What Nephi Said to Joseph Smith - Part 1(revisited from 2/10/24)

          After the appearance of the Father and Son to Joseph Smith, Nephi [1] appeared to him. He quoted prophecies from the Old and New Testament. Nephi explained to Joseph there were gold plates and Urim and Thummim to be given to him. The Urim and Thummim was for the purpose of translation.

          The Lord through Nephi explained these prophecies while sharing them with Joseph Smith. The apex of the prophecies is when he quotes from Malachi the Lord’s promise to send Elijah before the Second Coming.

For behold, the day cometh that shall burn as an oven, and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall burn as stubble; for they [plural] that cometh shall burn them, saith the Lord of Hosts, that it shall leave them neither root [ancestry] nor branch [posterity]. And again he quotes the fifth verse thus: Behold, I will reveal unto you the Priesthood by the hand of Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. He also quoted the next verse differently: And he [the Lord] shall plant in the hearts of the children the  promises made to the [Patriarchal] fathers, and the hearts of the children [by adoption] shall turn to their [Patriarchal] fathers; if it were not so, the whole earth would be utterly wasted at his [the Lord’s] coming” (Joseph Smith History, part 3 (September 1823), vs. 4, emphasis added).

          Nephi’s discussion with Joseph Smith points to a future event prior to the Savior’s Second Coming. “They,” that come from Heaven to Earth, are those exalted and sanctified beings who dwell with God in everlasting burnings like Enoch and Melchizedek and their people. [2] When they arrive on earth all who are living a Telestial law will burn when they appear. To prepare for their coming in glory with the Savior, it is necessary for God to send Elijah to deliver his Spirit and the Priesthood fullness to earth. This establishes a priesthood fellowship between those dwelling on Earth and those in Heaven. This restorative work is performed by two men sent to fulfill separate but related missions in mortality, one at the beginning of the gentile covenant and one at the end to prepare Israel’s gathering and for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

“In the end, before the Lord’s return, these three spirits [Elias, Elijah, and Messiah] need to have been brought into the world, in order for the completion of the plan that Adam prophesied about and that was in the heart of the Lord from before the foundation of the world. . .” (Things to Keep Us Awake at Night, Denver Snuffer Jr., p.14, emphasis added).

          How this preparatory work is accomplished is detailed in the eleventh chapter of Isaiah [RE Isaiah 5:3-5]. Nephi instructs Joseph Smith that Isaiah’s prophecy is about to be fulfilled, suggesting the prophecy commences among the Gentiles with Joseph Smith.

Isaiah 11:1-5, 10 [RE Isaiah 5:4]

          Nephi introduces a metaphor used by Isaiah to explain latter-day events, setting the stage for Israel’s gathering, grafting, and bearing fruit. Isaiah uses a felled tree [Israel] as a metaphor to describe how three individuals carry out the Lord’s work in the last days.

          The metaphor is a tree stump referred to as a “stem” or “stock.” The tree is reduced to a stump because the upper portion of the tree was cut down. Israel represents the upper portion of the tree. When the Jews crucified the God of Israel, Israel was cut off and the tree reduced to a stump. Of the three people in the metaphor, the only one clearly identified is Christ.

Question: Who is the stem of Jesse spoken of in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th verses of the 11th chapter of Isaiah [Isa. 5:4]?

Answer: Verily thus says the Lord: It is Christ (RE T&C 129:1, emphasis added).

          Once Israel is cut-off from Christ. The upper portion of the tree is removed or scattered. The stump or stem remains nourished by the roots, keeping the stump viable. In nature, once a tree is felled the stump begins a process of restoring the upper portion of the tree. Not only does the metaphor convey a process, but also establishes a chronology of events. First the tree is felled. Sometime later the “Rod” or water sprout begins growing from the stump. The “Rod” applies to a person described by the Lord by revelation who chronologically follows a period of time after the tree was felled.

Question: What is the Rod spoken of in the 1st verse of the 11th chapter [RE Isa. 5:4] that should come of the stem of Jesse?

Answer: Behold, thus says the Lord: It is a servant in the hands of Christ, who is partly a descendant of Jesse as well as of Ephraim, or of the House of Joseph, on whom there is laid much power” (RE T&C 129:2; emphasis added).

