D&C 110

Section Overview

What happens in D&C 110

A series of visions received April 3, 1836, in the Kirtland Temple, Easter Sunday, also the Jewish Passover. Jesus Christ appeared and accepted the temple. Then Moses, Elias, and Elijah each appeared in succession, restoring critical priesthood keys. Elijah's return fulfilled the prophecy of Malachi 4:5-6, making this one of the most pivotal events of the Restoration.

Scripture

The Savior Appears and Accepts the Temple

Study note

Jesus Christ appears in glory, standing upon the breastwork of the pulpit. He declares that he has accepted this house and that his name and glory will rest upon it.

1 The veil was taken from our minds, and the eyes of our understanding were opened.

2 We saw the Lord standing upon the breastwork of the pulpit, before us; and under his feet was a paved work of pure gold, in color like amber.

3 His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying:

4 I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father.

5 Behold, your sins are forgiven you; you are clean before me; therefore, lift up your heads and rejoice.

6 Let the hearts of your brethren rejoice, and let the hearts of all my people rejoice, who have, with their might, built this house to my name.

7 For behold, I have accepted this house, and my name shall be here; and I will manifest myself to my people in mercy in this house.

8 Yea, I will appear unto my servants, and speak unto them with mine own voice, if my people will keep my commandments, and do not pollute this holy house.

9 Yea the hearts of thousands and tens of thousands shall greatly rejoice in consequence of the blessings which shall be poured out, and the endowment 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 poured out upon the heads of my people. Even so. Amen.

Moses Restores the Keys of the Gathering of Israel

Study note

Moses appears and commits the keys of the gathering of Israel from the four parts of the earth, including the leading of the ten tribes from the north.

11 After this vision closed, the heavens were again opened unto us; and Moses appeared before us, and committed unto us the keys of the gathering of Israel from the four parts of the earth, and the leading of the ten tribes from the land of the north.

12 After this, Elias appeared, and committed the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham, saying that in us and our seed all generations after us should be blessed.

Elias Restores the Dispensation of Abraham

Study note

Elias appears and commits the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham, saying that through Abraham's seed all future generations would be blessed.

13 After this vision had closed, another great and glorious vision burst upon us; for Elijah 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—

Elijah Restores the Sealing Keys

Study note

Elijah the prophet appears and declares that the time spoken of by Malachi has fully come. He commits the keys of the sealing power, turning the hearts of fathers to children and children to fathers.

15 To turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, lest the whole earth be smitten with a curse—

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

Key Themes

Themes in D&C 110

Jesus Christ personally accepts the templeMoses restores keys of the gathering of IsraelElias restores the Abrahamic covenant blessingsElijah fulfills Malachi's prophecy with sealing keysConvergence of Easter and Passover in prophetic fulfillmentPriesthood keys restored for the dispensation of the fulness of times

Scripture Connections

How this section connects to Christ

D&C 110 15-16 Malachi 4:5-6

Elijah's appearance directly fulfills Malachi's prophecy that Elijah would come before the great and dreadful day of the Lord to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children.

D&C 110 1-7 Revelation 1:13-16

The description of the glorified Savior with eyes as a flame of fire parallels John's vision of the risen Christ in the book of Revelation.

D&C 110 11 Jeremiah 16:14-15

Moses' restoration of the keys of gathering fulfills Jeremiah's prophecy that God would gather Israel from all lands where they had been driven.

D&C 110 13-14 Genesis 22:17-18

The dispensation of Abraham committed by Elias connects to God's original covenant with Abraham that through his seed all nations of the earth would be blessed.

Apply This Today

Living D&C 110

Section 110 demonstrates that God fulfills his ancient promises with stunning precision—Elijah returned on Passover, the very day Jews traditionally set a place for him at their table. The sealing keys mean that families can be united eternally, not just for this life. Every temple ordinance, every family sealed together, traces its authority to this moment in Kirtland. This gives family relationships an eternal dimension that transforms how we treat one another.

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