“Do As You Have Seen Me Do” Part 5 - Ascent of the Disciples of Christ-The Father’s Work
- scottrode
- Jul 31, 2025
- 35 min read
The 2500 people present on the first day of the Savior’s Nephite ministry returned to their homes following the Savior’s ascension. Before nightfall, word spread the Savior would return to continue His ministry the following day. A large crowd traveled through the night to be present on the Savior’s return. As this account is reviewed, consider the possibility these events act as a microcosm or type for Israel’s gathering in the last days. The first day a type for Adam-Ondi-Ahman and subsequent days Israel’s gathering.
After the crowd assembled they were divided into twelve groups [a type for Twelve Tribes] and a disciple chosen by Jesus joined each group, exhorting them to pray to the Father in the name of Jesus. Following their prayer they arose and the disciples began teaching the words of Jesus from the prior day without variation [each disciple acting in the capacity of an angel].[1]
When the disciples repeated the Lord’s instruction to the crowd, the crowd knelt and prayed again. The disciples, having a deeper understanding of the Savior’s words, prayed “for that which they desired most.” The disciples were ministered to by Christ the first day, and then revisited His teachings to the crowd the following day. His instructions on the doctrine of Christ and the Lord’s Spirit influenced their desires. They desired to receive the Holy Ghost.
The twelve disciples were united in their prayers to the Father.[2] Following their prayers they were baptized and withdrew from the water. A fiery pillar descended from heaven and angels, Patriarchal Fathers descend to minister to the disciples. What happens following the disciples baptism sets the example or type for what the crowd eventually experiences when the conduit literally or metaphorically opens around them. As the Patriarchal Fathers minister to the disciples within the pillar of fire, the crowd observes. There are two levels of instruction going on simultaneously. We learn, through the example of a similar account, the Record of Heaven is opened by the Powers of Heaven for the disciples and they see and hear what cannot be spoken or written [“great and awe-inspiring things”][3].
In contrast, the crowd witnesses these events and are taught by example what to expect if they repent, are baptized and receive the Holy Ghost. By reading this account in the Covenant of Christ, latter-day Gentiles are taught as well. Presuming we apply the doctrine of Christ in the same manner. A repetitive pattern of the doctrine of Christ is present elsewhere in scripture.
In Isaiah’s account of his ascension to the Lord’s throne we see elements of the doctrine of Christ taught by Jesus metaphorically woven throughout Isaiah’s experience.
“In the year that king Uzziah died, I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphim.[4] Each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts! The whole earth is full of his glory! And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him [seraphim] that cried, and the house was filled with smoke [prayers].
Then said I [Isaiah], Woe is me, for I am undone because I am a man of unclean lips,[5] and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of Hosts. Then flew one of the seraphim unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar. And he laid it upon my mouth and said, Behold, this has touched your lips, and your iniquity is taken away, and your sin purged [purification]. [6] Also, I heard the voice of the Lord [7] saying, Whom shall I send? And who will go for us [the Lord, heavenly council, seraphim]? Then said I, Here am I; send me [alacrity comes with purification]. And he said, Go and tell this people, Hear indeed — but they understand not; and, See indeed — but they perceived not. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes, lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and convert and be healed. Then said I, Lord, how long? And he said, Until the cities are wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land is utterly desolate, and the Lord have removed men far away; for there shall be a great forsaking in the midst of the land [destruction and scattering of Israel and also the Gentiles in the last days]. But yet in it there shall be a tenth [tithe of righteous people][8], and they shall return and shall be eaten as a teil tree and as an oak, whose substance is in them when they cast their leaves, so the holy seed shall be the substance thereof [seed that endures](RE Isaiah 2:1-2, emphasis added).
We see in both the account of the Savior’s ministry to the Nephites and Isaiah’s theophany the process or doctrine of Christ. Returning to serve the Lord and enter His presence requires our compliance with terms set forth in His doctrine. Those terms are explicit requiring precision when applied.
The terms were set prior to earth’s creation and remain the same in each generation.
“St. Francis of Assisi lived during the great apostasy, served in the great apostate church, but nevertheless believed, and followed Christ’s Sermon on the Mount. His heart was pure through a lifetime of service to others. In the last month of St. Francis’ life, angels ministered to him also. The gospel is the same in every generation and all are invited to come” (Snuffer, Denver. Preserving the Restoration, p.380, emphasis added. Mill Creek Press. Kindle Edition).
God is merciful, kind, and loving. He is also just and the price paid for our salvation and exaltation requires us to sacrifice. The process by which the blessings of the Atonement are obtained are exact. That is why the Savior referred to it as “the way.”
“Do not allow your heart to be troubled. You are devoted to God and are also devoted to me. In the journey through my Father’s realms are many stages with temporary abodes. If it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare an abode for your upward journey. And when I arise, I will prepare places for you, but I will be your companion again and visit each of you, so that where I travel, you may journey to also. And the path [singular] I follow upward you know, and the way [singular] of ascent you also know. Thomas said to him, Lord, we don’t know where you are going; how can we know the way? You have not told us. Jesus said to him, I am the way, the record of the truth, and the means for Eternal lives, worlds without end: no man comes to the Throne of the Father without me. If you follow me, you will come to the Father’s Throne through me and will thereafter be like him forever” (RE T&C 171 Testimony of Saint John 10:9).
