SHAWN - I have a question regarding Moroni. In the
Introduction to the Book of Mormon, Moroni is
described as "a glorified, resurrected being".
"On September 21, 1823, the same Moroni, then a
glorified, resurrected being, appeared to the Prophet
Joseph Smith and instructed him relative to the
ancient record and its destined translation into the
English language." (BOM Intro)
In the Doctrine and Covenants, Moroni is said to be an angel.
D&C 128:20
"And again, what do we hear? Glad tidings from
Cumorah! Moroni, an angel from heaven,..."
I am curious. Can we determine from this that Moroni
did not receive exaltation since he has already been
resurrected? For example, Doctrine and Covenants says
that Abraham has been exalted.
D&C 132:29
"Abraham received all things, whatsoever he received,
by revelation and commandment, by my word, saith the
Lord, and hath entered into his exaltation and sitteth
upon his throne."
According to verse 37, Isaac and Jacob also have
received exaltation. It says that they are not angels
but are gods. I realize that this has nothing to do
with me personally, I am just curious (and possibly
some others as well) if you know of any official
statement that has been made regarding the eternal
destination of Moroni.
JOEL - Even though Moroni was called an angel, it does not
mean that he has not or will not be exalted. There are
different kinds of angels serving in different capacities at different times.
Any messenger from God can be considered an angel,
regardless of the status of their soul at the time.
They can be spirits that have not yet received a body,
a translated being, or one who has been resurrected.
There are certain of God's servants who have been
resurrected so they could perform required priesthood
ordinances relative to the restoration of the Church.
John the Baptist and Peter and James were
resurrected so they could confer the priesthoods on
Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. Moroni was
resurrected so he could physically deliver the gold
plates to Joseph Smith and interact with him.
So these "angels", although resurrected, have probably
not yet actually received their exaltation, but
certainly, being prophets of God, will be exalted some
time in the eternal future after the final judgment.
I know of no other scriptures or "official" doctrine
that specifically describes Moroni's current status as
being anything other than a glorified resurrected being.
In D&C 132 where it says that Abraham, Isaac, and
Jacob are not angels but are gods; it is not refering
to the kind of angel that Moroni was, but rather those
described in the following verses found earlier in
Section 132, who were not married by the new and
everlasting covenant:
"Therefore, when they are out of the world they
neither marry nor are given in marriage; but are
appointed angels in heaven, which angels are
ministering servants, to minister for those who are
worthy of a far more, and an exceeding, and an eternal
weight of glory.
For these angels did not abide my law; therefore, they
cannot be enlarged, but remain separately and singly,
without exaltation, in their saved condition, to all
eternity; and from henceforth are not gods, but are
angels of God forever and ever." (D&C 132:16-17)
Neither Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, nor Moroni will ever be one of these kinds of angels, because they will have been married by the new and everlasting covenant and therefore will be exalted.
This subject brings up another question. We have been
taught that everyone living on this earth(including
Moroni) will not be exalted until the Celestial
kingdom exists, which won't happen until this earth is
changed into that kingdom after the resurrection.
The question we might ask is why are Abraham, Isaac,
and Jacob described as already exalted Gods sitting in their thrones?
The D&C 132 scriptures could just be an indication
that these prophets' calling and election has been
made sure. Later in Section 132 God tells Joseph the following:
"For I am the Lord thy God, and will be with thee even
unto the end of the world, and through all eternity;
for verily I seal upon you your exaltation, and
prepare a throne for you in the kingdom of my Father,
with Abraham your father." (verse 49)
God declares here that Joseph's calling and election
is sure and after he dies will enjoy the same status
as father Abraham. Having this "sealed" on Joseph
means that, like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, it is as good as done.
The D&C 132 scriptures could also be an example of a
biblical figure of speech called "prophetic perfect".
Prophetic perfect is used when a prophecy that is
certain to happen in the future, is talked about as if
it has already happened. Another example of this
figure of speech is found in the prophetic scriptures
of Isaiah where he declares, “For unto us a child is
born, unto us a son is given… ” (Isaiah 9:6), making
it sound as if Jesus was already born, 700 years
before it actually happened. It simply means that
because it was prophesied by a prophet of God it is a
sure thing and therefore is spoken of in present or
past tense language. The same can be said regarding
the scriptures describing the certain future exalted
status of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.