THE DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS
SECTION 110
Visions manifested to Joseph Smith the Prophet and Oliver Cowdery in the temple at Kirtland, Ohio, April 3, 1836. HC 2: 435—436. The occasion was that of a Sabbath day meeting. The Prophet prefaces his record of the manifestations with these words: “In the afternoon, I assisted the other Presidents in distributing the Lord’s Supper to the Church, receiving it from the Twelve, whose privilege it was to officiate at the sacred desk this day. After having performed this service to my brethren, I retired to the pulpit, the veils being dropped, and bowed myself, with Oliver Cowdery, in solemn and silent prayer. After rising from prayer, the following vision was opened to both of us.”
[ Interesting as to the date that this event happened - the exact interval of the fifteenth day of Nissan in the Hebrew calendar (Passover Weekend). This is easter Sunday. ]
1 THE veil was taken from our minds, [ Cp. D&C 76:10, Ether 3:19-20.] and the eyes of our understanding were opened. [ Cp. D&C 76:12, D&C 136:32, ct. Isa. 9-10]
2 We saw the Lord standing upon the breastwork of the pulpit, before us; [ A good indication that thsi was not a vision but the Lord had appeared in person. This would also go to place a sense of importance on this solumn occassion.] and under his feet was a paved work of pure gold, in color like amber. [ It would appear than that the Lord was standing not directly on the breastwork itself as the layer of pure gold was between the pulpit and the Saviors feet. We also know that the streets of heaven appear to be paved with gold (cf. Rev. 21:21, D&C 137:4). ]
3 His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, [ Translates to something like "I am, that I am". ] saying:
4 I am the first and the last; [ Representing the timeless and eternal nature of his authority. ] I am he who liveth, [ Resurrected to be an active God, a God who has body, a God who can be known by his people,(1 Ne. 17:30, D&C 20:19, Alma 7:6; 11:27)] I am he who was slain; [ Gave his life willingly to atone for our sins as per our Fathers great plan. ] I am your advocate with the Father. [ Providing himself as our representative with our Father in Heaven. ] [ The Lord provides an authority statement of who he is, what he has done and why he bears that authority - even the Great I AM. ]
5 Behold, your sins are forgiven you; you are clean before me; therefore, lift up your heads and rejoice.
6 Let the hearts of your brethren rejoice, and let the hearts of all my people rejoice, who have, with their might, built this house to my name.
7 For behold, I have accepted this house, and my name shall be here; and I will manifest myself to my people in mercy in this house. [ The very purpose of the Temple is so that he can manifest himself to His people Exod. 33:7, D&C 84:19-25. "This significant promise applies to every dedicated temple today. I invite you to ponder what the Lord’s promise means for you personally." Rejoice in the Gift of Priesthood Keys April 2024 Gen Conf By President Russell M. Nelson. ]
8 Yea, I will appear unto my servants, and speak unto them with mine own voice, [ Personal revelation to them - they will HEAR HIM. ] if my people will keep my commandments, and do not pollute this holy house.
9 Yea the hearts of thousands and tens of thousands shall greatly rejoice in consequence of the blessings which shall be poured out, and the endowment with which my servants have been endowed in this house. [ D&C 124:40-42. ]
10 And the fame of this house shall spread to foreign lands; and this is the beginning of the blessing which shall be poured out upon the heads of my people. [ Anointing with oil was an ancient way of consecrating or setting apart a person to be a special servant of God such as a prophet, priest, or king (see Anoint, Bible Dictionary). The title Christ or Messiah literally means “the anointed one.” The outpouring of oil was symbolic of the outpouring of power and the Spirit that was to rest upon the anointed servants of the Lord. In the Kirtland temple where these ordinances were first performed in the latter-days, the Lord spoke of the “blessings which shall be poured out upon the heads of my people” (D&C 110:10). ] Even so. Amen.
