Following a substantive discussion of repentance, believing on the name of Jesus Christ, worshipping the Father in His name, enduring in faith to the end, justification, sanctification and loving and serving God with all their might’s, minds, and strength; John the Beloved is mentioned:
“And we know that these things are true and according to the revelations of John, neither adding to, nor diminishing from the prophecy of his book [of Revelation], the holy scriptures, or the revelations of God which shall come hereafter by the gift and power of the Holy Ghost [personal revelation], the voice of God[1], or the ministering of angels.
And the Lord God has spoken it; and honor, power and glory be rendered to his holy name, both now and ever. Amen” (LDS D&C 20:35-36, emphasis added).
After declaring that this revelation given in April of 1830 doesn’t add or take away from John’s book of Revelation; the prophecy to Joseph Smith addresses future revelation coming by the gift and power of the Holy Ghost, the voice of God and the ministering of angels in the last days.
As if the subject of John the Beloved and his revelations are building to a crescendo, we find another reference to John the Beloved alluding to his future mission.
“Behold, this is wisdom in me; wherefore, marvel not, for the hour cometh that I will drink of the fruit of the vine with you [Joseph Smith] on the earth and with Moroni, whom I have sent unto you to reveal the Book of Mormon, containing the fulness of my everlasting gospel, to whom I have committed the keys of the record of the stick of Ephraim;
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” (LDS D&C 27:5-6, emphasis added).
In addition to Joseph Smith and Moroni the Lord refers to sharing wine with “Elias.” There was a man named Elias [who became an angel], the Elias spoken of in this passage is not him. Elias is also a title that applies to John the Baptist, son of Zacharias.[2] The Elias who bears a specific ministry of “restoring all things spoken by the mouth of all the holy prophets” is not mentioned by name at this point.
“And also John the son of Zacharias, which Zacharias he (Elias)[3] [the angel] 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;
Which John I have sent unto you, my servants, Joseph Smith, Jun., and Oliver Cowdery, to ordain you unto the first priesthood which you have received, that you might be called and ordained even as Aaron;” (LDS D&C 27:7-8, emphasis added).
The identity of the latter-day Elias will be revealed in a later revelation but there are certain characteristics about the office of Elias to be noted. Joseph Smith devoted a significant amount of time explaining the office of Elias.
Joseph Smith’s Teachings of Elias
Joseph Smith spoke of the “Spirit of Elias,” the “Spirit of Elijah,” and the “Spirit of Messiah.” Each of these Spirits is associated with a level of Priesthood and represent steps of progression upward in those Priesthoods. Joseph Smith began with the Spirit of Elias in his discourse.
“There is a difference between the spirit and office of Elias [Aaronic] and Elijah [Melchizedek]. It is the spirit of Elias I wish first to speak of; and in order to come at the subject, I will bring some of the testimony from the Scripture and give my own. In the first place, suffice it to say, I went into the woods to inquire of the Lord, by prayer, His will concerning me, and I saw an angel [Aaronic][4], and he laid his hands upon my head, and ordained me to a Priest after the order of Aaron, and to hold the keys of this Priesthood, which office was to preach repentance and baptism for the remission of sins, and also to baptize. But I was informed that this office did not extend to the laying on of hands for the giving of the Holy Ghost; that that office was a greater work [Spirit of Elijah], and was to be given afterward; but that my ordination was a preparatory work, or a going before, which was the spirit of Elias; for the spirit of Elias was a going before to prepare the way for the greater, which was the case with John the Baptist. He came crying through the wilderness, "Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight." And they were informed, if they could receive it, it was the spirit of Elias; and John was very particular to tell the people, he was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. He told the people that his mission was to preach repentance and baptize with water; but it was He that should come after him that should baptize with fire and the Holy Ghost. If he [John the Baptist] had been an impostor, he might have gone to work beyond his bounds, and undertook to have performed ordinances which did not belong to that office and calling, under the spirit of Elias. The spirit of Elias is to prepare the way for a greater revelation of God, which is the Priesthood of Elias, or the Priesthood that Aaron was ordained unto. And when God sends a man into the world to prepare for a greater work, holding the keys of the power of Elias, it was called the doctrine of Elias, even from the early ages of the world. John's mission was limited to preaching and baptizing; but what he did was legal; and when Jesus Christ came to any of John's disciples, He [Jesus] baptized them with fire and the Holy Ghost. We find the Apostles endowed with greater power than John the Baptist: their office was more under the spirit and power of Elijah than Elias. In the case of Phillip when he went down to Samaria, when he was under the spirit of Elias, he baptized both men and women. When Peter and John heard of it, they went down and laid hands upon them, and they received the Holy Ghost. This shows the distinction between the two powers. When Paul came to certain disciples, he asked if they had received the Holy Ghost? They said, No. Who baptized you, then? We were baptized unto John's [the Baptist’s] baptism. No, you were not baptized unto John's baptism, or you would have been baptized by John. And so Paul went and baptized them, for he knew what the true doctrine was, and he knew that John had not baptized them. And these principles are strange to me, that men who have read the Scriptures of the New Testament are so far from it. What I want to impress upon your minds is the difference of power in the different parts of the Priesthood, so that when any man comes among you, saying, "I have the spirit of Elias," you can know whether he be true or false; for any man that comes, having the spirit and power of Elias, he will not transcend his bounds. John did not transcend his bounds, but faithfully performed that part belonging to his office; and every portion of the great building should be prepared right and assigned to its proper place; and it is necessary to know who holds the keys of power, and who does not, or we may be likely to be deceived. That person who holds the keys of Elias hath a preparatory work. But if I spend much more time in conversing about the spirit of Elias, I shall not have time to do justice to the spirit and power of Elijah. This is the Elias spoken of in the last days, and here is the rock upon which many split, thinking the time was past in the days of John and Christ, and no more to be. But the spirit of Elias was revealed to me, and I know it is true; therefore I speak with boldness, for I know verily my doctrine is true” (Smith Jr., Joseph. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith (pp. 384-386). Deseret Book Company. Kindle Edition, emphasis added).
