This series of papers are divided into three sections, each representing different portions of the Restoration. Scripture references in each section are drawn from scriptures unique to their time. During the first section the scriptures used in Joseph Smith’s day are referenced. In the last two sections the Restoration Edition is referenced and content and in the third section the Covenant of Christ Edition is introduced. The Covenant of Christ is a modern English version of the Book of Mormon.
The Lord accomplishes His work by small, subtle means. Alma explained this principle to his son Helaman:
“Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.
And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls” (LDS Alma 37:6-7, emphasis added).
Alma explains the Lord accomplishes His works through small means. Men look for extraordinary miracles like parting water, moving mountains, and raising the dead. We learn from Alma, God’s work is accomplished by small means rather than open manifestations of His power.
As we watch for signs of the times in the heavens and around us, we overlook small and simple means recorded on pages of scripture. In a future day mankind comes to understand the Lord reveals most if not all He intends to accomplish in the words of His servants. Our weakness in understanding is rooted in our neglect of what He offers. Like kernels of truth waiting to be discovered, the words of the Lord shared with His servants are given for our salvation. Lehi was shown in a dream of the Tree of Life the way to find the Savior and His love. By clinging to the “iron rod” or word of God[1] that led Lehi through dark mists to the Savior and His love.
The Lord accomplishes His great work by small bits of truth dispensed through His servants. Through word and deed they teach and exemplify the process required to find God.[2] This is done “line upon line and precept upon precept.”[3] The more we receive, then more is given.[4]
The Restoration that began with Joseph Smith provides a sure foundation from which to build upon, not a complete building. In an effort to provide greater clarity through revelation 2 Nephi 3 of the Book of Mormon contains a prophecy given to Joseph who was sold into Egypt. It foretells of a day when the record of Judah [Bible] and the Book of Mormon, [a record of the Joseph] combine with a miraculous effect.
“Wherefore, the fruit of thy [Joseph of Egypt’s] loins shall write; and the fruit of the loins of Judah [Bible] shall write; and that which shall be written by the fruit of thy loins, and also that which shall be written by the fruit of the loins of Judah, shall grow together, unto the confounding of false doctrines and laying down of contentions, and establishing peace among the fruit of thy loins, and bringing them to the knowledge of their fathers in the latter days, and also to the knowledge of my covenants, saith the Lord.
And out of weakness he [Joseph Smith] shall be made strong [transition from the foundation to a complete structure], in that day when my work shall commence among all my people, unto the restoring thee, O house of Israel, saith the Lord” (LDS 2 Nephi 3:12-13, emphasis added).
The records of Joseph and Judah “grow together” in the last days. How do two separate records “grow together?” The two can be physically combined but placing physical records under one cover won’t result in the described outcome. Growing together points to the content merging together to provide greater light and understanding. They confirm the truth of one another and expand the body of knowledge. This is accomplished by “simple means.”
The revelation of Joseph of Egypt was given to Joseph Smith nearly two hundred years ago. This prophecy has yet to be fulfilled. Given the passage of time, there should be evidence the Lord has engaged by using small and simple means to accomplish fulfillment of this prophecy.
One example introduced by the New Testament and advanced throughout the previous two hundred years is our understanding of John the Beloved.
Pulling the Doctrinal Thread on the Subject of John the Beloved
The Gospel of John in the New Testament has a depth and intimacy greater than other gospels. John was present from the beginning of the Savior’s ministry. Later in this paper we examine evidence suggesting John the Beloved was a disciple of John the Baptist. John the Beloved was present when Jesus was baptized by the Baptist. John witnessed the Savior’s miracles and ministry, was present at the Mount of Transfiguration and Gethsemane. John the Beloved remained with Jesus while He hung on the cross. It was John whom the Lord commissioned to care for His Mother Mary following His death. Jesus promised John the Beloved he would not suffer a conventional death, but become a translated being to continue the work of saving mankind. John the Beloved was also known as the “Revelator,” having been shown the end of the earth’s existence. Once the evidence is examined, John’s title as “Revelator” increases in relevance beyond his account of the world’s end.
This inventory of events should be familiar to anyone who has read the New Testament. It provides common ground between Christian readers of the Bible and Christians raised in a Mormon tradition. Using John the Beloved as a case study, we are able to test the prophecy of Joseph of Egypt to see if the Lord commenced “growing together” the two records. If so it will be apparent the Savior’s “simple means” has built on the foundation laid by Joseph Smith.
