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

The Lord revealed to Joseph Smith the identity of a latter-day Elias by revelation:

“Question: What are we to understand by the angel ascending from the east, Revelation, 7th chapter and 2nd verse [Rev. 2:13]?

Answer: We are to understand that the angel ascended from the east is he to whom is given the seal of the living God over the twelve tribes of Israel. Wherefore, he cries [directs] 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. [1]And if you will receive it, this is Elias, which was to come, to gather together the tribes of Israel and restore all things” (RE T&C 74:9, emphasis added).

          The identity of the angel, as Elias, ascending from the East is not revealed until later in the same section. It is there we learn the angel’s identity.

“Question: What are we to understand by the little book which was eaten by John, as mentioned in the 10th chapter of Revelation [Rev. 3:13]?

Answer: We are to understand that it was a mission and an ordinance for him [John the Beloved] to gather the tribes of Israel. Behold, this is Elias who, as it is written, must come and restore all things” (RE T&C 74:14, emphasis added).

          John the Beloved is the Elias sent to “gather the tribes of Israel and restore all things.” John the Beloved fulfills this responsibility by proxy because of his role as a translated being and ministering angel.

“And the Lord said unto me, John, my beloved, what do you desire? For if you shall ask what you will, it shall be granted unto you. And I said unto him, Lord, give unto me power over death, that I may live and bring souls unto you. And the Lord said unto me, Verily, verily I say unto you, because you desired this, you shall tarry until I come in my glory, and shall prophesy before nations, kindreds, tongues, and people.

And for this cause the Lord said unto Peter, If I will that he [John the Beloved] tarry till I come, what is that to you? For he desired of me that he might bring souls unto me, but you desired that you might speedily come unto me in my kingdom. I say unto you, Peter, this was a good desire, but my beloved has desired that he might do more, or a greater work yet among men, than what he has before done; yea, he has undertaken a greater work. Therefore, I will make him as flaming fire and a ministering angel. He shall minister for those who shall be heirs of salvation [mortal qualifying for salvation] who dwell on the earth, and I will make you to minister for him and for your brother James [Jacob]. And unto you three I will give this power and the keys of this ministry until I come. Verily I say unto you, you shall both have according to your desires, for you both joy in that which you have desired” (RE Joseph Smith’s History, 13:18-19, emphasis added).

John the Beloved, as a translated being performs his responsibilities vicariously through a mortal [heir of salvation] residing on earth. Like the postmortal ministry of John the Baptist to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, John the Beloved ministers to men who are “heirs of salvation.” A Book of Mormon type for these events is king Benjamin and the angel ministering to him leading his people to repentance and adoption into Christ’s family. [2] 

Under John the Beloved’s directions, [3] an “heir of salvation” performs the work of Elias [through personal ministration of John the Beloved] by becoming “the spokesman” for Joseph Smith’s writings and teachings. Through the spokesman’s efforts Joseph Smith transitions from being “weak” during his mortal ministry to becoming “strong” as the spokesman vindicates Joseph after his name has been used for both good and evil. [4] 

The spokesman represents Joseph Smith in the beginning of the spokesman’s earthly ministry, introducing a new dispensation leading toward the next step in Priesthood progression. The spokesman transitions from the spirit of Elias [Aaronic, introduced by Joseph Smith] to the Spirit of Elijah [the “spokesman”].

Establishing the Macro View of Nephi’s Instructions to Joseph Smith

“In the end, before the Lord’s return, these same three spirits [Spirits of 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. The Spirit of Elias declaring the gospel has to come again into the world, and it did in the person of Joseph Smith, and in the message that he brought, and in the scriptures that he restored, and in the message and the practices that he was able to bring about, however short-lived that success may have been. Elias and the Spirit of Elias came through Joseph Smith into the world.” (Cry Peace- 4, Denver Snuffer Jr., emphasis added).

           The work Nephi describes to Joseph Smith is a process whereby the Lord reintroduces to a fallen world the Spirits of Elias, Elijah and Messiah. This spiritual ascension began the Gentile dispensation with Joseph Smith introducing the spirit of Elias [Aaronic Priesthood]. The next spirit introduced,   is the Spirit of Elijah.

“We have yet to take the Spirit of Elias seriously enough to move on to receive something further.” (ibid) 

What does it mean to take the Spirit of Elias seriously enough to receive something further? The following gives an approximation of the Lord’s requirement.