          Christ describes the “Rod” as a servant of Christ “partly of Jesse [Judah] as well as Ephraim or the house of Joseph [Gentile & Lehi’s descendants].” The primary characteristic of the Rod is the Lord lays upon him “much power.”

         Determining the identity of the “Rod,” the best clue is the metaphor itself. Once the tree is felled [Israel cut-off], there remains life in the roots and the stump. The strength and energy of the tree is concentrated on restoring the upper portion of the tree that was lost. The metaphor points to a restorative process. The water sprout or “sucker” symbolizes this restorative effort. It grows rapidly, straight up and cannot bear fruit without a graft.

Priesthood Covenant Implications

          The Melchizedek covenant was originally offered to Israel at Mount Sinai. Israel rejected the Lord’s offer through Moses and was given a preparatory covenant based on a lesser law linked to the Aaronic covenant. This covenant was named after Moses but was passed down through Aaron’s lineage by the law of primogeniture or firstborn son by an angel.

          The Aaronic Covenant continued until John the Baptist, at which time the Baptist was ordained and given power to overthrow the kingdom of the Jews at the age of eight days old.

            “Therefore, he took Moses out of their midst, and the Holy Priesthood also. And the lesser priesthood continued, which priesthood holds the key of the ministering of angels, and the preparatory gospel, which gospel is the gospel of repentance, and of baptism, and the remission of sins, and the law of carnal commandments, which the Lord in his wrath caused to continue with the house of Aaron, among the children of Israel, until John [the Baptist], whom God raised up, being filled with the holy ghost from his mother’s womb. For he was baptized while he was yet in his childhood, and was ordained by the angel of God at the time he was eight days old unto this power: to overthrow the kingdom of the Jews, and to make straight the way of the Lord before the face of his people, to prepare them for the coming of the Lord, in whose hand is given all power” (RE T&C 82:14, emphasis added).

          One might contend John the Baptist was given great power, but how was John’s power manifest among the Jews? Were the Jews aware when the Lord, through John the Baptist withdrew power from them? The power given to John the Baptist didn’t save him from Herod’s imprisonment and beheading. Still, his power was sufficient to stand in defiance of the Rabbinical class and prepare the way for the coming of a new dispensation introduced by Christ. The example of John the Baptist and Christ established the pattern for the Lord reclaiming future dispensations.

          After the Baptist was slain and Jesus crucified, the covenant was taken from Israel and carried to the gentiles by the disciples of Jesus.

“Thus after this chosen family had rejected Christ and His proposals, the heralds of salvation said to them, “Lo we turn unto the Gentiles”; and the Gentiles received the covenant and were grafted in from whence the chosen family were broken off; but the Gentiles have not continued in the goodness of God, but have departed from the faith [as did Israel] that was once delivered to the Saints, and have broken the covenant in which their fathers were established;” (TPJS., p.15; emphasis added).

          According to Joseph Smith, Israel did not accept the higher covenant and the Gentiles accepted it but their covenant failed and was broken. This concluded the first half of the prophecy of the “first shall be last and the last shall be first.” In addition to finishing the first half of this prophecy, it set the stage and pattern for the fulfillment of the second half of the prophecy.

          Chronologically the second half of this prophecy begins with the covenant being first offered to the Gentiles. This covenant opportunity is not coincidentally referred to as “the Restoration.” The Restoration follows the original tree representing Israel and the Gentiles being cut-off.

          Joseph Smith is the “Rod” “partly from Jesse and Ephraim or the house of Joseph.” Could the “much power” be like the power given John the Baptist to wrest the kingdom from the Jews? Could it be the power laid upon the Rod [Joseph Smith] is as subtle in its manifestation as was the power given to John the Baptist?

The Priesthood of Elias

          The Priesthood of Elias was distinguished from the Priesthood of Elijah and the Priesthood of Messiah by Joseph Smith. Referring to Joseph Smith’s ordination at the hands of John the Baptist, Joseph said:

“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, [ministers under the Aaronic Priesthood] 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, 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” (TPJS., p.335, emphasis added).

