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Scriptural Text [& Editorial]
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Commentary & Explanation
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Footnotes ~ References ~ JST
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SECTION 110
Visions manifested to Joseph Smith the Prophet and Oliver Cowdery in the
temple at Kirtland, Ohio, April 3, 1836. HC 2:435—436. The occasion was
that of a Sabbath day meeting. The Prophet prefaces his record of the
manifestations with these words: "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 scred desk this day.
After having performed this service to by 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."
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1—10, The Lord Jehovah appears in glory and accepts the Kirtland
Temple as his house;
11—12, Moses and Elias each appear and commit their keys and
dispensations;
13—16, Elijah returns and commits the keys of his dispensation as
promised by Malachi.
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1 THE
aveil was taken from our minds, and the
beyes of our cunderstanding were opened.
2 We asaw the Lord bstanding
upon the breastwork of the pulpit, before us; and under his feet was a paved
work of pure cgold, in color like amber.
3 His aeyes were as a flame of fire; the hair
of his head was white like the pure snow; his bcountenance
shone above the brightness of the sun; and his cvoice was
as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of
dJehovah, saying:
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4a
Ezek. 3:21 (17-21);
D&C 63:37;
TG
Israel, Mission of;
TG
Mission of Latter-day Saints;
TG
Warn, Warnings
b
TG
Priesthood, Authority
c
TG
Last Days
5a
TG
Missionary Work
6a
TG
Jesus Christ, Authority of;
TG
Priesthood, Authority
b
D&C 33:14;
D&C 42:13;
D&C 51:4;
c
Acts 13:49;
D&C 72:21
d
Joel 1:2;
Micah 1:2
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4 I am the afirst and the last; I am he who
bliveth, I am he who was slain; I am your
cadvocate with the Father.
5 Behold, your sins are aforgiven you; you are
clean before me; therefore, lift up your heads and brejoice.
6 Let the hearts of your brethren rejoice, and let the hearts of
all my people rejoice who have, with their might, abuilt
this house to my name.
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4a
Ezek. 3:21 (17-21);
D&C 63:37;
TG
Israel, Mission of;
TG
Mission of Latter-day Saints;
TG
Warn, Warnings
b
TG
Priesthood, Authority
c
TG
Last Days
5a
TG
Missionary Work
6a
TG
Jesus Christ, Authority of;
TG
Priesthood, Authority
b
D&C 33:14;
D&C 42:13;
D&C 51:4;
c
Acts 13:49;
D&C 72:21
d
Joel 1:2;
Micah 1:2
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7 For behold, I have aaccepted this
bhouse, and my name shall be here; and I will
cmanifest myself to my people in mercy in this house.
8 Yea, I will aappear unto my servants, and
speak unto them with mine own voice, if my people will keep my commandments,
and do not bpollute this choly house.
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4a
Ezek. 3:21 (17-21);
D&C 63:37;
TG
Israel, Mission of;
TG
Mission of Latter-day Saints;
TG
Warn, Warnings
b
TG
Priesthood, Authority
c
TG
Last Days
5a
TG
Missionary Work
6a
TG
Jesus Christ, Authority of;
TG
Priesthood, Authority
b
D&C 33:14;
D&C 42:13;
D&C 51:4;
c
Acts 13:49;
D&C 72:21
d
Joel 1:2;
Micah 1:2
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9 Yea the hearts of thousands and tens of thousands shall
greatly rejoice in consequence of the ablessings which
shall be poured out, and the bendowment with which my
servants have been endowed in this house.
10 And the fame of this house shall spread to foreign lands;
and this is the beginning of the blessing which shall be
apoured out upon the heads of my people. Even so. Amen.
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4a
Ezek. 3:21 (17-21);
D&C 63:37;
TG
Israel, Mission of;
TG
Mission of Latter-day Saints;
TG
Warn, Warnings
b
TG
Priesthood, Authority
c
TG
Last Days
5a
TG
Missionary Work
6a
TG
Jesus Christ, Authority of;
TG
Priesthood, Authority
b
D&C 33:14;
D&C 42:13;
D&C 51:4;
c
Acts 13:49;
D&C 72:21
d
Joel 1:2;
Micah 1:2
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11 After this avision closed, the heavens
were again bopened unto us; and cMoses
appeared before us, and committed unto us the dkeys of the
egathering of Israel from the four parts of the earth, and
the leading of the ten tribes from the land of the fnorth.
12 After this, aElias
appeareda, and committed
the bdispensation of the cgospel of
Abraham, saying that in us and our seed all egenerations
after us should be eblessed.
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12a Elias appeared This has
been some speculation as to who this Elias was. In terms of the name Elias,
it has been used a specifying the name of a person or a name title
identifying one performing a priesthood function, usually as a preparer or as
one who goes before. It has been used in reference to Elijah the Prophet and
is a New Teatament name for Elijah. It has also been used in reference to
John the Baptist and his mission and also to Jesus Christ inferring that he
is an 'Elias' but not the one spoken about. D&C 27:6-7 also applies the name
to the angel who appeared to Zacharias, who we know to be Gabriel who is the
same as Noah. Thus we are left to suppose that it might be one who ministered
and held the keys of the covenant in the days of Abraham. Abraham receive his
blessings from Melchizedek who ministered under his father. Thus we are left
with this Elias being any one from Noah, to Melchizedek, to Abraham or even
another by that name who so held those keys of the gospel of Abraham with the
application that in us and our seed all generations after us should be
blessed, which is in fulfillment of those promises of the fathers from Adam,
Enoch and Noah, bestowed upon Abraham and his posterity, Isaac, Jacob and
Joseph (D&C 27:10); and thence to those of the covenant seed today.
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13 After this vision had closed, another great and glorious
avision burst upon us; for bElijah the
prophet, who was taken to heaven without tasting death, stood before us, and
said:
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—
15 To aturn the bhearts of
the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, lest the whole
earth be smitten with a curse—
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16 Therefore, the akeys of this
bdispensation are committed into your hands; and by this ye
may know that the great and dreadful cday of the Lord is
near, even at the doors.
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