Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-02-12
THE ANGEu Win THE GOSPEL

We have received a letter Of inquiry
concerning the identity Of the angel
spoken OF In Revelation xiv, 9, z who
was seen by The prophet In vision, Fly
ing through the midst Of heaven, having
the everlasting Gospel to preach unto
them that dwell on the earth, and to
every nation, and kindred. and tongue,
and people, saying with loud voice,
Fear God and give glory to Him for the
hour Of His judgment Is come, and wor-
ship Him that made heaven and earth,
and the sea. and the fountains Of wa
ters.
1t appears ihat there Is difference Of
opinion among some students Of theolo-
gy ana they desire to have Il sttled
The idea has been entertained by few
individuals that the vision Of the rev
elator on this point was fulfilled in the
mlnistatlon Of John the Baptist, when
ne CAME and restored the Aaronlc
Priesthood by ordalning Joseph Smith
and oliver Cowdory and comforting
upon them the keys OF that authority
Others have expressed the 0pI.lon that
Joseph Smith rae Prophet, was himself
The angel having the everlasting Gospel
to declare to an nations but the doc
trine that has been held and which has
obtained almost universally IN the
Church Of Jesus Christ OF Latter-day
Saints Is that the Prophet Moronl. who
visited Joseph Smith and revealed to
him The record OF the ancient inhab-
iiahts Of the American Continent. con-
tainng The fulness OF the everlasting
Gospel was ana Is the angel spoken Of
ia the scripture which we have quoted
Moroni did actually come from heaven
to earth for the purpose Of manlfestlng
the truth contained IN the Book OF Nor
mon. He visited Joseph Smith three
times on the night OF Sunday septem-
Der 81. 1898 He showed him the spot
where the plates containing the record
were concealed He had guarded the
treasure FOR centuries. lie met the boy
prophet FOR four successive years after
The first manifestation Of their place OF
deposit, he delivered them into Josephs
hands, he guided and directed him
through the work Of translation, ana
he subsequently received them when
the work was completed, being IN
charge of them until they shall again be
brought forth. that the sealed and re-
served portions Of them may be trans
lated
In a revelation concerning the Sacra-
ment given in August, 1880, and con-
tanned in section q Of the Doctrine and
Covenants, the Lord said: For the
hour cometh that win drink Of the
fruit Of the vine with you on the earth,
and with Moron whom | have sent
unto you TO reveal the Book Of Nor
mon. containing the fullness Of My
everlasting Gospel" We regard this as
evidence supporting the view that we
have herein expressed.
See also Doctrine and Covenants Sec,
12s 20 "And again. what do we hear2
Glad ddings from Cumorah; Moroni.
an angel from heaven, declaring the
fuhlment Of the prophets-the book
TO be REVEALED" This Is corroboratlye
of the revelation already quoted and
supports the position We have defined.
Examining the missions OF the sew
ersl notable personages who have APP
peared in the present dispensatlon,
comforting their keys and authority
upon the Prophet, Joseph Smith. as
head Of the dapensation of the full
ness Of times, We find none Of them who
so fully answers the description Of the
angel, mentioned by John the REVEAL
tor, as Moronl the guardian Of the
precious treasure, part OF which is
brought 10 Hight In the Book OF Nor
mon, and whose image stands on the
summit Of the highest tower Of the
Salt Lake Temple figured with his
golden trumpet in The attitude Of pro.
claiming the everlasting Gospel to all !
the nations and peoples Of the earth
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