Visions – John144

The Kirtland House of the Lord

I call it the “Kirtland House of the Lord” because this is what the Lord and what Joseph Smith called it. They never called it a “temple”. The first reference to building “a temple” was with reference to the temple in Jackson County.

D&C 57:3 And thus saith the Lord your God, if you will receive wisdom here is wisdom. Behold, the place which is now called Independence is the center place; and a spot for the temple is lying westward, upon a lot which is not far from the court-house.

Joseph Smith Never Mentioned a Visit from Elijah in the Kirtland Temple

Rob Fotheringham gives an excellent summary in https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGuaHkvsJzM

Section 110 From Vision to Canonization

Rob refers to this document, which you can download here: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3119&context=etd#:~:text=Doctrine%20and%20Covenants%20110%20came,recorded%20but%20never%20publicly%20taught.

Section 110

Visions manifested to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in the House of the Lord (temple) at Kirtland, Ohio, April 3, 1836. The occasion was that of a Sabbath day meeting. Joseph Smith’s history states: “In the afternoon, I assisted the other Presidents in distributing the Lord’s Supper to the Church, receiving it from the Twelve, whose privilege it was to officiate at the sacred desk this day. After having performed this service to my brethren, I retired to the pulpit, the veils being dropped, and bowed myself, with Oliver Cowdery, in solemn and silent prayer. After rising from prayer, the following vision was opened to both of us.”

Meetings held during this week:

Sunday March 27, 1836—the temple is dedicated and during an evening meeting a noise like the sound of rushing wind enters the temple, the Brethren prophesy and speak in tongues and angels fill the temple.
Tuesday March 29, 1836—the Prophet administers the ordinance of the washing of feet to the leading brethren.
Wednesday March 30, 1836—Again the brethren attend to the ordinance of washing the feet and the sacrament followed by another Pentecostal outpouring in which many prophecies, others speak in tongues, angels appear, and some of the brethren see the Savior.
Thursday March 31, 1836—A second Temple Dedication meeting is held for those who could not get in the preceding Sabbath. (See History of the Church, 2:410-432)
Sunday April 3, 1836—Joseph records he “attended meeting in the Lord’s House, and assisted the other Presidents of the Church in seating the congregation, and then became an attentive listener to the preaching from the stand. Thomas B. Marsh and David W. Patten spoke in the forenoon to an attentive audience of about one thousand persons. In the afternoon, I assisted the other Presidents in distributing the Lord’s Supper to the Church, receiving it from the Twelve, whose privilege it was to officiate at the sacred desk this day. After having performed this service to my brethren, I retired to the pulpit, the veils being dropped, and bowed myself, with Oliver Cowdery, in solemn and silent prayer. After rising from prayer, the following vision was opened to both of us…” (History of the Church, 2:434-435)

Historical Background and Mission of Elijah

This vision was never published or discussed in lifetimes of either Joseph Smith or Oliver Cowdery. Joseph Smith never personally recorded this event; he did have it recorded in his journal by his scribe Warren Cowdery (Oliver’s brother). Doctrine and Covenants 110 came from this journal entry. This vision occurred in 1836, but did not become recognized as canonized scripture until 1880. No source yet found shows that Joseph Smith taught in a public setting that the 1836 vision occurred. It was recorded but never publicly taught.

So far as it is known, Oliver Cowdery never made a public statement concerning the vision or that he even discussed the vision privately. Even in his last written testimony before his death, which he wrote on January 13, 1849, Cowdery testified of the validity of the visitation of Moroni, John the Baptist, Peter, James, and John, without mentioning the 1836 vision.

Joseph Smith not only had day-to-day events recorded in his journal, but also revelations he said he had received from the Lord. In 1836, there were only two revelations that he recorded in his journal that occurred in Kirtland. Both were in relation to the newly completed Kirtland Temple. Section 109 was the first revelation recorded in 1836. It contains the dedicatory prayer for the Kirtland Temple, which Joseph Smith taught was given to him by the Lord through revelation. Joseph Smith read the dedicatory prayer and dedicated the temple on March 27, 1836 [Shabbat HaGadol, a high sabbath, the sabbath before Passover]. One week later, on Easter Sunday [Passover], April 3, the revelation known as Doctrine and Covenants Section 110 occurred and was recorded in his journal. This was the last revelation recorded in his Kirtland journal for the year 1836.

These dates are not accidents. There are many events in the Restoration that coincide with Jewish holidays.