          Joseph Smith’s first ordination was performed by John the Baptist, the “Elias” preceding the ministry of Jesus Christ. In his mortal ministry, John the Baptist went before the Savior’s ministry to wrest the kingdom from the Jews and prepare the way for the Lord’s advent. John the Baptist brought the dispensation of Moses to a close and prepared the way for a new dispensation and its head, Jesus.

          The initial authority and Priesthood keys given to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery were Aaronic. Like John the Baptist, the work Joseph Smith began prepared the way and laid the foundation for the Restoration of Christ’s work among the Gentiles.

          In Nephi’s first quotation of Malachi, the prophecy begins with Aaronic language about a messenger the Lord sends prior to His coming to His temple.

“Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant whom you delight in . . .” (RE Malachi 1:6, emphasis added).

          Like John the Baptist anciently, the Lord says he sends His messenger to “prepare the way before Him.” That messenger is an Elias holding the Priesthood of Aaron or Levitical Priesthood. When you combine the natural progression of Isaiah’s stump metaphor with Joseph Smith’s ordination to the Aaronic Priesthood holding the “keys of that Priesthood,” the identity of the “Rod” is none other than Joseph Smith, the prophet who began the Restoration.

Joseph Smith Exemplifies the Role of Seer

          Through angelic ministration, Joseph was given gold plates and the Urim and Thummim, known as “interpreters.” [3] Reception of the Urim and Thummim and the commandment to translate the gold plates established him as a seer, like Samuel [of Saul and David’s day] [4] prior to Samuel becoming a prophet. When the lesser priesthood presides, there are physical instruments associated with God’s Aaronic work. For example, the Urim and Thummim [5] [seer stone], Liahona [6], or the gift of Aaron [7].

          When a person advances from the Aaronic priesthood to the Melchizedek priesthood, the Lord gives them non-physical means by which they inquire of the Lord and obtain revelation. Under the Aaronic covenant, one must be commanded by the Lord to inquire through the Urim and Thummim to obtain revelation.

“Lights and perfections. It appears from early Church history the term Urim and Thummim was not used until 1835; prior to that, the term applied to the instrument was “interpreters.” The place where God resides is a great Urim and Thummim. This earth, in its sanctified and immortal state, will be made like unto crystal and will be a Urim and Thummim to the inhabitants who dwell thereon, whereby all things pertaining to an inferior kingdom, or all kingdoms of a lower order, will be manifest to those who dwell on it; and this earth will be Christ’s. Then the white stone mentioned in [Revelation 1:12], will become a Urim and Thummim to each individual who receives one, whereby things pertaining to a higher order of kingdoms will be made known; and a white stone is given to each of those who come into the celestial kingdom, whereon is a new name written, which no man knoweth save he that receiveth it. The new name is the key word” (RE A Glossary of Gospel Terms, Urim and Thummim, p.830, emphasis added).

          A seer with “interpreters” or Urim and Thummim inquires about the past, present, or future [8] which is the definition of  “all truth.” [9] Only when commanded by God to do so. [10] Persons residing on a sanctified globe transformed into a Urim and Thummim are limited to viewing kingdoms lower than what they reside on. Those receiving a “new name,” from the Lord may use the new name as a key word. They are permitted to inquire of the Lord regarding kingdoms greater than the Celestial kingdom and obtain greater light and knowledge about kingdoms above theirs. When a man is ordained by a mortal and their ordination thereafter is ratified by Heaven, the Lord provides means for them to inquire of the Lord at their discretion to obtain revelation. That “means” is a new name given to them by the Lord.

          The new name is given only to those deemed worthy of adoption into the family of God to dwell and associate with Him.

“The name of Jacob was given by man (his father); the name of Israel was given by God (his Heavenly Father). God giving someone a new name is a profound event. It signifies that person has a newness of life with Him. Receiving a new name from God also marks entry into His family, for when God gives a name, He is adopting him into His family. He names someone because they belong to Him” (A Glossary of Gospel Terms, New Name, p.736, emphasis added).

          Joseph Smith began the Restoration with interpreters, or seer stone, [Aaronic priesthood] and near the conclusion of His work laying the foundation of the Restoration he was given means to ask the Lord about higher kingdoms and all things relevant for the salvation of mankind.