Nephi’s Testimony of John the Beloved
To demonstrate the evolution of teachings regarding John the Beloved it is necessary to understand the evolution of records. Initial quotations will be from the Book of Mormon currently used by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was originally introduced by Joseph Smith and its credibility rests with him and not the institution.
Near the conclusion of a vision when the Lord fulfills His covenants with mankind, Nephi is given the following instruction.
“And when the day cometh that the wrath of God is poured out upon the mother of harlots, which is the great and abominable church of all the earth, whose founder is the devil, then, at that day, the work of the Father shall commence, in preparing the way for the fulfilling of his covenants, which he hath made to his people who are of the house of Israel.
And it came to pass that the angel spake unto me, saying: Look!
And I looked and beheld a man, and he was dressed in a white robe.
And the angel said unto me: Behold one of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
Behold, he [the Apostle] shall see and write the remainder of these things; yea, and also many things which have been.
And he shall also write concerning the end of the world.
Wherefore, the things which he shall write are just and true; and behold they are written in the book which thou beheld proceeding out of the mouth of the Jew; and at the time they proceeded out of the mouth of the Jew, or, at the time the book proceeded out of the mouth of the Jew, the things which were written were plain and pure, and most precious and easy to the understanding of all men.
And behold, the things which this apostle of the Lamb shall write are many things which thou hast seen; and behold, the remainder shalt thou see.
But the things which thou shalt see hereafter thou shalt not write; for the Lord God hath ordained the apostle of the Lamb of God that he should write them.
And also others who have been, to them hath he shown all things, and they have written them; and they are sealed up to come forth in their purity, according to the truth which is in the Lamb, in the own due time of the Lord, unto the house of Israel.
And I, Nephi, heard and bear record, that the name of the apostle of the Lamb was John, according to the word of the angel.
And behold, I, Nephi, am forbidden that I should write the remainder of the things which I saw and heard; wherefore the things which I have written sufficeth me; and I have written but a small part of the things which I saw.
And I bear record that I saw the things which my father saw, and the angel of the Lord did make them known unto me.
And now I make an end of speaking concerning the things which I saw while I was carried away in the Spirit; and if all the things which I saw are not written, the things which I have written are true. And thus it is. Amen” (LDS 1 Nephi 14:17-30, emphasis added).
We learn from Nephi and an angel ministering to Nephi of the day the Lord fulfills His covenants with the house of Israel. That day would be concurrent with the day the Lord destroyed the great and abominable church, the mother of harlots. Although Nephi witnessed all the events, the Lord designated one Apostle to write them and commanded Nephi not to record what the angel would show him.
Nephi was shown a man dressed in white, an Apostle of Christ. The Apostle’s writings appear in the Bible. Those things written by the Apostle are “plain and pure, and most precious and easy to the understanding of all men.”
Those things written by the Apostle would contain what Nephi witnessed. However, the Lord forbade Nephi from writing the last events he was about to see. They are reserved for His Apostle. In addition to the Apostle’s record, John shares the vision with others from the past who write what they witness and seal it up. It is reserved to come forth in purity, to the house of Israel in the last days. The angel then reveals to Nephi the Apostles name, John.
Nephi assures us the things he’s written are not complete but bears record that Nephi saw what his father was shown by the angel. Nephi declares even though his account is not complete, those things he was permitted to write are true.
In addition to the information we glean about John the Beloved from the New Testament, Nephi provides additional understanding of why John is referred to as “Revelator.” John received the title of “Revelator” because of his authorship of the Book of Revelation. That is certainly true, but what we learn from Nephi is John is God’s appointed keeper of records. The account of the end of the world is reserved for him and those to whom John shares the vision. When they witness the last days events they are commanded to write the account and return it to John the Beloved to bring it to Israel in the Lord’s appointed time.
Prior to Nephi’s testimony of John the Beloved, John’s mission was mysterious. This man whom the Savior appointed was to become a translated being, the only Apostle to escape death’s grasp. Because of Nephi’s testimony we now know a reason for extending John the Beloved’s life. The extension of John’s influence in mortality transcends a normal life to perform a mission for the Savior. John’s responsibilities include compiling, storing and eventually releasing written testimonies of the Lord’s work throughout the final stages of earth’s existence.
Nephi’s writings expand our understanding of John’s role in the Lord’s ongoing work. John’s record and writings in his care are preserved to provide additional revelations from the Lord to His servants in the last days. This explains why the title of “Revelator” is appropriate for John the Beloved.
