This section is always referred to in terms of the three kingdoms of glory. But what is often ignored are the numerous and wonderful promises the Lord makes to those who believe in him and follow him. The other thing that's often overlooked is the fact that this is a vision that encompasses everything with Joseph and Sidney seeing things from the beginning premortal life to after the millennium. Joseph is only sharing a very small portion of what he and Sidney saw. And like Nephi in 1 Nephi 14, and people the Lord appeared to in 3 Nephi 26 and 27, and the Lord's instructions to his apostles in Mark 9, Joseph is commanded not to write what he saw. In this case, the Lord says that it's not possible for man to know these things unless it's shown them by Holy Ghost. Which means that the power of the Holy Ghost was the "engine" in this vision.
In the first vision, Joseph was overcome by the glory of the Father and Son. One can only wonder how more overwhelming seeing the Father and the Son in their celestial glory surrounded by numberless angels must have been. And then the contrast of getting a glimpse of outer darkness must have been monumental. In describing 11 different qualities the people have who are worthy of the celestial kingdom, there is one key verse for me, verse 69. The Lord says that these people are those "who are just men [and women] made perfect through Jesus" and his atonement. They did not make themselves perfect, but the Savior completed this last level of growth. This is comforting to me, especially when I get on myself for falling short.
Another thing that is interesting to me is that in describing the different degrees of glory, the Lord points out that it isn't just a difference of brightness, but a difference of glory. For example, the moon's glory is a reflection of the sun's while the sun produces it's own brilliance and is not a reflection of something.
When Joseph and Sidney say this vision, there were others in the room. They say that Joseph and Sidney were translucent, glowing white in their countenance. Joseph would say something like "I'm see this" and Sidney would say "I see the same." When it was over and Joseph and Sidney were riding back in the wagon, Sidney had to lay down in the wagon's bed as he was totally overcome with exhaustion. Joseph laughed and remarked to another person with them, "Sidney isn't as used to this as I am."
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