Moses Seeing Jehovah, by Joseph Brickey
In the last part of this post we explored what it means to see the face of God in the temple. Seeing the face of God is promised to us in the scriptures, and as we showed, it was one of the foremost purposes of the prophet Joseph Smith in building up temples. Such a witness was key to what was called the endowment. As Joseph described the endowment,
All who are prepared, and are sufficiently pure to abide the presence of the Savior, will see him in the solemn assembly. ((DHC VII p. 308-310))
In the first part we discussed one interpretation of seeing the Lord – in a physical sense. Many early members of the Church literally saw the Lord, Jesus Christ, and even God the Father, within the walls of the temple on several occasions, and have seen Him since in the temples of the Lord.
What else might “seeing God” mean?
Spiritually
Another related sense that one might see the face of God in the temple is in a spiritual sense, in a vision or dream, in the mind’s eye, and through revelation. Surely, even those experiences which have been described as physical were also supremely spiritual in nature. A person does not just see God with his corporeal eyes; he sees Him with his whole soul, body and spirit.
This is the reason we talk of transfiguration. The Encyclopedia of Mormonism defines transfiguration:
Transfiguration for mortals consists of a temporary physical and spiritual change, allowing them not only to behold the glory of God but to enter his presence. It is characterized by illumination of countenance such as Moses experienced (Moses 1:11; Ex. 34:29-35) and comes about by an infusion of God’s power (MD, p. 725). Because God is a being of transcendent glory, it is impossible for men and women to enter his presence without their physical bodies being spiritually “quickened.” The Prophet Joseph Smith explained that God “dwells in eternal fire; flesh and blood cannot go there, for all corruption is devoured by the fire. “Our God is a consuming fire”‘ (TPJS, p. 367; cf. Heb. 12:29; Deut. 4:24). Transfiguration bestows on individuals a temporary condition compatible to that of deity and allows them to see God face-to-face.
To see God, an individual receives a portion of God’s glory, or is “quickened” by the Spirit (D&C 67:11). As Elder McConkie described it, “Transfiguration is a special change in appearance and nature which is wrought upon a person. This divine transformation is from a lower to a higher state; it results in a more exalted, impressive, and glorious condition” ((Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 803)).
We have several records of transfiguration in the scriptures. Most notably, Moses describes his experience:
But now mine own eyes have beheld God; but not my natural, but my spiritual eyes, for my natural eyes could not have beheld; for I should have withered and died in his presence; but his glory was upon me; and I beheld his face, for I was transfigured before him. (Moses 1:11)
Note that Moses said he saw God with his “own eyes” but that his eyes were changed to be made of a more spiritual and glorious nature. He received of the glory of God so that he could behold the face of God (Moses 1:2). The effects of the transfiguration were prominent:
And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses’ hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him. (Exodus 34:29)
The glory of God had not completely departed from Moses from the transfiguration, such that his face still shined as he came down from the mount (an analog of the temple).
Paul describes being transfigured in words that he could not tell whether it was a physical or spiritual transformation, words echoed by other prophets who have experienced it:
I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. (2 Corinthians 12:2)
Joseph Smith likewise described seeing God and his kingdom in the vision that took place in the Kirtland temple:
The heavens were opened upon us, and I beheld the celestial kingdom of God, and the glory thereof, whether in the body or out I cannot tell… Also the blazing throne of God, whereon was seated the Father and the Son. (D&C 137:1, 3)
Christ too was transfigured, which is where the Mount of Transfiguration gets its name.
And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. (Matthew 17:1-2)
Interestingly, Christ described this very literal physical experience to his disciples that witnessed it with their eyes as “a vision” (Matt. 17:9), and latter-day revelation says that the apostles Peter, James, and John also experienced transfiguration during the event ((Ibid.)).
The Three Nephites from the Book of Mormon also experienced transfiguration:
And it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words, he touched every one of them with his finger save it were the three who were to tarry, and then he departed. And behold, the heavens were opened, and they were caught up into heaven, and saw and heard unspeakable things. And it was forbidden them that they should utter; neither was it given unto them power that they could utter the things which they saw and heard; And whether they were in the body or out of the body, they could not tell; for it did seem unto them like a transfiguration of them, that they were changed from this body of flesh into an immortal state, that they could behold the things of God. (3 Nephi 28:12-15)
Seeing God, therefore, is an experience that involves the whole soul, and it cannot be strictly determined whether it is a physical or spiritual experience. Early Church member John Murdock explained his vision of God:
During the winter of 1833 we had a number of prayer meetings in the Prophet’s chamber. In one of those meetings the Prophet told us, if we could humble ourselves before God, and exercise strong faith, we should see the face of the Lord. And about midday, the visions of my mind were opened, and the eyes of my understanding were enlightened, and I saw the form of a man, most lovely. ((An abridged Record of the Life of John Murdock, p. 23, Church Archives))
In a likewise manner, in the temple we may be caught up in the Spirit and receive such a manifestation of God such that we don’t know exactly how we experienced it, whether in our mind, body, dream, vision, etc. It is not something that we see strictly with our eyes, but it a much more encompassing and sublime encounter.
(To be continued…)
I teach Seminary, and I was interested to see that the CES manual directed the students to D&C 67:10 to discuss how the Saints are able to “see the Lord”:
“[I]t is your privilege, and a promise I give unto you that have been ordained unto this ministry, that inasmuch as you strip yourselves from jealousies and fears, and humble yourselves before me, for ye are not sufficiently humble, the veil shall be rent and you shall see me and know that I am—not with the carnal neither natural mind, but with the spiritual.”
