Noah ~ Gabriel ~ Elias

A Doctrinal Essay

by Don R. Hender

Two things are true, after the flood and from the time of Noah on, Noah effectively stood in the place of Adam as the 'Second Father' of the human race and as Joseph Smith has stated, 'Noah stands next in authority to Adam in the Priesthood; he was called of God to this office, and was the father of all living in his day.'~The Prophet Joseph Smith. Such being the case, a major responsibility of duty fell upon Noah to act in such duties as would properly guide and direct the human race, his posterity' down through the ages of time from such as Daniel, to Zacharias, Mary and Joseph and in the latter days even as Elias in committing his keys of priesthood to the prophet Joseph Smith from his dispensation of time, that is from the time of Noah-Abraham.

Now in a lengthier explanation, Joseph Fielding Smith states very clearly with much good reasoning and logic from the scriptures and from Joseph Smith, that the Elias who appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in the Kirtland Temple was the same person as Noah. This is to be found in his book Answers to Gospel Question, Volume 3, chapter 34, pages 138-141 (depending upon edition and printing). From my own studies which have produced much of that same logic and understanding, I agree and will present such evidence and logic herein.

[In Luke it records that the 'Angel of the Lord' who visited Zacharias was Gabriel.] "And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings." ~ Luke 1:18-19 (5-20)

"And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary." ~ Luke 1:26-27 (26-35)

To Joseph ~ Matthew 1:18-25

[In D&C 27 it states that Elias had the keys to bring to pass the restoration of all things spoken by the holy prophets since the world began. AND in the same sentence, it states that this Elias is who visited Zacharias concerning having a son.]

"And also with Elias, to whom I have committed the keys of bringing to pass the restoration of all things spoken by the mouth of all the holy prophets since the world began, concerning the last days; And also John the son of Zacharias, which Zacharias he (Elias) visited and gave promise that he should have a son, and his name should be John, and he should be filled with the spirit of Elias;" ~ D&C 27:6-7

[Then in D&C 110 it is Elias who retored the keys of the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham.]

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

[In the LDS Guide to the Scriptures it specifically unites these three scriptures all under the name of being Gabriel.] Elias

There are several uses of the name or title Elias in the scriptures: (Name of a Priesthood Assignment)

Elias
See also Elijah

There are several uses of the name or title Elias in the scriptures: Elijah

Elias is the New Testament (Greek) form of Elijah (Hebrew), as in Matt. 17:3–4, Luke 4:25–26, and James 5:17. In these instances, Elias was the ancient prophet Elijah whose ministry is recorded in 1 and 2 Kings.

Forerunner Elias is also a title for one who is a forerunner. For example, John the Baptist was an Elias because he was sent to prepare the way for Jesus (Matt. 17:12–13).

Restorer The title Elias has also been applied to others who had specific missions to fulfill, such as John the

Revelator (D&C 77:14) and Gabriel (Luke 1:11–20; D&C 27:6–7; 110:12).

A man in Abraham’s dispensation

A prophet called Esaias or Elias who apparently lived in the days of Abraham (D&C 84:11–13; 110:12).

Guide to the Scriptures

And I suppose that you could say that the final connection is made by Joseph Smith who has stated to begin with that Noah is the same as Gabriel. (Discourses of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 48; HC 3:385-86; Joseph Smith's Commentary on the Bible, p. 5 & 21; Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 157; The Words of Joseph Smith, p. 8-9 & 13)

So if Noah is Gabriel who visited Zacharias and that visitor was Elias as well, then that Elias who holds the keys and is next to Adam in power of the priesthood is that very Elias who came to visit the Temple in Kirtland.

And besides the lengthly full chapter from the book of Joseph Fielding Smith on the matter, there also comes this simple revealing quick quote from such as Courtney J. Lassetter:

Whenever the gospel is revealed anew, it is under the direction of Adam. Noah, the "father of all living' after Adam, is also known as Gabriel and stands next to Adam in priesthood authority (TPJS. p. 157, 167). Moses holds the keys of the gathering of Israel (D&C 110:11); and Elijah, of sealing the generations (D&C 2; 110:13-16; JS-H 1:38-39)." Now matching that listing to one 'Elias' who lived in the same Dispensation as did Abraham, who is that fits the 'bill'? Of course it is Noah who is Gabriel who must also be named or acting in the name and calling of 'Elias'. Noah is Gabriel who is Elias; at least that Elias of D&C 110 who restored the keys to the Everlasting Covenant in the Kirtland Temple to the Prophet Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery.