At the first great priesthood meeting held at Adam-ondi-Ahman, there was Adam, who conducted, and seven High Priests who were in attendance. The “residue” of those who were present looked on, but the meeting involved these seven High Priests and Adam.
The appearance of the Lord at that meeting was an appearance to the eight, who were involved in the ceremony in which Adam’s calling and election was made sure. The on-lookers who were present did not see the Lord, although they could sense something important was underway when the Lord “administered comfort” to Adam. Only those who had been initiated into the High Priesthood were permitted to participate and to view the Lord as He appeared and ministered. You can read about this event in D&C Section 107: 53-56.
We assume the great meeting to be held at Adam-ondi-Ahman in the future will involve a great crowd, and it may. However, if it is a repetition of the pattern from the first, there will be a small number, perhaps only seven or eight, who will see the Lord, with the residue merely sensing something of importance is taking place. (See my earlier post on Daniel’s visitation with the Lord.)
Do you mind telling what you are basing your statements on that the Lord’s appearance at Adam-ondi-Ahman at the time of Adam was only to the 8 and not to the rest of those who were present? I read the reference you gave, D&C 107: 53-56, but can’t see the detail there, so it must be somewhere else (perhaps personal to you).
Anonymous:
The description in D&C 107: 53 refers to Adam giving a blessing to “them.” You have to determine to whom the word “them” refers.
I wrote elsewhere about Daniel and the way in which the Lord’s appearance was veiled from others who were present, Daniel alone seeing the vision. The same is true of the Lord’s contact with Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus. Those with him did not have the same open vision.
When Joseph and Oliver saw the vision in the Kirtland Temple, they were behind a drawn canvas veil, and others were in the building. They didn’t see what Joseph and Oliver saw.
In the dedication of the Kirtland Temple, the visions which were opened to some were not to others.
There was an inner group of high priests for whom the Lord’s appearance would be appropriate and they are named. Naming means something. The rest are referred to as “the residue” and are not named.
These patterns are very real. They are set out in scripture because they are real. There is a great difference between being one of “the residue” of good people and being a clearly named high priest, particularly when you encounter the number of seven for the meeting. The number is also important, as I’ve explained in books I’ve written.
The picture people get into their heads is difficult to remove. But this process is dependent upon the preparation of the individual, not membership in a group. I’ve associated importance with elements of the revelation which others may not think important. I believe naming the seven, the number of them (seven), identifying them as high priests, calling those others “the residue” and leaving their names out of the narrative, and the overall setting takes this incident and puts it into the Daniel/Kirtland Temple/Apostle Paul category of visions of the Lord. Where some present are excluded and only a specific group or individual whose presence was specifically invited by the Lord, are permitted to stand in His presence.
It is a terrible thing to enter into the presence of the Living God. Not all who are righteous are prepared for that. Hence my reading of the verses.
Thanks. I appreciate your taking the time to clarify things for my question. That really helped.