How tradition may cloud our search for truth
The great American humorist, Will Roger’s is credited with saying: “It’s not what people don’t know that hurts them. It’s what they do know that just ain’t so.” When Nephi was shown Lehi’s dream of the “Tree of Life,” he witnessed a rising mist of darkness that covered the straight and narrow path.[i] The fog impaired the vision of those who gained access to the straight and narrow path through the saving ordinances, including baptism.[ii] In other words, it appears Lehi’s vision is primarily directed to the membership of the Church and the potential for impaired vision once we reach the “straight and narrow path.”
Navigating the Mists
Lehi and Nephi were taught in the vision that the way to successfully stay on the straight and narrow path was to take hold of the “iron rod” as they slowly make their way through the dark mists. The inflexible rod of iron running parallel to the straight and narrow path was identified as the “Word of God.”[iii] No matter how dark the way may be, one can hold to the iron rod and be led through the dark mists to the “fountain of Living Waters” and the “Tree of Life.”[iv]
Evidence the body of the Church will struggle with the temptations that form the thick, dark mists is found in section 112 & 84 where the Lord states, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, darkness covereth the earth, and gross darkness the minds of the people, and all flesh has become corrupt before my face” and “And your minds in times past have been darkened because of unbelief, and because you have treated lightly the things you have received.”[v]
What does it mean to hold to the Word of God?
In the modern Church we often hear the mantra “Follow the Prophet.” What does that statement mean? Some feel compliant if they listen to Conference twice a year and read the conference issue of Ensign Magazine. Certainly that is one way of clinging to the word of God but holding fast to the iron rod goes beyond listening to the Prophet. To fully follow the Prophet we have to heed his words but most importantly, follow his example of searching for God. Until we seek the Lord as the Prophet does we are not truly “Following the Prophet.”
Another key part of clinging to the rod of iron is “feasting on the words of Christ”[vi] Topical study of the scriptures is one of the most effective ways to learn doctrine, feast on Christ’s words and commune with the Spirit of God.If one feels they lack direct, personal revelation from God holding fast to the iron rod of teachings from modern Prophets, the Standard Works and topical research can illuminate the way through the mists of darkness.
Case Study
Early one morning I sat at my desk preparing for a Sunday lesson. It was the last Sunday of the year which meant the last lesson in the manual was to be taught. The subject was “The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord.”The first reference in the lesson was Malachi 3:1 which says, “Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come saith the Lord of hosts.” By way of commentary the manual said, “Malachi prophesied that a messenger would prepare the way for the coming of the Lord. John the Baptist prepared the way for the Lord’s mortal ministry, and Joseph Smith is the messenger who prepared the way for the Second Coming.[vii]
It is clear the disciples of Jesus knew John the Baptist fulfilled part of Malachi’s prophecy prior to the Savior’s ministry. The part in the manual that claims Joseph Smith is the latter day messenger is the portion of the manual under consideration.
Church manuals generally are written to the understanding of a young person in the sixth grade. This accommodates the needs of newer, less initiated members in a global Church. Theoretically they are the ones who need to be nurtured. It is important to seize every opportunity to identify prophecies linked to the mission of Joseph Smith. Any true disciple of Christ wants to strengthen the faith and testimony of everyone they associate with. With that thought in mind I propose an alternate explanation that provides a strong witness of Joseph Smith as a Prophet of God and reveals the identity of the second Elias.
Elias the mystery man
Rather than focus on Matthew 11:10 as directed by the manual examine Matthew 17:10-13 where the text reads, “And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.”
The disciples understood John the Baptist was the Elias that prepared the way for the Savior’s earthly ministry. The Joseph Smith Translation of Matthew 17 provides greater detail and clarifies the idea there will be two prominent Eliases. There are significant differences between the King James Version and the Joseph Smith Translation in clarity and content.