“We cannot see the fulfillment of the covenants and the promises that were given in the prophecies without [living] by every word that proceedeth forth [from] the mouth of God today. There is an enormous amount of work to be done. You can have your individual religious connection with God, but you are not aligning yourselves with the complete restoration that was interrupted by the deaths of Joseph and Hyrum Smith. There's work left to be done. Part of the work of rebuilding the restoration—and remembering and honoring what went before—was an act of penitence; an act of group repentance; an act of sincere, devoted, deliberate confession of the failure, acknowledging the failure, preliminary to the act of repenting and returning and recovering. That is an effort that— An individual can always repent of their sins. But God wants a people to repent, as a people, of their sins. Covenants don't get given out, generally, one-on-one with God when He is trying to create a people. Covenants get given out to people. The purpose of the extending of the Covenant in Boise was God acknowledging and recognizing this confession of the sins, the confession of the failure, the desire to repent and return. And what we had in the record, in the scriptures, had been altered, had been corrupted, had been manipulated—just like the New Testament canon underwent alterations during the third and fourth century. And the Christological debates of the third and fourth century, in order for one side to win their argument about the nature of Jesus Christ, they changed the content of the New Testament, so that the New Testament supported their view of Jesus Christ. Like that, there were those in the early days of Mormonism who felt that they had the right to make sure that revelations through Joseph Smith conformed to their view of what they thought would be the right way. And so changes and alterations and insertions got made, not only into scripture, but also into historical documents. Letters were changed; journal entries were changed; duplicate journals were put together, in order to replace journals that did not corroborate. And so, that the corruption that happened in the New Testament era has been mirrored in the Restoration through Joseph Smith in our era” (Every Word, Part 1 podcast, Denver Snuffer Jr., emphasis added).

Demonstrating to God we take the Spirit of Elias seriously is repenting of our sins and confessing duplicity and corruption exposing sins of our ancestors. We are in denial and ignore the adulteration of the scriptures, ordinances and historical documents to preserve power, wealth and popularity of those claiming Joseph Smith’s legacy. The Lord requires we confess rather than hide past sins and rise to His standard by confession, repentance and embracing truth. Adverse consequences and sacrifices accompanying those admissions are required for the fullness of truth to be restored. The only hope for our progress comes in the form of the restoration of the Spirit of Elijah. 

“But we are now facing a crossroads in which it may be possible to restore again and continue the work and move forward. Moving forward successfully however, will require the Spirit of Elijah. This time the Spirit of Elijah is not to prepare a people so that they might ascend into heaven but instead to prepare a people so that those who come will not utterly destroy them. There must be a people prepared to endure the burning that is to come” (Things to Keep Us Awake at Night, Denver Snuffer Jr., p.14).

 Just as Enoch’s people were prepared, shielded and brought worthy to ascend so as not to be destroyed by the flood, the Spirit of Elijah must prepare people in order for them to endure the day that is coming that shall burn the wicked as stubble. That will be people living in a place of peace and they will be the only people who are not at war one with another. They will be people who accept a body of teachings and allow them to govern their daily walk; both with each other and with God, so that they receive “commandments, not a few” and “revelations in their day” because that is what the people of Zion must necessarily be willing to do.” (Cry Peace - 4 podcast, Denver Snuffer Jr., emphasis added).

The spokesman for Joseph Smith reclaims Joseph Smith’s reputation. His integrity and character are affirmed by expounding what Joseph Smith taught. Fallacies perpetuated about him are dispelled when the depth of his revelations are understood. The spokesman elaborates on what we must do to resume the Restoration begun by Joseph Smith. We must move as a people toward receiving the Spirit of Elijah. The person closing the dispensation of Joseph Smith honors Joseph. He is restoring the Spirit of Elijah back to earth in preparation for the return of Enoch and Melchizedek’s people. A people who are not burned when those who dwell in everlasting burnings [Enoch] return to earth. [5]

          Before transitioning from Elias to Elijah there is something about Joseph Smith’s ministry that should not be overlooked. On a personal level, Joseph Smith did not remain at the Aaronic level of Elias. He advanced much further personally. However, people professing to follow him did not advance and gradually eroded and altered Joseph’s teachings, drawing the institution further from God and His work.

Convergence of Prophetic Events

          Nephi began his instructions to Joseph Smith by quoting prophecies of Malachi from the Old Testament. Included in Malachi’s prophecy was the Lord’s declaration:

“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” (RE Malachi 1:12, emphasis added).

Nephi’s quotations from Malachi and specifically his reference to the Lord sending the “Priesthood” by Elijah’s hand “before” the “great and dreadful day of the Lord;” Nephi turns to the prophecy of the Stem, Rod, and Root in RE Isaiah 5:3-5. To increase Elias Higbee’s and our understanding of Isaiah’s prophecy, the Lord answers a series of questions regarding the “Stem” of Jesse, the “Rod” and the “Root” of Jesse. 

