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“I
Had Seen a Vision”
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Lesson
03
Summary |
Scripture
Summary: |
Joseph Smith History 1:1–26; Joseph Smith tells of his ancestry, family members, and their early abodes—An unusual excitement about religion prevails in
western New York—He determines to seek wisdom as directed by James—The Father and the Son appear and Joseph is called to his prophetic ministry. Some preachers and other professors of
religion reject account of First Vision—Persecution heaped upon Joseph Smith—He testifies of the reality of the vision. |
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Supplemental
Holy Land
and Jewish
insights:
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Heavenly Visions Throughout Time: Whether it was Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Ezekiel or any of the prophets of old, the people’s reaction was either very negative or
supportive. Some of those visions happened outside of Israel (Ezekiel) and even came to what Jews call "Gentile Prophets," (Baalam). Many of those visions foresaw the time of the
restoration.
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Ezekiel’s Visions Equate Restoration and Resurrection:
"Ezekiel was the only prophet to prophesy outside the Land of Israel . . . although the Book of Ezekiel starts on a note of doom, it continues with
consolation, and the news of Jerusalem's fall is followed by consolatory prophecies of its restoration. Ezekiel . . . gives a blueprint for the reorganization of the priesthood and the
allocation of the Land of Israel to the respective tribes. Among the most striking prophecies in the Bible is Ezekiel's vision in Babylonia, of the valley of dry bones which become
miraculously reconstructed and come to life. Such a message must have been of great encouragement to the depressed exiles of Judah." (Encyclopedia
Judaica Jr.)
Need for a Prophet: When visions and revelations were interrupted for a time, because the people were not worthy
to accept such divine manifestations, their importance faded and hope for future revelation diminished.
"Dreams have fascinated people through the ages. The Biblical view was that dreams are divine communication–events transpiring on a supernatural
plane. Thus, dreams were regarded as omens, which could be interpreted only by visionaries or prophets, who were in touch with this ‘divine dimension.’ In the Bible, ‘dreamer,’ ‘prophet,’
and ‘magician’ are related terms." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)
Some Dreams are Accepted as Visions: The Biblical accounts of Joseph and Daniel have a great basis in dreams. Some irritated family or friends,
and others brought redemption, as well as condemnation, of people in the lands where they lived. For many Moslems, Mohammed is called a Prophet although he apparently never claimed to be
one. His writings did not particularly predict the future because he still held the Bible as he interpreted it to be as accurate.
Muhammad Claimed to Have Had Visions
"From about 610 C.E. Muhammad claimed to have visions and to have been commanded . . . to recite certain verses which came to his mind . . . the holy
book of Islam, the Koran, soon attracted . . . devotees, and its message at this time concentrated on God's goodness and power, the return to God and final judgment, the necessity for man to
be humble and grateful to God and to worship Him, and the obligation of generosity and respect for the rights of the poor and defenseless." (Encyclopedia
Judaica Jr.)
Visions Use Geography to Clarify the Future: The prophecies of the "Colonization of America" in the Book of Mormon echo the blessings,
prophecies and visions given to Joseph, son of Jacob (Israel). The fascinating geographic connection in his blessing is the term, "everlasting hills." Mountainous Israel is the
"Crossroads of the East." On the other hand, Utah ("Tops of the Mountains" in the Navaho language) is the "Crossroads of the West." There are only two land
masses on this planet that have a perpetual, unending range of mountains or "everlasting hills," Israel and USA. The connection to God’s everlasting ways is also noted.
Joseph in Two Lands:
"In the blessing given by Jacob to his son Joseph, the inheritance of America is . . . predicted in the following words: ‘Joseph is a fruitful bough,
even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall . . . The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the
everlasting hills: they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren.’ (Genesis 49:26)" (Joseph
Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation Vol.3, Pg.68)
Prophets Called by Revelation:
"Whenever God has called and authorized men to perform a work in any age or dispensation, it has been done by revelations, and not by mere impressions,
or some undefinable, internal feelings, which leave the mind in uncertainty and doubt. Noah was called by the word of the Lord to be a preacher of righteousness, and to build an ark.
Abraham, Lot, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph, were called by revelation to perform a great variety of duties. Moses and Aaron were called to the priest's office by the word of the great Jehovah.
Seventy elders of Israel were called by revelation to assist Moses. Joshua was appointed by the word of the Lord through Moses to be his successor in leading Israel. The successors of Aaron
were appointed to the priesthood by revelation. The Judges of Israel were called by visions, by angels and by the inspiration of the Spirit. Samuel was called by the voice of the Lord. And
finally, all their officers, wise men and prophets, down to the days of Malachi, were called by new revelation." (Orson Pratt Divine
Authenticity of BofM, No. 2 (1850), p.17)
Jewish Tradition of Latter-day Joseph: There are rabbinic suggestions of expected heaven-sent visitors that include a latter-day Messiah,
Ben-Joseph, who will receive the keys of the gathering of Israel and restore temple worship. When the Chief Rabbi, Avraham HaKohen Kook was appointed in Palestine in the 1920's, he was asked
if the Jews could now build the Temple (destroyed since year 70 A.D.). His response was that the priestly rights were gone and referred to the great 12th century rabbi Moses
Maimonides, who said, in effect, "We are waiting for a Messiah Ben-Joseph. To him will be given the keys of the gathering of Israel. He will restore Temple worship."
Saving Role of Two Josephs–a Chiasmus: A chiasmus memorializes ancient Joseph, who saved his family, yet they did not know who he was.
Latter-day Joseph is saving his brothers again, (more foreign aid goes to Israel from the U.S.A., the land of Joseph, than from all other countries combined) and they don’t know that it is
"Joseph." In the meridian of times there was "One" who saved us all – and still most people don’t know it.
Foreign Aid: Anciently, when his brothers sought "foreign aid" from the Egyptians, their own brother, Joseph, was the
"servant" to save them. First, he did so without revealing his true identity. When he finally revealed himself it was in humble family circumstance and he apparently prophesied
that in latter days another Joseph would save his family again. From the Book of Mormon we find a reiteration of that prophecy:
Latter-day Joseph:
". . . For behold, thou art the fruit of my loins; and I am a descendant of Joseph who was carried captive into Egypt . . . Wherefore, Joseph truly saw
our day . . . A choice seer will I raise up out of the fruit of thy loins; and he shall be esteemed highly among the fruit of thy loins. And unto him will I give commandment that he shall do
a work for the fruit of thy loins, his brethren, which shall be of great worth unto them, even to the bringing of them to the knowledge of the covenants which I have made with thy fathers .
. . And his name shall be called after me; and it shall be after the name of his father . . . being an instrument in the hands of God, with exceeding faith, to work mighty wonders, and do
that thing which is great in the sight of God, unto the bringing to pass much restoration unto the house of Israel, and unto the seed of thy brethren." (Excerpts
from 2 Nephi 3)
Fulfillment: Latter-day Saints know that this prophecy has been fulfilled in the nineteenth century through the mission of Joseph Smith Jr.
Ancient Joseph overcame his "pride" and served his brothers forgivingly (at first without identifying himself). He, thereby, established a pattern for a latter-day Joseph, who, for
the time being, is keeping his identity from Judah and should release all forms of pride as he serves his family forgivingly. |
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