what the Lord says. The Lord makes this purpose explicit in verse 6.
  • D&C 45:17. Hey Sean, Interesting question on verse 17. Though I'm not sure if the same is true of the way the phrase is used in D&C 138:50, here there seems to be the idea that the apostles are wrong in their view. It is as though Jesus is saying something like "you think that the long separation of your spirits from your bodies is bondage" D&C 45:17 but ... "if you sleep in peace, blessed are you, for you will rise triumphant" D&C 45:46. At this point it isn't surprising that they might have a wrong view of how things will be since they haven't died yet. (Again this seems different from the way the phrase is used in D&C 138:50.)
This reading though fails to explain why Jesus chooses to explain how the second coming will work in such detail as that amount of detail seems unrelated to the point he makes in verse 46. But hopefully, this start is helpful.
Yes, I think I can see what you are pointing out. He's not pointing to a current state of things so much as a future expected state of things and showing how that state will come to an end. Thus, when their spirits are separated from their bodies, they will also have cause to rejoice in recognizing the signs of the second coming. Thanks, that was helpful.

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Prompts for life application[edit]

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Prompts for further study[edit]

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  • D&C 45:8. In verse 8 the Lord tells us that he gives "power to become the sons of God" to "as many as received" Him. In the same verse the Lord tells us that he gave "power to obtain eternal life" to "them that believed on [His] name." Is the Lord essentially saying the same thing twice using different words? In this reading "power to obtain eternal life" and "power to become the sons of God" would mean pretty much the same thing and receiving Christ and believing on Christ's name would mean pretty much the same thing. Or, is the Lord making a distinction between those who receive Him and those who believe on him by showing us the different blessings each receives.
  • D&C 45:17. What is this about a long absence of spirits from bodies? Why is this here in this context?
  • D&C 45:66-70. What does that mean that it shall be the only people that shall not be at war one with another. Does that refer to our day? Where is the zion they are referring too.

Resources[edit]

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Previous editions.

  • The oldest surviving copy of D&C 45 is __.
  • D&C 45 was first published in __.
  • D&C 45 was first included in the Doctrine & Covenants in the 18__ edition.
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Related passages that interpret or shed light on D&C 45.

Doctrinal references cited on this page.

Historical references cited on this page.

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Notes[edit]

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