The 1836 vision was recorded in the Deseret News on November 6, 1852, as part of the “Life of Joseph Smith” series.

The reclamation of Section 110 established precedence and prepared the way for other Revelations to be lifted from pages of written history and placed in the Doctrine and Covenants. Sections 137 and 138 are two primary examples of sections that became part of the Doctrine and Covenants which followed the pattern established with Section 110. There are other examples as well: notably, Sections 130, 131, and 132. This vision was added to the 1876 edition of the Doctrine & Covenants as Section 110. Brigham Young directed Elder Orson Pratt to oversee the publication of the 1876 edition. Pratt divided the various revelations into verses, arranged them in order as to when they were received, and also included twenty-six additional revelations. In October of 1880, George Q. Cannon presented the new edition of the Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price to the membership of the Church and the Saints unanimously voted to accept the new version of the Doctrine and Covenants as canonized scripture.

Elijah is said to have transferred the sealing power to Joseph and Oliver inside the Kirtland Temple (D&C 110). The sealing power of Elijah has two primary components; God’s power to control the elements for the protection of the righteous, and the power to “seal” family lines together past, present and future, through and to “the fathers” – and finally to God, the Great Father of us all. These “fathers” (like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Enoch, Joseph Smith, etc.) helped provide salvation for those they served while on the earth, in connection with the Lord. The Prophet Joseph Smith’s statement in 1840 indicates a future delivery of keys held by Elijah, possibly at Adam-ondi-Ahman or in a temple. This is seen in his words, “will, before the last dispensation”—potentially meaning before this last dispensation is complete, he will “restore the authority and deliver the keys of the Priesthood, in order that all the ordinances may be attended to in righteousness.”

“Elijah was the last Prophet that held the keys of the Priesthood, and who will, before the last dispensation [after that of Joseph Smith], restore the authority and deliver the keys of the Priesthood, in order that all the ordinances may be attended to in righteousness” (TPJS, p. 172).

“The dispensation of the fulness of times will bring to light the things that have been revealed in all former dispensations, also other things that have not been before revealed. He shall [future tense] send Elijah the prophet &c., and restore all things in Christ [Ha Mashiyach].” The Words of Joseph Smith, 3 October 1841 (Sunday Morning), p.79, also Times and Seasons, 2:577-78, 15 October 1841 [comments in brackets]

On April 28, 1842, Joseph Smith stated that, “the church is not now organized in its proper order, and cannot be until the Temple is completed.” Nauvoo Relief Society Minutes, Ehat, p. 115

Section 128 was taken from a letter written by the hand of Joseph Smith when he was in hiding, during the Nauvoo period. According to this letter, nothing was committed to Joseph and Oliver. The messengers [angels] simply declared their rights, etc., holding forth that which is to come.

D&C 128:21 And again, the voice of God in the chamber of old Father Whitmer, in Fayette, Seneca county, and at sundry times, and in divers places through all the travels and tribulations of this Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! And the voice of Michael, the archangel; the voice of Gabriel, and of Raphael, and of divers angels, from Michael or Adam down to the present time, all declaring their dispensation, their rights, their keys, their honors, their majesty and glory, and the power of their priesthood; giving line upon line, precept upon precept; here a little, and there a little; giving us consolation by holding forth that which is to come, confirming our hope!

Section 110 – Comment and Analysis

D&C 110:1 The veil was taken from our minds, and the eyes of our understanding were opened.

[This is a description of a vision. The Lord first appeared. They did not ascend into the Presence of the Lord, like Moses. They saw with their spiritual eyes]

D&C 110:2 We saw the Lord standing upon the breastwork of the pulpit, before us; and under his feet was a paved work of pure gold, in color like amber.

D&C 110:3 His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying:

[Some people who have spoken face to face with the Lord describe his eyes being deep blue. The Lord can appear any way he wants and with any degree of glory that we can tolerate. When Moses ascended to the Presence of the Lord, it was necessary for him to receive a baptism of Fire and to be translated.]

D&C 110:4 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.

D&C 110:5 Behold, your sins are forgiven you; you are clean before me; therefore, lift up your heads and rejoice.

D&C 110:6 Let the hearts of your brethren rejoice, and let the hearts of all my people rejoice, who have, with their might, built this house to my name.

D&C 110:7 For behold, I have accepted this house, and my name shall be here; and I will manifest myself to my people in mercy in this house.

