Footnotes
JS History, vol. A-1, 192.
Faulring et al., Joseph Smith’s New Translation of the Bible, 422.
Faulring, Scott H., Kent P. Jackson, and Robert J. Matthews, eds. Joseph Smith’s New Translation of the Bible: Original Manuscripts. Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 2004.
Gause apparently served as scribe for JS’s Bible revision between 8 March and 20 March, during which time JS revised the first and second chapters of the book of Revelation. (Faulring et al., Joseph Smith’s New Translation of the Bible, 70; Jennings, “Consequential Counselor,” 183.)
Faulring, Scott H., Kent P. Jackson, and Robert J. Matthews, eds. Joseph Smith’s New Translation of the Bible: Original Manuscripts. Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 2004.
Jennings, Erin B. “The Consequential Counselor: Restoring the Root(s) of Jesse Gause.” Journal of Mormon History 34 (Spring 2008): 182–227.
See Historical Introduction to Revelation Book 1.
| What is the Sea of Glass spoken of by John 4 Chap. and sixth verse of revelations? | |
| Ans | It is the Earth in its sanctified immortal and eternal state |
| Q | What are we to understand by the four beasts spoken of by John in the 4 Chapt. & 6 verse of Revelations? |
| A | They are figurative Expressions used by the revelator John in disscribing heaven the paradise of God the hapiness of men and of beasts and of creeping things and of the fowls of the air that which is spiritual being in the likeness of that which is temporal and that which is temporal in the likeness of that which is spiritual the Spirit of man in the likeness of his person as also the spirit of the beast and every other creature which God has created |
| Q | Are the four beasts limited to individual Beasts or do they represent classes or orders? |
| Ans | They are limited to four individual beasts which were shewn to John to represent the glory of the classes of beings in their destined order or sphere of creation in the enjoyment of their eternal felicity. |
| Q | What are we to understand the Eyes and wings which the beasts had? |
| A | They Their eyes are a representation of light and knowledge that is they are full of knowledge and their wings are a representation of power to move to act &c. |
| Q | What are we to understand by the four and twenty Elders spoken of by John? |
| A | We are to understand that these Elders whom John saw were Elders who had been faithful in the work of the ministry and were dead who belonged to the Seven Churches and were then in the paradise of God. |
| Q | What are we to understand by the Book which John saw which was sealed <on the back> with seven Seals which John? |
That is, the book of Revelation. It is unclear whether this title appeared in the original manuscript.
The sea of glass described in Revelation 4:6 lay before a throne in heaven on which sat a being—apparently God—and from which “proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices.” (Revelation 4:5.)
The four beasts were “in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne.” The beasts were “full of eyes before and behind.” The first one was described as “like a lion,” the second as “like a calf,” the third as having “a face as a man,” and the fourth as “like a flying eagle.” Each beast had six wings. (Revelation 4:6–8.)
In JS’s revision of the Bible, the two creation accounts in Genesis 1–2 are cast as an initial “spiritual” creation in heaven followed by a “natural” creation on earth. An 1830 revelation explained that God created “all things both Spiritual & Temperal firstly spiritual secondly temporal which is the Begining of my work & again firstly temporal & secondly spiritual which is the last of my work.” (Old Testament Revision 1, pp. 3–5 [Moses chap. 2; 3:5, 9]; Revelation, Sept. 1830–A [D&C 29:31–32].)
See Revelation 4:8.
The twenty-four elders sat on seats “round about the throne.” They wore white clothing and had gold crowns on their heads. (Revelation 4:4, 10–11.)
See Revelation 1:4.
The book was “in the right hand of him that sat on the throne.” (Revelation 5:1.)