Christian History & the Restored Gospel

So first of all, it's a new semester. And I am so excited about my Christian History and the Restored Gospel class. I've only been three times and it's been the awesomest thing ever. The professor is Alonzo Gaskill and he is the coolest. He talks at like the speed of light and he has a Bachelors degree in Philosophy, a Masters in Theology from Notre Dame, and a Ph.D. in Biblical Studies. Which is awesome. And he's one of those religion professors who isn't afraid of the truth, like the fact that LDS Church History isn't perfect and that Joseph Smith borrowed some things from the Methodists and that other religions have got some things right and do some things better than we do. Too often I feel like Latter-day Saints are afraid to admit any fault or imperfection, so I really appreciate it when a professor is able to admit it and even show how that makes the gospel more true. It's very testimony-strengthening. Anyways, I really like the professor and I feel like I'm going to learn a lot from him this semester.

For example:

Today we talked about the Interestamental Period (the time between the Old and New Testaments) and how two main genres of literature arose out of this time - apocalyptic and rabbinic. Rabbinic literature was against continuing revelation and focused mainly on the Law of Moses. Apocalyptic literature is prophetic, usually dealing with the Last Days, and usually more symbolic. The two genres were in conflict with each other, and we talked about how this foreshadowed the conflict between Jesus and the Pharisees, Sadducees, etc. Jesus came, talking about the end of the world and speaking of his own authority, not following the "hedge about the Law" that the rabbis of the time had set up, while most of the contemporary Jews were clinging to the Law of Moses and refusing to accept continual revelation from God in their own day. I feel like that's a common theme... Jesus taught, "a prophet is not accepted in his own country," or his own time period, it would seem. It's easier to accept dead prophets like Moses and Isaiah than it is to accept a prophet in your own day, giving you personalized messages from God.

And then we got to talk about a few specific attributes of Apocalyptic literature. This part was particularly interesting to me, especially with my Latter-day Saint background. The generally accepted characteristics of Apocalyptic literature are:

• Seemingly ordinary men are called by God from among their peers to wear the mantle of prophet.
• The seer or prophet is visited by one or more angels.
• As part of those visitations the seer is shown in vision the heavenly realms.
• During his encounter the prophet receives new information – things theretofore unknown.
• Much of what is learned by the seer cannot be conveyed to mankind, but rather must be hidden from all but a select few.
• That which the prophet learns in his visionary encounters is often couched in very symbolic language or imagery.
• Much of the message given to the revelator is eschatological.
• At the conclusion of the seer’s revelatory experience he is traditionally left physically weak or exhausted.
• The prophet is usually commanded to establish a new order of society.
• The seer is frequently depicted as learning that some degree of suffering and/or persecution will come to those who accept the message of the vision.
• Through the vision the revelator is often given the commission to speak words of encouragement to his people regarding their need to endure, and their need to trust that the era of persecution and trial – good vs evil – now upon them will shortly come to an end.
• That which is revealed to the seer in his apocalyptic vision sometimes requires additional later revelations to interpret or understand.
• When reporting his experience, the visionary often offers a brief autobiographical account as an introduction to the visionary encounter.

At this point, I was starting to make the connection between Apocalyptic literature and Joseph Smith's account of the First Vision. So I raised my hand and commented on the similarity, and lo and behold, that's where the discussion went next - a comparison of the revelations given to Joseph Smith with other apocalyptic scriptures.

Seemingly ordinary men are called by God to wear the mantle of prophet

Enoch: “Who am I, a mortal man...” (2nd Enoch 7:3)
Isaiah: “Woe is me! for I am...a man of unclean lips” (Isaiah 6:5)
Joseph Smith: “I told them I was but a man, and they must not expect me to be perfect; if they expected perfection from me, I should expect it from them; but if they would bear with my infirmities and the infirmities of the brethren, I would likewise bear with their infirmities.”