D&C 110:8 Yea, I will appear unto my servants, and speak unto them with mine own voice, if my people will keep my commandments, and do not pollute this holy house.

D&C 110:9 Yea the hearts of thousands and tens of thousands shall greatly rejoice in consequence of the blessings which shall be poured out, and the endowment with which my servants have been endowed in this house.

[Yea the hearts of thousands and tens of thousands shall greatly rejoice in consequence of the blessings which shall be poured out, and the endowment with which my servants have already been endowed and shall hereafter be endowed This phrase present in the JS journal, but was omitted from the D&C. ] in this house have been endowed in this house]

[He doesn’t say He will speak exclusively to the prophet. Many members reported seeing the Savior at various meetings held in this house.

“Wednesday, [March 30, 1836]. — At eight o’clock, according to appointment, the Presidency, the Twelve, the Seventies, the High Council, the Bishops and their entire quorums, the Elders and all the official members in this stake of Zion, amounting to about three hundred, met in the Temple of the Lord to attend to the ordinance of washing of feet. . . .

“Tubs, water, and towels were prepared, and I called the house to order, and the Presidency proceeded to wash the feet of the Twelve, pronouncing many prophecies and blessings upon them in the name of the Lord Jesus; and then the Twelve proceeded to wash the feet of the Presidents of the several quorums. The brethren began to prophesy upon each other’s heads, and upon the enemies of Christ, who inhabited Jackson County, Missouri; and continued prophesying, and blessing, and sealing them with hosanna and amen, until nearly seven o’clock in the evening.” (History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7 Vols. 2:430, 431)]

D&C 110:10 And the fame of this house shall spread to foreign lands; and this is the beginning of the blessing which shall be poured out upon the heads of my people. Even so. Amen.

D&C 110:11 After this vision closed, the heavens were again opened unto us; and Moses appeared before us, and committed unto us the keys of the gathering of Israel from the four parts of the earth, and the leading of the ten tribes from the land of the north.

[Keys are not exclusive rights or privileges. Keys are knowledge. Real knowledge in this sense is not information or even wisdom. It is a degree of intimacy with the divine that unlocks the powers of Heaven. Moses was acting as an Elias. The gathering of Israel takes place on a Telestial level, commensurate with the then current spiritual level of the church.]

[“Another striking statement pointing to the fact that these people are now in a body in preparation for their return is the statement by the Prophet Joseph Smith at the conference held in Kirtland, June 3 to 6, 1831. At this conference the Prophet said: “John the Revelator was then among the ten tribes of Israel who had been led away by Shalmaneser, king of Assyria, to prepare them for their return from their long dispersion.” The Savior also bore witness that these tribes were in a body like the Nephites and he would visit them. (“3 Ne. 15:203 Nephi 15:20 and 16:1-4.)” (Signs of the Times [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1952], 159.)]

D&C 110:12 After this, Elias appeared, and committed the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham, saying that in us and our seed all generations after us should be blessed.

[We do not really know, specifically who this “Elias” is. But an “Elias” is a calling or an office to prepare the way for a greater revelation of Priesthood. This Elias could have been Noah, Abraham, someone living at the time of Abraham. There are other Eliases who will come forth — for example: John the Beloved, John the Baptist, and Elijah. One characteristic of an Elias, he will never overstep the bounds of his calling and office. Even if he possesses greater Priesthood, he will never go beyond his specific calling.]

D&C 110:13 After this vision had closed, another great and glorious vision burst upon us; for Elijah the prophet, who was taken to heaven without tasting death, stood before us, and said:

D&C 110:14 Behold, the time has fully come, which was spoken of by the mouth of Malachi–testifying that he [Elijah] should be sent, before the great and dreadful day of the Lord come–

D&C 110:15 To turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, lest the whole earth be smitten [strike, slay, hit] with a curse [utterly destroyed] —

[These are the actual meanings of the Hebrew translation. Joseph Smith was right. He could have rendered a plainer translation.

JS 1:38. And again, he quoted the fifth verse thus: Behold, I will reveal unto you the Priesthood [Reveal the covenants between God and Man, both on earth and in the heavens.], by the hand of Elijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.

JS 1:39. And he shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers, and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers. [reveal the covenants to seal the hearts of the Fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers] If it were not so, the whole earth would be utterly wasted at his coming. [Moroni quoted this passage with a plainer translation.]

