Thursday, February 4, 2016

WISDOM 12 - D&C 110:7-8

The last footnote on "appeared" from 1 Kings 3:5 takes us to Doctrine and Covenants section 110.  The appearance of the Lord related here is a very close parallel to Solomon's second theophany.  The Lord appears to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery to accept the house that the saints have built for him.  The temple, the house of god, or its equivalent (a high mountain) is a common thematic element of theophanies ancient and modern.

It is interesting that the message of the Lord in this theophany expressly links the temple and divine visitation:

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.
 8 Yea, I will appear unto my servants, and speak unto them with mine own voice, if my people will keep my commandments, and do not pollute this holy house.

How the Lord chooses to "manifest" himself or "appear" unto his servants is not specified.  For Joseph and Oliver the experience was described as "the eyes of our understanding" being opened (v. 1).  Though seeing the Lord is a very real promise to the Latter Day Saints, we are cautioned that it will "be in his own time, and in his own way" (D&C 88:68).  It is clear, however, that the temple is a likely location for such a visitation.

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