The Seer or Prophet is Visited by One or More Angels

John the Beloved received the Book of Revelation (aka “The Apocalypse”) from an angel (Revelation 1:1).
A number of angels showed Enoch a vision of the “Holy One.”
Two angels took Enoch on a tour of the heavens (2 Enoch 3:1).
The Prophet Joseph Smith received numerous angelic ministrants who appeared to him to reveal knowledge, truths, ordinances, visions, instructions, etc.

The Names of Some of the Angels who Appeared

Michael: 1 Enoch 40:9; 1 Enoch 20:1-8; D&C 128:21
Raphael: 1 Enoch 40:9; 1 Enoch 20:1-8; D&C 128:21
Gabriel: 1 Enoch 40:9; 1 Enoch 20:1-8; D&C 128:21

The seer is shown in vision the heavenly realms

“The heavens were opened, and I [Ezekiel] saw visions of God” (Ezekiel 1:1).
“And Enoch, the blessed and righteous man of the Lord...while his eyes were open and he saw, and said, ‘This is a holy vision from the heavens which the angels showed me: and I heard from them everything and I understood.’” (1 Enoch 1:2).
“And...behold, the heaven was opened, and I saw...” (2 Baruch 22:1).
“It is my meditation all the day, and more than my meat and drink, to know how I shall make the Saints of God comprehend the visions that roll like an overflowing surge before my mind.” Joseph Smith
“We believe in...prophecy, revelation, visions,...and so forth” (AF #7).

During his encounter the prophet receives new information – things theretofore unknown

“For I have seen what I did not know, and I have heard what I do not understand” (4th Ezra 10:35).
“And I told him many wondrous things, and showed him the secrets of the times and declared to him the end of the times” (4th Ezra 14:5).
From the First Vision onward the Prophet learned things he had never before known.
But Joseph also revealed the unexpected and the unknown to the faithful within the Church (e.g., D&C 87).

Much of what is learned by the seer cannot be conveyed

“The angel that went with me made known to me...and showed me all the hidden things” (1 Enoch 40:2)
“And those who taught [the unworthy] these things will have no heaven forever, because they have revealed to them the things which are secret” (1 Enoch 65:11)
“Miracles...will appear...to those who are saved because of their works... For they shall see that...which is now hidden to them” (2 Baruch 51:7-8)
“And you alone were worthy to learn this secret of the Most High. Therefore write all these things that you have seen in a book, and put it in a hidden place; and you shall teach them to the wise among your people, whose hearts you know are able to comprehend and keep these secrets” (4 Ezra 12:36-38).
“I could explain a hundred fold more than I ever have of the glories of the kingdoms manifested to me in the vision, were I permitted, and were the people prepared to receive them.” Joseph Smith
“You do not know how happy I am; the Lord has now caused the plates to be shown to three more besides myself. They have seen an angel...and they will have to bear witness to the truth of what I have said, for now they know for themselves that I do not go about to deceive the people, and I feel as if I was relieved of a burden which was almost too heavy for me to bear, and it rejoices my soul that I am not any longer to be entirely alone in the world.” Joseph Smith

That which the prophet learns in his visionary encounters is often couched in very symbolic language or imagery

The Book of Revelation and the various other biblical apocalypses are saturated in symbolism (e.g., Isaiah 6, Ezekiel 1 & 40-48, and Daniel 7-12).
Joseph Smith also received – and then conveyed to the Saints – some very symbolically laden teachings and rites. Admittedly, Joseph’s visions and revelations did not speak much of beasts and numbers; whereas such seems the main emphasis in the Book of Revelation. However, Joseph’s disclosures were no less symbolic. The absence of symbols frequently associated with the apocalyptic genre may be, in part, because these categories of symbolism were commonplace in the cultural milieu of the Bible, but less germane to those of our dispensation. Nevertheless, one can hardly disregard the presence of symbolism in what Joseph saw in vision, and in what he revealed to the Saints. The Holy Temple is a prime example of the heavily symbolic nature of some of what the Prophet Joseph was commanded by God to reveal. So also is D&C Section 77.

