Now a comparison of this young man’s vision
with the account by the apostle in his revelation on Patmos would show clearly
that the revelation that came in 1823 to this youth from New York State was the
answer to what the prophet John saw about the year A.D. 97.
(1) John saw an angel with the gospel
coming to preach to men on earth. This young man tells us that a messenger from
God appeared to him and told him of a record deposited in the ground and in it
there was to be found the fullness of the gospel.
(2) The angel asked men to fear God
and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea.
(3 The angel whom John saw was to proclaim
the hour of judgment. The messenger that appeared to Joseph Smith told him of “great
judgments which were coming upon the earth, with great desolations by famine,
sword and pestilence.” Here we find one who meets the challenge of the
seven-headed beast (13:4) of whom it is said “who is like unto the beast? Who
is able to make war with him?”
(4) Another thing which should attract
special attention is the fact that the angel did not himself preach the gospel,
but “had” it to preach. As it may have been noticed from the story of Joseph
Smith, he was not permitted to get the record containing the fullness of the gospel
at once. He was put under probation for four years, and was warned that if his
motive was other than to glorify God and build his kingdom he was unable to
obtain the record. In its every detail, the story of the experience of Joseph
Smith fits the prophecy of Revelation with great precision. (George A. Njeim, Insights
into the Book of Revelation: As Illuminated by the Book of Mormon
[Lawrence, Kans.: George A. Njeim, 1970], 153-54)
Further Reading:
Defending the Latter-day Saint Interpretation of Revelation 14:6-7
