In his April 1977 general conference address, Elder David B. Haight of the Council of the Twelve said he was sure the Transfiguration "was meant for our spiritual enlightenment as well as for those who were personal witnesses."

Elder Haight retold the story of the Transfiguration, describing how Jesus, near the end of His mortal ministry, took three chosen witnesses - Peter, James and John - to a mountain where He could kneel in prayer and prepare for the events soon to come. (See Matt. 17 and Luke 9.)"[The SaviorT was to be illuminated with a light which needed no aid from the sun or the moon or the stars," related Elder Haight. "He went up to prepare for His coming death. He took His three apostles with Him in the belief that they, after having seen His glory - the glory of the Only Begotten of the Father - might be fortified, that their faith might be strengthened to prepare them for the insults and humiliating events which were to follow. . . .

"In the darkness of the night the apostles saw an intense light and the glorified form of their Lord. Beside Him, in that same glory of light, were two persons whom they knew or heard to be Moses and Elijah. Undoubtedly they spoke with Jesus of His coming death at Jerusalem. . . .

"[AT bright cloud of brilliant light overshadowed Jesus and His heavenly visitors, . . . and also the three apostles; and a voice was heard: `This is my beloved Son: hear him.' " (Luke 9:35.)

Elder Haight said that after such an experience, the apostles might have hesitated to rise; but Jesus, appearing as they had seen Him before He was transfigured, touched them and said, "Arise, and be not afraid." (Matt. 17:17.)

"He was their dear friend," Elder Haight explained, and then added that the three apostles were taught of His pending death and also His resurrection and were given teachings that would strengthen them in the eventful days ahead.

"Peter, James and John - they alone beheld the glory and majesty of the transfigured Jesus and undoubtedly received the keys of the kingdom. These three were yet to be taken to a spot in Gethsemane where they would behold His suffering as He took upon Himself the sins of the world that He might redeem us from the Fall and through His resurrection demonstrate to us that He is the Only Begotten of the Father in the flesh and show unto us that He is the Redeemer of the world.

"These same three witnesses who were on the mount . . . appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in 1829 and conferred upon them the Melchizedek Priesthood and gave them the keys of the kingdom and apostleship. Christ Himself, followed by Moses, Elias, and Elijah, appeared to Joseph and Oliver in the Kirtland Temple, giving authority and committing other essential keys of this dispensation."

Elder Haight further said: "Those keys - the same that were delivered to Peter, James and John on the mountain - authorize us to carry the gospel to all nations and declare the power, glory and majesty of our Lord Jesus Christ and that the day of His coming is near. The prophet of God . . . holds these keys and authority today."

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(ADDITIONAL INFORMATION)

Articles on this page may be used in conjunction with the Gospel Doctrine course of study.

Information compiled by Gerry Avant

Sources: Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, compiled by Joseph Fielding Smith; and April 1977 and April 1979 general conference reports.