Moroni’s Testimony of John the Beloved
Moroni, the son of Mormon, is the last man to write in the Book of Mormon, the abridgement by his father. Prior to his father’s death, Moroni received the plates and concluded his father’s abridged work. The Savior preserved Moroni for the purpose of recording additional information on the plates and sealing them up for later generations.
Among the last records to be added were revelations the Lord gave to a man known as “the brother of Jared.” Joseph Smith revealed the name of this man[5] but the length of his name made it impractical to repeatedly transcribe on plates of gold. The following reference is Moroni explaining what the Lord commanded him to do.
“Behold, I [Moroni] have written upon these plates the very things which the brother of Jared saw; and there never were greater things made manifest than those which were made manifest unto the brother of Jared.
Wherefore the Lord hath commanded me to write them; and I have written them. And he commanded me that I should seal them up; and he also hath commanded that I should seal up the interpretation thereof; wherefore I have sealed up the interpreters [Urim and Thummim], according to the commandment of the Lord.
For the Lord said unto me: They shall not go forth unto the Gentiles until the day that they shall repent of their iniquity, and become clean before the Lord.
And in that day that they [Gentiles] shall exercise faith in me, saith the Lord, even as the brother of Jared did, that they may become sanctified in me, then will I manifest unto them the things which the brother of Jared saw, even to the unfolding unto them all my revelations, saith Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of the heavens and of the earth, and all things that in them are.
And he that will contend against the word of the Lord, let him be accursed; and he that shall deny these things, let him be accursed; for unto them will I show no greater things, saith Jesus Christ; for I am he who speaketh.
And at my command the heavens are opened and are shut; and at my word the earth shall shake; and at my command the inhabitants thereof shall pass away, even so as by fire.
And he that believeth not my words believeth not my disciples; and if it so be that I do not speak, judge ye; for ye shall know that it is I that speaketh, at the last day” (LDS Ether 4:4-10, emphasis added).
Similar to the Lord’s commandment to Nephi, Moroni is commanded by the Lord to write the record of the brother of Jared, a man who saw the Lord as did Moses. In the vision given the brother of Jared, Moroni states there were never greater revelations given to man. The Lord declared to Moroni the account of the brother of Jared would be withheld from the Gentiles until they became “sanctified like the brother of Jared.” The implication of the Lord’s statement is great revelations are always withheld from mankind until they are prepared to receive them. The condition they must attain is a sanctified state, through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Until Christ cleanses us in His blood making us clean, extraordinary revelations given to the righteous are withheld from all mankind, Gentile or Israelite.
Moroni infers there will be a day when the Gentiles and Israel will be sanctified and all revelations from God unfolded to them. Nephi’s explanation of John’s stewardship to preserve sealed records for the “due time of the Lord” suggests Moroni’s record is within the stewardship of John.
Later in the chapter this presumption is confirmed through circumstantial evidence that John’s writings are a portion of the revelations given to the house of Israel in the last days.
“Come unto me, O ye Gentiles, and I will show unto you the greater things, the knowledge which is hid up because of unbelief.
Come unto me, O ye house of Israel, and it shall be made manifest unto you how great things the Father hath laid up for you, from the foundation of the world; and it hath not come unto you, because of unbelief.
Behold, when ye shall rend that veil of unbelief which doth cause you to remain in your awful state of wickedness, and hardness of heart, and blindness of mind, then shall the great and marvelous things which have been hid up from the foundation of the world from you—yea, when ye shall call upon the Father in my name, with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, then shall ye know that the Father hath remembered the covenant which he made unto your fathers, O house of Israel.
And then shall my revelations which I have caused to be written by my servant John be unfolded in the eyes of all the people. Remember, when ye see these things [Book of Mormon], ye shall know that the time is at hand that they shall be made manifest in very deed [the Lord’s sign].
Therefore, when ye shall receive this record [Book of Mormon] ye may know that the work of the Father has commenced upon all the face of the land.
Therefore, repent all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me, and believe in my gospel, and be baptized in my name; for he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned; and signs shall follow them that believe in my name.
And blessed is he that is found faithful unto my name at the last day, for he shall be lifted up to dwell in the kingdom prepared for him from the foundation of the world. And behold it is I that hath spoken it. Amen” (LDS Ether 4:13-19, emphasis added).
The Lord invites the Gentiles and the house of Israel to “come unto me.” The Gentiles are promised “hidden knowledge” withheld because of their unbelief. This knowledge is written by prophets containing truth revealed to them and sealed up until the last days.
