“Jesus Christ Will Gather His People”
- CFMCorner
- Mar 31
- 11 min read
CFM: March 31–April 6
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Opening Reflection: Returning to Harmony Through the Divine Conductor
Doctrine and Covenants 29 invites us into a sweeping and sobering view of the Plan of Salvation—a vision of mortality, fall, redemption, judgment, and ultimate reunion with God. But while its language includes fire, plagues, death, and cosmic upheaval, its heart is composed of hope. It is a section that reverberates with a divine musical score, composed by the Eternal Conductor, in which every soul, every season, and every note plays a sacred part.
While there are many meaningful ways to approach these sacred themes, viewing them through the lens of music offers a unique and clarifying perspective. Like the laws of harmony and resonance in music, the doctrines in Doctrine and Covenants 29 follow deeply ordered patterns—cyclical, purposeful, and divinely structured. This framework can help us better understand not only this section, but the larger patterns of God's dealings with His children.
In our study of this section, we explore the reality of opposition, the rise and fall of Lucifer, the Fall of Adam, and the Atonement of Jesus Christ—our Redeemer, Advocate, and Goel (kinsman-redeemer). These events are not random or reactive; they are part of a divinely orchestrated masterpiece meant to teach, refine, and ultimately restore us.
A Musical Metaphor: From Discord to Divine Resolution
Just Temperament: Perfect Intervals, Broken Circle
In Just Temperament—an ancient system of pure tuning—each note of the scale is mathematically precise, built upon the tonic, the fundamental pitch of a given scale. Every tone in this system follows specific ratios found in what we now call the Harmonic Overtone Series:
1:1 = the fundamental
2:1 = the octave
3:2 = the fifth
4:3 = the fourth
5:4 = a Major third
5:3 = a Major sixth
15:8 = a Major seventh
In this system:
Each note is perfectly tuned to its own fundamental pitch.
Intervals (like fifths or thirds) are acoustically pure.
Each key has its own ideal structure… but there is a significant drawback: it only works well in one key at a time.
Problem: The Spiral of Disconnection
The system, by itself, cannot make a full circle. If you begin on a note and ascend by perfect fifths (ratio 3:2, the principle upon which the Circle of Fifths is based), you will never return to the same starting note. Instead, you end up a small interval sharp—a discrepancy known as the:
Pythagorean Comma
A gap of about 23.5 cents (slightly less than a quarter-tone) between the note you started on and the one you return to after a full cycle of 12 fifths.
Therefore, as the circle continues to spiral, it can never return to its fundamental; it will continue to spiral infinitely, always falling short of its place of origin.
Additionally, because each key is essentially tuned to itself, different keys can not work together without clashing, and modifications must be made to make modulation and harmony possible.
Symbolic Insight:
Just as mankind, when relying on natural law or perfect justice, can never return to their spiritual origin without a mediator, so too pure tuning systems spiral endlessly—they may approach resolution. Yet, they cannot fully “come home” without external adjustment.
Additionally, each key in a purely Just system is calibrated solely to itself, to its own laws and circumstances. This makes cooperation with other keys impossible unless they undergo some type of alteration or mediation. Consider the Twelve Tribes of Israel, and different religious denominations for that matter, each with their own standards for justice, struggling to unify without a mutual mediator.
The Spiritual Implication of the Comma
The Pythagorean comma stands as a chasm between justice and mercy, a great divide:
Even when every tone is perfect in itself, the system cannot resolve on its own.
Justice, even when pure, cannot save us—it only exposes the gap between our current state and God’s Eternal perfection (see Alma 42:14–15).
Returning “Home” to the original key through “Just Tuning” is impossible. The circle remains open, broken, and unresolved—no matter how flawless each individual note may seem, it will always miss the mark. This mirrors the state of the soul under pure law or justice: even when striving for perfection, we all fall short. There is no return without intervention.
Enter Well Temperament, a system that sacrifices a small measure of purity in each key to create unity and cohesion. Through slight imperfection, the whole is made harmonious. All keys are now connected and can work together. The spiral can become One, a complete and eternal circle. The gap, the great divide that made it impossible to return to our place of origin, is bridged. And at the center of it all is a single tuning reference point—a central pitch—around which all tones can calibrate.
That central pitch is Jesus Christ.
Jesus is the Key of Return
The Savior bridges the gap between law and mercy, between the Fall and redemption, uniting the end back to the beginning. This is what the At-One-ment is all about. Christ is not just a note in the melody—He is the chord that anchors the entire composition, the One to whom every tone must tune for there to be peace, harmony, and a homecoming.
In Section 29, we learn that:
The earth will pass away and be renewed, just as we are meant to be.
Opposition must exist so that agency, faith, and joy can exist.
Lucifer rebelled, and his path leads to separation and chaos.
Adam fell, but God did not abandon him—He sent angels and prophets, He taught repentance, and He promised redemption through the Only Begotten.
Children are innocent and covered by Christ’s atonement.
Those who live and die without the law are judged mercifully by a God who sees the whole heart.
All of these truths are notes in a sacred symphony. And though the music may sometimes feel dissonant, filled with tension and trials, it is always moving, revolving, —and resolving—toward divine, universal harmony.
Some Things to Expect in the Chapter Overview
The outline below is a very condensed summary of Section 29, but in Part 2, we will explore the section in more detail, unpacking it layer by layer for those who want to delve deeper.
