Joseph Smith - History 1

The Prophet Joseph Smith later recalls -

"Some few days after I had this vision, I happened to be in company with one of the Methodist preachers, who was very active in the before mentioned religious excitement; and, conversing with him on the subject of religion, I took occasion to give him an account of the vision which I had had. I was greatly surprised at his behavior; he treated my communication not only lightly, but with great contempt, saying it was all of the devil, that there were no such things as visions or revelations in these days; that all such things had ceased with the apostles, and that there would never be any more of them.
22 I soon found, however, that my telling the story had excited a great deal of prejudice against me among professors of religion, and was the cause of great persecution, which continued to increase; and though I was an obscure boy, only between fourteen and fifteen years of age, and my circumstances in life such as to make a boy of no consequence in the world, yet men of high standing would take notice sufficient to excite the public mind against me, and create a bitter persecution; and this was common among all the sects—all united to persecute me.
23 It caused me serious reflection then, and often has since, how very strange it was that an obscure boy, of a little over fourteen years of age, and one, too, who was doomed to the necessity of obtaining a scanty maintenance by his daily labor, should be thought a character of sufficient importance to attract the attention of the great ones of the most popular sects of the day, and in a manner to create in them a spirit of the most bitter persecution and reviling. But strange or not, so it was, and it was often the cause of great sorrow to myself."  (Joseph Smith—History 1:21–23)

Even though there is know question that this was a miraculous vision, it is understandable why the Prophet did not seem to make a big deal about later on.  Obviously the persecution he receive was not forgotten.

Joseph Smith - History 1

The Prophet Joseph Smith recalled from his youth -

"In the midst of this war of words and tumult of opinions, I often said to myself: What is to be done? Who of all these parties are right; or, are they all wrong together? If any one of them be right, which is it, and how shall I know it?"  (Joseph Smith—History 1:10)

There are many today that have the same question.  The Prophet discovered the answer.

Revelation 22

As John's vision concludes, the angel told him -

"Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand."  (Revelation 22:10)

Obviously, the Lord wanted this revelation written and distributed.  The angel called it "this book".

And then adds -

"For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book."  (Revelation 22:18–19)

Again, it is obvious that the angel is referring to this vision and revelation given to John.

Revelation 21

As John saw the Celestial Kingdom, he records -

"I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.
23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.
24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it."  (Revelation 21:22–24)

Obviously, no physical temple is needed if the city is His temple and the glory of Him and all they that are kings brings light where no heavenly bodies (sun or moon) is needed.

Revelation 19

In vision John learned that -

"Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ..."  (Revelation 20:6)

In my mind, the wicked will never experience the power of Christ unto salvation.

Revelation 19

Speaking of the righteous and His second coming, John writes -

"Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints."  (Revelation 19:7–8)

As well as -

"And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean."  (Revelation 19:14)

I couldn't help but think of the righteous that serve in the temple...linen white and clean.

Revelation 17

As John sees the great whore of the earth, he comments -

"And upon her forehead was a name written, Mystery, Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth."  (Revelation 17:5)

The bible footnote for "Mystery" is secret combinations.  I couldn't hep but compare this to many secret political combinations that seem to be taking place today in our government.

Revelation 14

As John's vision continues, he records -

"And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them."  (Revelation 14:13)

This specifically touched my thoughts this morning after the passing of a good friend...Duane Perry.

Revelation 13

Speaking of Satan and wickedness, John records -

"And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name."  (Revelation 13:16–17)

We are witnessing this today with political correctness and so called discrimination that many companies will "black ball" or boycott those that choose to take the Lord's position.

Revelation 12

As John sees the Church in the last days (woman), he warns -

"...Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time."  (Revelation 12:12)

"And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."  (Revelation 12:17)

Obviously, because this war has increased, recently, The Church has made changes the parents and bishoprics are to focus more on the youth or in my mind, the remnant of her seed.  To them it is promised -

"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them."  (Revelation 12:11–12)

Revelation 9

John records that as the angel -

"...opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.
3 And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.
4 And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.
5 And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man.
6 And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.
7 And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men.
8 And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions.
9 And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle.
10 And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months.
11 And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon."  (Revelation 9:2–11)

There seems to me to be great symbolism in John's vision.  On being the smoke.  It reminds me of the midst of darkness in Lehi's dream.

Another suggests to me that grass and trees, as Isaiah described, people.  Again noting that Satan has many restrictions on him.

Revelation 7

As one the elders who stood amongst the throne of God, asks John -

"...What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?"  (Revelation 7:13)

He would then answer -

"...These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them."  (Revelation 7:14–15)

And he then promised -

"They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.
17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."  (Revelation 7:16–17)

This should provide great comfort to those that serve in the temple.

Revelation 6

As the Savior opens the six seals or thousand year periods, we read of the opening of the fifth seal -

"...I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled."  (Revelation 6:9–11)

It seems to me, those faithful saints were persecuted and killed in the opening days of the Savior's Church qualified for exaltation, it also seems there would be the same in the latter days with the restoration of the Church.

Revelation 5

As John begins to weep because it appears to him that no one is worthy to open the book and seven seals or the plan of salvation, John then hears -

"...Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof."  (Revelation 5:5)

As the Savior makes a covenant, taking the book out of the right hand of the Father, it appears that all saints rejoiced and -

"...fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth."  (Revelation 5:8–10)

"Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing."  (Revelation 5:12)

What a great description of our premortal life and the plan of salvation.

Revelation 3

As the Savior praises, warns, and chastens the priesthood leaders of different branches of the Church in Asia, He first states -

"These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks..."  (Revelation 2:1)

...which suggests to me that He is actively involved in the administration and ministry of His servants, being present.

He proceeds to teach His leaders concerning the blessings of exaltation but also shares with them -

"As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent."  (Revelation 3:19)

We all can better serve in our callings.

Revelation 1

John wrote in letter -

"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is."  (1 John 3:1–2)

In my mind, that at some future time, we may qualify through His grace to be like Him.

Isaiah, speaking of the Savior and His atonement -

"...Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."  (Isaiah 1:18)

As John the Revelator testifies of the Savior's appearance -

"His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow..."  (Revelation 1:14)

Which tells me that we too may qualify for exaltation and may appear as head and hair like white wool and snow.