"And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven . . ." 'Tis a passage of scripture from Revelations that grabs at the Latter-day Saints, for they know of an angel who flew out of heaven, just as prophesied, just as John the Revelator suggested would happen..
To everyone, including those not of the LDS faith, I ask, Is it not something to marvel at? Is it not something to wonder at that we have an account of such an event unfolding in 1823? Long ago, John the Revelator said an angel would come, bringing the gospel to every nation and people. And, he was speaking of the last days, that it would take place in the last days.
Are we in those last days?
Consider Joseph Smith's account of what happened. "I discovered a light appearing in my room, which continued to increase until the room was lighter than at noonday, when immediately a person appeared at my bedside, standing in the air, for his feet did not touch the floor . . . Not only was his robe exceedingly white, but his whole person was glorious beyond description, and his countenance truly like lightning. The room was exceedingly light, but not so very bright as immediately around his person. . . . He called me by name, and said he was a messenger sent from the presence of God to me, and that his name was Moroni."
An angel from heaven.
This must leave us wondering if Joseph was thinking of the passage in Revelations 13:6 when he gave his account. Did he insert the story of an angel just to lay claim to the prophecy? If he did, he makes no mention of the prophecy as he writes his account in the Pearl of Great Price. (The Pear of Great Price is a book of scripture to the LDS, one that includes Joseph's account.) He does not say, "The angel appeared unto me, fulfilling John the Revelator's words."
Joseph's account does speak of other prophecies from Holy writ, and does suggest what was happening was related to them. The angel, "commenced quoting the prophecies of the Old Testament," Joseph wrote, noting the angel then cited passages in Malachi, Isaiah, the Acts and Joel.
That what was happening with Joseph fits into what was cited in Malachi, Isaiah, the Acts, and Joel should also be of great interest to those who wonder if ancient scripture is being fulfilled in these days, which are perhaps the last days.
"And, I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people." That is the propecy of Rev. 13:6. God said it would happen. Now we reach what many believe is an age either at the end of times or near to the end of times. We look around. Are there any accounts of an angel bringing the gospel? For, if there are, we must consider whether the angel Moroni is the angel spoken of in Revelations,, lest we be dismissing the words of a prophet, John the Revelator, and lest we be dismissing the words of another prophet, Joseph Smith.
Joseph Smith's account says Joseph's name "should be had for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues, or that it should be both good and evil spoken of among all people." This, too, is a prophecy that has been fulfilled. Joseph Smith's name is spoken of for good and evil wherever the gospel is introduced, and it is in the process of being introduced -- as John the Revelator promised -- "to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people."
We are left to wonder of that those same words, "nation," "kindred," "tongue," and "people." are used in Joseph's account, as he speaks of his name being had for good and bad among them. One could dismiss it as proof Joseph did insert his story of an angel just to make good on prophecy. But, that would dismiss the other facts that remain before our eyes, that Joseph's account is the only account we have that fits Revelations, that we are in the last days, that other prophecies were fulfilled, and that the God should use the same language in fulfilling a prophecy as He does in giving it.
Considering the whole of the story, I think it remarkable that what John the Revelator said would happen has an event to match it.
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