11 After this vision closed, the heavens were again opened unto us; [ Each of these messengers plays an important part in the story about to be told. A story that would not be complete without and understanding of the particular blessings restored by each of these men, and why each was chosen to restore them, and how they all relate to the gathering of Israel. ] and Moses appeared before us, and committed unto us the keys of the gathering of Israel from the four parts of the earth, and the leading of the ten tribes from the land of the north. [ What is the significance of Moses appearing? What keys did he hold? Gathering Israel to what? The Temple. Moses appears and commits keys for the gathering of scattered Israel from the “north countries”. The “north countries” is where Israel was scattered to by Assyria, cf. Jer. 16:14-15, D&C 133:13. Why was Moses the one chosen to restore the authority to gather Israel? After 400 yrs in bondage the Lord sent Moses to the children of Israel. To turn them to Christ. Liberate them and then bring them as a nation to Mt. Sinai. At mount Sinai the Lord intended to sanctify them, and renew with them the covenant he had made with their father Abraham(which was eternal marriage and the sealing of families). After they were so empowered they were to return again to the lands that were given them for their inheritance and build a temple to their God. see Ex. 19 How did Moses hold those keys? D&C 84:6-15 ]
12 After this, Elias [ Cp. D&C 27:6, D&C 77:9 - mission of Elias is to restore all things - "D&C 27:6 6 And also with Elias, to whom I have committed the keys of bringing to pass the restoration of all things spoken by the mouth of all the holy prophets since the world began, concerning the last days; " ) Who was this Elias? Elias is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Elijah, but Elijah appears separately in this revelation(so it would appear as if this is not Elijah) and is referred to by his Hebrew name (see v. 13).
"A man called Elias apparently lived in mortality in the days of Abraham, who committed the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in the Kirtland (Ohio) Temple on April 3, 1836 (D&C 110:12). We have no specific information as to the details of his mortal life or ministry."(https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bd/elias?lang=eng#title1).
Elias is also a title for a forerunner, and several individuals have been referred to as Elias, including John the Revelator (D&C 77:14) and Noah or Gabriel (Luke 1:11–20; D&C 27:6–7) and John the Baptist( JST Matt. 11:13–15, JST Matt. 17:10–14, and JST John 1:20–28). We do not know whether the Elias in verse 12 is one of these, or another forerunner, or whether he was an ancient prophet whose personal name was Elias. We also have D&C 27:6-7 where it says of John the beloved "to whom I have committed the keys of bringing to pass the restoration of all things". In June 1831 "The Spirit of the Lord fell upon Joseph in an unusual manner. And prophecied [sic] that John the Revelator was then among the ten tribes of Israel who had been lead away by Salmanaser [sic] King of israel [sic], to prepare them for their return, from their long dispersion, to again possess the land of their father's.
He prophecied [sic] many more things". ] appeared, and committed the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham, [ So if he is to restore the keys of the dispensation of Abraham then he most likely would have needed to be a part of that dispensation. In addition logic would tell us that he would also be one of the last of that dispensation to have held the keys. What is the significance of Elias appearing and what did he restore? One we can assume that if he held the keys to the dispensation of Abraham that he lived during the dispensation of Abraham. What were those things most distinctive and unique to Abrahams dispensation. Abraham was known for his divine revelation concerning the planetary system, the creation of the earth, and the premortal activities of the spirits of mankind. The gospel of Abraham as we are told here. What is the gospel of Abraham? The dispensation of the Gospel of Abraham is the covenant of Abraham that is coming forward. It's the same covenant of Abraham And that's talked about in the very in the second paragraph of the title page of the Book of Mormon. It's those covenants, the blessings of the fathers, and is bringing the keys from the covenant of Abraham into our dispensation. The keys for eternal marriage and the sealing of families, which is obviously associated with the Abrahamic covenant. Elias was the representative of the Patriarchal dispensation. Elder Bruce R. McConkie stated: “The man Elias brings back ‘the gospel of Abraham,’ the great Abrahamic covenant whereby the faithful receive promises of eternal increase, promises that through celestial marriage their eternal posterity shall be as numerous as the sands upon the seashore or as the stars in heaven for multitude. Elias gives the promise—received of old by Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that in modern men and in their seed all generations shall be blessed. And we are now offering the blessings of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to all who will receive them.” (In Conference Report, Apr. 1983, 28.) What were the covenants of the Abrahamic Covenant? Abraham first received the gospel by baptism (which is the covenant of salvation JST Genesis 17:4-5.). Then he had conferred upon him the higher priesthood, and he entered into celestial marriage (which is the covenant of exaltation), gaining assurance thereby that he would have eternal increase. Finally he received a promise that all of these blessings would be offered to all of his mortal posterity. (Mormon Doctrine, p. 13.)