The Lord identifies the Stem of Jesse as Christ. The “Rod” springing from the “Stem” [stump] of Jesse is Joseph Smith. John the Baptist ordained Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery to the Aaronic Priesthood. In the context of the Spirits of Elias, Elijah and Messiah, the Spirit of Elias was brought into the World by Joseph Smith. [6] Chronologically, Joseph Smith was the first to spring from the Stem of Jesse [Christ] after Israel is cut-off. The Rod didn’t bear fruit in Joseph Smith’s day. But the promise of the Lord in RE Isaiah 5 is that a branch from a graft will bear fruit. [7] 

In the last days, a “sprig” or branch of Jesse stands for an “ensign” and shall be sought after by nations. [8] The graft between the “shoot” and the “sprig” or union between a young branch [Gentiles] and the branch or “sprig” [Adam’s original religion or “Root”] from the original tree combine and bear fruit. [9] Combining the “Rod” with the “Sprig” enables both to become fruitful. You could say the Rod is associated with the record of Joseph and the “Sprig” or branch from Jesse restoring teachings of the Patriarchal Fathers. When new records [Joseph] and old records [Judah, Jesse] and their people combine you see the prophecy of Joseph of Egypt fulfilled. Records and people of Jesse and Joseph “grow together.”

“. . . shall grow together unto the confounding of false doctrines, and laying down of contentions, and establishing peace among the fruit of thy loins, and bringing them to the knowledge of their fathers in the latter days, and also to the knowledge of my covenants, saith the Lord . . .” (RE 2 Nephi 2:4, emphasis added).

Joseph Smith introduced the Spirit of Elias to the world resulting in the record of Joseph [Book of Mormon] coming forward. The record of Judah is more than the Bible as presently constituted. Joseph Smith attempted to take his people back to the Garden of Eden religion originating with Adam and the Patriarchal Fathers. All of whom knew God. Their records explain how they came to ascend and know God. Their records are intended to be revelation for our instruction if and when we “rise up” to receive them through the Spirit of Elijah.

For us to open lines of communication with our Patriarchal Father’s, God must send the Priesthood by the hand of Elijah to prepare a people who can withstand the glory of those dwelling with God in “everlasting burnings.” [10] Without preparation, the earth becomes desolate because the presence of those who come burns those ill-prepared to dwell in their presence.

          Having God send this Priesthood by the hand of Elijah is epically important. The Priesthood of Elijah restores the connection between Heaven and Earth. Parsing the Savior’s description of the “Root of Jesse” is critical to understanding how the Lord introduces the Spirit of Elijah through a descendant of Jesse as well as of Joseph.

Dual Lineage

          Jesse is the father of king David reigning over Israel anciently. It is through Jesse’s lineage the Savior was born. In addition to Christ’s lineage, Joseph Smith spoke of a descendant of David, sharing the name of David who assumes his throne and kingdom in the last days.

“Although David was a king, he never did obtain the spirit and power of Elijah and the fullness of the Priesthood; and the Priesthood that he [ancient David] received and the throne and kingdom of David is to be taken from him and given to another by the name of David in the last days, raised up out of his lineage” (TPJS., p.339, emphasis added).

This quote discusses king David and consequences he suffered for the murder of Uriah. There remains something deeper to be understood beyond David’s acts and the following consequences.

          What is the significance of king David not receiving the “spirit and power of Elijah?” The answer is: Elijah brings the power to seal in time and eternity those things acquired in mortality. Without the spirit and power of Elijah and fullness of the Priesthood, king David lacked power to seal his throne and kingdom to himself in eternity. David fell short of receiving the spirit and power of Elijah and the Priesthood fullness. Joseph Smith informs us in the last days a descendant of David bearing David’s name receives all that king David acquired and the spirit and power of Elijah with the Priesthood fullness. With these powers the latter-day David seals all king David received in addition to the inheritance he receives for his faithfulness and devotion to the Lord. The latter-day David is the man through whom the Lord fulfills the prophecy of Malachi stating:

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet [translated, ministering angel] before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And he [David, as Elijah’s mortal proxy] shall seal the hearts of the Father’s [11] to the children and the heart of the children to their Fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse” (RE Malachi 1:12, emphasis added).

Elijah’s greater work follows Joseph Smith’s preparations [Elias role] for the Gentiles. Like Moses’ dispensation ending with John the Baptist, (the Elias preparing for Christ), Joseph Smith’s dispensation concludes through the ministry of a second Elias, John the Beloved (as the angelic minister to an “heir of salvation” or mortal). [12] 

Concluding Joseph Smith’s dispensation through angelic means is appropriate because the pattern was set when John the Baptist [a resurrected angelic minister] ordained Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. John the Beloved was a disciple of the Baptist prior to his discipleship to Christ. [13] John the Baptist mentored the Beloved in preparation for the Beloved’s future role as the concluding Elias for the Gentiles. The Baptist ended Moses’ dispensation and the Beloved ends the dispensation of Joseph Smith.

