Description

Joseph Transfigured

We know that when Moses came down from Mount Sinai that the skin of his face shone so brightly that the children of Israel:

“were afraid to come nigh unto him. And the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses’ face shone: and Moses put the veil upon his face again.” 

And from Matthew 17 we know that Jesus took Peter, James, and John to the top of a high mountain apart and was transfigured before them. The scripture says:  

“[He] was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.” 

Just so it is clear: Prophets of God have been called among us again. The following comes from the life of Israel Barlow, early Latter-day Saint pioneer in Kirtland, Ohio.

It was Wednesday, October 30, 1836, just about dusk, just three days after the dedication of the Kirtland Temple. Israel just happened to be riding past the Temple when he saw Joseph and Oliver coming out of the temple’s east doors and descending the walk. The record says:

 “Israel drew up at the gate to speak to them. He was greatly impressed for the Prophet had on, so he thought, a very white suit while that of Oliver was black. Oliver was leaning heavily on the arm of Joseph, and as he neared the gate, Israel noticed that Oliver seemed very pale. At the same time, he also noticed that Joseph’s suit was not white but also black. Joseph, addressing Israel, said, ‘Brother Barlow, Oliver has just been blessed with a great manifestation and he is not used to this as I am, so it has been most too much for him.’”

And this is not the only instance when witnesses saw Joseph Smith the Prophet transfigured. It is my witness that there are prophets among us blessed with those same gifts and manifestations as in old times, and I have seen such gifts with my own eyes. 

Sources: 

Exodus 34:29-30, 35

Matthew 17 

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/memories/KWNL-H1J