Unit Two

Choice 1:  Matthew 17:1-9.  The Mount of Transfiguration

Peter, James, and John were given the opportunity to see Jesus Christ become transfigured and also see Moses and Elias come down around Him.  They also were able to hear the voice of Heavenly Father telling them that Christ is His Son and to listen to His words and teachings.  

Matthew 17:1-9—This is literally when the transfiguration occurred.  Peter, James and John saw Christ’s face, “shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light,” (verse 2).  They were able to watch an amazing event as Moses and Elias appeared and began speaking with Christ.  Peter sees the importance of this great meeting and asks if it would be appropriate to build a tabernacle to the Lord.  These same three apostles also have the opportunity to hear the voice of our Heavenly Father.  They become afraid, and Christ comforts them then charges them with the importance of keeping what they heard a secret until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.

Luke 9:31—In this scripture and footnote, Jesus Christ talks with his disciples of His death and resurrection.  He prepares them for what is to come and begins to see if they are ready for the persecution and torment that will also encircle the apostles as well.

2 Peter 1:16-18—In this section of scripture, Peter recounts when they heard the voice of Heavenly Father.  He says, “For He received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to Him from the excellent glory, ‘This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased’.”  This scripture comes after Christ’s death and Peter makes note of what happened while on the Mount of Transfiguration.

Doctrine and Covenants 63:21—This scripture states that the earth as a whole will go through the same steps of transfiguration as Christ went through on the Mount.  This scripture also makes it seem that we do not know all that happened that day on the Mount.

Institute Manual—Moses was an instrument on the Mount of Transfiguration because he was the one who conferred the keys of the gathering of Israel on Peter, James, and John.  He does the same thing many years later to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in the Kirtland Temple.  Elias (or Elijah) was there to confer the keys of the sealing power to the three apostles, and again also reappears many years later for Joseph Smith and Oliver.

Bible Dictionary—The keys of the priesthood were promised to Peter, James, and John.  This enabled the brethren to carry forth the work of the kingdom of earth after Christ dies.  These same keys were later given to all of the twelve apostles.

This event in church history prepared the apostles for the different responsibilities they would have when Christ would die.  They were able to get an idea of how important the priesthood was and to be able to see what they would also be able to do with the keys of the priesthood.