Church History Matters – Episode 158

D&C 110 CFM - Angelic Visitations and More in Kirtland – E40B
Date: September 24, 2025
Hosts: Scott & Casey (Scripture Central)

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode is a deep dive into Doctrine and Covenants Section 110, focusing on the miraculous events that took place in the Kirtland Temple on April 3, 1836. Scott and Casey examine the succession of angelic visitations to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery—Jesus Christ, Moses, Elias, and Elijah—and explore why these extraordinary moments are central to Latter-day Saint beliefs about temples, priesthood keys, the gathering of Israel, and the uniting of families for eternity. The hosts also tackle key controversies and discuss the enduring global impact of these events.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Eternal Relationships and the Living-Dead Connection

• [00:00] Casey starts by highlighting a cornerstone of Latter-day Saint belief: that relationships endure eternally and that the living can act on behalf of the dead through temple ordinances.
  “There’s a connection between the living and the dead.”
• [00:16] Scott links this to Jesus’s Resurrection and how it paves the way for all people to escape death and be united in God’s kingdom.

2. The Uniqueness of the Kirtland Temple

• The Kirtland Temple is described as a “milestone in church history”—the only place on earth with a recorded, specific appearance of Jesus ("down to the inch" – [01:30]).
• Scott:
  “If you have the opportunity in your lifetime to go to the Kirtland Temple, you should. It is something special.” [01:53]

3. Historical Framing of D&C 110

• Section 110: An extract from Joseph Smith’s 1835–36 journal, not added to the Doctrine and Covenants until 1876 (context by Orson Pratt under Brigham Young’s direction – [04:30]).
• Events recorded by Warren Cowdery, Joseph’s scribe. The original manuscript is available in his handwriting via the Joseph Smith Papers ([05:05]).

4. Leading Up to April 3, 1836: The Promise of Power

• Early, repeated promises that the Saints would be endowed with “power from on high” if they built and sanctified the Kirtland Temple ([06:00–08:00]).
• Many spiritual manifestations occurred before and just after the temple’s dedication, but the culminating events came one week later on Easter Sunday—April 3, 1836 ([08:20]).

5. The Four Visions / Angelic Visitations

• Scott and Casey break down the event into four visions: Jesus, Moses, Elias, Elijah.
  “After that vision closed, another one burst upon us...” – [09:31]
• The Vision of Jesus ([10:00])
  • Describes Christ using luminous scriptural similes:
    “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. His voice was as the sounding of the rushing of great waters.”
  • Jesus forgives Joseph & Oliver, proclaims the acceptance of the temple, and promises,
    “I will manifest myself to my people in mercy in this house.” ([12:00])
  • Prophecy that "the hearts of thousands and tens of thousands shall greatly rejoice" and the “fame of this house shall spread to foreign lands.” ([13:24])
    Casey notes how this global influence is now a visible reality ([14:00]).

6. The Restoration of Priesthood Keys

• Moses: Restores keys of “the gathering of Israel” ([16:56]).
  • Discussion clarifies biblical language about “the north” and the scattering/gathering of Israel ([17:00–20:00]).
  • Critical distinction: These are not simply “missionary keys” (missionary work started years before), but the authority to direct the gathering to build temples and receive ordinances.
    • Scott: "These keys are all about building the temple, actually." ([30:33])
• Elias: Confers the “dispensation of the Gospel of Abraham”—the ritual means of extending Abrahamic blessings, especially through celestial marriage and temple sealing ([32:29–35:04]).
• Elijah: Restores the sealing power, making relationships eternally binding, fulfilling Malachi’s prophecy:
  • Scott: “The spirit of Elijah is that degree of power which holds the sealing power of the kingdom... not only on earth but in heaven, both the living and the dead to each other.” ([37:10])
  • Casey: “This is where the idea comes from that sealing power is used in temples to seal children to parents and parents to children... all in fulfillment of Malachi’s promise.” ([38:51])