“How shall God come to the rescue of this generation? He will send Elijah the prophet. The law revealed to Moses in Horeb never was revealed to the children of Israel as a nation.

“Elijah shall reveal the covenants to seal the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers.

“The anointing and sealing is to be called, elected and made sure.” DHC 5:554-5

“The spirit of Elias is first, Elijah second, and Messiah last. Elias is a forerunner to prepare the way, and the spirit and power of Elijah are to come after, holding the Keys of Power, building the Temple to the capstone, placing the seals of the Melchizedek Priesthood [The anointing and sealing is to be called, elected, and made sure.] upon the house of Israel, and making all things ready; then Messiah comes to His temple,

“Elijah [the office or calling] was to come and prepare the way and build up the kingdom before the coming of the great day of the Lord, although the spirit of Elias might begin it.” (Given March 10, 1844, Comp. p. 283; TPJS 34-35; HC 6:249).

Seven years later, Joseph said Elijah would come at a future date. “History, 1838–1856, volume E-1 [1 July 1843–30 April 1844],” p. 1708, The Joseph Smith Papers, accessed October 25, 2020, https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/history-1838-1856-volume-e-1-1-july-1843-30-april-1844/80]

D&C 110:16 Therefore, the keys of this dispensation are committed into your hands; and by this ye may know that the great and dreadful day of the Lord is near, even at the doors.

[As stated above, the keys of Elijah were not committed to Joseph and Oliver. Joseph taught publicly that Elijah was yet to come. Elijah here was referring to the keys of the preparatory Gospel of Abraham. The church was under condemnation at this time, and was not worthy of anything beyond telestial keys and Priesthood.]

The Beasts of John’s Revelation

[I am going to present one of Joseph Smith’s sermons, together with some commentary. There is a lot we can learn from this sermon. I will put my comments in brackets and boldface. I will also boldface the portions of Joseph’s speech that I really want to emphasize. He was speaking at a funeral, and the references are given at the end.]

The subject I intend to speak upon this morning is one that I have seldom touched upon since I commenced my ministry in the Church. It is a subject of great speculation, as well amongst the elders of this Church, as among the divines of the day: it is in relation to the beasts spoken of by John the Revelator. I have seldom spoken from the revelations; but as my subject is a constant source of speculation amongst the elders, causing a division of sentiment and opinion in relation to it, I now do it in order that division and differences of opinion may be done away with, and not that correct knowledge on the subject is so much needed at the present time.

[This material is interesting to some people even though it has nothing to do with our salvation. Joseph’s main object in presenting this was to clear up some misconceptions, put down contentions, emphasize teaching the basics, and discuss how to handle people who teach false doctrine. It also illustrates how visions and revelations work.]

It is not essential for the elders [who are sent to preach nothing but repentance to this generation] to have knowledge in relation to the meaning of beasts, and heads and horns, and other figures made use of in the revelations; still, it may be necessary, to prevent contention and division and do away with suspense. If we get puffed up by thinking that we have much knowledge, we are apt to get a contentious spirit, and correct knowledge is necessary to cast out that spirit. [Pretended knowledge and lack of humility and teachableness are causes of contention.]

[We need to learn to discern between facts and principles, and focus on those principles which will save us. There is nothing wrong with seeking to know the mysteries of heaven for our own, but we should not be teaching the details to others. We should not think ourselves more worthy because we have certain bits of knowledge. God is willing to make this knowledge available to all who seek it. But, the first things we seek should be the mysteries which pertain to eternal life. I am going to paraphrase a couple of verses from the Book of Mormon.

Jacob 2:18 But before ye seek [after the mysteries], seek ye for the kingdom of God.

Jacob 2:19 And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain [a knowledge of the mysteries], if ye seek them [as the Lord directs your interest to seek]; and ye will seek them for the intent to do good— [even though you don’t teach them directly to people, they will add depth to your testimony, and enable you to adapt your message to the special needs of your audience.]]

The Punishment of Suspense

The evil of being puffed up with correct (though useless) knowledge is not so great as the evil of contention. Knowledge does away with darkness, suspense and doubt; for these cannot exist where knowledge is. [Right out of the Lectures on Faith. If Joseph never wrote them, he certainly endorsed the principles taught in them. There are even echoes of them in the Book of Mormon.]

There is no pain so awful as that of suspense. This is the punishment of the wicked; their doubt, anxiety and suspense cause weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth.