The offer to the house of Israel is when [not if] they “Come unto me,” the Lord reveals to them things the Father of Heaven has ordained for them since the earth’s foundation began but withheld because of their unbelief. After the foundation of the earth was laid the Lord called Patriarchal Father’s who were righteous and made covenants with God with promises pertaining to their posterity. Those blessings are “laid up” for His children who exercise faith and overcome disbelief. They were promised by Father in Heaven, or Father of all Father’s for those who come unto the Savior.
The Lord requires of Israel to “rend that veil of unbelief” that hardens their hearts and blinds their minds. Their unbelief keeps them in a state of wickedness. If the house of Israel replaces unbelief with faith, calling upon the Father in His Son’s name with a broken heart and contrite spirit the blessings are granted.
Part of these blessings is revelation to His people of all knowledge withheld from them. Among those revelations is witnessing the prophecy of John the Beloved fulfilled.
Israel is given a sign the Father has begun this work. That sign is their reception of the Book of Mormon. This witnesses to Israel the Father’s work commenced. When this paper is complete, Gentiles will see the Father’s hand has commenced performing this work as well.
What does God require of us when we see this sign? He requires us to repent and turn to Him and be baptized in the name of His Son. Those who don’t will be damned. Those found faithful to the Son of God will be “lifted up to dwell in the kingdom prepared for him from the foundation of the world.”
Using the Bible as the foundation for exploring the subject of John, we see how knowledge from the Book of Mormon adds additional light and truth about the mission of John the Beloved. We learn of the Lord’s promise of knowledge held back because of unbelief in the last days, given to those who “rend the veil of unbelief.”
We learn from the writings of Nephi and Moroni that John the Beloved plays a critical role in gathering records, storing them and their dissemination in the “due time of the Lord.” The truth dispensed by John the Beloved is the reward for sanctified Gentiles and Israel. Then all of the Lord’s revelations are made known in plainness and simplicity. The increased knowledge of John the Beloved is a direct result of the Bible and Book of Mormon growing together to form a clearer picture of a once vague subject. The great obstacle and test for the Gentiles and Israel is disbelief of the words God delivers to both groups in the last days.
Part 2 of this paper explores more of the Lord’s revelations regarding John the Beloved by Joseph Smith, and the restorative movement commencing in our day.
[1] “And it came to pass that I beheld that the rod of iron, which my father had seen, was the word of God, which led to the fountain of living water, or to the tree of life; which waters are a representation of the love of God; and I also beheld that the tree of life was a representation of the love of God” (LDS 1 Nephi 11:25).
[2] “Or in fine, in the first place they were on the same standing with their brethren; thus this holy calling being prepared from the foundation of the world for such as would not harden their hearts, being in and through the atonement of the Only Begotten Son, who was prepared—
And thus being called by this holy calling, and ordained unto the high priesthood of the holy order of God, to teach his commandments unto the children of men, that they also might enter into his rest-“ (LDS Alma 13:5-6).
[3] “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!” (LDS D&C 128:21, emphasis added).
[4] “And now Alma began to expound these things unto him, saying: It is given unto many to know the mysteries of God; nevertheless they are laid under a strict command that they shall not impart only according to the portion of his word which he doth grant unto the children of men, according to the heed and diligence which they give unto him.
And therefore, he that will harden his heart, the same receiveth the lesser portion of the word; and he that will not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God until he know them in full.
And they that will harden their hearts, to them is given the lesser portion of the word until they know nothing concerning his mysteries; and then they are taken captive by the devil, and led by his will down to destruction. Now this is what is meant by the chains of hell” (LDS Alma 12:9-11, emphasis added).
[5] “In 1834 Reynolds Cahoon asked Joseph to bless his newborn son. Joseph named him "Mahonri Moriancumer", claiming that the Lord had just revealed the name to him:
The actual name of the brother of Jared is not given in the scriptures. However, George Reynolds relates the following account which indicates that the brother of Jared’s name was revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith.
“While residing in Kirtland Elder Reynolds Cahoon had a son born to him. One day when President Joseph Smith was passing his door he called the Prophet in and asked him to bless and name the baby. Joseph did so and gave the boy the name of Mahonri Moriancumer. When he had finished the blessing he laid the child on the bed, and turning to Elder Cahoon he said, the name I have given your son is the name of the brother of Jared; the Lord has just shown [or revealed] it to me. Elder William F. Cahoon, who was standing near heard the Prophet make this statement to his father; and this was the first time the name of the brother of Jared was known in the Church in this dispensation” (“The Jaredites,” Juvenile Instructor, 1 May 1892, p. 282 n.).
Scott Roderick
10/6/2024
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