The Savior and His disciples referred to the path as “the way.” Nephi said:
“Now if the Lamb of God, being holy, needed to be baptized by water to fulfill all righteousness, then how much more do we, being unholy, need to be baptized by water! I want to ask you, my dear people, how did the Lamb of God fulfill all righteousness by being baptized by water? Don’t you know that He was holy? However, despite being holy, He showed mankind that in the flesh He humbled Himself before the Father and witnessed to the Father that He was willing to obey Him by keeping His commandments. After He was baptized with water, the Holy Ghost descended upon Him in the form of a dove. This shows mankind the precise path and the exact gate through which they were to enter, since He provides the example for them. He has told mankind: Follow Me. Therefore, my dear people, can we follow Jesus without being willing to keep the Father’s commandments? The Father says: Repent, repent [more than once?], and be baptized in the name of My Beloved Son. And the voice of the Son also spoke to me, saying: The Father will give the Holy Ghost to those who are baptized in My name, just like He did to Me. Therefore follow Me and do the things you’ve seen Me do. So, my dear people, I know if you follow the Son with all your heart [9]— without being hypocritical or deceptive [including self-deception] before God but acting with pure intent, repenting of your sins, showing to the Father you are willing to take upon yourselves the name of Christ by baptism, by following your Lord and Savior down into the water according to His word — then you will receive the Holy Ghost. Then the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost comes, and then you can speak the words of angels and shout praises to the Holy One of Israel” (CofC 2 Nephi 13:2, emphasis added).
Many words and phrases from Nephi’s teachings are similar if not the same used by Jesus hundreds of years from the time Nephi recorded his account.
The Covenant of Christ contains multiple appearances of the pillar of fire, signaling the presence of the Patriarchal Fathers. Within the pillar witnesses see conversations occurring but are left to speculate on the substance of the conversations.
Following the dedication of the Kirtland temple Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery shared a fiery pillar experience providing a limited description of what occurred. The Savior accepted the Temple and withdrew. Immediately after the Savior’s withdrawal the Heavens opened and angels ministered to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery.
“As this vision closed, the Heavens were again opened to their view, and they saw and beheld, and were endowed with knowledge from the beginning of this creation to the ends thereof. And they were shown unspeakable things [“great and awe-inspiring things”] from the sealed [veiled] record of Heaven, which man is not capable of making known, but must be revealed by the Powers of Heaven [Patriarchal Fathers].
They beheld Michael, the archangel, Gabriel, and Raphael, and divers angels, from Michael or Adam down to the end of time, showing in turns their dispensations, their rights, their keys, their honors, their majesty and glory, and the Powers of their Priesthood [including those obtained in pre-mortality][10]; giving line upon line, precept upon precept; endowing them with knowledge [being added upon], even here a little and there a little; holding forth hope for the work God was yet to perform, even the revelation of all things which are to come upon the earth until the return of the Lord in glory with His holy angels — to pour out judgment upon the world, and to reward the righteous.
And they were unable to take it in; therefore, they were commanded to pray and ask to comprehend by the power of the spirit, to bring all things to their remembrance, even the Record of Heaven which would abide in them. Amen and Amen” (RE T&C 157:30-32, emphasis added).
Within every man and woman is a veiled record of Heaven, a record of their prior cycles and experiences before birth. Transitioning from our limited, mortal understanding to a broader knowledge of past ventures is difficult for mortal men to grasp. It is hidden behind a veil within us. The Lord restricts those who have the veil withdrawn from sharing the revelations and instruction. It is the role of Patriarchal Father’s to open for their covenant children the record of heaven. It introduces the concepts of “Eternal lives” [plural] “worlds [plural] without end.”[11] Initially it is incomprehensible to a mortal mind. Transitioning from a veiled existence to the unveiled requires divine patience and nurturing, like a mother and child. Those receiving the Holy Ghost may pray and inquire of the Lord and the Holy Ghost will “bring all things to our remembrance,”[12] including explanations for our record of heaven.[13] That process or “rebirth” begins the restoration of our knowledge of Heavenly Mother and Her wisdom regulates the pace we begin to comprehend prior Eternal cycles.[14]
The Savior’s Prayers to the Father Delineate Steps in the Ascension Process
The process for the disciples differed from the children’s process because adults are accountable and capable of committing sin. The doctrine of Christ was instituted for all who are accountable. By stepping away from the disciples and offering prayers of gratitude to the Father, the Lord accomplishes two objectives. First, He acknowledges the Father’s hand in the work accomplished.
