followHIM Podcast Summary

Doctrine & Covenants 109-110, Part 2

Hosts: Hank Smith & John Bytheway
Guest: Dr. Anthony Sweat
Date: September 24, 2025

Overview

This episode explores Doctrine & Covenants sections 109 and 110, focusing on the dedicatory prayer for the Kirtland Temple and the visionary events that followed, including the visitations of Jesus Christ, Moses, Elias, and Elijah. Dr. Anthony Sweat, a seasoned Latter-day Saint scholar and educator, guides listeners through the significance of these events for both church history and modern faith, emphasizing their bearing on temple doctrine and the ongoing gathering of Israel.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Structure of the Dedicatory Prayer (D&C 109)

• Verses 1–5: Introduction & Plea
  • Joseph Smith opens the prayer, seeking acceptance for the temple and blessings for the Saints.
• Verses 6–42: Promises of Endowment
  • Explores what it means to be endowed with power from on high.
• Verses 43–53: Praying for Enemies
  • Joseph demonstrates how to pray for those who have wronged the Saints, expressing sorrow yet wishing for their repentance.
  • Quote (Dr. Sweat, 00:19):
    “Their souls are precious before thee...have mercy upon the wicked mob.”
  • Emphasizes a Christian stance: not tolerating wickedness, but seeking mercy.
• Verses 54–67: Praying for the World & Israel
  • Joseph expands the prayer, asking for blessings on the rulers of the earth and, specifically, the gathering of Israel.
  • Quote (Dr. Sweat, 02:33):
    “This is going to lead into his prayer for the gathering of Israel.”
  • Historical context: The small Jewish presence in Jerusalem at the time, compared to its modern population, is seen as fulfillment of prophecy.
• Verses 68–80: Blessing Leaders and Saints
  • Joseph prays for his own family, church leaders, and all church members.
  • Notable moment: Reference to striving in the context of worthiness and temple recommend interviews.
  • Song of Solomon Allusion (12:25): “Shine forth fair as the moon, clear as the sun, terrible as an army with banners.”
  • The congregation capped the prayer with the “Hosanna Shout” and a spiritual outpouring akin to Pentecost.

2. The Pentecostal Outpouring at Kirtland (109)

• Memorable account:
  Dr. Sweat outlines how the Saints experienced spiritual manifestations, including visions, tongues, and angelic ministrations both at the dedicatory service and in subsequent meetings.
  • Quote (Dr. Sweat, 14:26):
    “It really is a Pentecostal outpouring. Really incredible.”
  • The period is referred to as a zenith of heavenly manifestations (17:39).

3. The Theological Impact of Section 110

• April 3, 1836—“The Second Greatest Easter”
  • This day brought visitations from Jesus Christ and ancient prophets, conferring essential priesthood keys for the salvation of living and deceased Saints.
  • Quote (Dr. Sweat, 18:07):
    “Section 110, the events that are in there affect eternity. There’s no other way to say it.”
• Setting the Stage for Visitation
  • Joseph and Oliver secluded themselves in what is likened to a “Holy of Holies,” facilitating sacred revelation (19:23).
• Christ’s Appearance and Acceptance of the Temple
  • Quote (Jesus, via Joseph, 29:02):
    “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. Behold, your sins are forgiven you; you are clean before me; lift up your heads and rejoice.”
  • Dr. Sweat highlights the repetition of “forgives” throughout the D&C (30:56).
• Significance for Modern Temples
  • President Nelson’s teaching is cited: every dedicated temple shares in the promise of Christ’s manifestation (32:00).

4. The Restoration of Priesthood Keys

• The Visitations of Moses, Elias, and Elijah

  • Moses: Restores keys for gathering Israel and facilitating vicarious temple work for the dead (43:06).
    • Emphasized: The scattering was mostly about covenant identity, not geography.
  • Elias: Grants the “dispensation of the gospel of Abraham”—the rights, privileges, and promises of the Abrahamic covenant (46:46).
    • Quote (Dr. Sweat, 46:46):
      “The blessings of Abraham are the blessings of seed and covenant and family.”
  • Elijah: Bestows sealing power, enabling the fulfillment of Malachi’s prophecy and uniting families eternally (53:16).
    • Elijah’s role climaxes the restoration sequence, confirming the fullness of the Melchizedek Priesthood.