(Abra. 2:6–11; D. & C. 132:29–50.)So what is the specific significance here? To fulfill the covenant God made with Abraham - having particular reference to the fact that the literal seed of his body would be entitled to all of the blessings of the gospel (Abr. 2: 10-11) - a number of specific and particular things must take place in the last days. The gospel must be restored, the priesthood must be conferred again upon man, the keys of the sealing power must be given again to mortals, Israel must be gathered, and the Holy Ghost must be poured out upon the gentiles. All this has already taken place or is in process of fulfillment. ] saying that in us and our seed all generations after us should be blessed. [ Accomplished through the application of the Abrahamic Covenant - our family tree will be bound under the covenant and receive the blessing associated with it. Abraham was given a promise of innumerable posterity both in the world and out of the world. This promise is renewed for all who obey the gospel of Jesus Christ and receive the priesthood covenant of celestial marriage, "and by this law is the continuation of the works of [the] Father" among mankind both in time and eternity (D&C 132:31-33). The restoration of all things included the restoration of the keys to Joseph Smith to make it possible in modern times for all who do the works of Abraham to inherit the covenant and blessings of Abraham. ]
13 After this vision had closed, another great and glorious vision burst upon us; for Elijah the prophet, [ What is the significance of Elijah appearing? What did he restore? Elijah appears and fulfills the statement of D&C 2.The Messiah Ben Joseph, the Role of Elijah and the Ephraimite Connection This work is linked to establishing peace and turning the hearts of the children to the fathers (Julius Greenstone, The Messiah Idea in Jewish History (Philadelphia: Jewish Publication society of America,1906) pg. 320). It is “. . . Elijah’s chief activity . . . [that] will [assist] in restoring the purity of the family.” (Ginzber, op. cit., Vol. 6, pg. 339) The return of Elijah was to be about the time of the restoration of the Melchizedek priesthood as well as the rediscovery of the breastplate of the Urim and Thummim. Elijah’s return was also to happen, according to Dr. Klausner, during the time of the sacred washing and anointing. All of this would occur when the rebuilding of the new temple of Israel would be expected. (Joseph Klausner, Die Messianishe Vorstellungen des juedischen Volkes im Zeitalter der Tannaiten (Berlin: Verlag M. Poppelhauer, 1904) pgs. 61, 115-119. This is Dr. Klausner’s PhD thesis) This actually happened in the latter-days. At the dedication of the new temple, Elijah did return on that very day when the traditional Jewish people celebrate Passover. This was on April 3, 1836, the exact interval of the fifteenth day of Nissan in the Hebrew calendar! Many Jewish scriptures like to link the ancient Jewish prophet with the future Messiah ben Joseph. In the Old Testament, Joseph’s mother, Rachel, prophecies about her son’s progeny and believed “. . . that Joseph would be the ancestor of the (Ephraimite) Messiah, who would arise at the end of days,” (Raphael Patai The Messiah Texts (New York: Avon Book, 1979) pg. 165. See also Ginzberg, op. cit., Vol. 5: 299.) where he would appear as the Messiah ben Joseph. Many Jews today believe that Elijah will one day return, and when he does, “he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers,” thus fulfilling the prophecy of Malachi (Malachi 4:6). Jews also believe that he will return on Pesach (Passover). Therefore, during the Passover meal, each family reserves a place for him to dine with them in case he happens to return. Jews also taught that the return of Elijah would occur during the Messianic Age. According to one modern scholar, when Elijah returns, he will appear on the top of a mountain. This is intriguing for Latter-day Saints as well as Jews who believe that the “tops of the mountains” or “mountain of the Lord’s house” refers to the Lord’s temple. The prophet Hosea talks of sacrificing and burning incense, both temple-related practices, in “the tops of the mountains” (Hosea 4:13).
Elijah appeared to Joseph Smith on April 3, 1836, in the Kirtland Temple. This day, the sixteenth of Nisan, was the second day of the Passover season in the year 1836. Many Latter-day Saints believe, however, that Elijah returned on the fifteenth of Nisan, the first day of the Jewish Passover season and the day the Seder feast was held; unfortunately, this was not the case. Despite this fact, it is still very significant that Elijah returned during the Passover season, and more specifically, on the second day of Passover, a day some Jewish sects open their doors to Elijah and hold another Seder fest for a second consecutive day.