“ . . . I’ll give you a sign to identify the time when these things are about to happen, when I will gather My people, the house of Israel, from their long-scattered state, and will again establish My Zion among them. This is the sign for you: When the things that I’m declaring to you now and after this by the power of the Holy Ghost that are given to you by the Father are then revealed to the Gentiles, and taken as a message through them to you, that is when the Father’s covenant is being fulfilled. You are descendants of Jacob and will be scattered by the Gentiles. But the Father will reveal these things first to the Gentiles, then from them to you. It’s the Father’s plan for the Gentiles to be established in this land as a free people through His power, to allow the history and prophecies to come from them [Gentiles] to a remnant of your descendants. That vindicates the Father’s covenant with His people, O house of Israel . . . (CofC 3 Nephi 9:11, emphasis added).
Like events during the Savior’s ministry, the work of gathering a remnant of Gentiles and Israel is “the Father’s.” The Savior acknowledges the Father’s hand in the work being accomplished at each step of the disciples spiritual progression. The disciples pray to Jesus, are baptized, and experience the pillar of fire. The Savior appears and commands both the crowd and the disciples to kneel. Jesus turns to the disciples and commands them alone to pray. Unlike prior prayers, they pray to Jesus calling Him “their Lord and their God.” This is a departure from praying to the Father in Jesus’ name. The Lord walks a short distance from the disciples and bows down in prayer to the Father, expressing gratitude to Him for giving the Holy Ghost to His disciples.
Like the Nephite ministry, Jesus attributes the ascension of the disciples to the Father who answers the disciples prayers. They pray for their greatest desire.
“Jesus left them and went a little way off and bowed down on the ground, saying: Father, I thank You that You’ve given the Holy Ghost to these whom I’ve chosen. And it’s because of their belief in Me that I’ve chosen them out of the world. Father, I ask You to give the Holy Ghost to all those who will believe in their words. Father, You’ve given them the Holy Ghost because they believe in Me. And You see that they believe in Me because You hear them, and they pray to Me; and they pray to Me because I’m with them. Now Father, I pray to You for them, and for all those who will believe in their words, so they can believe in Me, so I can be in them as You Father are in Me, so we can be united as one” (CofC 3 Nephi 9:3, emphasis added).
The Savior’s intercessory prayer for the disciples acknowledges their reception of the Holy Ghost and attributes the gift to the Father. Jesus then requests the Holy Ghost be given to all who believe in the disciples words.
The Savior’s second objective in praying to the Father is to teach the Gentiles through this account the process involved in observing the doctrine of Christ, as directed by the Father. The events are precise and similar results are contingent on the same precision in the last days. This concludes the first step in the disciples ascension.
The Savior rises up and returns to His prayers for the disciples. They continue in prayer to Him with little repetition because their prayers are inspired by God. The result of their inspired prayers was their hearts filled with hope, a fruit of faith. Jesus blesses the disciples as they pray to Him. The Savior’s countenance “smiled upon them, and the light of His countenance shined on them.” The disciples countenance reflects the brightness, light, and whiteness of the Lord’s appearance. The whiteness was brighter than any earthly whiteness.
After admonishing His disciples to continue in prayer, Jesus retreated again and bowed before the Father to pray. The Lord’s intercessory prayer for the disciples acknowledged the next step of spiritual progression for them.
“ . . . Father, I thank You that You’ve purified these [disciples] that I’ve chosen because of their faith. I pray for them and also for those who will believe in their words, so they can be purified in Me through faith in their words, like these are purified in Me. Father, I don’t pray for the world but for those whom You’ve given to Me out of the world because of their faith, so they can be purified in Me, so I can be in them as You Father are in Me, so we can be united as one, so I can be glorified in them . . .” (CofC 3 Nephi 9:3, emphasis added).
In this second intercessory prayer for the disciples and believers, the Lord thanks the Father for purifying His disciples and prays for those who believe their words. After receiving the Holy Ghost, the disciples become purified in Christ as Isaiah was purified by the seraph in his theophany. The steps of receiving the Holy Ghost and becoming purified by interacting with the Savior lead to becoming “one” with the Father and Son.[15] The Son became “one” by gaining the mind of the Father by precisely walking the Father’s path.[16] The disciples become “one” walking the same path. In so doing, they become purified by the Savior, sharing a portion of His Spirit with them. The Holy Ghost brings unity or oneness by obtaining the mind of the Father.[17] Purity brings light, truth, knowledge, all of which is the glory of God.[18]
The Father, by purifying the disciples, cleansed them in preparation for becoming receptacles of Christ’s light to share with those who receive them.[19] Like Isaiah’s purging by hot coal and call to the ministry,[20] the disciples are sent to minister. They share the light and glory Christ shares with them. It fills the hearts of the disciples with hope and alacrity or a desire and willingness to serve God and man. Both the Savior and servant are glorified as they share the Lord’s glory with mankind.
The Savior’s Prayers to the Father Mark the Disciples Path to Ascension
After the disciples of Jesus receive the doctrine of Christ from Him, they share it with the crowd. It is introduced to them by prayer to the Father in the name of Jesus.[21] The process was repeated when the disciples finished teaching the Savior’s sermon from the prior day.