In knowledge there is power. God has more power than all other beings, because he has greater knowledge; and hence he knows how to subject all other beings to Him. He has power over all. [This is key. We are saved to the degree that we are like God, or in other words a man is saved no faster than he gains knowledge.]

Elder Pelatiah Brown – How to deal with those who teach false doctrine

I will endeavor to instruct you in relation to the meaning of the beasts and figures spoken of. I should not have called up the subject had it not been for this circumstance. Elder Pelatiah Brown, one of the wisest old heads we have among us, and whom I now see before me, has been preaching concerning the beast which was full of eyes before and behind; and for this he was hauled up for trial before the High Council.

The High Council undertook to censure and correct Elder Brown, because of his teachings in relation to the beasts. Whether they actually corrected him or not, I am a little doubtful, but don’t care. Father Brown came to me to know what he should do about it. The subject particularly referred to was the four beasts and four-and-twenty elders mentioned in Rev. 5:8 — “And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four-and-twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints.”

I never thought it was right to call up a man and try him because he erred in doctrine. It looks too much like Methodism and not like Latter-day-Saintism. Methodists have creeds which a man must believe or be kicked out of their church. I want the liberty of believing as I please. It feels so good not to be trammeled. It doesn’t prove that a man is not a good man because he errs in doctrine.

Father Brown has been to work and confounded all Christendom by making out that the four beasts represented the different kingdoms of God on the earth. The wise men of the day could not do anything with him, and why should we find fault? Anything to whip sectarianism, to put down priestcraft, and bring the human family to a knowledge of the truth. A club is better than no weapon for a poor man to fight with.

Father Brown did whip sectarianism, and so far, so good; but I could not help laughing at the idea of God making use of the figure of a beast to represent His kingdom on the earth, consisting of men, when He could as well have used a far more noble and consistent figure. What! the Lord made use of the figure of a creature of the brute creation to represent that which is much more noble, glorious, and important–the glories and majesty of His kingdom? By taking a lesser figure to represent a greater, you missed it that time, old gentleman; but the sectarians did not know enough to detect you.

When God made use of the figure of a beast in visions to the prophets, He did it to represent those kingdoms which had degenerated and become corrupt, savage and beast-like in their dispositions, even the degenerate kingdoms of the wicked world; but He never made use of the figure of a beast nor any of the brute kind to represent His kingdom.

Daniel’s Vision of Beasts

Daniel says (chap. 7, v. 16) when he saw the vision of the four beasts, “I came near unto one of them that stood by, and asked him the truth of all this, ” the angel interpreted the vision to Daniel; but we find, by the interpretation that the figures of beasts had no allusion to the kingdom of God. You there see that the beasts are spoken of to represent the kingdoms of the world, the inhabitants whereof were beastly and abominable characters; they were murderers, corrupt, carnivorous, and brutal in their dispositions. The lion, the bear, the leopard, and the ten-horned beast represented the kingdoms of the world, says Daniel; for I refer to the prophets to qualify my observations which I make, so that the young elders who know so much, may not rise up like a flock of hornets and sting me. I want to keep out of such a wasp-nest.

John’s Vision of Futurity

There is a grand difference and distinction between the visions and figures spoken of by the ancient prophets, and those spoken of in the revelations of John. The things which John saw had no allusion to the scenes of the days of Adam, Enoch, Abraham or Jesus, only so far as is plainly represented by John, and clearly set forth by him. John saw that only which was lying in futurity and which was shortly subject:

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and He sent and signified it by His angel unto His servant John: who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. [John was not speaking symbolically. He reported exactly what he saw. If he saw symbols, he reported symbols, but he did not himself cloak anything he saw in his own symbolism.] Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of his prophecy and keep those things that are written therein: for the time is at hand.

Also Rev. 4:1.

After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven; and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will show thee things which must be hereafter. [John temporarily ascended to heaven, just like Moses in the Pearl of Great Price, or Christ when he communed with His Father in the wilderness.]

The four beasts and twenty-four elders were out of every nation; for they sang a new song, saying,

Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seal thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by the blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation. (See Rev. 5:9.)

It would be great stuffing to crowd all nations into four beasts and twenty-four elders.

Now, I make this declaration, that those things which John saw in heaven had no allusion to anything that had been on the earth previous to that time, because they were the representation of “things which must shortly come to pass,” and not of what has already transpired. John saw beasts that had to do with things on the earth, but not in past ages. The beasts which John saw had to devour the inhabitants of the earth in days to come.