Much of the message given to the revelator is eschatological

“For the...coming of times is very near... And the pitcher is near the well, and the ship to the harbor, and...life to its end” (2 Baruch 85:10).
“Therefore I say to you, O nations that hear and understand, ‘Await your shepherd; he will give you everlasting rest, because he who will come at the end of the age is close at hand’” (4th Ezra 2:34)
“I contemplate the rapidity with which the great and glorious day of the coming of the Son of Man advances...” Joseph Smith
“We see that perilous times have truly come, and the things which we have so long expected have at last began to usher in.” Joseph Smith
“The time shall soon come when the Son of Man shall descend in the clouds of heaven.” Joseph Smith
“I prophesy in the name of the Lord God of Israel,...that in a few years the government will be utterly overthrown and wasted.” Joseph Smith

Coming Calamities are Foretold

“And it will happen that everyone who saves himself from the war will die in an earthquake, and he who saves himself from the earthquake will be burned by fire, and he who saves himself from the fire will perish by famine” (2 Baruch 70:8).
“But if the Most High grants that you live, you shall see it thrown into confusion after the third period; and the sun shall suddenly shine forth at night, and the moon during the day. Blood shall drip from wood, and the stone shall utter its voice; the peoples shall be troubled, and the stars shall fall” (4th Ezra 5:4-5).
“Not many years shall pass away before the United States shall present such a scene of bloodshed as has not a parallel in the history of our nation...” Joseph Smith
“I saw men hunting the lives of their own sons, and brother murdering brother, women killing their own daughters, and daughters seeking the lives of their mothers...” Joseph Smith
“And the time will come that war will be poured out upon all nations... Wherefore, stand ye in holy places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come; for behold, it cometh quickly, saith the Lord. Amen.” (D&C 87:2, 6-8).

At the conclusion of the seer’s revelatory experience he is traditionally left physically weak or exhausted

“...a voice from heaven was heard, and I fell upon my face” (1 Enoch 65:4).
“I became like a stone, and fell face down upon the earth...” (Apocalypse of Abraham 10:2).
“Therefore I…saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me…” (Daniel 10:8-9).
“And it happened that when I had ended the words of this prayer, I became very weak” (2 Baruch 21:3 & 26).
“Then I awoke, and my body shuddered violently, and my soul was so troubled that it fainted” (4th Ezra 5:14).
“And...there was no longer strength in me to stand up on the earth” (Apocalypse of Abraham 10:2).
“When I first looked upon him, I was afraid; but the fear soon left me” (Joseph Smith History 1:32).
The First Vision left the Prophet Joseph Smith unconscious for a time, lying on his back (Joseph Smith History 1:20).
The Prophet’s intensely spiritual encounter with the angel Moroni also left him physically weak. (Joseph Smith History 1:47-49).

The prophet is usually commanded to establish a new order of society

In 2 Baruch 68:1-8 the visionary learns from the Lord that Zion will again be built and glorified, and the nations of the world will fall.
In 4th Ezra 10:25-59 we read of a highly esoteric vision that also symbolized the return of Zion.
In 2 Baruch (see 6:2-7:1; see also 32:1-5) we read of a reestablishment of Zion which, according to the angel that is providing the vision, will be “forever.”
“I received, by a heavenly vision, a commandment...[to] designate the very spot which was to be the central place for the commencement of the gathering together of those who embrace the fullness of the everlasting Gospel. Accordingly...seeking diligently at the hand of God, He manifested Himself unto us, and designated, to me and others, the very spot upon which he designed to commence the work of the gathering, and the upbuilding of an ‘holy city,’ which should be called Zion—Zion, because it is a place of righteousness, and all who build thereon are to worship the true and living God, and all believe in one doctrine, even the doctrine of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” Joseph Smith

