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.
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.