“And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things, as the prophets have written. And again I say unto you that Elias has come already, concerning who it is written, Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me; and they knew him not, and have done unto him, whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of Man suffer of them. But I say unto you, Who is Elias? Behold, this is Elias, whom I send to prepare the way before me. Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist, and also of another who should come and restore all things, as it is written by the prophets.”[viii]
Two Eliases
The Joseph Smith Translation makes a distinction between two Eliases, one that “prepares the way” (which is John the Baptist) and a second Elias who had not yet arrived but would come in a future day to “restore all things.” At this point it is logical to conclude that Joseph Smith was the second Elias who restores all things as stated in the manual. Members of the Church believe the mission of Joseph Smith was to restore all things. The identity of the second Elias appears even more certain when Joseph Smith says at the time of his Aaronic ordination by John the Baptist, “…, 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, which was the spirit of Elias; for the spirit of Elias was a going before to prepare the way for a greater, which was the case with John the Baptist.” [ix] This quotation appears to support Joseph Fielding Smith’s point that Joseph Smith is the second Elias that restores all things. Closer examination reveals a subtle but important distinction that is critical to our understanding the doctrine of Elias.
Distinction between the “Spirit of Elias” and the office of Elias
John the Baptist did not say Joseph Smith was “Elias” but that his ordination was in accordance with the “spirit of Elias.” In “Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith”, Joseph said: “In the first ages of the world they tried to establish the same thing; and there were Eliases raised up who tried to restore these very glories, but did not obtain them; but they prophesied of a day when this glory would be revealed.”[x] Joseph’s quotation implies many men may have functioned under the influence and authority of the spirit of Elias. Not all qualified for the title of “Elias.” The failed attempts at preparing the way for a greater work associated these men with the “Spirit of Elias”. Still, they fell short of their objective but continued pointing to a day when all things would be restored. This would be the fulfillment of the second Elias in prophecy.
The identity of the second Elias is found in the 77th section of the Doctrine & Covenants. This section is unique in its question and answer format. In verse 9 of section 77 the Lord is asked: “What are we to understand by the angel ascending from the east, Revelation 7th Chapter and 2nd verse? A. We are to understand that the angel ascending from the east is he to whom is given the seal of the living God over the twelve tribes of Israel; wherefore, he crieth unto the four angels (D&C 77:8) having the everlasting gospel, saying: Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And, if you will receive it, this is Elias which was to come to gather together the tribes of Israel and restore all things.”
The Duel Mission of the “restorer of all things”
Another mission is added to the second Elias. The second Elias will gather and seal the scattered tribes of Israel. That event has yet to occur. The gathering began during Joseph Smith’s ministry, (primarily the tribe of Joseph.) The second Elias appears to have a comprehensive role in gathering very tribe in Israel. The identity of the second Elias is revealed in verse 14 of 77 where the Lord is asked: “What are we to understand by the little book which was eaten by John, as mentioned in the 10th chapter of Revelation?”
A. We are to understand that it was a mission and an ordinance, for him (John the Revelator) to gather the tribes of Israel; behold, this is Elias, who, as it is written, must come and restore all things.” Case closed? I realize there may be those who choose Joseph Fielding Smith’s perspective and that is fine. You will need to reconcile the two opinions.
[i] 1 Nephi 8:23, 1 Nephi 12:17
[ii] 2 Nephi 31:14-18
[iii] 1 Nephi 11:25
[iv] 1 Nephi 8:20
[v] D&C 112:23, 84:54-57
[vi] 2 Nephi 32:3, D&C 1:14,38
[vii] (see Matthew 11:10; Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, comp. Bruce R. McConkie, 3 vols. [1954-56], 1:193-195, 3:10-14, [Old Testament Gospel Doctrine Manual, pg.226]).”
[viii] Joseph Smith Translation, Matthew 17:10-14
[ix] Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Joseph Fielding Smith, Salt Lake City, Ut. Deseret Book, 1974, pg.335
[x] Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Joseph Fielding Smith, Salt Lake City, Ut. Deseret Book, 1974, pg.159
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