There are spiritual distinctions between the “office” and Priesthoods of Elias, Elijah and Messiah. I have written extensively on these distinctions in previous papers and limit this discussion to the subject of “Elias.” The spirit of Elias was introduced to the Restoration with the ordinations of Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery by John the Baptist. The office of Elias is a preparatory function laying the foundation for introductions of the Spirits of Elijah and Messiah. It is a “going before” as John the Baptist did for the Savior.
A major distinction between the Spirit of Elias and Spirit of Elijah was the power to bestow the gift of the Holy Ghost. Joseph and Oliver were told by John the Baptist the Aaronic Priesthood he ordained them to is limited to preaching repentance and baptizing by water for the remission of sins. It also includes the right to receive the ministry of angels.
As important as understanding the responsibilities associated with the Spirit of Elias are, the limitations are equally important. Joseph Smith explained a key to discerning a true messenger with the Spirit of Elias.
“If he [person claiming the Spirit of Elias and Aaronic Priesthood] had been an imposter, he might have gone to work beyond his bounds, and undertook to have performed ordinances which did not belong to that office and calling [like laying on of hands for the Holy Ghost] under the Spirit of Elias” (Ibid, emphasis added)
The doctrine of Elias operated from the “early ages of the world” among mankind. Men were sent by God into the world to prepare the way for greater spirits and Priesthoods. What they did was authoritative or acknowledged by God within the boundaries set. Jesus sought baptism by John before introducing higher laws associated with the Spirits of Elijah and Messiah.
Apostolic ordinations were performed under the Spirit of Elijah which included authority to bestow the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands. People baptized under the Spirit of Elias of necessity required the additional ordinance of salvation under Apostolic hands to receive the Holy Ghost.
Repeatedly Joseph Smith emphasized the difference between the three Spirits, particularly focusing on discerning between those who received the Spirit of Elias and those who only claimed to receive it.
“What I want to impress upon your minds is the difference of power in the different parts of the Priesthood, so that when any man comes among you, saying, “I have the spirit of Elias” you can know whether he be true or false; for any man that comes, having the spirit and power of Elias, he will not transcend his bounds.
John did not transcend his bounds, but faithfully performed that part belonging to his office; and every portion [Spirits of Elias, Elijah and Messiah] of the great building should be prepared right and assigned to its proper place; and it is necessary to know who holds the keys of power, and who does not, or we may be likely to be deceived” (Ibid, emphasis added).
Following the ordinations of Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, Joseph gave this sermon and completed the “Elias” portion with the following declaration:
“This is the Elias spoken of in the last days [we know now Joseph Smith was not living in the last days], and here is the rock upon which many split, thinking the time was past in the days of John and Christ, and no more to be. But the spirit of Elias was revealed to me, and I know it is true; therefore I speak with boldness, for I know verily my doctrine is true” (Ibid, emphasis added).
Following their ordination at the hands of John the Baptist, Joseph Smith began the restoration under the Spirit of Elias. Joseph was himself an Elias with the eventual objective of introducing a “greater work.” It is a noteworthy endeavor to search the Doctrine and Covenants to see the number of times the Lord refers to the work Joseph Smith as laying the “foundation,” not constructing the building.
Some may believe the Spirit of Elias ended with Joseph Smith’s ordination but by revelation Joseph knew the Spirit of Elijah would again play a role in the last days to prepare for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
“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 is to come after, holding the keys of power, building the Temple to the capstone, placing the seals of the Melchizedek Priesthood upon the house of Israel, and making all things ready; then Messiah comes to His Temple, which is last of all. Messiah is above the spirit and power of Elijah, for He made the world, and was that spiritual rock unto Moses in the wilderness. Elijah 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. (Smith Jr., Joseph. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith (p. 390), emphasis added. Deseret Book Company. Kindle Edition.
