I am thrilled and amazed at the spiritual insights of the Prophets of old and even of some enlightened men who are generally considered outside the conduit of light from on high.
Daniel Rona, an LDS member of Jewish descent, currently resides in Israel. He writes a weekly article, “Insights,” which is avail- able on his website or by e-mail. In his most recent article, he mentioned the Jewish view of a latter-day Joseph. He cited writings from early in the 12th century as follows “When the Chief Rabbi, Avraham HaKohen Kook was appointed in Palestine in the 1920’s, he was asked if the Jews could now build the Temple (destroyed since year 70 A.D.). He said that priestly rights were gone and then he referred to the great 12th century rabbi, Moses Maimonides, who said, in effect, “We are waiting for a Messiah Ben-Joseph; to him will be given the keys of the gathering of Israel; he will restore Temple worship.”
The following revelation was received by Joseph Smith the latter-day prophet: “…Moses appeared before us, and committed unto us the keys of the gathering of Israel from the four parts of the earth, and the leading of the ten tribes from the land of the north.
After this vision had closed, another great and glorious vision burst upon us; for Elijah the prophet, who was taken to heaven without tasting death, stood before us, and said:
Behold, the time has fully come, which was spoken of by the mouth of Malachi—testifying that he [Elijah] should be sent, before the great and dreadful day of the Lord come
To turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, lest the whole earth be smitten with a curse—
Therefore, the keys of this dispensation are committed into your hands…” (D&C 110:11–16)
Now, “The rest of the story”: The above visions were manifested to Joseph Smith the Prophet and Oliver Cowdery in the temple at Kirkland, Ohio, April 3, 1836. That April 3rd was also the day that the Orthodox Jews celebrated the annual Feast of the Passover. Traditionally, every year on that day the Jews expect Elijah to return as prophesied in Malachi. (Malachi 4:5–6)
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:
And he shall turn (bind or seal) the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.
Orthodox Jews traditionally leave their doors ajar on the day of the Passover and set an extra plate at their tables with candles burning, expecting that Elijah will return. Well, he did return on that day, but not to a Jewish household, but rather to a Mormon Prophet named Joseph.
Did Joseph have any idea that the 3rd day of April was the Passover and that each year the Jews expected Elijah to return on that day? It seems highly unlikely! Joseph was too busy with all of the things the Lord had assigned him to do. He was translating newly found religious documents. It was a period of recession in the country and the Saints were struggling with hard times financially while trying to build homes, a temple and keep food on their tables. At the same time, many of the elders of the church were being called to serve missions in various parts of the country, as well as other countries. Joseph was still learning what the Lord expected of him as a prophet of God.
The significance of Elijah’s visit never really became apparent to Joseph until many years later as he read in Corinthians, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ we are of all men most miserable.” The Gospel unfolded to the young prophet piece by piece and bit by bit.
He was but 14 when he received his first vision, and after many other training visions he had emerged as a mature prophet of our God, who through numerous revelations from God, finally restored the fullness of the New and Everlasting Covenant to the earth.
The gathering of Israel is underway, and temple worship has been restored through a Joseph as prophesied. Why not through a Jewish Joseph? Because it had also been prophesied that the first shall be last and the last shall be first—the Israelite Jews were first to be given an opportunity to receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Plan of Salvation, but they rejected Him. God bless us to recognize the significance of this great latter-day work of gathering and temple worship and the work of turning hearts and linking to our ancestors.