Mount of Transfiguration
From The Encyclopedia of Mormonism
See this page in the original 1992 publication.
Author: Mouritsen, Dale C.
The Mount of Transfiguration was the scene of a transcendent New Testament event. It has been set in perspective by revelations to the Prophet Joseph Smith and portrayed with several related components. First, Jesus conversed with Moses and Elijah, who were then translated beings (Matt. 17:3-4). Second, a transfiguration of Jesus Christ himself occurred there, confirming his divine nature and calling to his three chief apostles: Peter, James, and John (Matt. 17:1-2). Third, those apostles were also temporarily transfigured during that experience (TPJS, p. 158). Fourth, in vision those apostles saw the earth in its future transfigured state as the inheritance of the faithful (D&C 63:20-21). Fifth, those same apostles received certain priesthood keys of the kingdom of God, which they utilized during their mortal ministries (HC 3:387). Sixth, Moses and Elijah, who were also on the Mount of Transfiguration, also conferred priesthood keys to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in the Kirtland Temple on April 3, 1836 (D&C 110:11-16).
The experience on the mount no doubt strengthened the Savior as he approached the last months before his atoning sacrifice. Moses and Elijah visited him as he prepared for the infinite sufferings in Gethsemane and the agonies of Golgotha (Luke 9:30-31; JC, p. 373).
Jesus' transfiguration before Peter, James, and John made them "eyewitnesses of his majesty" (2 Pet. 1:16). During their visit, the voice of the Father bore record of the Savior's mission, giving assurance to Peter, James, and John of the Father's love and his approval of Jesus (Matt. 17:5-8). Because these apostles would soon constitute the First Presidency of the early church (MD, pp. 571-572), the event was an unforgettable personal witness of the Father's acknowledgment of Jesus' redemptive mission. John later testified, "We beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father" (John 1:14).
The temporary transfiguration of Peter, James, and John allowed them to hear the voice of the Father and see the transfigured Son (cf. Moses 1:9-11). This extraordinary experience helped prepare them for the coming burden of Church leadership following Jesus' departure from his earthly ministry. Well did Peter declare, "Lord, it is good for us to be here" (Matt. 17:4).
Peter, James, and John also saw the millennial day when the earth will be transfigured, returning it to its condition prior to the Fall of Adam (TPJS, pp. 12-13; cf. A of F 10). The earth's transfiguration will take place at the time of Christ's second coming (MD, pp. 795-96).
The bestowal of priesthood keys on the presiding apostles formed a fifth purpose of the transfiguration. During his ministry, Jesus conferred the Melchizedek Priesthood on the Twelve, authorizing them to act under his direction (Mark 3:14-15; John 15:16; cf. JD 25:207). But with the prospect of his departure, the Twelve needed independent authority to direct Church affairs. Fulfilling his promise that Peter would receive the keys of the kingdom (Matt. 16:13-20), Jesus took the chief apostles to the mount, where they received those keys.
After beholding the transfigured Jesus and undergoing transfiguration themselves, the apostles saw Moses and Elijah (and perhaps others; cf. McConkie, p. 400), who had been translated so that they could appear with physical bodies to bestow priesthood keys by the laying on of hands, which made possible, among other things, the preaching of the gospel throughout the world (Matt. 18:19-20) and performing saving ordinances for the living and the dead (cf. 1 Cor. 15:29).
The latter-day fulfillment of some of these events occurred in the Kirtland Temple. The Melchizedek Priesthood and the office and keys of apostleship had been conferred on Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery probably in late may or early June 1829 (cf. D&C 27:12), embracing the authority to establish the Church (D&C 128:20). On April 3, 1836, additional keys were given to Joseph and Oliver in the Kirtland Temple by Moses and Elijah-the same ancient ministrants who appeared on the mount-and an additional messenger named Elias, who conferred the "dispensation of the gospel of Abraham" (D&C 110:12). The restoration of these keys set in motion the latter-day mission of the Church, including missionary work and all ordinances for the living, as well as redemption of the dead through vicarious ordinance work in temples.
[edit] Bibliography
Haight, David B. ""We Beheld His Glory."' Ensign 7 (May 1977):7-10.
Matthews, Robert J. "Tradition, Testimony, Transfiguration, and Keys." In Studies in Scripture, ed. K. Jackson and R. Millet, Vol. 5, pp. 296-311. Salt Lake City, 1986.
McConkie, Bruce R. Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, Vol. 1, pp. 397-404. Salt Lake City, 1965.
DALE C. MOURITSEN
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