The object of this mortal existence is to develop faith. We need adversity and a sense of isolation from God in order to develop the character necessary to be like God. There is a test underway. But it is conducted by a benign and friendly heavenly host, whose primary purpose is to develop in us a godly character and charity toward one another.
Men and women may see Christ in vision or in an appearance as a solitary personage. But no person has ever seen God the Father without also seeing a host of others. They are referred to in scriptures as a “heavenly host,” or “numerous angels,” or “concourses of angels.” There is a reason that a company is always shown at the appearance of the Father. You should look into the matter. Within the answer lies a great truth about God the Father.
Is the reason because the Father is made up of many?
Perhaps it is so that we can recognize Him for who He is.
Did the prophet Joseph see a “heavenly host” when Heavenly Father and the Savior appeared during the first vision? I’m not sure where to start looking.
1 Ne. 1: 8
8 And being thus overcome with the Spirit, he was carried away in a vision, even that he saw the heavens open, and he thought he saw God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels in the attitude of singing and praising their God.
Alma 36: 22
22 Yea, methought I saw, even as our father Lehi saw, God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels, in the attitude of singing and praising their God; yea, and my soul did long to be there.
You’ve got me thinking and searching. I’m looking at these verses in Moses 1:
5 Wherefore, no man can behold all my works, except he behold all my glory; and no man can behold all my glory, and afterwards remain in the flesh on the earth.
11 But now mine own eyes have beheld God; but not my natural, but my spiritual eyes, for my natural eyes could not have beheld; for I should have withered and died in his presence; but his glory was upon me; and I beheld his face, for I was transfigured before him.
24 And it came to pass that when Satan had departed from the presence of Moses, that Moses lifted up his eyes unto heaven, being filled with the Holy Ghost, which beareth record of the Father and the Son;
25 And calling upon the name of God, he beheld his glory again, for it was upon him; and he heard a voice, saying: Blessed art thou, Moses, for I, the Almighty, have chosen thee, and thou shalt be made stronger than many waters; for they shall obey thy command as if thou wert God.
Notice Hymn 266 in our LDS hymn book:
A beautiful hymn…. v. 3 caught my attention.
The Time Is Far Spent
Earnestly
31243, Hymns, The Time Is Far Spent, no. 266
1. The time is far spent; there is little remaining
To publish glad tidings by sea and by land.
Then hasten, ye heralds; go forward proclaiming:
Repent, for the kingdom of heaven’s at hand,
Repent, for the kingdom of heaven’s at hand.
2. Shrink not from your duty, however unpleasant,
But follow the Savior, your pattern and friend.
Our little afflictions, tho painful at present,
Ere long, with the righteous, in glory will end,
Ere long, with the righteous, in glory will end.
3. What, tho, if the favor of Ahman possessing,
This world’s bitter hate you are called to endure?
The angels are waiting to crown you with blessings!
Go forward, be faithful, the promise is sure.
Go forward, be faithful, the promise is sure.
4. Be fixed in your purpose, for Satan will try you;
The weight of your calling he perfectly knows.
Your path may be thorny, but Jesus is nigh you;
His arm is sufficient, tho demons oppose.
His arm is sufficient, tho demons oppose.
Text: Eliza R. Snow, 1804–1887
Music: German folk song, 18th century
D&C 33:2–10, 17
D&C 51:19
I’ve thought about this for some time…. I’m not sure what you are thinking Denver.
I wonder what it must be like to be in the middle of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. I wonder if our Heavenly Father surrounds himself with beautiful heavenly voices…. singing in glory as they surround and circle about out Father. How exhilarating and joyFULL that must be.