In the case of the Mormons—the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—a uniquely exhaustive research project has
recently explored the cultural environment of the tradition’s origins between
1820 and 1850, and specially identified numerous Mormon theological themes in
Jane Lead’s prophecies—as they appear at least in the same 1830 re-print also
in the Shakers’ possession. Researchers have identified themes occurring in
both Lead’s writings and Joseph Smith Jr’s theology as general (innocuous,
even) as the ‘City of Zion’, ‘New Jerusalem’, and ‘preparation of the earth and
preceding events [to the Second Coming]’. Significant flaws in the methodology
of this project leaves its utility for tracking the influence of one prophetic
tradition on another severely limited. No account was taken, for instance, as
to whether any early Mormons were ever anywhere near the books in question (The
copy of Lead’s Divine revelations and prophecies [1830] held at the
Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University, Utah, was only purchased in
1988). Nineteenth-century Mormons undoubtedly read Jane Lead, and were struck
by the parallels between her visions and their own beliefs. However, the
earliest evidence for this occurs in Britain in February 1858. Passages from an
1807 German edition of Lead’s Revelation of Revelations, encountered in
either Britain or Europe, were translated back into English for the Mormon
missionary newspaper, The Millennial Star (‘Extracts from the
Revelations of Jane Leade,’ Millennial Star 20, no. 8 [20 February
1858], pp. 124-25. The original was: Jane Lead, Offenbarungen der Jane
Leade, die letzten Zeiten betreffend: nebst Anmerkungen und einer
Lebensberschreibung dieser Englaenderin [Stasburg: J.H. Silbermann, 1807]).
The editor, Samuel Richards, enthused on the way Lead’s revelations were ‘pointed
or expressive of the Latter-day Work’, so demonstrating how ‘those who are
spiritually minded, according to the light and advantages they have, can seek
after God and learn his ways’, even before the inspiration of ‘the Prophet
Joseph’ (‘Extracts from the Revelations of Jane Leade,’ Millennial Star
20, no. 8 [20 February 1858], pp. 124-25). All further Mormon interest in Jane
Lead dates well after this. (Philip Lockley, “Jane Lead’s Prophetic Afterlife
in the Nineteenth-Century English Atlantic,” in Jane Lead and Her
Transnational Legacy, ed. Ariel Hessayon [Christianities in the
Trans-Atlantic World, 1500-1800; London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2016], 243-44)
EXTRACTS
FROM THE REVEALTIONS OF JANE LEADE.
(Translated
from the German Edition, 1807.)
It was shown unto me that the
different existing modes of worship are nothing more than Babylonian fantasies,
and that an angel is commissioned form the Chief Shepherd to make known that
all man-made systems of religion must pass away, like a shadow, before the
brightness of a day when nothing but the power of God and the Lamb will endure.
The time is not yet come, but it
is not so very far off, when the everlasting Gospel will break forth with power
that nothing can withstand; and nothing that is from men will be mixed with it;
for it is only those that are like children that will confide therein.
To preach this, an agency will
come that will bring back all which was lost in the first Adam. How great the
blessing for those that first lay their hands to the foundation of the spotless
Church; and how greater still for that man who is chosen from his mother's womb
to be such a remarkable instrument in the hand of God. He will raise a mighty
standard to which the dove-like spirits will flee for shelter. The trumpet of
the Priesthood will be blown, and the children of bondage will hear the call to
come beneath the banner of our God.
All from Abraham's seed groan in
slavery; but the Most High will raise up a Prophet that will bring His people
form Babylonian witchcraft, and from the tyranny of the Prince of Darkness.
Like as Moses, Joshua, and Aaron
were anointed, as types, to lead the way to the rest of the promised land, even
so must this Chieftain be raised up as a terror to unbelievers and a joy to
those who are led back to Mount Zion.
The Priesthood after the order of Melchizedek
shall be brought forth, that the way of the Holy of Holies may be made known.
The sign of these Priests will be the Urim and Thummim, and they
will have a right to hold
communion with God. And thus will man come back to the state and condition that
he had before the material world existed, so that he will again have a place
above the angels; for to which of them hath God said "Thou art my
son."
THE
GATHERING.
I saw an Ark float through the
air, as that of Noah did in ancient times over the water; but from this Ark
came a voice saying, "Here is a refuge from the curses that will come like
another deluge upon the earth." Those that had a lofty degree of faith
went in, and endeavoured to bring others therein also.
I was told this Ark was the Church
of the gathering from all people; and it floated here and there, and the voice
of a mighty angel came therefrom, saying, "Come, from the mazes of
Babylon: here is free entrance." Many came from the ends of the earth; and
when the Ark was full, it went to a particular land, and then came back to
fetch others. This land was a prepared place to plant the virgin Church, and
the beloved Apostle John conducted the very last convoy therein.
Various temples were seen, where
the Elders, in long, white, and shining robes, administered in ordinances and
with power unknown before. Some went forth with power from this new found land;
and so mighty was their testimony, that many came from all quarters to breathe
its pure air, and to enjoy the light of its peculiarly clear atmosphere, which
changed even the weakness of the body.
I have written this vision so far
as the Spirit renews it upon my mind; but the end thereof I do not remember, as
I have lost my manuscripts where it was at first written.
[We have seldom read anything more
pointed or expressive of the Latter-day Work than the foregoing. It is another
evidence that those who are spiritually minded, according to the light and
advantages they have, can seek after God and learn of His ways—that He giveth
liberally to all who ask wisdom of Him, and upraideth not. It was a conviction
of this fact that inspired the Prophet Joseph to ask, and in answer to which he
received a knowledge of the Latter-day Work and purposes of God, even before he
had obeyed any outward ordinances which entitled him to the spirit of
inspiration which made him a Prophet and Seer to the world. Many persons have
been inspired by God to do certain works, and proclaim certain truths, who
never had an opportunity of embracing the everlasting Gospel. But how much more
should those possess the spirit of inspiration and prophecy who have access to
God through His holy ordinances.—ED.] ("Extracts
from the Revelations of Jane Leade," The Latter-day Saint's
Millennial Star 20, no. 8 [February 20, 1858]: 124-25)