In the second prayer the disciples of Jesus prayed to receive the Holy Ghost. The twelve disciples were individually baptized. When they had all come out of the water they were surrounded by a pillar of fire. Angels descended from Heaven and ministered to His disciples. While Angels ministered to the disciples, Jesus appeared to the multitude. At this point He provides oversight over the ordinance performed by the Angels.
Jesus retreats from the crowd and bows in prayer before the Father to thank Him for giving the Holy Ghost to the disciples. The Savior’s acknowledgement of the Father’s involvement is instructive. The Father remains unseen but His work of bringing to pass the immortality and eternal life of man includes His active participation. When manifest, it is both “great and awe-inspiring.” Receiving the Holy Ghost or the “mind of the Father” follows the disciples obedience to God’s command to have faith in Him, repent and seek the influence of the Holy Ghost with complete devotion. Receiving the Holy Ghost from the Father is the first step or “knock.” It opens the door for the “Powers of Heaven” to prepare the disciples for their introduction at the veil to converse with the Lord through it.
Following the reception of the Holy Ghost by the disciples, the Lord returns to the disciples and crowd. The Angels continued to minister to the disciples, the Lord commanded the crowd and the disciples to kneel and pray. After receiving the Holy Ghost, the nature of their prayer changed. Rather than pray to the Father in the name of Jesus, the crowd and disciples prayed to Jesus, calling Him their Lord and their God.
Why change from praying to the Father in Jesus’ name to praying directly to the Savior? Because reception of the Holy Ghost is a right of adoption, where both the crowd and disciples become the sons and daughters of Christ.[22] We receive the Holy Ghost by obedience to covenant law. Because of the covenant, we become His sons and daughters because we “Do the things we have seen Him do.”[23]
Upon returning from observing the crowd and disciples as they pray to Him, Jesus blessed them:
“ . . . Jesus blessed them as they prayed to Him. And His countenance smiled upon them, and the light of His countenance shined on them. They were as bright as Jesus’ countenance and clothes. And its brightness exceeded everything that is white; indeed, nothing on earth could be as brilliantly white. Then Jesus said to them: Pray on. And they never did stop praying. Then He turned away from them again and went a little way off and bowed down on the ground, praying again to the Father: Father, I thank You that You’ve purified these that I’ve chosen because of their faith. I pray for them and also for those who will believe in their words, so they can be purified in Me through faith in their words, like these are purified in Me. Father, I don’t pray for the world but for those whom You’ve given to Me out of the world because of their faith, so they can be purified in Me, so I can be in them as You Father are in Me, so we can be united as one, so I can be glorified in them. When Jesus had said these things, He went back to His disciples, and they prayed to Him intently, without stopping. He smiled upon them again. And they were shining, just like Jesus” (CofC 3 Nephi 9:4, emphasis added).
The second step in the disciples ascension was their purification through inspired prayer. In effect the disciples were inspired while conversing with the Lord through the veil. There is no record of any conversation between the Lord and His disciples. Perhaps inspired prayer to the Father of our spiritual rebirth is sufficient to begin reflecting His countenance in ours.
Again, the Lord directs all credit for the purification of the disciples to the Father. Receiving the Holy Ghost first and becoming purified through Christ constitute the first two steps or “knocks” at the veil.
Returning to the disciples and crowd briefly, Jesus observes His disciples continuing to pray without pause. The Lord then withdraws for a third time to bow before the Father and pray. Like Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, the crowd and disciples hear the Lord pray to the Father for them.
“Then He went again a little way off and prayed to the Father. And no tongue can speak the words He prayed, neither can anyone write the words He prayed. But the crowd heard and testified of it. Their hearts were open, and they understood in their hearts the words He prayed. Nevertheless, the words He prayed were so great and awe-inspiring that they can’t be written, neither can they be spoken by any person. When Jesus had finished praying, He went back to the disciples and said to them: I’ve never seen such great faith as yours among the Jews. Therefore I couldn’t show them such great miracles because of their unbelief. Truly I say to you: None of them saw such great things as you’ve seen, neither have they heard such great things as you’ve heard.
Then He commanded the crowd of people to stop praying, and His disciples as well. But He commanded them to continue praying in their hearts. And He commanded them to get up and stand on their feet. They arose and stood on their feet. Then He broke bread again and blessed it and gave it to the disciples to eat. When they had eaten, He commanded them [disciples] to break bread and give it to the large crowd of people. When they had given it to the people, He also gave them wine to drink and commanded them to give it to the people. Now no bread or wine had been brought by the disciples, or by the people either. But He truly gave them bread to eat and wine to drink. He said to them: Anyone who eats this bread eats of My body to their soul. And anyone who drinks this wine drinks of My blood to their soul. And their soul will never be hungry or thirsty but will be filled. When the people had all eaten and drunk, they were filled with the Spirit. And they cried out loudly as one, giving glory to Jesus, whom they both saw and heard” (CofC 3 Nephi 9:5-6, emphasis added).
This is the third time the Savior bows before the Father and prays for His disciples and crowd. This is the “third knock,” metaphorically speaking.