John the Beloved oversees the conclusion of Joseph Smith’s dispensation through the latter-day David. The Beloved then directs David in laying the foundation of the last dispensation in preparation of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. This pattern follows the priesthood order explained by Joseph Smith. Angelic men from Heaven descend to ordain mortal men to act as Elias’ in the Aaronic Priesthood. The men ordained by angels become “heirs of salvation.” Their preparation is to lay the foundation for a Melchizedek covenant offer from the Lord. That occurred when Moses led Israel to Sinai and Joseph Smith led the Gentiles to Nauvoo. Both Israel and the Gentiles failed to honor their covenant with God.

Israel’s covenant failure led to Moses and the Melchizedek Priesthood withdrawal; a covenant retreat to the Aaronic Priesthood and the Spirit of Elias. The same was true of the Gentile covenant failure. When the Gentiles failed to construct the Nauvoo Temple, the Melchizedek Priesthood was lost when Joseph and Hyrum Smith were taken. Joseph Smith witnessed the death of his appointed successor prior to his passing. Following the deaths of the Smith brothers the Gentiles continued under the lesser Aaronic order until the Lord sent John the Beloved to wrest the kingdom from the remaining Gentiles. By angelic ministration the Beloved appoints the latter-day David to the Aaronic office of king held by ancient David.

Appointing the latter-day David in the last days as head of the Aaronic Priesthood on earth is appropriate. The latter-day David receives the throne and kingdom of David. The first David had not received the spirit and power of Elijah and fullness of the Priesthood. The throne and kingdom inherited by the latter-day David begins with the Aaronic Priesthood and then elevates to the Melchizedek Priesthood and Spirit of Elijah at the Lord’s appointed time. 

In effect John the Beloved closes the Gentile dispensation as it began [with the Baptist appearing to Joseph Smith] and the Beloved calling the latter-day David as Joseph Smith’s “spokesman.” Historically spokesmen are Aaronic.

In his later ministry the latter-day David receives the spirit and power of Elijah and fullness of the Priesthood. He holds the keys is empowered to receive Elijah and open the conduit between Heaven and Earth. With the Spirit of Elijah and fullness of the Priesthood David expands and seals the kingdom God grants him:

“And David my servant shall be king over them [Aaronic, Elias], and they all shall have one shepherd. They shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them. And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob [Israel] my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelled. And they shall dwell therein — even they, and their children, and their children’s children for ever [Melchizedek, Elijah, sealing power]. And my servant David shall be their prince for ever” (RE Ezekiel 19:6; emphasis added).

The Latter-day Roles of John the Beloved and Elijah

“Well, there’s a parable. It’s just one verse– it’s a very short parable. It moves along, but it’s a response that Christ gave to the question that was put to him by his disciples, asking him, “Tell us what the signs of your return is going to be.” And He goes through a list of things, but He ends with a little parable at the end. And our translation makes it seem kind of morbid, so I’m going to substitute “body” for “carcass,” because it sounds like what you’re dealing with in the current King James version is morbid, not a living body. But He says one of the signs that is going to be at His return is “where the body is, that’s where the eagles will gather” (Matthew 24:28). The “body” is the New Jerusalem. The “eagles” are going to be angelic ministrants [Patriarchal Fathers] who are going to come. There has to be an opening that occurs in order to prepare the way [Elias, Aaronic]. The opening at this end is going to be handled by someone who has remained behind, [John the Beloved] and the opening at the far end is going to be the one to whom the assignment was given to open the way for His [Christ’s] return– Elijah, the one who was promised.

Now, I want to be really clear. I don’t expect either of those individuals to have any public ministry again. They have a role in Zion, and those who dwell in Zion are going to have some contact with them. John [the Beloved] will have a role, but the work of Zion is the work of flesh and blood” (Zion will Come, Denver Snuffer Jr., pp.15-16, emphasis added).

Descendant of Jesse as well as of Joseph

          The dual lineage of the Rod and Root of Jesse is not restricted to literal lineage. It embodies a restoration and reunion of two groups of Israel reunited before the Lord’s family [Israel] gathers. Descendants of Jesse hold the “right” to Israel’s throne through the “right of the first-born son” [and Divine endorsement], and the “birthright” of Israel is held through the lineage of Joseph through Ephraim [and Divine endorsement]. Both claims must be joined under one head, one Priesthood before Israel is gathered.

For these keys and priesthoods to combine under one head, both lineages must be present in the man claiming the throne and birthright held “by right” through Jesse and Joseph. Both lineages of Israel will be present so reconciliation between “Judah,” [kingship, Aaronic, David] and “Joseph” [Gentiles, government by self-representation before God. Those repenting and uniting with Israel under the Patriarchal Priesthood, Elijah, sealing power] prior to Israel’s gathering.