7. Kirtland’s Place in Global Temple Work

• The three keys (from Moses, Elias, Elijah) are foundational for all modern temple ordinances.
• “Kirtland was built primarily for the restoration of keys of authority. In receiving these keys, the fullness of gospel ordinances is revealed.” – Elder Joseph Fielding Smith, quoted ([41:25])
• Kirtland is not to be “converted” into today's typical ordinance temple—its historic purpose is unique and pivotal ([42:58]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Scott: “The whole point and purpose of the earth being created was to help seal the human family together in what would be an eternally sealed network of relationships.” ([02:19])
• Casey (on physical vs. spiritual gathering):
  “It’s that line between the physical gathering, necessary in the early church to literally build the temple, to what we’re really talking about—being sealed into this chain that connects all the way back to Adam and Eve.” ([31:59])
• Casey (on the Kirtland Temple's preservation):
  “It’s a shrine, it’s a sacred place where these incredible things happened, and that’s the way it should remain.” ([42:58])
• Scott: “These are keys that you gather in order to build, so God can reveal ordinances.” ([43:52])
• Scott: “Section 110 is placed in our Doctrine and Covenants as a claim to legitimacy—the legitimacy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. That’s how fundamental and huge this is.” ([58:33])
• Casey: “One of the most appealing aspects of our faith: relationships can last for eternity... you can be proactive toward your loved ones that have left this life.” ([61:10])
• Scott (paralleling Kirtland, Passover, and Easter):
  “Easter Sunday, celebrating Jesus literally breaking the bands of death and effecting another kind of exodus... this is where the story has always been going.” ([62:05])

Segment Timestamps

• 00:00–03:40 — Eternal relationships, Christ’s appearance at Kirtland, context-setting
• 03:40–09:19 — Historical setup: how D&C 110 fits, early temple promises, the journal record
• 09:19–14:45 — The four visions: Jesus’s appearance, description, and promises
• 14:45–16:56 — Global prophecy about the temple; foundation for the next “capstone” keys
• 16:56–32:17 — In-depth on the three sets of keys: Moses (gathering), Elias (Abrahamic blessings), Elijah (sealing)
• 32:17–37:10 — The impact on modern temple work; distinction between physical and spiritual gathering
• 37:10–42:58 — Kirtland’s singular purpose and why it won’t be used for ordinances today
• 44:51–59:46 — Controversies: identity of Elias, why Section 110 wasn’t published immediately, reasons for late canonization
• 59:58–63:40 — Consequences: Joseph assembling temple theology, living out the restoration, parallels with Exodus/Easter

Controversies & Questions Tackled

1. Who's Elias? ([44:51–52:14])

• Elias is sometimes the Greek form of Elijah, but here appears as a distinct messenger. Theorized identities include a prophet from Abraham’s time (possibly Abraham himself), Noah/Gabriel, or an unknown prophetic figure. “We don’t really know.” (Casey [52:07], Scott [52:14])

2. Why wasn’t Section 110 published or canonized sooner? ([52:17–59:30])

• Though written immediately and referenced by others at the time, Section 110 wasn’t publicly celebrated or canonized until 1876.
• The delayed canonization was likely strategic: as a response to the Reorganized Church's claims about authority. “Section 110 is placed in our Doctrine and Covenants as a claim to legitimacy.” ([58:33])

Consequences of Section 110

• Fulfilled ancient prophecies about priesthood keys and authority (Malachi, Moroni, etc.).
• Provided Joseph Smith with all temple “puzzle pieces” or “LEGO bricks” to develop the theology and practices central to the current global Church.
• Validated modern temple work, enabling the eternal sealing of families and the extension of blessings to the dead.
• Directly shaped the Latter-day Saint understanding of salvation, vicarious ordinances, and the church’s worldwide expansion.

Final Reflections

• The miraculous events of Kirtland’s Easter Sunday—where Christ and ancient prophets restored crucial priesthood keys—are “earth defining moments” central to the Restoration.
• The Kirtland Temple’s unique historic purpose—to receive, not administer, keys—makes it an enduring sacred site.
• These events set in motion temple work that continues to bless millions worldwide, fulfilling Jesus’s prophecy that the “fame of this house shall spread to foreign lands.”
• “It really all starts right here with this miraculous appearance of Jesus, Moses, Elias, and Elijah.” (Casey [61:10])
• The episode closes with reflections on how these restored keys continue to shape and define the ongoing work and global mission of the Church.

For further study, listeners are encouraged to read D&C 110, explore the Joseph Smith Papers project, and note the ongoing fulfillment of these prophecies across the worldwide church.