Church History Matters Podcast

Episode 170: D&C 128 – A New Doctrine Connecting the Living and Dead (E45B, November 3–9)

Date: October 29, 2025
Hosts: Scott and Casey
Podcast: Church History Matters by Scripture Central

Episode Overview

This episode explores Doctrine & Covenants Section 128, a foundational epistle from Joseph Smith that introduces transformative doctrine about the connection between the living and the dead. Scott and Casey unpack Joseph's teachings on baptism for the dead, the sealing power, ecclesiastical record keeping, and the concept of "welding" generations through temple ordinances. The conversation highlights both theological innovation and the historical narrative, demonstrating how temple work for both the living and deceased underpins the Latter-day Saint understanding of salvation and Restoration.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The New Doctrine: Connecting the Living and the Dead [00:00–00:35]

• Joseph Smith's Most Radical Doctrinal Expansion:
  • "The temple is the place where the living and the dead are connected. Joseph is tying the fate of the deceased and the fate of the living together. The dead gain salvation through proxy ordinances, and the living gain salvation by laboring to carry out these ordinances." (Casey, 00:00)
  • "That's new doctrine, Casey, right there. I don't think that's anywhere else in Scripture. This is a new idea, and we get to participate in bringing about the salvation of the whole human family." (Scott, 00:14)
  • The emotional and Christlike nature of proxy temple work is celebrated: "There's nothing more powerful than going to the temple and thinking, I'm helping another person open the door to salvation." (Casey, 00:23)

2. The Context of Section 128 [00:39–03:48]

• Joseph Smith Writes from Hiding:
  • While hiding due to accusations around the attempt on Lilburn Boggs, Joseph writes to guide the Saints in their emergent practice of baptisms for the dead.
  • Section 128 is the second of two "epistles from hiding" and is both a theological treatise and a historical review.
  • Noteworthy is Joseph’s introduction of the idea of “welding links” between generations and the Saints’ profound response to the letter, as recorded by William Clayton.

3. Practical Organization: Recorders & Wards [04:16–08:12]

• Detailed Instructions for Keeping Sacred Records:
  • Joseph instructs not only on why baptisms for the dead should be recorded but also on how: each ward should have its own recorder, with a hierarchical system culminating in a “general church book.”
  • This administrative innovation laid the groundwork for the modern organization of wards and the importance of record keeping for ordinances.

4. Theological Foundations for Temple Ordinances [08:12–19:23]

• Records on Earth and in Heaven:

  • Joseph draws from Revelation 20:12 and explains that the books referred to are records of earthly ordinances—a collaboration between heaven and earth.
  • This new doctrine underscores the sacred obligation to keep accurate records of temple work, linking it to the sealing power and “whatsoever you record on earth shall be recorded in heaven.”

• The Summum Bonum of Salvation:

  • "The great and grand secret of the whole matter and the summum bonum… is obtaining the powers of the holy priesthood." (Joseph Smith, quoted by Scott, 13:10)
  • Baptism (even for the living) is symbolically linked to death and resurrection, structurally aligning it with baptisms for the dead.

• Sealing Power as Authority to Record:

  • The record keeping itself, under the direction of those who hold the sealing keys, is an aspect of the sealing power—a rarely discussed but critical point of Latter-day Saint doctrine.

5. The Welding Link: Malachi, Elijah, and Generational Bonding [19:36–31:26]

• Malachi's Prophecy and New Interpretation:

  • Joseph connects Malachi 4:5–6 (turning hearts of fathers to children) directly to baptisms for the dead and the Restoration of the priesthood.
  • This “welding link” is necessary to prevent the earth from being “smitten with a curse.”
  • "It is necessary… that a whole and complete and perfect union and welding together of dispensations and keys and powers and glories should take place… from the days of Adam even to the present time." (Scott, 27:00)

• Development of the Theology:

  • The line-upon-line revelation process is evident; what Joseph introduces as baptisms for the dead evolves through later prophets into broader temple ordinances such as washings, anointings, endowments, and sealings.