Christ has yet to come, we are waiting for the Spirit of Elijah to be manifest with power to build the Temple to the capstone. He will then place the seals of the Melchizedek Priesthood upon the house of Israel in preparation for the Savior’s return. In the end, all this is initiated when the Spirit of Elias is again manifest to prepare the way for the greater work.
So why spend all this time exploring the Spirit of Elias and how does it relate to John the Beloved? The reason for devoting time and effort to the Spirit of Elias is the Lord revealed to Joseph Smith that John the Beloved is the Elias preceding the restoration of all things and the gathering of Israel.
In addition to being “Beloved” of the Lord, John is also the “Revelator.” In 1832, Joseph Smith was engaged in translating the scriptures. Questions arose about interpreting the writings of John in the Book of Revelation. Two verses of D&C 77 are germane to the Spirit of Elias.
“Q. What are we to understand by the angel ascending from the east, Revelation 7th chapter and 2nd verse?
A. We are to understand that the angel ascending from the east is he to whom is given the seal of the living God over the twelve tribes of Israel; wherefore, he crieth unto the four angels having the everlasting gospel, saying: Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And, if you will receive it, this Elias which was to come to gather together the tribes of Israel and restore all things” (LDS D&C 77:9, emphasis added).
Israel has not been gathered nor have all things been restored. Neither have the four angels hurt the earth. A sealing of the Lord’s servants must precede these events in preparation for the Savior’s Second Coming.
The identity of the angel performing the office of Elias in the last days is absent from the revelation given to Joseph Smith. However, this is not the end of the matter. In the 14th verse of the same revelation a second question is posed to the Lord by Joseph Smith. In this verse the identity of the latter-day Elias is revealed:
“Q. What are we to understand by the little book which was eaten by John, as mentioned in the 10th chapter of Revelation?
A. We are to understand that it was a mission, and an ordinance, for him [John] to gather the tribes of Israel; behold, this is Elias, who, as it is written, must come and restore all things” (LDS D&C 77:14, emphasis added).
John the Beloved, a translated being, a ministering angel to heirs of salvation fills the role of preparing the way for the Lord’s Second Coming. John, as a Revelator has records to reveal to an heir of salvation; a mortal man who carries out this work at John’s direction. John reveals to the Lord’s servant the Lord’s message and the servant reveals the message to his constituents providing knowledge to Israel; bringing about the gathering of God’s family in the last days.
The four angels to which the angel of the east [John the Beloved] speaks are directed by John:
Q. What are we to understand that they are four angels, spoken of in the 7th chapter and 1st verse of Revelation?
A. We are to understand that they are four angels sent forth from God, to whom is given power over the four parts of the earth, to save life and to destroy; these are they who have the everlasting gospel to commit to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people; having power to shut up the heavens, to seal up unto life, or to cast down to the regions of darkness” (LDS D&C 77:8, emphasis added).
John the Beloved with a fellowship of angels carry out the work of gathering in the last days. Each has mortal counterparts, servants of the Lord to whom they minister to gather souls to Christ. They are responsible for pouring out God’s judgments to afflict and destroy the wicked.
At a funeral for Judge Higbee, Joseph Smith expounded on this verse in section 77:
“Four destroying angels holding power over the four quarters of the earth until the servants of God [mortals] are sealed in their foreheads, which signifies sealing the blessing upon their heads, meaning the everlasting covenant, thereby making their calling and election sure. When a seal is put upon the father and mother, it secures their posterity, so that they cannot be lost, but will be saved by virtue of the covenant of their father and mother” (TPJS., p.321, emphasis added, Deseret Book, 1974 edition).
The Lord revealed to Joseph Smith a small excerpt from John the Beloved’s record revealing a discussion between John and the Savior. The account of the brief exchange between John and Jesus provide greater insight into the Lord’s relationship with His disciples and His pattern of fulfilling their desires. The Lord continued pouring out light and knowledge regarding John’s power over death. He plays a continual role in earth’s history in addition to others granted similar blessings.
In the Book of Mormon we learned of the Savior’s willingness to answer questions raised by His servants when they sought understanding. It wasn’t essential to Mormon’s salvation that he understand the physical transition from mortals being changed to translated beings, still the Lord explained to him the change that occurred. These examples represent a thimble full of the information the Lord revealed to us through the Prophet Joseph Smith. Still, the Lord was not finished instructing Joseph Smith about John the Beloved and his writings.
From the writings of John the Beloved, the Lord provided the greatest explanation of His [Jesus] mortal experience and used it to teach the divine possibilities for mankind’s exaltation.