The first knock is accomplished by individuals approaching the veil personally. This is done by praying to the Father in the name of the Son. It is prompted by the Spirit of Elias represented by John the Baptist, an Aaronic high priest. Each individual prepares for this by demonstrating faith in Christ by becoming meek like a little child, repenting, and being baptized as a witness to the Father. These acts testify to the Father expressing our willingness and desire to follow the Son of God. The greatest witness to the Father is the intensity of desire expressed in pleading for the Holy Ghost.[24] A man like John the Baptist represents a mortal man acting in the capacity of ministering angel to assist in preparing all for the next step in ascending to God.
The second step or “knock’ is where those who’s righteous desire is to receive the Holy Ghost and experience heaven open to them [both seen and unseen] to receive assistance, preparation, and instruction from Patriarchal Father’s who ascended before [Peter, James, and John in the endowment].[25] The pillar of fire may or may not be literal, depending on the Lord’s objective. It points to the Spirit of Elijah opening a connection between heaven and earth. Following the baptism of the disciples, a pillar of fire descends from heaven encircling them. Within the pillar is sacred space uniting heaven and earth. Inside the circle, angels, the Powers of Heaven minister to those within the circle while the crowd observes. The Savior only observes and oversees those being prepared to converse with Him through the veil. Throughout this process the Savior expresses gratitude to the Father for providing the Holy Ghost to His disciples.
The third step or “knock” at the veil is the purification of His disciples in preparation for entering the Lord’s presence, being personally ministered to by Him. This is the Spirit of Messiah and prepares a person for receiving a “fullness” of the Priesthood. It includes sharing in the body of the knowledge and glory of God.[26] When a disciple of Christ achieves this level, “great and awe-inspiring things” are revealed to them. The Lord becomes their tutor, guide and companion through eternal realms and temporary abodes.[27] This is the end to which God intends all to aspire to by walking His path. It is straight and narrow and only accomplished by doing “the things you have seen Me do.” Thereafter the Savior provides a sacrament to the faithful of His own making and seals the person to eternal lives.
“Now no bread or wine had been brought by the disciples, or by the people either.7 But He truly gave them bread to eat and wine to drink. He said to them: Anyone who eats this bread eats of My body to their soul. And anyone who drinks this wine drinks of My blood to their soul. And their soul will never be hungry or thirsty but will be filled. When the people had all eaten and drunk, they were filled with the Spirit [mind of the Father]. And they cried out loudly as one, giving glory to Jesus, whom they both saw and heard” (CofC 3 Nephi 9:6, emphasis added).
[1] “ . . . The messenger must bring a message from the Lord. It does not matter if the messenger is mortal. The word [Angel] describes a category of messenger that includes not only pre-mortal and post-mortal spirits, but also living men. When anyone, man or angel, is entrusted with a message from God, the message is God’s. God makes no distinction between the messenger and Himself. And now I have spoken the words which the Lord God hath commanded me (Mosiah 1:18). The angel added nothing. He hid nothing. He delivered what the Lord told him to deliver. These are not merely the words of an angel. Because the angel certifies they originated from God, they are the words of God (see T&C 54:7) . . .” (A Glossary of Gospel Terms, Angels, second edition, pp.9-10, emphasis added).
[2] “ . . . Again, I say unto you that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, that they may not ask amiss, it shall be done for them of my Father who is in Heaven; for where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (RE Matthew 9:14, emphasis added).
[3] The Covenant of Christ edition of the Book of Mormon introduces a related concept to the Savior’s teachings about those who rose from the dead at the time of the resurrection of Jesus.
“ . . . Then Nephi brought out the records and put them in front of Him; He glanced at them and said: The truth is that I commanded My servant, Samuel the Lamanite, to tell this people that at the time the Father glorified His name in Me, there would be many holy ones [Patriarchal members of the Holy Order] who would rise from the dead and appear to many and minister to them. He asked them: Wasn’t this the case? His disciples answered: Yes, Lord, Samuel prophesied as You’ve said, and everything happened accordingly [Samuel’s prophecy was fulfilled when the pillar from heaven descended and the Patriarchal Fathers ministered to Jesus’ disciples]. Jesus asked them: Then why haven’t you written it down — that many holy ones rose from the dead and appeared to many and ministered to them? And Nephi remembered this wasn’t written down. And Jesus commanded it to be added and this was written as He commanded” (CofC 3 Nephi 10:5, emphasis added).
[4] “One [of the classes of the Powers of Heaven, seraphim dwell in everlasting burnings.] They are the glorious ones in flames of glory (see T&C 123:22). The Hebrew verb śārāph means “to burn” and may be applied to their extraordinary brightness and fiery appearance. Seraphim are the burning, fiery ones, and the word literally means “fiery snakes or serpents.” A number of biblical verses associate seraphim with snakes or serpents. The Lord sent fiery serpents [seraphim] among the people and ordered Moses to make a fiery serpent [saraph] and set it upon a pole (Numbers 10:7). Seraphim are described as Heavenly beings that stand above the throne of God, proclaiming holiness, and who are able to minister to mortals (see Isaiah 2:1–2)” (A Glossary of Gospel Terms, Seraphim, second edition, p.317, emphasis added). The seraphim are the angels ministering to the disciples of Jesus in the pillar of fire descending from heaven.
