In this video Scott Woodward provides an overview of the historical context and backstory of D&C 88 and then dives in to the revelation itself for a brief analysis.
Yes truly a marvellous revelation. So much doctrine to contemplate and wonder over. You can feel that they are the words of Jesus Christ which is also another witness of the divine calling of Joseph Smith in his prophetic role. Many thanks for putting this presentation all together for us. Wonderul job. The Lord's choicest blessings be with you and your loved ones.
Thank you again, Bro. Woodward! I love the chunking out of verses to help see the grander themes in such a mammoth section. Section 88 reminds me of a favorite BofM chapter, 2 Nephi 2, for its sweeping scope and depth on topics of light vs dark, opposition in all things, etc. So grateful for the support in digesting these precious scriptures!
I am awed by the depth and complexity of section 88. The study of this section has done much to renew my faith and belief in the Gospel of the Restoration.
D&C 88 in part is how Joseph will bring the elders into the presents of God just like Moses was trying to do with the children of Israel. Verses 3-5 is explaining to the elders if they are faithful they can see God. To do so they must receive the Other Comforter which is have Jesus to appear to you personally. As verse 4 explains you will have eternal life in the celestial kingdom!
You're right, Dale, that verses 3-5 are about helping the Elders to come into the presence of God. However, the "Comforter" being promised here is not a reference to having "Jesus appear to you personally," as you said. Rather this "Comforter" is the Holy Ghost, or what he calls the "Holy Spirit of promise." Below, for your close analysis, is the text from the video dealing with these verses. Hope it helps ;) “Wherefore,” he says, “I now send upon you another Comforter … that it may abide in your hearts, even the Holy Spirit of promise; which other Comforter is the same that I promised unto my disciples, as is recorded in the testimony of John”-a reference to John 14:16-17 where Jesus promises his disciples that they will be given “another Comforter,” meaning the Holy Ghost, “that he may abide with you forever; even the Spirit of truth.” “This Comforter,” he goes on to explain, “is the promise which I give unto you of eternal life, even the glory of the celestial kingdom.” Now the idea here of the Holy Ghost being the promise of eternal life is reminiscent of the apostle Paul’s teaching to the Ephesians when he wrote that “after that ye believed [in Christ], ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which,” he explained, “is the earnest of our inheritance” (Eph. 1:13-14). In other words, the Holy Ghost is like God’s earnest money down payment to assure us of our future inheritance of eternal life with him, “even the glory of the celestial kingdom.”
In D&C 88:98 it specifically mentions the being "caught up" occurs at the sounding of the first trump, not at the coming of the Lord to the whole world. These events occur at two different times. If you go back to verse 94, the first trump sounds just before the half hour of silence. So this event of being "caught up" would occur at that time, not at the Lord's coming. The "descending" with Him occurs at His coming to the whole world. "Caught up" and "descend with Him" are two separate events that occur at different times.
All of the events of verses 94-98 are included within the timeframe of the sounding of the first trump-both being caught up and descending with him. The "face of the Lord shall be unveiled" at the end of verse 95 is almost certainly a reference to the 2nd Coming.
D&C 88:95-96 is not the second coming. That occurs in verse 99 after another trump sounds. And section 45:45-48 says this first resurrection happens before Christ sets his foot on the Mount of Olives and appears to the Jews.
