Answers to Questions, between circa 4 and circa 20 March 1832 [D&C 77]

Source Note

Answers to Questions, [
Hiram Township
Area settled by immigrants from Pennsylvania and New England, ca. 1802. Located in northeastern Ohio about twenty-five miles southeast of Kirtland. Population in 1830 about 500. Population in 1840 about 1,100. JS lived in township at home of John and Alice...
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, OH, ca. Mar. 1832]. Featured version, titled “Revelation Explained,” copied [between 26 Apr. and ca. Aug. 1832] in Revelation Book 1, pp. 141–144; handwriting of
John Whitmer
27 Aug. 1802–11 July 1878. Farmer, stock raiser, newspaper editor. Born in Pennsylvania. Son of Peter Whitmer Sr. and Mary Musselman. Member of German Reformed Church, Fayette, Seneca Co., New York. Baptized by Oliver Cowdery, June 1829, most likely in Seneca...
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; CHL. Includes redactions. For more complete source information, see the source note for Revelation Book 1.
Historical Introduction
As JS continued his revision of the New Testament in February and March 1832, he reached the book of Revelation with its abundance of symbolic language. “About the first of march, in connection with the
translation
To produce a text from one written in another language; in JS’s usage, most often through divine means. JS considered the ability to translate to be a gift of the spirit, like the gift of interpreting tongues. He recounted that he translated “reformed Egyptian...
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of the
scriptures
The sacred, written word of God containing the “mind & will of the Lord” and “matters of divine revelation.” Members of the church considered the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and JS’s revelations to be scripture. Revelations in 1830 and 1831 directed JS to ...
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,” a later JS history explains, “I received the following explanation of the Revelations of Saint John.”
1
JS History, vol. A-1, 192.
Given that JS was in
Kirtland
Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Latter-day Saint missionaries visited township, early Nov. 1830; many residents joined Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and...
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, Ohio, and was not working on the New Testament revisions between 29 February and 4 March 1832, this document was likely written sometime between 4 March and 20 March, when another revelation told JS and
Sidney Rigdon
19 Feb. 1793–14 July 1876. Tanner, farmer, minister. Born at St. Clair, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania. Son of William Rigdon and Nancy Gallaher. Joined United Baptists, ca. 1818. Preached at Warren, Trumbull Co., Ohio, and vicinity, 1819–1821. Married Phebe...
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(who was serving as JS’s scribe) to “omit the translation for the present time” so that they could travel to
Missouri
Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803, and established as territory, 1812. Missouri Compromise, 1820, admitted Missouri as slave state, 1821. Population in 1830 about 140,000; in 1836 about 240,000; and in 1840 about 380,000. Latter-day Saint ...
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.
2
Revelation, 20 Mar. 1832.
By the night of 24–25 March 1832, when the pair was attacked by a group of men in
Hiram
Area settled by immigrants from Pennsylvania and New England, ca. 1802. Located in northeastern Ohio about twenty-five miles southeast of Kirtland. Population in 1830 about 500. Population in 1840 about 1,100. JS lived in township at home of John and Alice...
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, Ohio, JS and Rigdon were working on the eleventh chapter of the book of Revelation, the last chapter mentioned in the explanation.
3
Faulring et al., Joseph Smith’s New Translation of the Bible, 422.
Comprehensive Works Cited
Faulring, Scott H., Kent P. Jackson, and Robert J. Matthews, eds. Joseph Smith’s New Translation of the Bible: Original Manuscripts. Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 2004.

