TO SEE HIS FACE

 

“We have the power – and it is our privilege – so to live, that becoming pure in heart, we shall see the face of God while we yet dwell as mortals in a world of sin and sorrow. This is the crowning blessing of mortality. It is offered by that God who is no respecter of persons to all the faithful in his kingdom.” (Bruce R. McConkie, In CR Oct 1977, p 52 or Ensign Nov 1977 p 34)

“We read that Abraham talked with God face to face, and he also talked with Enoch and others. The modern world, however, will have none of it and have rejected the living God for one who cannot be seen or heard. (Joseph Fielding Smith, “Answers to Gospel Questions”, 2:162-63)

The question of whether we can see God in this life would have to be one of the biggest contradictions in the scriptures, Chapter 33 of Exodus being the biggest. Verse 11 states that “the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend” yet verse 20 contradicts this by stating: “Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.” Also, Exodus 24:9-11 states that Moses and seventy of the elders of Israel saw God.

This contradiction is a classic example of mistranslation or “more likely due to the fact that a translator in more recent years did not believe that God was a Personage and therefore could not be seen. This notion has come down to us since the introduction of the Athanasian Creed in 325 A.D.” (Old Testament Student Manual Book 1 p 142)

Thankfully, Joseph Smith made many corrections to such conflicting scriptures adding clarification such as: “And no man hath seen God at any time, except he hath borne record of the Son….” (JST John 1:19) and, “No man hath seen God at any time, except them who believe….Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God….(John 6:45-46).

So a person who has seen God has to be one who believes, has to be of God and has to bear witness of such. Joseph Smith comes to mind here.

So now that we know who CAN see God, it’s important we know who CAN’T. Genesis 33:20 states that whosoever sees Him would not be able to live. Obviously that is a reference to those who do not meet the criteria for such a privilege.  And this is why:

“Christ is a glorified celestial being, and the glory of such beings is comparable to that of the sun (see D&C 76:70). The presence of Christ when He comes in His glory will be as a consuming fire. The mountains will flow down at His presence, the elements will melt with fervent heat, and the waters will boil. Even the sun will hide its face in shame (see Hebrews 12:29; D&C 133:40-44,49) (Doctrine & Covenants Student Manual p 61)

“Incident to the commencement of the millennial era, the earth will be burned. Every corruptible thing will be consumed (D&C 101:24); all the proud and they that do wickedly shall be burned as stubble (Malachi 4:1; D&C 29:9; 63:34; 64:23-25; 133:63-64); and there will be an entire separation of the righteous and the wicked (D&C 63:54).” (Bruce R. McConkie, “Mormon Doctrine” p 494)

I once had a reader question Joseph Smith’s claim that He saw God the Father and the Son. She reasoned Joseph would have been burnt alive if he truly saw such celestial beings. In my opinion, Joseph qualified to abide their glory as sure as Moses and Abraham.

It is only those who are not worthy to see God that would be consumed, even as those who will be so at Christ’s coming…..while the righteous will be transfigured to withstand His glory (see Journal of Discourses, 16:328). It’s a startling choice isn’t it? To be burnt alive or to be privileged to see the face of the Son of God. 

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Artist Unknown)