[5] “Now, my dear people, I believe you’re wondering a little in your hearts about what you should do after you’ve entered through the way [repentance and baptism and receiving the Holy Ghost]. But why do you wonder over these things in your hearts? Don’t you remember I told you that after you had received the Holy Ghost, you could speak the words of angels? Now, how could you speak the message of the angels unless you did it by the Holy Ghost? Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; as a result, they speak Christ’s words [Isaiah and his people had unclean lips because they had not received the baptism by fire and the Holy Ghost. That is why Isaiah’s lips needed to be cleansed by a seraphim or Patriarchal Father. In effect, the seraphim who went to the altar used tongs to retrieve a hot coal but then placed the coal in his hand showing he was among those who attained power to “quench the violence of fire” (RE Hebrews 11:49) and harness it’s power to cleanse Isaiah so he could “speak with the tongue of angels” and minister the words of Christ to Israel. This is the preparatory work performed by angels prior to introducing men at the veil, first to speak with the Lord through the veil and then be led through the veil into His presence.] Therefore I told you: Feast on Christ’s words — because the words of Christ will tell you everything that you should do. After I’ve said these words, if you can’t understand them, it will be because you don’t ask or knock (see A Glossary of Gospel Terms, Ask, Seek, Knock, second edition, pp.22-25) . Consequently, you aren’t brought into the light but are certain to perish in the dark. I tell you again, if you will enter through the way and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show you everything you should do. This is Christ’s doctrine. No more doctrine will be given until after He visits you here on earth. Once He shows Himself to you here on earth, you must obey what He tells you”] (CofC 2 Nephi 14:1, emphasis added).
[6] The Nephite disciples received the baptism by fire and the Holy Ghost at the water’s edge through the angels ministering to them in the pillar of fire [Christ acknowledged this to His Father when He stepped away from them and acknowledged such. The seraphim placing the “hot coal” on Isaiah’s lips served a twofold purpose. The first was to purify Isaiah in preparation for becoming a worthy messenger of the Lord. The second was Isaiah’s induction with the Patriarchal Fathers. The office of seraphim is the highest angelic position on Jacob’s ladder. The fact six seraphim were present but one initiated Isaiah implies Isaiah likely attained that level in the Lord’s kingdom.
[7] “Now Melchizedek was a man of faith who wrought righteousness. And when a child, he feared God, and stopped the mouths of lions, and quenched the violence of fire. And thus, having been approved of God, he was ordained a high priest after the Order of the covenant which God made with Enoch, it being after the Order of the Son of God, which Order came not by man, nor the will of men, neither by father nor mother, neither by beginning of days nor end of years, but of God. And it was delivered unto men by the calling of his own voice, according to his own will, unto as many as believed on his name” (RE Genesis 7:18, emphasis added).
[8] “Then I looked and saw the whore of the whole earth. She was spread everywhere across the seas, ruling over the whole earth, among all people of every nation, tribe, and language. And I saw the congregation of the Lamb of God; its numbers were few because of the wickedness and abominations of the whore who was spread everywhere across the seas. Nevertheless, I saw that the congregation of the Lamb, who were God’s holy ones, were also there throughout the earth; but their presence was small because of the wickedness of the great whore whom I saw. And I saw the great mother of abominations assembled in large numbers all over the earth among all Gentile nations to fight against the Lamb of God. Then I saw the power of the Lamb of God descend upon the holy ones of the Lamb’s congregation and upon the Lord’s covenant people, who were scattered across the earth. They were armed with righteousness and God’s power in great glory” (CofC 1 Nephi 3:28, emphasis added).
[9] “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord — thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall you call upon me, and you shall go and pray unto me, and I will listen unto you. And you shall seek me and find me when you shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, says the Lord . . .” (RE Jeremiah 11:1, emphasis added).
[10] “Now the Lord had shown unto me, Abraham, the intelligences that were organized before the world was, and among all these there were many of the noble and great ones. And God saw these souls, that they were good, and he stood in the midst of them and he said, These I will make my rulers. For he stood among those that were spirits, and he saw that they were good. And he said unto me, Abraham, you are one of them; you were chosen before you were born.
And there stood one among them that was like unto God, and he said unto those who were with him, We will go down, for there is space there, and we will take of these materials and we will make an earth whereon these may dwell. And we will prove them herewith to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them. And they who keep their first estate shall be added upon, and they who keep not their first estate shall not have glory in the same kingdom with those who keep their first estate; and they who keep their second estate shall have glory added upon their heads for ever and ever” (RE T&C 145, Abraham 6:1-2, emphasis added).
[11] “God’s patience is infinite. Mankind has all eternity to work out salvation. Those who think it is enough to merely “get into heaven” are really talking about “the deaths.” God offers eternal lives. Those who will endure to the end, worlds without end, will receive eternal life and attain at last to their resurrection—death cannot have power over them. We must be exactly and precisely like Christ to receive all power in heaven and earth, including the power of the resurrection. It was only after His resurrection Christ claimed this power” (Snuffer, Denver. Preserving the Restoration, pp.315-316 . Mill Creek Press. Kindle Edition.