And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, come and see. And I saw, and beheld a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer. And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another; and there was given unto him a great sword. (Rev. 6:1, 2, 3, 4.)

The book of Revelation is one of the plainest books God ever caused to be written.

[Remember, the Book of Revelation was written as a stand-alone document. It was not bound up into the Holy Bible until centuries later. What Joseph Smith is saying by calling Revelation “plain” is not that it is easy to understand, but we should take the book literally, as it stands. John warns us not to add anything to the book. We usually think of “adding to this book of prophecy” as adding any additional written scripture, but Joseph suggests we ought not to add any external interpretation of any kind to the meaning that is already in the book.]

[In summary:] The revelations do not give us to understand anything of the past in relation to the kingdom of God. What John saw and speaks of were things which he saw in heaven; those which Daniel saw were on and pertaining to the earth.

Exceptions to Bible Translations

I am now going to take exceptions to the present translation of the Bible in relation to these matters. Our latitude and longitude can be determined in the original Hebrew with far greater accuracy than in the English version. There is a grand distinction between the actual meaning of the prophets and the present translation. The prophets do not declare that they saw a beast or beasts, but that they saw the image or figure of a beast. Daniel did not see an actual bear or a lion, but the images or figures of those beasts. The translation should have been rendered “image” instead of “beast,” in every instance where beasts are mentioned by the prophets. But John saw the actual beast in heaven, showing to John that beasts did actually exist there, and not to represent figures of things on the earth. When the prophets speak of seeing beasts in their visions, they mean that they saw the images, they being types to represent certain things. At the same time they received the interpretation as to what those images or types were designed to represent.

I make this broad declaration, that whenever God gives a vision of an image, or beast, or figure of any kind, He always holds Himself responsible to give a revelation or interpretation of the meaning thereof, otherwise we are not responsible or accountable for our belief in it. Don’t be afraid of being damned for not knowing the meaning of a vision or figure, if God has not given a revelation or interpretation of the subject.

John saw curious looking beasts in heaven; he saw every creature that was in heaven, — all the beasts, fowls and fish in heaven, — actually there, giving glory to God. How do you prove it?

And 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 honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. (See Rev. 5:13.)

[Think about it! To witness every creature in heaven, on the earth, under the earth, and in the sea — all praising God. No other prophet that I know of has witness of this. I wrote earlier, quoting Joseph Smith, that God has the knowledge to subject all things to Himself.

If you are thinking that this is dictatorial control, then you are thinking the wrong thing. D&C 121:46.: “The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever.” It is done by invitation, not compulsion.

In order to invite, you have to be able to communicate. You also have to love every creature and every element of creation. God will then invite them to listen to you, as they listen to God. And because they trust God, they will trust you. This is the Sealing Power.

Mos 1:25: “And calling upon the name of God, he beheld his glory again, for it was upon him; and he heard a voice, saying: Blessed art thou, Moses, for I, the Almighty, have chosen thee, and thou shalt be made stronger than many waters; for they shall obey thy command as if thou wert God.”]

Varied Creatures in Heaven

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 [and in them].

3 Nephi 9:15 Behold, I am Jesus Christ the Son of God. I created the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are. I was with the Father from the beginning. I am in the Father, and the Father in me; and in me hath the Father glorified his name. [Just as the Father is glorified in Christ, so is Christ glorified in us. In this is a mystery.]
3 Nephi 19:23 And now Father, I pray unto thee for them, and also for all those who shall believe on their words, that they may believe in me, that I may be in them as thou, Father, art in me, that we may be one.
3 Nephi 19:29 Father, I pray not for the world, but for those whom thou hast given me out of the world, because of their faith, that they may be purified in me, that I may be in them as thou, Father, art in me, that we may be one, that I may be glorified in them.
3 Nephi 27:31 Behold, I would that ye should understand; for I mean them who are now alive of this generation; and none of them are lost; and in them I have fulness of joy.

Says one, “I cannot believe in the salvation of beasts.” Any man who would tell you that this could not be, would tell you that the revelations are not true. John heard the words of the beasts giving glory to God, and understood them. God who made the beasts could understand every language spoken by them. The four beasts were four of the most noble animals that had filled the measure of their creation, and had been saved from other worlds, because they were perfect: they were like angels in their sphere. We are not told where they came from, and I do not know; but they were seen and heard by John praising and glorifying God.

