Doctrine and Covenants Commentary - Section 110

by Don R. Hender


Scriptural Text [& Editorial]
Commentary & Explanation
Footnotes ~ References ~ JST
           SECTION 110

Visions manifested to Joseph Smith the Prophet and Oliver Cowdery in the temple at Kirtland, Ohio, April 3, 1836. HC 2:435—436. The occasion was that of a Sabbath day meeting. The Prophet prefaces his record of the manifestations with these words: "In the afternoon, I assisted the other Presidents in distributing the Lord's Supper to the Church, receiving it from the Twelve, whose privilege it was to officiate at the scred desk this day. After having performed this service to by brethren, I retired to the pulpit, the veils being dropped, and bowed myself, with Oliver Cowdery, in solemn and silent prayer. After rising from prayer, the following vision was opened to both of us."

    1—10, The Lord Jehovah appears in glory and accepts the Kirtland Temple as his house;
    11—12, Moses and Elias each appear and commit their keys and dispensations;
    13—16, Elijah returns and commits the keys of his dispensation as promised by Malachi.
 1 THE aveil was taken from our minds, and the beyes of our cunderstanding were opened.
2 We asaw the Lord bstanding upon the breastwork of the pulpit, before us; and under his feet was a paved work of pure cgold, in color like amber.
3 His aeyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his bcountenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his cvoice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of dJehovah, saying:

 4a Ezek. 3:21 (17-21); D&C 63:37;
      TG Israel, Mission of;
      TG Mission of Latter-day Saints;
      TG Warn, Warnings
   b TG Priesthood, Authority
   c TG Last Days
 5a TG Missionary Work
 6a TG Jesus Christ, Authority of;
      TG Priesthood, Authority
   b D&C 33:14; D&C 42:13;
      D&C 51:4;
   c Acts 13:49; D&C 72:21
   d Joel 1:2; Micah 1:2

4 I am the afirst and the last; I am he who bliveth, I am he who was slain; I am your cadvocate with the Father.
5 Behold, your sins are aforgiven you; you are clean before me; therefore, lift up your heads and brejoice.
6 Let the hearts of your brethren rejoice, and let the hearts of all my people rejoice who have, with their might, abuilt this house to my name.

 4a Ezek. 3:21 (17-21); D&C 63:37;
      TG Israel, Mission of;
      TG Mission of Latter-day Saints;
      TG Warn, Warnings
   b TG Priesthood, Authority
   c TG Last Days
 5a TG Missionary Work
 6a TG Jesus Christ, Authority of;
      TG Priesthood, Authority
   b D&C 33:14; D&C 42:13;
      D&C 51:4;
   c Acts 13:49; D&C 72:21
   d Joel 1:2; Micah 1:2

7 For behold, I have aaccepted this bhouse, and my name shall be here; and I will cmanifest myself to my people in mercy in this house.
8 Yea, I will aappear unto my servants, and speak unto them with mine own voice, if my people will keep my commandments, and do not bpollute this choly house.

 4a Ezek. 3:21 (17-21); D&C 63:37;
      TG Israel, Mission of;
      TG Mission of Latter-day Saints;
      TG Warn, Warnings
   b TG Priesthood, Authority
   c TG Last Days
 5a TG Missionary Work
 6a TG Jesus Christ, Authority of;
      TG Priesthood, Authority
   b D&C 33:14; D&C 42:13;
      D&C 51:4;
   c Acts 13:49; D&C 72:21
   d Joel 1:2; Micah 1:2

9 Yea the hearts of thousands and tens of thousands shall greatly rejoice in consequence of the ablessings which shall be poured out, and the bendowment with which my servants have been endowed in this house.
10 And the fame of this house shall spread to foreign lands; and this is the beginning of the blessing which shall be apoured out upon the heads of my people. Even so. Amen.

 4a Ezek. 3:21 (17-21); D&C 63:37;
      TG Israel, Mission of;
      TG Mission of Latter-day Saints;
      TG Warn, Warnings
   b TG Priesthood, Authority
   c TG Last Days
 5a TG Missionary Work
 6a TG Jesus Christ, Authority of;
      TG Priesthood, Authority
   b D&C 33:14; D&C 42:13;
      D&C 51:4;
   c Acts 13:49; D&C 72:21
   d Joel 1:2; Micah 1:2

11 After this avision closed, the heavens were again bopened unto us; and cMoses appeared before us, and committed unto us the dkeys of the egathering of Israel from the four parts of the earth, and the leading of the ten tribes from the land of the fnorth.
12 After this, aElias appeareda, and committed the bdispensation of the cgospel of Abraham, saying that in us and our seed all egenerations after us should be eblessed.

 12a Elias appeared This has been some speculation as to who this Elias was. In terms of the name Elias, it has been used a specifying the name of a person or a name title identifying one performing a priesthood function, usually as a preparer or as one who goes before. It has been used in reference to Elijah the Prophet and is a New Teatament name for Elijah. It has also been used in reference to John the Baptist and his mission and also to Jesus Christ inferring that he is an 'Elias' but not the one spoken about. D&C 27:6-7 also applies the name to the angel who appeared to Zacharias, who we know to be Gabriel who is the same as Noah. Thus we are left to suppose that it might be one who ministered and held the keys of the covenant in the days of Abraham. Abraham receive his blessings from Melchizedek who ministered under his father. Thus we are left with this Elias being any one from Noah, to Melchizedek, to Abraham or even another by that name who so held those keys of the gospel of Abraham with the application that in us and our seed all generations after us should be blessed, which is in fulfillment of those promises of the fathers from Adam, Enoch and Noah, bestowed upon Abraham and his posterity, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph (D&C 27:10); and thence to those of the covenant seed today.
13 After this vision had closed, another great and glorious avision burst upon us; for bElijah the prophet, who was taken to heaven without tasting death, stood before us, and said:
14 Behold, the time has fully come, which was spoken of by the mouth of Malachi—testifying that he [Elijah] should be sent, before the great and dreadful day of the Lord come—
15 To aturn the bhearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, lest the whole earth be smitten with a curse—

16 Therefore, the akeys of this bdispensation are committed into your hands; and by this ye may know that the great and dreadful cday of the Lord is near, even at the doors.