[12] “These words have I spoken to you while I am still present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost that the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things, and restore to your memory all truth I have taught to you, and the record of Heaven itself” (RE T&C 171, Testimony of St. John 10:15, emphasis added).
[13] “Man was also in the beginning with God. Intelligence, or the light of truth, was not created or made, neither indeed can be. All truth is independent in that sphere in which God has placed it to act for itself, as all intelligence also; otherwise, there is no existence. Behold, here is the agency of man, and here is the condemnation of man, because that which was from the beginning is plainly manifest unto them, and they receive not the light, and every man whose spirit receives not the light is under condemnation. For man is spirit, the elements are eternal, and spirit and element, inseparably connected, receive a fullness of joy; and when separated, man cannot receive a fullness of joy. The elements are the tabernacle of God, yea, man is the tabernacle of God, even temples, and whatever temple is defiled, God shall destroy that temple” (RE T&C 93:10, emphasis added).
[14] “Our scriptures speak carefully about the existence and importance of a Heavenly Mother: a Divine Female whose greatest attribute is to bestow wisdom upon the whole of this creation . . .” (Our Divine Parents, Denver Snuffer Jr., p.1, emphasis added).
[15] “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” (RE T&C 110, Lectures on Faith, Lecture 5:2, emphasis added).
[16] “Now, therefore, know that Jesus is the Messiah, the Walker in the Path who has proven for evermore that Father Ahman sent Him into the world to prove His Father’s path” (RE T&C 171, Testimony of St. John 12:21, emphasis added).
[17] “Now when king Benjamin had finished speaking the words that had been delivered to him by the angel of the Lord, he looked around at the crowd. Because the fear of the Lord overcame them, they had fallen to the ground. They looked at themselves in their carnal state, feeling no better than dust on the ground. In unison, they cried out: Have mercy on us and purify our hearts with Christ’s atoning blood, that we might receive a remission of our sins. They believed in Jesus, the Son of God who created all things, heaven, and earth, and who would come down to mankind” (CofC Mosiah 2:1, emphasis added).
[18] “And I now give unto you a commandment to beware concerning yourselves, to give diligent heed to the words of eternal life, for you shall live by every word that proceeds forth from the mouth of God. For the word of the Lord is truth, and whatever is truth is light, and whatever is light is spirit, even the spirit of Jesus Christ. And the spirit gives light to every man that comes into the world, and the spirit enlightens every man through the world that hearkens to the voice of the spirit, and everyone that hearkens to the voice of the spirit comes unto God, even the Father. And the Father teaches him of the covenant which the Father has renewed and confirmed upon you, which is confirmed upon you for your sakes, and not for yours only, but for the sake of the whole world” (RE T&C 82:18, emphasis added).
“The glory of God is intelligence, or in other words, light and truth (T&C 93:11), and is obtained by obedience to law. The word glory refers to intelligence — or knowledge and understanding. “God says this is His work and [His] glory: to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man (Genesis 1:7) — that mankind returns to His presence and with Him partakes of eternal life and exaltation. Since His glory is intelligence, He shares it with us. Glory is shared intelligence” (A Glossary of Gospel Terms, Glory, p.129, emphasis added).
[19] “After king Benjamin had said all these things to his people, he sent out a message, asking his people if they believed what he taught them. And they all cried out with one voice [mind of the Father, Holy Ghost], saying: Yes, we believe everything you’ve taught us. And we know these things are true because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has caused a big change in our hearts. We’re not inclined to do evil anymore, but rather want to continually do good. We, through God’s infinite goodness and the manifestations of His Spirit, can clearly envision what’s to come. And if necessary, we could even prophesy about all of it. And it’s our faith in the things our king has taught us that’s given us this valuable knowledge, which makes us rejoice! We’re willing to enter into a covenant with God, promising to obey His commandments and do His will for the rest of our lives. We don’t want to cause ourselves the never-ending torment described by the angel, nor do we want to incur God’s anger” (CofC Mosiah 3:1, emphasis added).
“As I said about the Holy Order, or this High Priesthood: many were ordained and became high priests of God. It was because of their great faith, repentance, and righteousness before God, choosing to repent and bring about righteousness rather than perish. Therefore they were called according to this Holy Order and were sanctified, and their clothes were washed white through the Lamb’s blood. Now they — after being sanctified by the Holy Ghost, having their clothes made white, being pure and spotless before God — could only look upon sin with abhorrence. And there were many, a very great many, who were enabled to become pure and entered the rest of the Lord their God . . .” (CofC Alma 10:1, emphasis added).