          David’s “right” to the Priesthoods is established when he exercises his Priesthood key for raising an “ensign.”

“. . . And the people that are going to go there are going to say, “Let us go up to the mountain where the Lord has an ensign erected.” [Root of Jesse] And that will be His [the Lord’s] house. And He [Christ] will come, and He [Christ] will accept it, or we won’t have Zion” (Defending Zion, Denver Snuffer, podcast, July 8, 2018).

The Root of Jesse is given Priesthood keys “by right” to establish an ensign. Historically an ensign or “standard” was used in battle. Typically it was a flag held on a staff where soldiers gathered to become organized; instructed in preparation for battle. Under these prophetic circumstances the Lord is the combatant against Israel’s enemies. The “ensign” raised by the Root of Jesse becomes a metaphor depicting a connection or “pillar” linking Heaven and Earth. The connection prevents God’s people on Earth from being destroyed when the Lord’s two kingdoms are united. [14]

“. . . The ensign that is prophesied to be established in the context, in the meaning, of that day had reference to a zodiacal, a constellation, a depiction of the heavens themselves. So when an ensign is going to be reared, and it’s going to tell you about how to walk in the paths of God, this is talking about something very, very different than what most of us today would envision” (Temple part 5, Denver Snuffer, podcast, September 23,2018).

The Spirit of Elijah returns to earth to open a corridor between Heaven and Earth. Angels ascend and descend through the corridor. John the Beloved at the bottom [Earth] and Elijah at the top [Heaven] preparing for a union between two kingdoms prior to the Second Coming. Patriarchal Fathers return to Earth to teach their posterity how they ascend so their children can know God as the Fathers do [15] and understand their own potential as heirs of God. Patriarchal Fathers and their children on earth are sealed together, residing with God and the Patriarchal Fathers. The “sealing” is made possible when Elijah opens this portal, reconnecting Heaven and Earth with the Patriarchal Father’s; as heirs of covenant promises made by God to those Fathers. In this manner hearts of Patriarchal Fathers are joined with the hearts of their children to form Zion on Earth as it is in Heaven.

“One heart, one mind, dwell in righteousness, and there were no poor among

them.” [16] 

“And He’s [the Lord] had prophets describe it [Zion]. It’s in the everlasting mountains; it’s not on the plains of Missouri. And the people that are going to go there are going to say, “Let us go up to the mountain where the Lord has an ensign erected.” And that will be His house. And He [Christ] will come, and He [Christ] will accept it, or we won’t have Zion” (New Jerusalem, Denver Snuffer Podcast, June 10, 2018, emphasis added).

“The fact is that a pillar of fire by night and a pillar of smoke by day is an allusion, an attempt to refer to things we are familiar with, to describe things that we are not familiar with. A conduit that reaches up into heaven, as the temporary appearance of the Lord to Joseph in the First Vision, is intended to be a permanent connection at some place. It will be one of the reasons why people say, “Let’s not go up against the people of Zion because Zion is too terrible.” The presence of God is dreadful to the wicked; it’s frightening to them. They get near it, and it convicts them of their unworthiness. They dare not go up. But the pure and the humble and the noble are drawn to it. They will want to be there. And so that conduit, that fiery pillar, that stairway to heaven, Jacob’s ladder, the chariot of fire—all of those things are an attempt to describe that heavenly connection, that heavenly presence. A great deal of reflection and study is needed to understand all this implies. This is an introduction of some basic information about the Mother of God or “the Mother of the Son of God after the manner of the flesh.” More will be given in a temple—where mankind’s understanding of things kept hidden from the world will be greatly increased—when God directs one be built to His name” (Temple part 5, Denver Snuffer, podcast, September 23,2018, emphasis added).

          Raising the ensign opens a conduit between Heaven and Earth where revelation and power [17] pour upon earth exposing a flood of lies covering earth today. [18]  Hidden knowledge is revealed on Earth providing clarity to convince Gentiles:

 “of peace and life eternal” or “delivering them to the hardness of their hearts and the blindness of their minds unto their being brought down into captivity both temporally and spiritually.” [19] 

          The Spirit of Elijah and fullness of the Priesthood have profound effects on David of the latter-days and his people, Israel. He bears the key connecting Earth to Heaven. It opens a flood of light and knowledge to a darkened world, sufficient to heal all willing to receive it while condemning all who oppose it. [20]

“Leave it for God to decide when we have done enough to justify Him moving His hand again to restore that which was lost. What need is there for a family head if there is no family to organize? When He does that, it will be through “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 days . . . God will send one who “holds the scepter [symbol of kingship] of power in his hand, clothed with light for a covering, whose mouth shall utter words, eternal words; while his bowels shall be a fountain of truth, to set in order the house of God, [21] and to arrange by lot the inheritances of the saints whose names are found, and the names of their fathers, and of their children, enrolled in the book of the law of God.” Become that person. Work on your own faith, spirit and challenges and allow God to fulfill His promises in His own due time through His way” (Plural Marriage Transcript, Denver Snuffer Jr., pp.46-47, emphasis added).