Because he was inscribing the New Testament revision,
Rigdon
19 Feb. 1793–14 July 1876. Tanner, farmer, minister. Born at St. Clair, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania. Son of William Rigdon and Nancy Gallaher. Joined United Baptists, ca. 1818. Preached at Warren, Trumbull Co., Ohio, and vicinity, 1819–1821. Married Phebe...
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probably served as the original scribe for the explanation, but
Jesse Gause
Ca. 1784–ca. Sept. 1836. Schoolteacher. Born at East Marlborough, Chester Co., Pennsylvania. Son of William Gause (Goss) and Mary Beverly. Joined Society of Friends (Quakers), 1806. Moved to Fayette Co., Pennsylvania, 1808; to Chester Co., 1811; and to Wilmington...
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could have been the scribe instead.
4
Gause apparently served as scribe for JS’s Bible revision between 8 March and 20 March, during which time JS revised the first and second chapters of the book of Revelation. (Faulring et al., Joseph Smith’s New Translation of the Bible, 70; Jennings, “Consequential Counselor,” 183.)
Comprehensive Works Cited
Faulring, Scott H., Kent P. Jackson, and Robert J. Matthews, eds. Joseph Smith’s New Translation of the Bible: Original Manuscripts. Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 2004.
Jennings, Erin B. “The Consequential Counselor: Restoring the Root(s) of Jesse Gause.” Journal of Mormon History 34 (Spring 2008): 182–227.
The earliest surviving copy is an undated one made by
John Whitmer
27 Aug. 1802–11 July 1878. Farmer, stock raiser, newspaper editor. Born in Pennsylvania. Son of Peter Whitmer Sr. and Mary Musselman. Member of German Reformed Church, Fayette, Seneca Co., New York. Baptized by Oliver Cowdery, June 1829, most likely in Seneca...
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in Revelation Book 1, where it is identified only as “Revelation Explained.” Whitmer, who was residing in
Missouri
Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803, and established as territory, 1812. Missouri Compromise, 1820, admitted Missouri as slave state, 1821. Population in 1830 about 140,000; in 1836 about 240,000; and in 1840 about 380,000. Latter-day Saint ...
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at the time, probably made the copy sometime after April 1832, when JS likely brought a copy of the original document to Missouri along with copies of revelations dictated in March.
5
See Historical Introduction to Revelation Book 1.

Footnotes
1. 1
  JS History, vol. A-1, 192.
2. 2
  Revelation, 20 Mar. 1832.
3. 3
  Faulring et al., Joseph Smith’s New Translation of the Bible, 422.
  
  Faulring, Scott H., Kent P. Jackson, and Robert J. Matthews, eds. Joseph Smith’s New Translation of the Bible: Original Manuscripts. Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 2004.
4. 4
  Gause apparently served as scribe for JS’s Bible revision between 8 March and 20 March, during which time JS revised the first and second chapters of the book of Revelation. (Faulring et al., Joseph Smith’s New Translation of the Bible, 70; Jennings, “Consequential Counselor,” 183.)
  
  Faulring, Scott H., Kent P. Jackson, and Robert J. Matthews, eds. Joseph Smith’s New Translation of the Bible: Original Manuscripts. Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 2004.
  Jennings, Erin B. “The Consequential Counselor: Restoring the Root(s) of Jesse Gause.” Journal of Mormon History 34 (Spring 2008): 182–227.
5. 5
  See Historical Introduction to Revelation Book 1.

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Revelation Explained

	What is the Sea of Glass spoken of by John 4 Chap. and sixth verse of revelations? 2 The sea of glass described in Revelation 4:6 lay before a throne in heaven on which sat a being—apparently God—and from which “proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices.” (Revelation 4:5.)
Ans	It is the Earth in its sanctified immortal and eternal state
Q	What are we to understand by the four beasts spoken of by John in the 4 Chapt. & 6 verse of Revelations? 3 The four beasts were “in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne.” The beasts were “full of eyes before and behind.” The first one was described as “like a lion,” the second as “like a calf,” the third as having “a face as a man,” and the fourth as “like a flying eagle.” Each beast had six wings. (Revelation 4:6–8.)
A	They are figurative Expressions used by the revelator John in disscribing heaven the paradise of God the hapiness of men and of beasts and of creeping things and of the fowls of the air that which is spiritual being in the likeness of that which is temporal and that which is temporal in the likeness of that which is spiritual 4 In JS’s revision of the Bible, the two creation accounts in Genesis 1–2 are cast as an initial “spiritual” creation in heaven followed by a “natural” creation on earth. An 1830 revelation explained that God created “all things both Spiritual & Temperal firstly spiritual secondly temporal which is the Begining of my work & again firstly temporal & secondly spiritual which is the last of my work.” (Old Testament Revision 1, pp. 3–5 [Moses chap. 2; 3:5, 9]; Revelation, Sept. 1830–A [D&C 29:31–32].) the Spirit of man in the likeness of his person as also the spirit of the beast and every other creature which God has created
Q	Are the four beasts limited to individual Beasts or do they represent classes or orders?
Ans	They are limited to four individual beasts which were shewn to John to represent the glory of the classes of beings in their destined order or sphere of creation in the enjoyment of their eternal felicity.
Q	What are we to understand the Eyes and wings which the beasts had? 5 See Revelation 4:8.
A	They Their eyes are a representation of light and knowledge that is they are full of knowledge and their wings are a representation of power to move to act &c.
Q	What are we to understand by the four and twenty Elders spoken of by John? 6 The twenty-four elders sat on seats “round about the throne.” They wore white clothing and had gold crowns on their heads. (Revelation 4:4, 10–11.)
A	We are to understand that these Elders whom John saw were Elders who had been faithful in the work of the ministry and were dead who belonged to the Seven Churches 7 See Revelation 1:4. and were then in the paradise of God.
Q	What are we to understand by the Book which John saw which was sealed <on the back> with seven Seals 8 The book was “in the right hand of him that sat on the throne.” (Revelation 5:1.) which John?