Suffering or Persecution

In 2 Baruch 77:1 through 85:15 time and again the seer warns his readers that sins bring trials, and that God will cause those who are repentant (and who seek righteousness) to overcome their enemies and their trials.
1 Enoch 91:1 through 107:3 draws a strong distinction between those who are righteous and those who are sinful; and the passage is quite clear on where the rewards and punishments lie.
“I believe I shall be let out of [my enemies’] hands some way or another, and shall see good days. We cannot do anything only stand still and see the salvation of God. He must do His own work, or it must fall to the ground. We must not take it in our hands to avenge our wrongs. Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord, and I will repay. I have no fears. I shall stand unto death, God being my helper.” Joseph Smith
“All your losses will be made up to you in the resurrection, provided you continue faithful. By the vision of the Almighty I have seen it.” Approximately a year later he stated: “He that holds out faithful to the end shall in no wise lose his reward. A good man will endure all things to honor Christ, and even dispose of the whole world, and all in it, to save his soul.” Dahl and Cannon (1987), 218.

That which is revealed to the seer in his apocalyptic vision sometimes requires additional revelations to interpret or understand

In Ezra’s fourth, fifth and sixth visions (as found in 4th Ezra) he needs the interpretation provided for him; as he does not fully understand the meaning of the things which had been shown. Thus, after the visions had closed and their recipient was left pondering the experience, the angel returned to interpret the meaning of that which had been given. Indeed, after Ezra’s fourth vision he states that he “lay there like a corpse and...was deprived of [his] understanding.”
Doctrine and Covenants Section 77 – an inspired interpretation of portions of the Book of Revelation – is a good example of this aspect of apocalyptic literature. In this case Joseph received a revelation which interpreted an earlier revelation of another apocalyptic seer.
D&C 130:15-16 regarding the timing of the 2nd Coming would require more revelation to understand it.

When reporting his experience, the visionary often offers a brief autobiographical account as an introduction to the visionary encounter

As an introduction Ezekiel informs the reader of who he is. (see Ezekiel 1:3).
At the beginning of the Book of Revelation John the Beloved does a similar thing (See Revelation 1:9-10).
The Book of 4th Ezra begins by offering that visionary’s genealogy (See 4th Ezra 1:1-3)
The Book of 2nd Baruch begins by noting the author’s name, the year of his writing, and the name of his father (See 2nd Baruch 1:1).
In the Joseph Smith – History (as found in the Pearl of Great Price) the Prophet details several of his visions and angelic interactions. But as an introduction to that account, Joseph begins by offering the reader a brief autobiographical introduction to his life.

So then we talked about similarities between Christ and the early Christian church, and Joseph Smith and the early Latter-day Saint church.

• The leaders of the “true” religion rejected Christ’s message.
• They did not believe the heavens were opened.
• They did not believe in modern revelation.
• They did not believe that Jesus had been sent by God.
• They saw Him and his message as a threat.
• They did not want a restoration of apocalyptic.

• The leaders of Christianity – the repository of the remnants of the “true” religion – rejected Joseph’s message.  
• They generally did not believe the heavens were opened.
• Most did not believe in modern revelation.
• They did not believe that Joseph had been sent by God.
• They did not accept his teachings; indeed, they called them blasphemous.
• They saw Joseph, his message, and his popularity as a threat to their work.
• And, before his followers could grow to a significant number, the religious and political leaders of his day put him to death because of the message he bore.

Note please the important difference that Joseph Smith is not our Savior and did not die to free us from sin. But please do note the remarkable similarities - Joseph, like Jesus, was a voice for continuing revelation in a world where the dominant religion taught that prophets had ceased to exist.

I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the restored church of Christ, established by God, and led by Him today. I know this for a variety of reasons, most notably the Spirit (see Luke 24:32). I love it when, going forward and learning with faith, I discover something that reinforces to me how true this gospel really is. I already knew it was true, but now it's like... double true. And awesome. :) :) :) It just shows me that believing is seeing, and not the other way around, and that the more I learn that more I will come to know the truthfulness of the gospel. I love it. :)