Given these descriptions of the “ensign” and “Root of Jesse” it isn’t difficult to understand why the Root of Jesse and ensign the Lord raises by His “hand” attracts Gentiles, whom Isaiah says:

 “to it shall the gentiles seek.” [22]

[1] “[To] seal the servants of God in their foreheads, etc. …means to seal the blessing on their heads meaning the everlasting covenant thereby making their calling & election sure” (A Glossary of Gospel Terms, p.303; emphasis added).

[2] “My dear people, I [heir of salvation] have more news to share with you about coming events. These revelations were given to me by an angel sent from God. He commanded me to wake up, and as I did, he appeared before me. The angel said: Wake up. And then he proceeded to declare to me the good news of great joy, saying that the Lord has heard your prayers, judged you to be righteous, and sent me to make this announcement. You can rejoice and share this news with your loved ones” (CofC Mosiah 1:13, emphasis added).

[3] “John was translated, acting thereafter only as an angelic minister. Because of this, he’s not free to openly preside. The Lord explained to Peter concerning John: I will make him as flaming fire and a ministering angel. He shall minister for those who shall be heirs of salvation who dwell on...earth… (Joseph Smith History 13:19 RE). John has ministered only “as a flaming fire and a ministering angel,” which circumscribes how and to whom his ministry is extended. He ministers “for those who shall be heirs of salvation who dwell on the earth,” or (as Moroni explained by quoting his father): The office of their ministry is to call men unto repentance, and to fulfill and to do the work of the covenants of the Father which he hath made unto the children of men, to prepare the way among the children of men by declaring the word of Christ unto the chosen vessels of the Lord, that they may bear testimony of him; and by so doing, the Lord...prepareth the way that the residue of men may have faith in Christ, that the holy ghost may have place in their hearts…. (Moroni 7:6 RE, emphasis added), (Religion of the Fathers, Denver Snuffer Jr., p.33, emphasis added).

“Angels, including John, minister to chosen vessels. It’s the responsibility of mortal ministers to preach the message. The message must be accepted and acted on for faith in Christ. The Holy Order must be held again by mortals and must be returned voluntarily back to Christ in a second Adam-ondi-Ahman. That is the arrangement made before the foundation of the Earth. God gave dominion over the Earth to Adam, and Christ will receive back the right of dominion before His return in glory” (Religion of the Fathers, Denver Snuffer Jr., p.34, emphasis added).

[4] “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 . . .” (RE Joseph Smith History 3:3, emphasis added).

[5] “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” (Smith Jr., Joseph. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith (p. 397; emphasis added). (Function). Kindle Edition.

[6] “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, 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” (Smith Jr., Joseph. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith (p. 384; emphasis added). (Function). Kindle Edition).

[7] “A shoot [Rod] will spring up from the stock [Stem] of Jesse and a branch from its graft bear fruit” (Gileadi Translation, Isaiah 11:1).

“Wherefore, that I may preserve them also for mine own purpose, I will take off the branches of this tree, and I will graft them in unto them . . .  ​(RE Jacob 3:23). This is the process by which the house of Israel is restored, not in the way that you mass-produce, but in the way in which some rise up and lay hold upon that original religion that belonged to the Fathers, that came down from the beginning [pre-mortality], that existed one time—that is to exist again” (Preserving the Restoration, Denver Snuffer Jr., p.136; emphasis added).

[8] “. . . And in that day, there shall be a root of Jesse who shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the gentiles seek, and his rest shall be glorious” (RE Isaiah 5:4; emphasis added).

[9] “In that day [last days] the sprig of Jesse, who stands for an ensign to the peoples, shall be sought by the nations, and his residence shall be glorious.” (Gileadi Translation, Isaiah 11:10).

[10] “These are the first principles of consolation. How consoling to the mourners when they are called to with a husband, wife, father, mother, child, or dear relative, to know that, although the earthly tabernacle is laid down and dissolved, they shall rise again to dwell in everlasting burnings in immortal glory, not to sorrow, suffer, or die any more; but they shall be heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ. What is it? To inherit the same power, the same glory and the same exaltation, until you arrive at the station of God, and ascend the throne of eternal power, the same as those who have gone before” (TPJS., p.347; emphasis added).

[11] Capitalization of the F in Father points the reader to Patriarchal Father’s rather than biological fathers.

[12] “But we’ve become lofty in the way in which we approach things, and as a consequence of that, we have done something that has so cumbered the construct of where we find ourselves, that we’ve essentially destroyed the ability of the roots to do us any good” (True Vine podcast, Denver Snuffer Jr., June 25, 2020).