This chapter is not only about the end of the world—it is about the beginning of understanding. It reveals the architecture of agency, God's justice, Christ's mercy, and the power of returning to spiritual resonance.
So tune your heart, open your ears, and listen for the Voice within the Veil— Hear Him, the One whose arm of mercy is outstretched still.
D&C STUDY GUIDE
Some Ways You Can Use This Study Guide
Personal Study: Read each verse (or group of verses) in D&C 10, then refer to the chart’s central themes, description, and biblical/Hebrew/Greek insights.
Copy and paste desired sections and links into your Scripture notes using your LDS Tools. Add any additional insights and incorporate these into your personal collection, keeping the things you want to have easily accessible in one place.
Teaching Settings: Present each row as an opportunity for discussion points. Invite learners to visit CFMCorner.com so they can come to class prepared to share things they discovered while exploring the available resources and cross-references. Encourage them to share their insights.
As time permits, some Hebrew/Greek terms are provided as cross-references to deepen understanding of linguistic or cultural context. However, this represents only a tiny sampling of what is available and waiting to be discovered. Dive in and enjoy the available resources.
1. Overview
Section Theme: A panoramic vision of the Plan of Salvation, this revelation unfolds pre-mortal rebellion, mortal testing, divine judgment, and eternal redemption. It confronts the sobering realities of agency, the Fall, and the Last Days, but anchors us in Christ’s mercy, especially for little children and those who never had the law.
Tone: Though apocalyptic in content, the section is deeply hopeful. It frames destruction as refining fire, death as birth into glory, and judgment as a final return to harmony.
2. Timeframe & Setting
Date: September 1830, just before the second Church conference (Sept. 26).
It is interesting that this date corresponded with Yom Kippur in 1830. Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day in Judaism. It is observed on the 10th of Tishrei and is preceded by Erev Yom Kippur, a day dedicated to preparation, reflection, and seeking forgiveness. The eve involves rituals such as the Kapparot ceremony, festive meals, and additional prayers, all aimed at readying oneself for the solemn day ahead.
The Kapparot Ceremony is especially significant in the context of D&C 29 because it involves the traditional charitable offering of a chicken. In verse 2 of this section, Christ begins his lesson by talking about gathering his people, even as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings.
In 1830, Yom Kippur began at sunset on Sunday, September 26, and continued until nightfall on Monday, September 27. This period was marked by a 25-hour fast and intensive prayer, during which individuals sought atonement and spiritual renewal.
Location: Fayette, New York.
Audience: Six elders in the Church, concerned with eschatological questions and preparation for gathering.
3. Key Circumstances
Saints were being called to gather Israel, and revelations about the Millennium, judgment, and the nature of agency were needed.
This section answers questions about the destiny of children, the resurrection, and the justice and mercy of God.
It was likely given in response to theological concerns from the Book of Mormon, previous revelations, and questions raised during early missionary efforts.
4. Purpose of the Revelation
To reveal the structure of the Plan of Salvation—past, present, and future.
To explain the necessity of the Fall, the role of opposition, and the work of Satan.
To show that God’s justice is always balanced with mercy, especially for the innocent.
To prepare the Church for future gathering, judgment, and eventual sanctification of the earth.
5. Significance
Introduces cosmic eschatology into early Restoration scripture.
Establishes the doctrine that little children are saved through Christ (reaffirmed in Moroni 8).
Reveals Adam’s and Michael’s roles in judgment and resurrection.
Teaches that all things are spiritual, and commandments—even those dealing with physical life—have eternal purpose.
Reinforces Christ as the central tuning pitch of all laws, keys, and covenants—bringing mortal chaos into divine harmony.
Condensed Outline
Theme & Description | Resources & Cross-References |
1- Verses 1-8: Gathering of the Elect – Christ calls His people with love, mercy, and unity, promising protection for those who humble themselves and hearken. | |
2- Verses 9-11: The Second Coming and Millennium – Christ will come in glory, refine the righteous with fire that will burn the wicked, and dwell with the righteous for 1,000 years. | |
3- Verses 12-13: The Twelve Apostles as Judges – Christ’s apostles, transfigured andclothed in robes of righteousness, will stand as sentinels, like hours on a clock, judging Israel. | |
4- Verses 14-21: Signs and Plagues Before the Coming – Cosmic upheaval, hail, pestilence, and fire will cleanse the earth. This refining parallels Daniel’s furnace and apocalyptic prophecy. | Joel 2:10–31; Revelation 8–16; Exodus 9:24; Daniel 3; Isaiah 24; Are There Really Only Two Churches? (1 Nephi 14:10), |
5- Verses 22- 28: Resurrection and Final Judgment – After the Millennium, Satan will be loosed, followed by resurrection and separation. The old earth will pass, and a new one will rise. | |
6- Verses 29-35: All Things Are Spiritual – God gives no temporal law; all commandments are spiritually motivated, even those that appear physical (e.g., Word of Wisdom, Sabbath). All things are designed to testify of Christ. He teaches about the importance and necessity of opposition. | |
7- Verses 36-39: The Fall of Lucifer and the Necessity of Opposition – Satan fell by pride, taking 1/3 of heaven with him. He tempts man, making agency meaningful. | |
8- Verses 40-45: The Fall of Adam and the Probationary State – Adam was cast out but taught repentance and redemption through Christ. This life is a test, not a punishment. | |
9- Verses 46-50: Little Children and the Unaccountable Redeemed – Christ redeems all children and those who die without law. Parents are held responsible for their stewardship. |
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