“Now the great and grand secret of the whole matter, and the summum bonum of the whole subject that is lying before us, consists in obtaining the powers of the holy Priesthood. For him to whom these keys are given there is no difficulty in obtaining a knowledge of facts in relation to the salvation of the children of men, both as well for the dead as for the living. Herein is glory and honor, and immortality, and eternal life” (RE T&C 151:9, emphasis added).

          Joseph Smith, like Samuel, [11] began with the Aaronic priesthood and ascended to the Melchizedek priesthood. This is a pattern evident throughout much of the Old Covenant record. However in Isaiah’s day, he foretold a time when the Lord would “cover the seers” because of iniquity.

“For behold, all you that do iniquity, pause yourselves and wonder, for you shall cry out and cry. Yea, you shall be drunk, but not with wine; you shall stagger, but not with strong drink. For behold, the Lord has poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, for behold, you have closed your eyes, and you have rejected the prophets, and your rulers and the seers has he covered because of your iniquities” (RE Isaiah 8:7, LDS Isaiah 29:10, emphasis added).

Isaiah doesn’t mention interpreters in his record, still his writings demonstrate a God given gift to know of things past as well as future events. The days in which Israel will be scattered, and a time when Israel is gathered in the last days. By these men God reveals “all things,” [12] hidden or unknown. They, through faith, work mighty miracles and are truly “a great benefit” to their fellow beings.

Given the Book of Mormon testimony that God grants to some men a gift to see the past, present and future or “truth,” [13] it should not be a mountain too high to believe God can do this in any generation, should He so desire.

Modern Commentary on the Rod in Isaiah

“Let's go back to that 11th chapter of Isaiah because, man, have we made a mess of that. Okay, this is “about to be fulfilled:” Isaiah reads: “And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots.” The Rod is the servant who is a descendent of Jesse, an individual who is both of Judah and of Ephraim, unto whom is rightfully belonging the priesthood. Keep your finger there in Chapter 11 of Isaiah and turn back to Doctrine and Covenants 113 and you'll see where these words are explained” (Be of Good Cheer, Denver Snuffer Jr., p.25, emphasis added).

          One may conclude Denver contributes to the messiness because he conflates the description of the Rod with the Root of Jesse. [14] There is no mention of the Rod receiving the Priesthood by right. The Lord only uses that phrase in the description of the Root of Jesse. This may lead to the conclusion the Rod and Root are the same person. Although the Lord limited His use of the Priesthood by right to the Root of Jesse, it does not make the phrase inserted into the description of the Rod incorrect. Consider an additional point raised by Denver that clarifies the propriety of using the phrase “by right” with the Rod.

          Omitted in the transcript, but present in the recording of Denver’s “Be of Good Cheer” talk is the phrase, “who is a Levite” at approximately the 2:03 mark. The Aaronic Priesthood authority was passed from father to first born son, like Zechariah and John the Baptist. Levites were temple workers who worked under the direction of Aaronic high priests. John the Baptist was from the Aaronic order and by divine authority ordained Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. When John laid hands on the heads of Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, they were authorized to bear the Priesthood of Aaron by right in their preparation for covenant restoration. [15]

          Although Joseph Smith was not a first-born son from the lineage of Aaron, Joseph received divine authority from the Lord from a “rightful heir” also ordained by an angel. [16] Ordination by divine direction made Joseph Smith a “rightful heir” because the Lord orchestrated and endorsed his ordination. This example appears repeatedly throughout scripture where in more instances than not, the first-born son is passed over and the right of firstborn is given to a younger son, like Jacob and Esau, Nephi and Laman as well as numerous others. [17] 

          Denver’s assertion the “Rod” is a Levite may explain why he is only partly from Jesse and Ephraim. Another part is Levitical. Which raises the question, what gives Denver the right to insert the Levitical lineage into the description of the Rod? As I reflected on that question, the thought came, “Why did Nephi feel obliged to alter the wording in a few Old Testament prophecies? The answer is: Nephi was an angel who came from God’s presence. Angels speak only the words of Christ.[18] How did Joseph know that? I suspect in addition to Nephi’s commanding light filled presence; the veracity of his message was compelling. While Denver doesn’t appear with the countenance of Nephi, the veracity of his statement resonates to me and I believe it with circumstantial evidence supporting his conclusion. Discerning God’s messengers is incumbent upon all and the basis by how we are judged. I leave it to you to decide if his statement is correct.