“The plain fact is this, the power of God begins to fall upon the nations, and the light of the latter-day glory begins to break forth through the dark atmosphere of sectarian wickedness, and their iniquity rolls up into view, and the nations of the Gentiles are like the waves of the sea, casting up mire and direct, or all in commotion, and they [Gentiles] are hastily preparing to act the part allotted them, when the Lord rebukes the nations, when He shall rule them with a rod of iron, and break them in pieces like a potter’s vessel . . .” (TPJS., pp.15-16, emphasis added).

“. . .  And when the times of the gentiles is come in, a light shall break forth among them that sit in darkness, and it shall be the fullness of my gospel, but they receive it not, for they perceive not the light and they turn their hearts from me because of the precepts of men.

And in that generation shall the times of the gentiles be fulfilled. And there shall be men standing in that generation that shall not pass until they shall see an overflowing scourge, for a desolating sickness shall cover the land. But my disciples shall stand in holy places and shall not be moved . . .” (RE T&C 31:6-7, emphasis added).

[13] “And I, John, bear record, and lo the Heavens were opened, and the Holy Ghost descended upon Him in the form of a dove and remained upon Him. There came a voice out of Heaven saying: You are my Beloved Son, this day I have begotten you; for I was there with John the Baptist when he baptized Jesus” (RE T&C 171, Testimony of Saint John 12:11, emphasis added).

[14] “For behold, the day comes that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly shall be stubble. And the day that comes shall burn them up, says the Lord of Hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch [no sealing power]. But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun [Son] of Righteousness [only way the “Powers of Heaven” or Patriarchal Fathers may be controlled or handled] arise with healing in his wings, and you shall go forth and grow up as calves of the stall. And you shall tread down the wicked, for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, says the Lord of Hosts. Remember the law of Moses [Aaronic Covenant] my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments. Behold, I [the Lord] will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And he [Elijah] shall seal the heart of the Fathers to the children and the heart of the children to their Fathers [so they may continue progressing in following cycles], lest I come and smite the earth with a curse” (RE Malachi 1:10-12; emphasis added).

[15] “Wherefore, I, the Lord, knowing the calamity which should come upon the inhabitants of the earth, called upon my servant Joseph and spoke unto him from Heaven, and gave him commandment, and also gave commandments to others that they should proclaim these things unto the world. And all this that it might be fulfilled which was written by the prophets: the weak things of the world should come forth and break down the mighty and strong ones, that man should not counsel his fellow man, neither trust in the arm of flesh, but that every man might speak in the name of God, the Lord, even the Savior of the world, that faith also might increase in the earth, that my everlasting covenant might be established, that the fullness of my gospel might be proclaimed by the weak and the simple unto the ends of the world and before kings and rulers. Behold, I am God and have spoken it” (RE T&C 54:4; emphasis added).

[16] “. . . And the Lord called his people Zion because they were of one heart, and of one mind, and dwelled in righteousness, and there was no poor among them . . .” (RE Genesis 4:14, emphasis added).

[17] “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).

[18] “And after these things, I heard another voice, saying, Woe to the inhabitants of the earth, yea, and they who dwell upon the islands of the sea, for the Devil has come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has but a short time; for when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman [Mary, the mother of Jesus] who brought forth the male child [Jesus]. Therefore, to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle [wings are a symbol depicting mobility], that she might flee into the wilderness, into her place where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. And the serpent casts out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood [lies]. And the earth helps the woman, and the earth opens her mouth and swallows up the flood which the dragon casts out of his mouth. Therefore, the dragon was angry with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, who keep the commandments of God and have also the testimony of Jesus Christ” (RE Revelation 4:5; emphasis added).

“And Enoch wept and cried unto the Lord again, saying, When shall the earth rest? And Enoch beheld the Son of Man ascend up unto the Father, and he called unto the Lord, saying, Will you not come again upon the earth? For inasmuch as you are God, and I know you, and you have sworn unto me and commanded me that I should ask in the name of your Only Begotten, you have made me, and given unto me a right to your throne, and not of myself, but through your own grace. Wherefore, I ask you if you will not come again on the earth. And the Lord said unto Enoch, As I live, even so will I come in the last days, in the days of wickedness and vengeance, to fulfill the oath which I have made unto you [Enoch, a Patriarchal Father] concerning the children of Noah [another Patriarchal Father]. And the day shall come that the earth shall rest. But before that day, the heavens shall be darkened, and a veil of darkness shall cover the earth; and the heavens shall shake, and also the earth. And great tribulations shall be among the children of men, but my people will I preserve. And righteousness will I send down out of Heaven. Truth will I send forth out of the earth to bear testimony of my Only Begotten, his resurrection from the dead, yea, and also the resurrection of all men. And righteousness and truth will I cause to sweep the earth as with a flood, to gather out my own elect from the four quarters of the earth unto a place which I shall prepare, a holy city, that my people may gird up their loins and be looking forth for the time of my coming. For there shall be my tabernacle, and it shall be called Zion, a New Jerusalem. And the Lord said unto Enoch, Then shall you and all your city meet them there, and we will receive them into our bosom. And they shall see us, and we will fall upon their necks, and they shall fall upon our necks, and we will kiss each other; and there shall be my abode. And it shall be Zion which shall come forth out of all the creations which I have made, and for the space of a thousand years shall the earth rest” (RE Genesis 4:22; emphasis added).