“And again, truly I say unto you, and I say it that you may know the truth, that you may chase darkness from among you. For he that is ordained of God [“whom shall I send?”] and sent forth [“send me”], the same is appointed to be the greatest [“noble and great”], notwithstanding he is least and the servant of all. Wherefore, he is possessor of all things, for all things are subject unto him both in Heaven and on the earth [sealing power, Spirit of Elijah]: the life and the light, the spirit and the power, sent forth by the will of the Father through Jesus Christ, his Son. But no man is possessor of all things except he be purified and cleansed from all sin. And if you are purified and cleansed from all sin, you shall ask whatever you will in the name of Jesus, and it shall be done. But know this, it shall be given you what you shall ask” (RE T&C 36:5, emphasis added).
[20] “Your hands are full of blood. Wash yourself, make yourself clean; put away the evil of your doings from before my eyes. Cease to do evil, learn to do well. Seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. Come now and let us reason together, says the Lord. Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land, but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured with the sword; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken it” (RE Isaiah 1:3, emphasis added).
[21] “. . . And the twelve taught the crowd. They had the crowd kneel on the ground and pray to the Father in the name of Jesus. The disciples also prayed to the Father in the name of Jesus. Then they got up and ministered to the people” (CofC 3 Nephi 9:2, emphasis added).
[22] “ . . . Now because of the covenant you’ve made, you’ll be called the sons and daughters of Jesus Christ. Today, He has spiritually begotten you. You’ve said your hearts have changed through faith in His name. As a result, you’re born of Him and have become His sons and daughters. You’re now free under His wings, and there’s no other Savior under whose wings you can be sheltered. There’s no other name given through which salvation comes. Therefore all of you who have made the covenant with God to be obedient for the remainder of your lives, take upon yourselves the name of Christ. Those who do this will be found at the right hand of God and will answer to the name of Christ” (CofC Mosiah 3:2, emphasis added).
“But you’ve both heard My voice and seen Me, and you are My sheep, and you are included with those the Father has given to Me” (CofC 3 Nephi 7:3, emphasis added).
“ . . . Father, I don’t pray for the world but for those whom You’ve given to Me out of the world because of their faith, so they can be purified in Me, so I can be in them as You Father are in Me, so we can be united as one, so I can be glorified in them . . .” (CofC 3 Nephi 9:4, emphasis added).
[23] “I teach you what the Father has shown to me while I was in his presence, and you follow the teaching of your father. They answered and said to him, Abraham is our father. Jesus replied to them, If you were really Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham [Fatherhood in the economy of God is determined by our works]. . . your refusal to hearken and submit to my teachings makes you deaf indeed. Your father is the accuser, and you share the envy and rebellion of your father. He was a rebellious destroyer from the beginning, and fought against the truth, because he prefers lies. When he spreads a lie, he advances his agenda. He is the source of deceit in this fallen world. And because I am the Source of truth, you are unable to believe me. Which of you can truthfully show that I have missed the mark? And if I teach the truth, why do you refuse to believe me? Everyone who follows the Most High God hearkens to God’s words. Because you do not follow the Most High God, you cannot hear him” (RE T&C 171, Testimony of St. John 6:19, emphasis added).
[24] “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust do corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust do corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal; for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (RE Matthew 3:32, emphasis added).
“And God accompanies all those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled with the Holy Ghost” (CofC 3 Nephi 5:15, emphasis added).
[25] Note the change in verbiage in each of the three times when the Savior asks if Peter loves Him. “After the meal, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, do you love me above every thing else? He answered him, Yes, Lord. You know that I love you. He said to him, Take care of my lambs as they are growing [first stage]. He asked him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, do you love me above every thing else? He said to Him, Yes, Lord you know that I love you. He said to him, Take care of my lambs as they increase [second stage]. He said to him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, do you love me above every thing else? Peter was concerned because He asked him for a third time, Do you love me? And he said to Him, Lord, you know all things. You know that I love you. Jesus said to him, Care for my lambs as they are added upon. In the name of Father Ahman I tell you, when you were progressing, you dressed yourself, and went where you chose to go; but as you approach the end of the path, you will have to let others stretch out your hands and likewise nail you, even if you plead to have the bitter cup removed. This He said to foretell the sacrificial death that is required for endless glory. And then He added, You must follow after me” (RE T&C 171, Testimony of St. John 12:18, emphasis added).
[26] “And this greater Priesthood administers the gospel and holds the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God. Therefore, in the ordinances thereof the power of godliness is manifest, and without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the Priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto man in the flesh, for without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live” (RE T&C 82:12, emphasis added).
[27] “Do not allow your heart to be troubled. You are devoted to God and are also devoted to me. In the journey through my Father’s realms are many stages with temporary abodes. If it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare an abode for your upward journey. And when I arise, I will prepare places for you, but I will be your companion again and visit each of you, so that where I travel, you may journey to also. And the path I follow upward you know, and the way of ascent you also know. Thomas said to him, Lord, we don’t know where you are going; how can we know the way? You have not told us. Jesus said to him, I am the way, the record of the truth, and the means for Eternal lives, worlds without end: no man comes to the Throne of the Father without me. If you follow me, you will come to the Father’s Throne through me and will thereafter be like him forever” (RE T&C 171, Testimony of St. John 10:9, emphasis added).
Scott Roderick
7/17/25