Joseph Smith’s Unfinished Business

            According to the prophecy of Joseph who was sold into Egypt, a prophecy relating to Joseph Smith was never fulfilled during Joseph Smith's life. This is demonstrably true by a cursory review of the outcomes foretold by Joseph of Egypt.

“And again, a seer will I [the Lord] raise up out of the fruit of your [Joseph’s] loins. And unto him will I give power [much power?] to bring forth my word unto the seed of your loins — and not to the bringing forth my word only, says the Lord, but to the convincing them of my word which shall have already gone forth among them in the last days. Wherefore, the fruit of your [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 your 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 your loins, and bringing them to the knowledge of their fathers in the latter days, and also to the knowledge of my covenants, says the Lord. And out of weakness he [Joseph Smith] shall be made strong in that day when my work shall go forth among all my people, which shall restore them who are of the house of Israel in the last days” (Genesis 12:39, emphasis added).

This yet to be fulfilled prophecy by Joseph of Egypt refers to a time in the last days when the records of Judah and Joseph “grow together” to confound false doctrine, lay down contentions, establish peace among Joseph’s posterity and bring them to a knowledge of their fathers and the Lord’s covenants in the latter days. Since none of these things were done in Joseph Smith’s day, the Lord made provision to take Joseph Smith’s ministry from weakness to strength.

“And the Lord said unto me also, I will raise up unto the fruit of thy loins, and I will make for him a spokesman. And I, behold, I will give unto him that he shall write the writing of the fruit of thy loins unto the fruit of thy loins; and the spokesman of thy loins shall declare it . . .” (RE 2 Nephi 2:6, emphasis added).

          Joseph of Egypt is told by the Lord that He [the Lord] will “raise up” to the posterity of Joseph of Egypt a man. And for the man that is raised up, the Lord provides a “spokesman.” The prophet from the loins of Joseph of Egypt writes the record of Joseph and the spokesman declares it.

          Just as Moses was given a spokesman, Joseph of Egypt tells his brethren the Lord does the same for a prophet from his loins. During Joseph Smith's life, there was speculation the spokesman for Joseph Smith was Sidney Rigdon or Oliver Cowdery. Neither remained with Joseph, nor did he need anyone to speak for him during his life. The time Joseph Smith must have a spokesman is in the last days, when Joseph Smith no longer speaks and the Lord gathers in one, Israel.

          The dispensation initiated by Moses ended with an Elias, John the Baptist. The same is true of Joseph Smith’s dispensation. It was started by Joseph Smith under the spirit of Elias and concluded in the same manner as Moses’ dispensation. Elias comes to end the dispensation of Joseph Smith and prepare for a new dispensation. We know it is Elias because historically, whenever the Lord appoints a spokesman, the spokesman is Aaronic, like Aaron, the elder brother of Moses.

          Part 2 addresses the latter-day Elias appointed by the Lord in the last days.

[1] For an explanation why Nephi’s name appears rather than Moroni, see, Joseph Smith Papers 2 blogpost, Denver Snuffer Jr., October 4, 2016

[2] “Here, then, is eternal life-to know the only wise and true God; and you have got to learn how to be Gods yourselves, and to be kings and priests to God, the same as all Gods have done before you, namely, by going from one small degree to another, and from a small capacity to a great one; from grace to grace, from exaltation to exaltation, until you attain to the resurrection of the dead, and are able to dwell in everlasting burnings, and to sit in glory, as do those who sit enthroned in everlasting power. And I want you to know that God, in the last days, while certain individuals are proclaiming his name, is not trifling with you or me” (TPJS., pp. 346-347, emphasis added).

