Nine (1814)
Only one person on the earth at any specific time is given the calling and faculties of
a true messenger (if there is anyone at all), with the only exception being four semi-mortals
who provide continuity through the ages and assist any living, fully-mortal true messenger
as required. Joseph Smith, Jr. was one of those true messengers assigned to the time period
1805 to 1844, the first since Mohammed (born in 570 A.D.)^3 In harmony with almost all past
true messengers, Joseph was also mandated not to reveal his true identity.
The right to declare with authority that Joseph was one of those “four and twenty
elders,” for example, as spoken of in John’s apocalyptic Revelation, implies that several
conditions have been met.^4 First, the statement implies an explicit understanding of John’s
words. However, no man has ever been capable of understanding John’s terminology (as
explained by Nephi and Moroni [speaking the words of Christ] in the Book of Mormon)^5 until
the code was broken which “unfolded” them. Note the words of Nephi (1 Nephi 14):
20 And the angel said unto me: Behold one of the twelve apostles of the
Lamb [John].
21 Behold, he shall see and write the remainder of these things; yea, and also
many things which have been.
22 And he shall also write concerning the end of the world [Revelation].
23 Wherefore, the things which he shall write are just and true; and
behold they are written in the book which thou beheld proceeding out of
the mouth of the Jew [Bible]; and at the time they proceeded out of the
mouth of the Jew, or, at the time the book proceeded out of the mouth of
the Jew, the things which were written were plain and pure, and most
precious and easy to the understanding of all men.
24 And behold, the things which this apostle of the Lamb shall write are
many things which thou hast seen; and behold, the remainder shalt thou see.
25 But the things which thou shalt see hereafter thou shalt not write; for
the Lord God hath ordained the apostle of the Lamb of God that he should
write them [666, The Mark of America—Seat of the Beast: The Apostle John’s New
Testament Revelation Unfolded].
26 And also others who have been, to them hath he shown all things [the
Brother of Jared], and they have written them; and they are sealed up to come
forth in their purity, according to the truth which is in the Lamb, in the own
due time of the Lord [The Sealed Portion—The Final Testament of Jesus Christ in
2004], unto the house of Israel.
27 And I, Nephi, heard and bear record, that the name of the apostle of the
Lamb was John, according to the word of the angel.
28 And behold, I, Nephi, am forbidden that I should write the remainder of
the things which I saw and heard; wherefore the things which I have written
sufficeth me; and I have written but a small part of the things which I saw....and Moroni (Ether 4):16 And then shall my revelations which I have caused to be written by my
servant John be unfolded in the eyes of all the people. Remember, when ye
see these things, ye shall know that the time is at hand that they shall be
made manifest in very deed.