D&C 77

In reference to Revelations 4:6, the Prophet Joseph Smith addressed the question -

"Q. What are we to understand by the four beasts, spoken of in the same verse?" (Doctrine and Covenants Section 77:2)

By revelation, he answered -

"A. They are figurative expressions, used by the Revelator, John, in describing heaven, the paradise of God, the happiness of man, and of beasts, and of creeping things, and of the fowls of the air; that which is spiritual being in the likeness of that which is temporal; and that which is temporal in the likeness of that which is spiritual; the spirit of man in the likeness of his person, as also the spirit of the beast, and every other creature which God has created." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 77:2)

Even though these were figurative expressions of these things, they were also very real as the Prophet again addressed the question -

"Q. Are the four beasts limited to individual beasts, or do they represent classes or orders?" (Doctrine and Covenants Section 77:3)

The Prophet again answered -

"A. They are limited to four individual beasts, which were shown to John, to represent the glory of the classes of beings in their destined order or sphere of creation, in the enjoyment of their eternal felicity." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 77:3)

There is very little scriptural reference to the destiny, order, and sphere of all God's creations, yet they are still part of the "plan". Every creature was created both spiritually and physically. John the Revelator records that -

"...every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever." (New Testament Revelation 5:13)

The Prophet taught -

"I suppose John saw beings there of a thousand forms, that had been saved from ten thousand times ten thousand earths like this,—strange beasts of which we have no conception: all might be seen in heaven. The grand secret was to show John what there was in heaven. John learned that God glorified Himself by saving all that His hands had made, whether beasts, fowls, fishes or men; and He will glorify Himself with them." (Teachings, pp. 289–91.)