When Elijah appeared in the Kirtland Temple, he bestowed upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery sealing powers that would unite families for eternity. Klausner states that Elijah will be “a maker of peace among families.” President Boyd K. Packer related this story about Elder LeGrand Richards and the mayor of Jerusalem:
At the dedication of the Orson Hyde Park in Jerusalem in 1979, Elder LeGrand Richards of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles had a conversation with the mayor of Jerusalem. Elder Richards told the mayor of having visited a synagogue that day and having observed a large armchair suspended from the ceiling above the altar. He had asked the rabbi what the chair was for. (He said he already knew what it was for, but that he asked the question to see if the modern-day rabbi still held to the tradition.) The rabbi informed him that the chair was for Elijah, and that upon Elijah’s return it would be lowered from the ceiling so that he might occupy it. Elder Richards then bore testimony to the mayor that the tradition was not only true but had been fulfilled.
Interestingly, Moses and Elijah appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery on the same day in 1836. We find, in a rabbinical commentary of the second century BC, a passage stating that Moses and Elijah would arrive together at the “end of time,” or in the Messianic Age.
President Joseph Fielding Smith noted: “Edersheim in his work, The Temple, says: ‘To this day, in every Jewish home, at a certain part of the Paschal service [i.e. when they drink the “third cup”]—the door is opened to admit Elijah the prophet as forerunner of the Messiah, while appropriate passages are at the same time read which foretell the destruction of all heathen nations. It is a remarkable coincidence that, in instituting his own Supper, the Lord Jesus connected the symbol, not of judgment, but of his dying love, with his “third cup.”’
“It was, I am informed, on the third day of April, 1836, that the Jews, in their homes at the Paschal feast, opened their doors for Elijah to enter. On that very day Elijah did enter—not in the home of the Jews to partake of the Passover with them—but he appeared in the house of the Lord, erected to his name and received by the Lord in Kirtland, and there bestowed his keys to bring to pass the very things for which these Jews, assembled in their homes, were seeking.” (Doctrines of Salvation, 2:100–101.) ] who was taken to heaven without tasting death, stood before us, and said:
14 Behold, the time has fully come, which was spoken of by the mouth of Malachi—testifying that he [Elijah] [Why Elijah - what made him special? Because he holds the keys of the autority to administer in all the ordinances of the priesthood - including the ordinances, powers and endowments of the fulliness of the Melchizedek priesthood - which includes redeeming our dead, and connecting ourselves with our fathers which are in heaven - The Sealing Power. "He was the last prophet that held the keys of the priesthood in ancient Israel" Mormon Doctrine Pg 223 - There are a great many legends around Elijah and nobody quite knows where they originated. In grace after meals Elijah has the function of bringing good news to the jews. Midrash: Israel will not repent until Elijah has made a public appearance. Elijah has the exclusive privilege of bringing about the resurrection. Aaron's grandson Phinehas is often identified with Elijah. Zohar: Elijah advocated the creation of man. Elijah like Enoch can navigate between worlds. Elijah can ward off the angel of death, Elijah is expected to be the one that will announce the return of the redeemer. He did not die but wanders the earth as a poor man. The chair of Elijah serves as the guardian angel of the newborn. ] should be sent, before the great and dreadful day of the Lord come— [ A round about statement that with these keys restored to the earth the Day of the Lord is imminent. ]
15 To turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, lest the whole earth be smitten with a curse— [ What is the curse? D&C 2:3 - The earth would not have fulfilled its purpose, there would have been no reason for it - without the saving ordinances of the Gospel and especially the Sealing of families the earth would have been wasted. D&C 128:18 -"I might have rendered a plainer translation to this, but it is sufficiently plain to suit my purpose as it stands. It is sufficient to know, in this case, that the earth will be smitten with a curse unless there is a weldinglink of some kind or other between the fathers and the children , upon some subject or other—and behold what is that subject? It is the baptism for the dead. For we without them cannot be made perfect; neither can they without us be made perfect..." JS-H 1: 39 (36-39) "39 He also quoted the next verse differently: And he shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers, and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers. If it were not so, the whole earth would be utterly wasted at his coming." "eternal life, made possible by the atonement, is the supreme purpose of Creation. To phrase that statement in its negative form, if families were not sealed in holy temples, the whole earth would be utterly wasted." Russell M. Nelson Conference Report(October1996), 97. ]
16 Therefore, the keys of this dispensation are committed into your hands; [ "The significance of these keys being returned to the earth by three heavenly messengers under the direction of the Lord cannot be overstated. Priesthood keys constitute the authority and power of presidency. Priesthood keys govern how the priesthood of God may be used to bring about the Lord’s purposes and bless all who accept the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.It is important to note that prior to the organization of the Church, heavenly messengers had conferred the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthoods upon the Prophet Joseph and had given him keys of both priesthoods. These keys gave Joseph Smith authority to organize the Church in 1830.
