Lessons from the Doctrine and Covenants 2025
Lesson No. Nine

The Church of Jesus Christ on Earth

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a theocracy which works in a divinely appointed hierarchical way on earth and in the spirit world. The celestial kingdom is organized by family councils in one great and eternal family council presided over by our Heavenly Father.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord’s kingdom once again established on earth, preparatory to the Second Coming of the Messiah” (Book of Mormon, Introduction page). On Tuesday, 6 April 1830, in New York state, a small group of people met together in the frontier home of Peter Whitmer Sr. No newspaper reported this meeting, but there must have been much rejoicing in the spirit world and in heaven because the Lord’s kingdom was once again established on earth, preparatory to the Second Coming of the Messiah.

“We believe that Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem of Judea, April 6, B.C. 1” (James E. Talmage, Jesus the Christ). President Harold B. Lee and President Spencer W. Kimball confirmed this fact. (See Ensign, April 1973, p. 2 and Ensign, May 1975, p. 4) It is important, for reasons known to the Lord, that His Restored Church be organized on the same day He was born on earth.

D&C 20 was first known as the “Articles and Covenants of the Church”. It appeared on the front page of the first issue of the Evening and Morning Star, the first newspaper published by the Church. It addresses the basic doctrine, ordinances, and requirements for membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. During this organizational meeting Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, who had previously been ordained as apostles of Jesus Christ, were sustained as the first and second elders of the Church. (See Vs 1-4).

The Lord’s Church on earth is a theocracy, and it is organized in a hierarchical way. This Church, beginning with Joseph Smith as the first elder, has been led by a living prophet who holds all priesthood keys and delegates various keys to priesthood leaders throughout the earth. There is no other organization on earth that even comes close in effectiveness and efficiency.

D&C 21 teaches the importance of living prophets and it is a revelation given at the same time the Church was organized. What the Lord told the people then about Joseph Smith applies to us about our living prophet: “Wherefore, meaning the church, thou shalt give heed unto all his words and commandments which he shall give unto you as he receiveth them, walking in all holiness before me; For his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith. For by doing these things the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good, and his name’s glory” (D&C 21: 4-6).

The Church of Jesus Christ in the Spirit World

Latter day prophets have spoken about the Lord’s Church, organized in the hierarchal order of the priesthood, in the spirit world: At the funeral of Elder Richard L. Evans, President Joseph Fielding Smith gave a powerful 2.5 minute sermon about The Church of Latter-day Saints as it is organized and functions in the spirit world, emphasis added is mine:

“Brother Evans has been taken by the Lord to another field of labor, where his great talents will be multiplied a hundred-fold; where he will continue to use them in the furtherance of the Lord’s work; and where they are now needed even more than they were here among us.

“And may I say for the consolation of those who mourn, and for the comfort and guidance of all of us, that no righteous man is ever taken before his time. In the case of the faithful Saints, they are simply transferred to other fields of labor. The Lord’s work goes on in this life, in the world of spirits, and in the kingdoms of glory where men go after their resurrection.

“Life and labor and love are eternal, and Brother Evans is now assigned to continue his work in the spirit world, until that day when he shall come forth in glorious immortality to receive his place in the mansions that are prepared.

“He held the holy priesthood in this life and was ordained to stand as a special witness of the Lord’s name; he holds that same priesthood in the world of spirits and is there assigned to continue his labors for the salvation of our Father’s children who have passed on without a knowledge of the saving principles of eternal truth which have been restored in this day.

“The church on earth has lost the services of one of its most able and competent leaders who was endowed with special talents and abilities which are seldom equaled. But the same Church, which has an even more perfect and effective organization among the righteous dead, has gained another pillar of strength to use in the labors that are performed there.

“His influence in this life extended to the ends of the earth, and we shall miss his voice, his counsel, and his wisdom as it was heard and felt among us. But in that sphere where the limitations and restrictions of mortality no longer curtail the spirit children of our Father, his voice, his counsel, and his wisdom will influence greater hosts who seek and need the words of life and truth found only in the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

President Ezra Taft Benson spoke about the work that takes place in the spirit world: “The work we are preforming here has a direct relationship to the work [in the spirit world]. Some day you will know that there are ordinances performed over there, too, in order to make the vicarious work which you do effective. It will all be done under the authority and power of the priesthood of God” (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, P. 252-53).

Life in the Celestial World

Membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints both on earth and in the spirit world is temporary, but in the celestial world the family is eternal.

The celestial world is organized by families in the patriarchal order of the priesthood. There, our Heavenly Parents set the perfect example of how the patriarchal order of the priesthood functions. In the pre-mortal existence we participated in a family council where our Heavenly Father presented the plan of salvation. (See Church website, Topics and Question, Council in Heaven) Celestial marriage gives us an opportunity in mortality to begin to experience the blessings of the patriarchal order of the priesthood.

The family is not a hierarchy, but it is a council. It is composed of a husband/father and a wife/a mother who council together in righteousness and love. As in the premortal Grand Council children participate as appropriate. The husband/father presides, but he must always remember that “no power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of [his] priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned” (D&C 121:41).

Testimony – The blessings of the patriarchal order of the priesthood is enjoyed by a woman and a man who are married in the temple in the new and everlasting covenant of marriage. In this way they become inheritors of all the blessings of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and thereby they enter into the patriarchal order. If a man and woman keep their temple covenants in this life, they will receive the full blessings of patriarchal heirship in the celestial kingdom of God where the patriarchal order of the priesthood functions perfectly.

Released on March 15th. 2025.