Dear Gramps,

I have two questions. 1) What is the scriptural basis for statement that the Archangel Michael is Adam?

2) :If a person has a testimony regarding Joseph Smith, but not a testimony about other modern prophets, should he drop his considerations of seeking to join the Mormon Church? You may think this is contradictory, but that is my situation.

Shane, from San Francisco, California

Dear Shane,

There are three scriptural references that declare that the Archangel Michael is Adam. They are as follows—

Doctrine & Covenants 27:11 And also with Michael, or Adam, the father of all, the prince of all, the ancient of days.

Doctrine & Covenants 107:54 And the Lord appeared unto them, and they rose up and blessed Adam, and called him Michael, the prince, the archangel.

Doctrine & Covenants 128:21 And again, the voice of God in the chamber of old Father Whitmer, in Fayette, Seneca county, and at sundry times, and in divers places through all the travels and tribulations of this Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! And the voice of Michael, the archangel; the voice of Gabriel, and of Raphael, and of divers angels, from Michael or Adam down to the present time, all declaring their dispensation, their rights, their keys, their honors, their majesty and glory, and the power of their priesthood; giving line upon line, precept upon precept; here a little, and there a little; giving us consolation by holding forth that which is to come, confirming our hope!

Concerning your testimony of the prophets, there is nothing contradictory about it at all. Testimony grows as gospel principles are applied. You are to be commended for your testimony that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God. A testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ is a gift to you from God. This demonstrates that the Eternal God of Heaven recognizes who you are, that He loves you as an individual son of His, and that He would have you make and keep the sacred covenants that represent the path back into His presence. Here is another testimony, similar to yours, from another convert to the Church, who came from Germany–Elder Dieter F. Uchtford, who was recently called to be one of the Twelve Apostles in the Mormon Church.

“The Book of Mormon is a second witness of Jesus Christ and a manifestation of the truthfulness of the Prophet Joseph Smith. I love the Prophet Joseph. I love President Gordon B. Hinckley, who is the prophet of God and holds all the keys of the kingdom at this time, keys which prophets have held in uninterrupted succession since Joseph Smith.” (Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, The Opportunity to Testify, Ensign, November 2004, p.74)

If you have a testimony of Joseph Smith as a prophet of God, let’s examine some of the things that you would accept as true. First, as is the case with Elder Uchtdorf, you will accept as true the Book of Mormon that the prophet translated by the gift and power of God. Further, you will accept as true the Doctrine and Covenants, that is a collection of revelations that the Lord gave to the prophet Joseph Smith, and you will also accept as true that marvelous scripture, the Pearl of Great Price, that contains translations into English of the Book of Moses and the Book of Abraham. I would strongly suggest that, if you are not already doing so, you would prayerfully study these sacred scriptures. They will confirm your testimony of Joseph Smith as a prophet, and reveal to you the will of God concerning all those who love the Lord and who desire to keep His commandments.

If you look into Section 138 of the Doctrine and Covenants you will find this scripture.

Daniel, who foresaw and foretold the establishment of the kingdom of God in the latter days, never again to be destroyed nor given to other people (Doctrine & Covenants 138:44) 

This scripture refers to what Daniel foresaw as recorded in the Book of Daniel. The Joseph Smith translation of that Biblical scripture is as follows— 

And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever (JST Dan 2:44).

The kingdom referred to is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which was organized by Joseph Smith under the direct command of God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. Since that scripture says that the kingdom, i.e. the Mormon Church, shall never be destroyed or left to another people, those who follow Joseph Smith as prophets of God presiding over His kingdom, must necessarily be true prophets. Therefore, if you believe that the Prophet Joseph was a true prophet of God, it necessarily follows that all whose who preside over the kingdom following him must also be true prophets, because according to the revelation given to Daniel and confirmed by Joseph Smith, the kingdom that he founded shall never be destroyed nor be left to other people.

Gramps