Raphael (Not the Ninja Turtle)

[LatterDaySaint]

Hi All,

Three weeks ago in my singles ward, I was teaching Chapter 8 "The Everlasting Priesthood" from the "Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith" manual in Elders Quorum.

The last paragraph from the first section reads as follows:
"In September 1842, the Prophet wrote a letter to the Church expressing his joy as he contemplated the knowledge and priesthood keys now restored to the earth: “And again, what do we hear? Glad tidings from Cumorah! Moroni, an angel from heaven, declaring the fulfilment of the prophets—the book to be revealed. … And the voice of Michael, the archangel; the voice of Gabriel, and of Raphael, and of divers angels, from Michael or Adam down to the present time, all declaring their dispensation, their rights, their keys, their honors, their majesty and glory, and the power of their priesthood; giving line upon line, precept upon precept; here a little, and there a little; giving us consolation by holding forth that which is to come, confirming our hope!” (D&C 128:20–21)."

So, here's the question: "Who is Raphael?" In class, no one was able to answer. So, I gave it out as a homework assignment [This is all out of curiosity.... No worries here.... We ain't rattlin' anybody's testimony.].

I'm teaching again next Sunday (5/18). I'm hoping I might be able to share something definitive with the quorum..... Any ideas?


Thanks!

LatterDaySaint

[WANDERER]

Raphael is an archangel. The angel of healing power of God or whose name means "God is my Healer" or "God has healed". Healing for our physical and emotional well-being; this healing allows us to see God's sunlight according to the passage in the book of Tobias.

[Flyonthewall]

Three weeks ago? I am teaching it today. This Priesthood manual is supposed to last 2 years ya know. If ya go through it that fast, you'll be done in one!

Actually, I am curious myself about the angel Raphael. Do we know the mortal identity of Raphael? Adam was Michael, and Noah was Gabriel, but who is Raphael?

[WillowTheWhisp]

According to Bruce R McConkie the mortal identity of Raphael has not been revealed to us.

[VisionOfLehi]

Originally Posted by WillowTheWhisp

According to Bruce R McConkie the mortal identity of Raphael has not been revealed to us.

Yup, that's correct. I'm sure there's theories out there, but we don't know anything about him except that he's an angel of God.

[checkerboy]

If one had to guess about his identity I would place him as a head of a dispensation, just as Adam and Noah were heads of dispensations. Therefore he could be Enoch, or Abraham, or even the head of a Book of Mormon dispensation like the brother of Jared or Nephi.

Mind you this is pure speculation but I believe it has a solid basis to speculate from.

[WillowTheWhisp]

It's perfectly possible that he hasn't even been to earth yet.

[Flyonthewall]

I would agree with you...Michael, Gabriel and Raphael were named specifically in regards to the priesthood manual, and since Adam and Noah were heads of their dispensations, it would be an educated guess that Raphael would also be a "head" of a dispensation.

[LatterDaySaint]

Originally Posted by WillowTheWhisp

According to Bruce R McConkie the mortal identity of Raphael has not been revealed to us.

Just knowing that it has not yet been revealed is a good enough answer for me.

By chance, do you have a source for him that I can quote?

[Dr T]

Welcome Rapha