 [3] “He called me by name, and said unto me that he was a messenger sent from the presence of God to me and that his name was Nephi, that God had a work for me to do, and that my name should be had for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues, or that it should be both good and evil spoken of among all people. He said there was a book deposited, written upon gold plates, giving an account of the former inhabitants of this continent and the source from where they sprang. He also said that the fullness of the everlasting gospel was contained in it as delivered by the Savior to the ancient inhabitants; also, that there were two stones in silver bows — and these stones, fastened to a breastplate, constituted what is called the Urim and Thummim — deposited with the plates, and the possession and use of these stones was what constituted seers in ancient or former times, and that God had prepared them for the purpose of translating the book” (RE T&C 1, Joseph Smith History 3;3; emphasis added).

“Joseph [of Egypt] prophesied in this way: The Lord will bless that seer. And those who attempt to destroy him will be defeated, because the Lord will fulfill this promise about my offspring given to me by the Lord. I’m sure of the fulfillment of this promise. He’ll be named after me, and it will be after the name of his father. And he’ll be like me, because the things the Lord will bring to light by his hand and by the Lord’s power will bring my people to salvation. This is how Joseph prophesied: I’m sure of this thing, just as I’m sure of Moses’ promise. Because the Lord has said to me: I’ll preserve your descendants forever. And the Lord has said: I’ll raise up Moses and give him power in a staff and judgment in writing; however, I won’t make him fluent and articulate as a speaker. But I’ll write My law for him with My own finger and provide a spokesman for him” (CofC 2 Nephi 2:5; emphasis added).

[4] “Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, Tell me, I pray you, where the seer’s house is. And Samuel answered Saul and said, I am the seer. Go up before me unto the high place, for you shall eat with me today; and tomorrow I will let you go, and will tell you all that is in your heart. And as for your asses that were lost three days ago, set not your mind on them, for they are found. And on whom is all the desire of Israel? Is it not on you and on all your father’s house? And Saul answered and said, Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? And my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then do you speak so to me?” (RE 1 Samuel 4:11, emphasis added).

[5] “He called me by name, and said unto me that he was a messenger sent from the presence of God to me and that his name was Nephi, that God had a work for me to do, and that my name should be had for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues, or that it should be both good and evil spoken of among all people. He said there was a book deposited, written upon gold plates, giving an account of the former inhabitants of this continent and the source from whence they sprang. He also said that the fullness of the everlasting gospel was contained in it as delivered by the Savior to the ancient inhabitants; also, that there were two stones in silver bows — and these stones, fastened to a breastplate, constituted what is called the Urim and Thummim — deposited with the plates, and the possession and use of these stones was what constituted seers in ancient or former times, and that God had prepared them for the purpose of translating the book” (RE T&C Joseph Smith History, 3:3, emphasis added).

[6] “And now, my son, I have somewhat to say concerning the thing which our fathers call a ball or director, or our fathers called it Liahona, which is (being interpreted) a compass; and the Lord prepared it. And behold, there cannot any man work after the manner of so curious a workmanship. And behold, it was prepared to shew unto our fathers the course which they should travel in the wilderness; and it did work for them according to their faith in God. Therefore, if they had faith to believe that God could cause that those spindles should point the way they should go, behold, it was done. Therefore, they had this miracle, and also many other miracles, wrought by the power of God, day by day. Nevertheless, because those miracles were worked by small means, it did shew unto them marvelous works. They were slothful and forgot to exercise their faith and diligence, and then those marvelous works ceased and they did not progress in their journey. Therefore, they tarried in the wilderness, or did not travel a direct course, and were afflicted with hunger and thirst because of their transgression” (RE Alma 17:15, emphasis added).

[7] Now this is not all your [Oliver Cowdery] gift, for you have another gift, which is the gift of Aaron. Behold, it has told you many things. Behold, there is no other power save the power of God that can cause this gift of Aaron to be with you. Therefore, doubt not, for it is the gift of God, and you shall hold it in your hands and do marvelous works, and no power shall be able to take it away out of your hands, for it is the work of God, and therefore whatsoever you shall ask me to tell you by that means, that will I grant unto you, and you shall have knowledge concerning it. Remember that without faith you can do nothing; therefore, ask in faith” (RE T&C Joseph Smith History, part 13:22, emphasis added).