• The Nature of Priesthood Restoration

  • A process, not a single event. The restoration unfolds through multiple visitations (27:15).
  • Restoration of keys enables all temple ordinances and the work for the dead.

5. Application to Modern Saints

• Temple Symbolism & Personal Growth
  • Dr. Sweat encourages patience with temple learning:
    • Quote (Dr. Sweat, 64:25):
      “The way the Lord teaches is in parable. The temple is a great parable, meaning the temple endowment is meant to be mysterious.”
  • Emphasis: Seek Jesus in every aspect of temple worship.
• Inclusivity and Invitation
  • Both hosts and Dr. Sweat encourage those hesitant about the temple to remember it is a house of learning, and all efforts are accepted by the Lord, however imperfect.
  • Quote (Dr. Sweat, 34:13):
    “There’s a great metaphor there, us being the temple of God as well.”
  • Quote (John Bytheway, 68:39):
    “I have a personal testimony that the Lord wants people in the temple... Go there because you’ll find him there like you just promised.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Prayer for enemies & mercy:
  “Every soul is precious. These people have done hard things to us, and if they’ll repent, let’s forgive them. But if they won’t, help us overcome the wicked so that thy purposes and thy plans won’t fail.” — Dr. Sweat (01:31)

• On modern-day fulfillment of gathering Israel prophecy:
  “We literally are seeing a fulfillment of that prayer and prophecy in the latter days.” — Dr. Sweat (03:36)

• On the nature of the endowment at Kirtland:
  “Endowment is a spiritual capacity, not a ceremony or a presentation.” — Dr. Sweat (36:08)

• On the effect of the restoration of priesthood keys:
  “If we can’t read section 110 and rejoice, then I can’t help you.” — Dr. Sweat (58:10)

• On the temple as a place for the imperfect:
  “What I’m offering to the Lord is quite flawed. The joists don’t all line up... but he accepts it.” — Hank Smith (33:24)

• On Latter-day covenant work:
  “We’re living in the fullness. If you can’t get excited about that, you can’t get excited.” — Paraphrasing Elder Holland & Dr. Sweat (59:23)

Key Timestamps

• 00:19–02:33 — Joseph Smith’s prayer for his enemies.
• 02:33–07:44 — The prayer turns to blessing the world and gathering Israel.
• 09:39–12:33 — Joseph prays for church leaders and members; scriptural references in the language of the prayer.
• 14:26–17:39 — The outpouring of spiritual gifts at the Kirtland Temple dedication.
• 18:07–23:31 — Setting up D&C 110 and the significance of the “second greatest Easter.”
• 29:02–35:34 — Description of Christ’s appearance, forgiveness, and temple acceptance.
• 39:22–45:15 — Moses restores keys for gathering Israel and work for the dead.
• 46:46–53:09 — Elias gives the Abrahamic covenant; focus on eternal families.
• 53:16–57:56 — Elijah’s sealing keys and the completion of the restoration.
• 64:25–68:39 — Advice and encouragement for those hesitant or struggling to understand the temple.

Tone & Style

The episode is insightful, reverent, but approachable—mixing deep scriptural analysis with anecdotes, humor, and heartfelt testimony. The hosts and guest maintain a conversational tone, layering scholarly knowledge with relatable experiences and plain invitations to action.

Takeaways for Listeners

• The Kirtland Temple dedication and following visions are foundational for modern Latter-day Saint temple worship and the gathering of Israel.
• The restoration of priesthood keys was a multi-phase, collaborative process involving prophets from previous dispensations, symbolizing the unity of the Lord’s work across generations.
• Everyone is invited to learn the lessons of the temple—regardless of imperfect understanding or personal shortcomings.
• The Lord values effort and intention; the temple is a house where sincere seekers will find Him.
• Modern Saints are participants in the fulfillment of ancient prophecies as temples and covenant communities dot the earth.

For a deeper study, listeners are encouraged to engage directly with Doctrine & Covenants sections 109 and 110, attend the temple, and see how these doctrines and blessings apply personally today.