Then in the Kirtland Temple in 1836, the conferral of these three additional priesthood keys—namely, keys of the gathering of Israel, keys of the gospel of Abraham, and keys of the sealing power—was essential. These keys authorized Joseph Smith—and all succeeding Presidents of the Lord’s Church—to gather Israel on both sides of the veil, to bless all covenant children with the blessings of Abraham, to place a ratifying seal on priesthood ordinances and covenants, and to seal families eternally. The power of these priesthood keys is infinite and breathtaking." (Rejoice in the Gift of Priesthood Keys April 2024 President Russell M. Nelson) ] and by this [ The restoration of all of the keys. When the Lord told Joseph Smith that this dispensation is the time when “nothing shall be withheld” (Doctrine and Covenants 121:28), it was because these priesthood keys had been returned to the earth. The Lord has revealed through various messengers that His coming is not far distant. On Moroni’s first visit to Joseph Smith, he quoted several promises from the Bible, saying that these were “about to be fulfilled” (JS—H 1:40; see also JS—H 1:36–45). When Elijah appeared in the Kirtland Temple, he bore witness that his own coming not only fulfilled Malachi’s prophecy but was a sign that the great and dreadful day was “at the doors” (v. 16; see also JS—M 1:39).
President Joseph Fielding Smith taught:
“If the great and dreadful day of the Lord were near at hand when Elijah came 130 years ago, we are just one century nearer it today. But some will say: ‘But no! Elijah, you are wrong! Surely 130 years have passed, and are we not better off today than ever before? Look at our discoveries, our inventions, our knowledge, and our wisdom! Surely you made a mistake!’ So many seem to think and say, and judging by their actions they are sure, that the world is bound to go on in its present condition for millions of years before the end will come. Talk to them; hear what they have to say—these learned men of the world. ‘We have had worse times,’ they say. ‘You are wrong in thinking there are more calamities now than in earlier times. There are not more earthquakes, the earth has always been quaking, but now we have facilities for gathering the news which our fathers did not have. These are not signs of the times; things are not different from former times.’ And so the people refuse to heed the warnings the Lord so kindly gives to them, and thus they fulfill the scriptures. Peter said such sayings would be uttered, and he warned the people. …
“Shall we slumber on in utter oblivion or indifference to all that the Lord has given us as warning? I say unto you, ‘Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.’” (In Conference Report, Apr. 1966, p. 15.)] ye may know that the great and dreadful day of the Lord is near, even at the doors. What Is the Significance of the Keys Brought by Elijah?
[ President Joseph Fielding Smith wrote:
“What was the nature of this restoration? It was the conferring upon men in this dispensation of the sealing power of the priesthood, by which all things are bound in heaven as well as on earth. It gave the authority to Joseph Smith to perform in the temple of God all the ordinances essential to salvation for both the living and the dead.
“Through the power of this priesthood which Elijah bestowed, husband and wife may be sealed, or married for eternity; children may be sealed to their parents for eternity; thus the family is made eternal, and death does not separate the members. This is the great principle that will save the world from utter destruction.
“Vicariously the dead may obtain the blessings of the gospel—baptism, confirmation, ordination, and the higher blessings, which are sealed upon them in the temples of the Lord, by virtue of the authority restored by Elijah. Through the restoration of these keys, the work of the Lord is fully inaugurated before the coming of Jesus Christ in glory.
“These keys of the binding, or sealing power, which were given to Peter, James, and John in their dispensation, are keys which make valid all the ordinances of the gospel. They pertain more especially to the work in the temples, both for the living and for the dead. They are the authorities which prepare men to enter the celestial kingdom and to be crowned as sons and heirs of God.
“These keys hold the power to seal husbands and wives for eternity as well as for time. They hold the power to seal children to parents, the key of adoption, by which the family organization is made intact forever. This is the power which will save the obedient from the curse in the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. Through these keys the hearts of the children have turned to their fathers.” (Doctrines of Salvation, 2:118–19.)]