The popular religionists of the day tell us, forsooth, that the beasts spoken of in the Revelation represent kingdoms. Very well, on the same principle we can say that the twenty-four elders spoken of represent beasts; for they are all spoken of at the same time, and are represented as all uniting in the same acts of praise and devotion. [Sarcasm.]

This learned interpretation is all as flat as a pancake! “What do you use such vulgar expressions for, being a prophet?” Because the old women understand it — they make pancakes. Deacon Homespun said the earth was flat as a pancake, and ridiculed the science which proved to the contrary. The whole argument is flat, and I don’t know of anything better to represent it. The world is full of technicalities and misrepresentation, which I calculate to overthrow, and speak of things as they actually exist.

Again, there is no revelation to prove that things do not exist in heaven as I have set forth, nor yet to show that the beasts meant anything but beasts; and we never can comprehend the things of God and of heaven, but by revelation. We may spiritualize and express opinions to all eternity; but that is no authority.

Elders to Preach Repentance and Let Mysteries Alone

Oh, ye elders of Israel, hearken to my voice; and when you are sent into the world to preach, tell those things you are sent to tell; preach and cry aloud, “Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand; repent and believe the Gospel.” Declare the first principles, and let mysteries alone, lest ye be overthrown. Never meddle with the visions of beasts and subjects you do not understand. Elder Brown, when you go to Palmyra, say nothing about the four beasts, but preach those things the Lord has told you to preach about — repentance and baptism for the remission of sins.

[This is not to say that we should not seek to understand the mysteries of God. God will reveal them to you as fast as you are able to receive them, according to your faith, heed, and diligence. But here is a clue: before you ask God to explain a certain desired mystery to you, ask Him what He would have you know. Let your learning proceed on the Lord’s timetable, not yours. One reason for this is you may need to understand another more basic principle before you are ready to understand the principle you desire to know. Another reason is the Lord knows what you need to learn, and the best ways to teach you. Be patient. Be believing. And trust His judgment and timing. Believe me, you will not be disappointed.]

He then read Rev. 13:1-8. John says, “And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed; and all the world wondered after the beast.” Some spiritualizers say the beast that received the wound was Nebuchadnezzar, some Constantine, some Mohammed, and others the Roman Catholic Church; but we will look at what John saw in relation to this beast. Now for the wasp’s nest. The translators have used the term “dragon” for devil. Now it was a beast that John saw could not be Nebuchadnezzar. The beast John saw was an actual beast, and an actual intelligent being gives him his power, and his seat, and great authority. It was not to represent a beast in heaven: it was an angel in heaven [Satan] who has power in the last days to do a work. [See Rev. 12:9.]

“All the world wondered after the beast,” Nebuchadnezzar and Constantine the Great not excepted. And if the beast was all the world, how could the world wonder after the beast? It must have been a wonderful beast to cause all human beings to wonder after it; and I will venture to say that when God allows the old devil to give power to the beast to destroy the inhabitants of the earth, all will wonder. Verse 4 reads, “And they worshiped the dragon which gave power unto the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying. Who is like unto the beast? Who is able to make war with him?”

Some say it means the kingdom of the world. One thing is sure, it does not mean the kingdom of the Saints. Suppose we admit that it means the kingdoms of the world, what propriety would there be in saying, Who is able to make war with my great big self? If these spiritualized interpretations are true, the book contradicts itself in almost every verse. But they are not true.

There is a mistranslation of the word dragon in the second verse. The original word signifies the devil, and not dragon, as translated. In chapter 12, verse 9, it reads, “That old serpent, called the devil,” and it ought to be translated devil in this case, and not dragon. It is sometimes translated Apollyon. Everything that we have not a keyword to, we will take it as it reads. The beasts which John saw and speaks of being in heaven, were actually living in heaven, and were actually to have power given to them over the inhabitants of the earth, precisely according to the plain reading of the revelations. I give this as a key to the elders of Israel. The independent beast is a beast that dwells in heaven, abstract [apart] from the human family. The beast that rose up out of the sea should be translated the image of a beast, as I have referred to it in Daniel’s vision.

I have said more than I ever did before, except once at Ramus, and then up starts the little fellow (Charles Thompson) and stuffed me like a cock-turkey with the prophecies of Daniel, and crammed it down my throat with his finger.

(April 8, 1843.) DHC 5:339-345. TPJS p 287-294 Remarks of the Prophet on the Death of Lorenzo D. Barnes)