Thus, I was to emphasize to my students that seeing the Lord was only to be had in the spiritual sense, and not necessarily in the physical (natural) sense. Clearly, this scripture can be interpreted as explained above, however. And that is the tact that I took with my students. I believe that it is the right and privilege of every member of the House of Israel to see their King and enjoy his presence – which fits in well with the Second Comforter doctrine taught in John 14.
Are there many recored writing concering early Prophets before Moses such as Abraham, Issac or Jacob receiving any visions while they were offering up sacrifices? To go up to the mountain would have been like a temple experence. I know Enoch, Adam & Eve as well as Jared as your picture shows, had them while offering up sacrifices.
I believe in the blessing of seeing the face of God, and desire it–though it could be a little frightening, out of body experience — not really knowing what is happening. Though, I don’t know if anyone recorded feeling that way. Well, maybe Abraham when he sees the stars and all, he becomes dizzy. Maybe when the eyes of your understanding are enlightened, it is more comforting. There are a lot of ascension texts/experiences I have been reading about — (Nibley’s last book) would those be in this same category?
Your comment about ascention texts is a very interesting one, Deila. I have read another book that parallels Nibley’s, called Stairway to Heaven by Peter Levenda. He traces ancient ascention doctrines from nearly every major continent. And they all have similar elements. In his last book, Nibley made the extremely interesting observation that the “other worlds” spoken of in the book of Moses might not only refer to other planets, but other aspects of this planet we are not aware of. ( See D&C 49:8, One Eternal Round p. 392-94)
One more item that might help you as you seek for greater knowledge. Brigham Young made it clear that Satan will exert greater power against you according to your knowledge: ” The greater the vision, the greater the display of the power of the enemy. So when individuals are blessed with revelation, etc., look out, then the devil is nigh you, and you will be tempted in proportion to the visions you have received.” ( Journ. of Dis. 3:205-06, 13:280 ) This goes a long way in explaining why some of the early brethren such as Oliver Cowdery fell away, and why we need to prepare ourselves spiritually before we can be given more. Thus, the apostle Paul in his wisdom counselled: “Srong meat belongeth to them that are full of age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” (Heb. 5:12-14) ( Being able to identify the powers and techniques of Satan.)
One of the best books I have seen concerning seeking the face of the Lord and having one’s calling made sure, is Bruce McConkie’s The Promised Messiah. See the last two chapters. I read an account of a lady who was motivated from this book and after three years achieved the blessings promised there. Interestingly, it did NOT happen in the temple. While the Lord can and does appear there, he is not limited to it. My greatest spiritual experiences have not occured in the temple, but after having been there. I think of the temple more as a place that prepares one to become a temple within themself. So when John the revelator described the celestial city, he said: “I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb ARE the temple of it.” (Rev. 21:22)
This is a very fascinating subject to me. Is there anything in the scriptures of from our modern day prophets which indicate a physical transfiguration during a Divine dream? Spiritual, yes, as D&C 67:10-12 and other scriptures indicate– Physical?
I am a member of the church and. I was born and raised in the church. In my youth shortly after my baptism at age eight, I was probably in my most humble and innocent state. My slate had been wiped clean and I was, by the act of repentance and baptism, pure before Him. As an adult,it is my desire to somehow return to that state. During my dream, I was in a heavenly garden. I wish I could form words to describe the experience so the listener could understand, yet there are no words– man cannot. I was greeted by the Savior. To describe Him, turn to D&C 110 and read verses 1-5. This is the most perfect description of the being I witnessed. My experience was very similar to other LDS who have had an NDE, but it can also be classified as a Prebirth Experience or PBE, because the veil was parted and I saw I was my spirit self before I was born. During such an experience, was my physical body changed along with undergoing a spiritual transformation while I slept?
The above experience while in that heightened state, seemed more real than any reality I have ever experienced. I truly felt as if I was in real life, in the presence of God! I also felt an overpowering, overwhelming sensation of pure love and peace, In the prophets dream about the Tree of Life, Lehi describes it as inexpressible Joy. Nephi adds that it was the pure Love of God. What I felt was the pure love of God and this sensation continued with me for several weeks following the dream. In the garden, it was filled with trees similar to the tree of life. No other dream had before or since effected me in such a way! So I want to know, was my body changed temporarily while in this state?
Hi Russel,
I’m not sure it matters in regard to your body. As Joseph Smith said, echoing the ancient apostle Paul; “…whether in the body or out, I cannot tell.” (D&C 137:1, 2Cor. 12:3) You notice also the descriptions of Moses when he talks about seeing with his spiritual eyes, NOT his natural. I have experienced that myself, which was not a dream, nor was it at all visual in the normal sense, yet the presense of an actual being with the accompanying power of love was more real, as you describe, than anything I’ve ever experienced.
Lorenzo Snow saw the Lord in the Salt Lake Temple,just as Joseph and Oliver saw Him in the Kirtland Temple, and Moses saw the Lord as recorded in the Pearl of Great Price. How were they able to do it? By having the Holy Spirit surround them so with their eyes,physical or spiritual, could see him and receive his message.When the Vision was revealed in Kirtland to Joseph and Sidney,Joseph told those in the room he was used to receiving revelation,yet it wore out Sidney.See Moses 1:11,24-25. The more knowledge of the Savior we have the more we are accountable to live the Gospel,and be a witness of the Savior.