“And John saw and bore record of the fulness of my glory, and the fulness of John’s record is hereafter to be revealed” (LDS D&C 93:6, emphasis added).
John’s account began with the beginning of earth’s creation through the Lord’s mortal existence until His baptism and the Father declaring the divine Sonship of Jesus.
“And I, John, bear record that he [Jesus] received a fulness of the glory of the Father;
And he [Jesus] received all power, both in heaven and on earth, and the glory of the Father was with him, for he dwelt in him [mind of the Father].[5]
And it shall come to pass, that if you are faithful you shall receive the fulness of the record of John [more to come].
I give unto you these sayings [record of John] that you may understand and know how to worship, and know what you worship, that you may come unto the Father in my name, and in due time receive of his fulness [as did Jesus].
For if you keep my commandments you shall receive of his fulness, and be glorified in me as I am in the Father; therefore, I say unto you, you shall receive grace for grace [as did He]” (LDS D&C 93:16-20, emphasis added).
John’s record not only illuminates the Savior’s progression of grace to grace; but also reveals the same is within our grasp, including receiving a fullness of the Father.
The Lord’s promise to the faithful is that more of John the Beloved’s record is to be made available to them beyond what is revealed thus far. The Lord demonstrated a willingness to do this for Joseph Smith to our benefit. Not only is the content illuminating, but encourages us to look forward to more from John the Beloved’s writings.
Joseph Smith-Prophet of God
This review of what the Lord revealed through Joseph Smith is a small and simple mean for substantiating Joseph Smith as a Prophet of God. When Joseph was alive the revelation spigot was open wide and flowed without compulsory means to the Lord’s Prophet. In the two hundred years since Joseph Smith, the revelation spigot appeared to dry up. In recent years the revelation drought has abated and the Lord is again providing revelation like the dews from heaven. Joseph Smith is being vindicated from false accusations and God is again speaking to man. The depth of substance in the revelations given to Joseph Smith attest to the righteousness of the man. I have nothing but respect and admiration for the Prophet Joseph Smith and hold no doubt he was a chosen messenger from God.
Part 3 examines how the Lord continues to give more light about John the Beloved and his latter-day role.
[1] “And the arm of the Lord shall be revealed; and the day cometh that they who will not hear the voice of the Lord, neither the voice of his servants, neither the voice of his servants, neither give heed to the words of the prophets and apostles, shall be cut off from among the people . . . What I Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own or by the voice of my servants [servants, prophets, and apostles], it is the same” (LDS D&C 1:14&38, emphasis added).
[2] “And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist” (LDS Matthew 17:10-13, emphasis added). Jesus spoke of two men acting in the capacity of “Elias.” One in a future day who will “restore all things,” and John the Baptist who had already come. The prophecy given to Joseph Smith refers to the “Elias” who comes last and “restores all things.”
[3] “After hearing my name, he remarked that I was nothing but a man, indicating by this expression, that he had supposed that a person to whom the Lord should see fit to reveal His will, must be something more than a man. He seemed to have forgotten the saying that fell from the lips of St. James, that Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, yet he had such power with God, that He, in answer to his prayers, shut the heavens that they gave no rain for the space of three years and six months; and again, in answer to his prayer, the heavens gave forth rain, and the earth gave forth fruit. Indeed, such is the darkness and ignorance of this generation, that they look upon it as incredible that a man should have any intercourse with his Maker”
Smith Jr., Joseph. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith (p. 100). Deseret Book Company. Kindle Edition.
[4] “Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this shall never be taken again from the earth, until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness” (LDS D&C 13:1, emphasis added).
[5] “. . . And he being the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth, and having overcome, received a fullness of the glory of the Father — possessing the same mind with the Father, which mind is the holy spirit that bears record of the Father and the Son, and these three are one, or in other words, these three constitute the great matchless, governing, and supreme power over all things, by whom all things were created and made that were created and made. And these three constitute the Godhead and are one: the Father and the Son possessing the same mind, the same wisdom, glory, power, and fullness, filling all in all — the Son being filled with the fullness of the mind, glory, and power, or in other words, the spirit, glory, and power of the Father — possessing all knowledge and glory, and the same kingdom: sitting at the right hand of power, in the express image and likeness of the Father — a mediator for man — being filled with the fullness of the mind of the Father, or in other words, the spirit of the Father, which spirit is shed forth upon all who believe on his name and keep his commandments. And all those who keep his commandments shall grow up from grace to grace and become heirs of the Heavenly kingdom and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ, possessing the same mind, being transformed into the same image or likeness, even the express image of him who fills all in all: being filled with the fullness of his glory, and become one in him, even as the Father, Son, and holy spirit are one” (Lectures on Faith, Lecture fifth, verse 2, emphasis added).
Scott Roderick
10/17/24
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