One of the easily missed, but most important revelations in the Book of Mormon is in the very first chapter of the book.  After describing himself, Nephi jumps almost immediately into the prophetic calling of his father, Lehi.  This calling is a testament of Joseph Smith's understanding of ancient things that needed to be restored.

What is a "theophany"?  It is an experience where the individual approaches the throne of God.  The Old and New Testaments briefly share a few theophanies, but most are somewhat cryptic.  Of the ones in the Bible, the most notable ones are Jacob's Ladder/Staircase into heaven, Moses and the 70 elders of Israel seeing God, Isaiah 6 (depicting the premortal Divine Council, with Isaiah standing in as Jehovah in the one being "sent"}, the martyr Stephen seeing the throne of God with Jesus on God's right hand, and John the Revelator's description of God's throne.

Of all of these, little is really understood about theophanies, until one studies the non-Biblical Jewish and Christian texts.  Among these ascensions to God's throne, are the books of Enoch, the Apocalypse of Paul, and the Ascension of Isaiah.  This blog will discuss the latter, as it ties in directly with Lehi's theophany.

In the Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi chapter 1, Lehi views the throne of God.  Christ descends with his apostles and go forth throughout the earth.  Lehi is given a book to read, upon which he prophecies of the people of the earth.

Isaiah explains to Hezekiah and others that he's had a big vision.  In it, he foresees the coming of Christ and his apostles (ch 3) to the earth.  He explains that while Moses said no one could see the face of God and live, Isaiah HAD seen God's face and lived!

Isaiah's ascension begins in chapter 7 of the text.  Isaiah is guided by an angel (see Lehi's other vision of the Tree of Life 1 Ne 8-11) through the seven levels of heaven.  He describes the beings that dwell on each level as he ascends.  

In chapter 9:22, Isaiah is given a book to read, wherein he reads, "I read it, and lo! the deeds of the children of Israel were written therein, and the deeds of those whom I know (not)...." 

Isaiah sees the throne of God, with a being on both the right and left of God's throne (v. 33-36). He is told that the one on the right is the Son and the one on the left is the Holy Spirit.  There is no mistaking the anthropomorphism, nor the physical separation between the members of the Godhead in this text.

In chapter 10, God the Father instructs Jesus to descend through the levels of heaven to the earth, ensuring that as he descends, he empties himself of glory, so that he appears to each level of being as they are. 

Isaiah then foresees the birth of Christ through the virgin Mary, much like is seen by Lehi and Nephi in the Vision of the Tree of Life. 

So, here we have many key concepts between the Ascension of Isaiah, not available to Joseph Smith to read, and the first book of Nephi.  In both, the prophet ascends to God's throne.  In both, each is given a book to read, prophecying of the future peoples of the earth.  In both, the Christ is seen descending from heaven and coming to Earth.  Both prophets see the virgin birth, and the twelve apostles.

Was Joseph Smith a lucky guesser, a mystic genius, or a true prophet of God?

Tags: Book Of Mormon Ascension Isaiah Theophany Lehi