[19] “Then the Angel told me: You’ve seen that if the Gentiles repent, it will turn out well for them. You also know about the Lord’s covenants with the house of Israel. And you’ve also heard that whoever doesn’t repent must perish. As a result, if the Gentiles harden their hearts against the Lamb of God, I will afflict them. Because the time will come, says the Lamb of God, when I’ll bring about a great and awe-inspiring work among mankind, one that will be everlasting — one way or the other — either to convince them, resulting in peace and life eternal; or to give them up to their hard hearts and blind minds, bringing about their slavery and temporal and spiritual destruction, under the accuser’s enslavement which I’ve spoken about” (CofC 1 Nephi 3:26; emphasis added).

[20] “Afterward, he brought me again unto the door of the house, and behold, waters [knowledge, light] issued out from under the threshold of the house [Temple in Zion] eastward — for the forefront of the house stood toward the east — and the waters came down from under, from the right side of the house at the south side of the altar. Then he brought me out of the way of the gate northward, and led me about the way outside unto the outer gate by the way that looks eastward; and behold, there ran out waters on the right side.

And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters (the waters were to the ankles). Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters (the waters were to the knees). Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through (the waters were to the loins). Afterward he measured a thousand, and it was a river that I could not pass over, for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over. And he said unto me, Son of man, have you seen this?

Then he brought me and caused me to return to the brink of the river. Now when I had returned, behold, at the bank of the river were very many trees [Isaiah’s metaphor for people] on the one side and on the other. Then said he unto me, These waters [river of knowledge] issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea — which, being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed. And it shall come to pass that everything that lives, which moves, wherever the rivers shall come, shall live. And there shall be a very great multitude of fish [“I shall make you fishers of men”] because these waters shall come there, for they shall be healed. And everything shall live where the river comes. And it shall come to pass that the fishers [God’s servants] shall stand upon it from Engedi even unto Eneglaim. They shall be a place to spread forth nets [gather Israel]; their fish [those who gather] shall be according to their kinds [Israel and Gentile], as the fish of the great sea, exceedingly many. But the miry places [where knowledge and light are diluted and hearts remain hardened] thereof and the marshes thereof shall not be healed; they shall be given to salt [“without savor, cast off, good for nothing”]” (RE Ezekiel 21:58-60; emphasis added).

[21] A type of the latter-day David?  

“Then Hezekiah answered and said, Now you have consecrated yourselves [Levites] unto the Lord. Come near and bring sacrifices and thank offerings into the house of the Lord. And the congregation brought in sacrifices and thank offerings, and as many as were of a free heart, burnt offerings. And the number of the burnt offerings which the congregation brought was seventy bullocks, a hundred rams, two hundred lambs — all these were for a burnt offering to the Lord. And the consecrated things were six hundred oxen and three thousand sheep. But the priests were too few, so that they could not flay all the burnt offerings. Wherefore, their brethren the Levites did help them until the work was ended, and until the priests had sanctified themselves (for the Levites were more upright in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests). And also the burnt offerings were in abundance, with the fat of the peace offerings and the drink offerings for every burnt offering. So the service of the house of the Lord was set in order. And Hezekiah rejoiced, and all the people, that God had prepared the people; for the thing was done suddenly” (RE 2 Chronicles 16:11-12; emphasis added).

[22] “And then will I sing to my well-beloved a song of my beloved, touching his vineyard: My well-beloved has a vineyard in a very fruitful hill. And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein. And he expected that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes. And now O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, between me and my vineyard. What could have been done more to my vineyard that I have not done in it? Therefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, it brought forth wild grapes. And now come, I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and I will break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down; and I will lay it waste. It shall not be pruned nor dug, but there shall come up briers and thorns. I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it. For the vineyard of the Lord of Hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant. And he looked for judgment, and behold, oppression; for righteousness, but behold, a cry” (RE Isaiah 1:13; emphasis added).

Scott Roderick

2/20/26

What Nephi Said to Joseph Smith Part 2.pdf

Download PDF • 1.01MB