Monday, June 20, 2022

Philip Lockley on 19th-century LDS Appeals to the works of Jane Lead

  

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)