6. Joseph’s Restoration Rhapsody: Review of Restoration Events [31:53–45:36]

• A “Restoration Rhapsody”:

  • Beginning in verse 19, Joseph launches into an emotional, almost poetic summary of angelic visitations and significant events of the Restoration.
  • "Shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren, and on, on to the victory. Let your hearts rejoice and be exceedingly glad!" (Joseph Smith, quoted by Scott, 42:32)
  • Joseph’s irrepressible optimism shines through, even as he writes from hiding.

• Unique Historical Tidbits:

  • Joseph provides the most detailed account of Peter, James, and John’s visitation and mentions Adam (Michael), Gabriel (Noah), and—even more cryptically—Raphael, with little explanation or further context.

7. The Offering of the Sons of Levi – A New Kind of Sacrifice [48:35–63:03]

• Redefining Ancient Prophecy:
  • Joseph reinterprets the “offering” of the sons of Levi (Malachi/Section 13) as the book containing the records of the dead, rather than animal sacrifice.
  • Debate ensues on whether Joseph's understanding shifted away from the literal restoration of animal sacrifice by 1842, or whether both concepts could coexist (Casey and Scott, 59:05–64:29).

8. Controversies & Evolving Doctrinal Understanding [48:48–58:54]

• Sealing Power and the Welding Link:

  • The understanding of "welding" the generations and the role of baptisms for the dead develops in stages, culminating in the full array of temple ordinances under later prophets.

• Who is Raphael?

  • Speculation abounds—some draw from the apocryphal Book of Tobit, others suggest unrecorded Restoration visitations. Raphael's identity and role remain mysterious, with even AI consulted for (inconclusive) input. (Scott and Casey, 54:45–58:54)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Spirit of Temple Work:
  • "There's nothing more powerful than going to the temple and thinking I'm helping another person open the door to salvation… a proxy act that helps save another person. What's more Christlike than that, really?" (Casey, 65:43)
• On Joseph's Vision and Enthusiasm:
  • "This is so big. It is bigger than you. It encompasses every person who's ever lived, and we get to participate in bringing about the salvation of the whole human family. How cool is that?" (Scott, 48:15)
• On Revelation as a Process:
  • "Like that quote that I just shared was in May of 1844, like one month before Joseph is martyred… there's a continuity to what Joseph had laid out that other prophets are then taking in, taking it to its completion." (Scott, 30:13)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:00–00:35] – The radical new doctrine: Salvation for dead and living becomes intertwined
• [04:16–08:12] – Temple record-keeping structure and origins of wards
• [13:10–19:23] – The deep symbolism of baptism, the sealing power, and record keeping
• [19:36–31:26] – Malachi, Elijah, and the development of generational sealing
• [31:53–45:36] – Joseph Smith’s Restoration Rhapsody: reviewing angels, keys, and priesthood
• [54:17–58:54] – The identity of Raphael and the evolving understanding of ordinances
• [59:05–64:29] – Sons of Levi, sacrifices, and the evolving doctrine
• [65:43–66:04] – The spirit of temple work and closing thoughts

Flow, Takeaways, and Final Thoughts

• Doctrine & Covenants 128 is both an administrative guide and a soaring theological proclamation. Joseph Smith’s evolving insights set the stage for temple theology, record keeping as sealing power, and the ever-deepening connection between all generations of the human family.
• The episode is rich with gratitude for continuing revelation and the momentum of temple work—“line upon line, precept upon precept”—trusting that later prophets would finish what Joseph began.
• The hosts’ enthusiasm and candid reflections encourage listeners to appreciate the scope of temple work and recognize their personal opportunity to participate in “the greatest cause” envisioned by Joseph Smith.

For Listeners

Whether or not you’ve read D&C 128 before, this episode offers an accessible yet thorough walk-through of its doctrine, context, and ongoing relevance—bridging deep theology, historical details, and Latter-day Saint lived experience.