[p. 141]

Revelation Explained

	What is the Sea of Glass spoken of by John 4 Chap. and sixth verse of revelations? 2 The sea of glass described in Revelation 4:6 lay before a throne in heaven on which sat a being—apparently God—and from which “proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices.” (Revelation 4:5.)
Ans	It is the Earth in its sanctified immortal and eternal state
Q	What are we to understand by the four beasts spoken of by John in the 4 Chapt. & 6 verse of Revelations? 3 The four beasts were “in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne.” The beasts were “full of eyes before and behind.” The first one was described as “like a lion,” the second as “like a calf,” the third as having “a face as a man,” and the fourth as “like a flying eagle.” Each beast had six wings. (Revelation 4:6–8.)
A	They are figurative Expressions used by the revelator John in disscribing heaven the paradise of God the hapiness of men and of beasts and of creeping things and of the fowls of the air that which is spiritual being in the likeness of that which is temporal and that which is temporal in the likeness of that which is spiritual 4 In JS’s revision of the Bible, the two creation accounts in Genesis 1–2 are cast as an initial “spiritual” creation in heaven followed by a “natural” creation on earth. An 1830 revelation explained that God created “all things both Spiritual & Temperal firstly spiritual secondly temporal which is the Begining of my work & again firstly temporal & secondly spiritual which is the last of my work.” (Old Testament Revision 1, pp. 3–5 [Moses chap. 2; 3:5, 9]; Revelation, Sept. 1830–A [D&C 29:31–32].) the Spirit of man in the likeness of his person as also the spirit of the beast and every other creature which God has created
Q	Are the four beasts limited to individual Beasts or do they represent classes or orders?
Ans	They are limited to four individual beasts which were shewn to John to represent the glory of the classes of beings in their destined order or sphere of creation in the enjoyment of their eternal felicity.
Q	What are we to understand the Eyes and wings which the beasts had? 5 See Revelation 4:8.
A	Their eyes are a representation of light and knowledge that is they are full of knowledge and their wings are a representation of power to move to act &c.
Q	What are we to understand by the four and twenty Elders spoken of by John? 6 The twenty-four elders sat on seats “round about the throne.” They wore white clothing and had gold crowns on their heads. (Revelation 4:4, 10–11.)
A	We are to understand that these Elders whom John saw were Elders who had been faithful in the work of the ministry and were dead who belonged to the Seven Churches 7 See Revelation 1:4. and were then in the paradise of God.
Q	What are we to understand by the Book which John saw which was sealed on the back with seven Seals 8 The book was “in the right hand of him that sat on the throne.” (Revelation 5:1.) ?

[p. 141]

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Document Information
Editorial Title
Answers to Questions, between circa 4 and circa 20 March 1832 [D&C 77]
ID #
6728
Total Pages
4
Print Volume Location
JSP, D2:208–213
Handwriting on This Page
- John Whitmer
Footnotes
1. 1
  That is, the book of Revelation. It is unclear whether this title appeared in the original manuscript.
2. 2
  The sea of glass described in Revelation 4:6 lay before a throne in heaven on which sat a being—apparently God—and from which “proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices.” (Revelation 4:5.)
3. 3
  The four beasts were “in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne.” The beasts were “full of eyes before and behind.” The first one was described as “like a lion,” the second as “like a calf,” the third as having “a face as a man,” and the fourth as “like a flying eagle.” Each beast had six wings. (Revelation 4:6–8.)
4. 4
  In JS’s revision of the Bible, the two creation accounts in Genesis 1–2 are cast as an initial “spiritual” creation in heaven followed by a “natural” creation on earth. An 1830 revelation explained that God created “all things both Spiritual & Temperal firstly spiritual secondly temporal which is the Begining of my work & again firstly temporal & secondly spiritual which is the last of my work.” (Old Testament Revision 1, pp. 3–5 [Moses chap. 2; 3:5, 9]; Revelation, Sept. 1830–A [D&C 29:31–32].)
5. 5
  See Revelation 4:8.
6. 6
  The twenty-four elders sat on seats “round about the throne.” They wore white clothing and had gold crowns on their heads. (Revelation 4:4, 10–11.)
7. 7
  See Revelation 1:4.
8. 8
  The book was “in the right hand of him that sat on the throne.” (Revelation 5:1.)

Answers to Questions, between circa 4 and circa 20 March 1832 [D&C 77]

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