[8] “. . . A seer can know about the past and the future; the Interpreters can reveal everything — hidden secrets can be revealed, and unknown things can be uncovered. A seer can discover the unknown and reveal things that would otherwise remain unknown to us. This is how God has established a way for mankind to perform great miracles through faith; therefore seers are a benefit to their fellow men” (CofC Mosiah 5:13; emphasis added).

[9] “. . .You were also in the beginning with the Father, that which is spirit, even the spirit of truth, and truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come; and whatever is more or less than these is the spirit of that wicked one who was a liar from the beginning” (RE T&C 93:8; emphasis added).

[10] “. . .These things are known as Interpreters, and no man can look into them unless God commands him to do so, in order to prevent him from seeing something he shouldn’t see and perishing. Whoever is commanded to look in them is called a seer. . .” (CofC Mosiah 5:13; emphasis added).

[11] “Then said Saul to his servant, But behold, if we go, what shall we bring the man? For the bread is spent in our vessels, and there is not a present to bring to the man of God. What have we? And the servant answered Saul again and said, Behold, I have here at hand the fourth part of a shekel of silver; that will I give to the man of God to tell us our way. (Previously in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, thus he spoke: Come, and let us go to the seer. For he that is now called a prophet was previously called a seer.) Then said Saul to his servant, Well said. Come, let us go” (1 Samuel 4:8, emphasis added).

[12] “. . . But a seer can know of things which have passed, and also of things which are to come. And by them shall all things be revealed, or rather shall secret things be made manifest, and hidden things shall come to light, and things which are not known shall be made known by them, and also things shall be made known by them which otherwise could not be known. Thus, God has provided a means that man, through faith, might work mighty miracles. Therefore he becometh a great benefit to his fellow beings” (RE Mosiah 5:13, emphasis added).

[13] “. . . [T]ruth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come . . .” (RE T&C 93:8, LDS D&C 93:24).

[14]“Question: What is the Rod spoken of in the 1st verse of the 11th chapter [Isa. 5:4] that should come of the stem of Jesse?

Answer: Behold, thus says the Lord: It is a servant in the hands of Christ, who is partly a descendant of Jesse as well as of Ephraim, or of the House of Joseph, on whom there is laid much power.

Question: What is the Root of Jesse spoken of in the 10th verse of the 11th chapter [Isa. 5:4]?Answer: Behold, thus says the Lord: It is a descendant of Jesse as well as of Joseph, unto whom rightly belongs the Priesthood and the keys of the Kingdom, for an ensign and for the gathering of my people in the last day” (RE T&C 129:2-3, emphasis added).

 [15] “. . .While we were thus employed praying and calling upon the Lord, a messenger from Heaven descended in a cloud of light, and having laid his hands upon us, he ordained us, saying unto us, 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. He said this Aaronic priesthood had not the power of laying on of hands for the gift of the holy ghost, but that this should be conferred on us hereafter, and he commanded us to go and be baptized, and gave us directions that I should baptize Oliver Cowdery, and afterward that he should baptize me. Accordingly, we went and were baptized. . .” (RE T&C 1, Joseph Smith History 14:1; emphasis added).

[16] “. . .which the Lord in his wrath caused to continue with the house of Aaron, among the children of Israel, until John, whom God raised up, being filled with the holy ghost from his mother’s womb. For he was baptized while he was yet in his childhood, and was ordained by the angel of God at the time he was eight days old unto this power: to overthrow the kingdom of the Jews, and to make straight the way of the Lord before the face of his people, to prepare them for the coming of the Lord, in whose hand is given all power” (RE T&C 82:14; emphasis added).

[17] “Jacob wasn’t first born, Joseph wasn’t first born, and Ephraim wasn’t first born—and yet they were all the “Firstborn” because they received the inheritance by right, and it was conferred upon them by right. Therefore, they were the Firstborn” (Abraham part 3, podcast, February 10, 2019).

[18] “. . . Angels speak by the power of the holy ghost; wherefore they speak the words of Christ . . .” (RE 2 Nephi 14:1; emphasis added).

Scott Roderick

2/16/2026

What Nephi Said to Joseph Smith Part 1.pdf

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