“Above It Stood the Seraphim”

Monte S. Nyman

There is only one insignificant difference in the Book of Mormon and the King James texts (also some slight punctuation differences). Therefore, only the Book of Mormon text is quoted above. The word seraphim in the Book of Mormon is spelled seraphims in the KJV (v. 2). The suffix “im,” as translated from the Hebrew, makes a word plural and masculine and thus the meaning of the two texts are the same.

John the Revelator, whose mission was similar to Isaiah’s, described his vision of heaven in the same figurative terms.

2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.
8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. [Revelation 4:2, 8]

In describing John’s revelation, the Prophet Joseph Smith explained the symbolism of the eyes and wings.

4 Q. What are we to understand by the eyes and wings, which the beasts had?
A. Their eyes are a representation of light and knowledge, that is, they are full of knowledge; and their wings are a representation of power, to move, to act, etc. [D&C 77:4]

The Doctrine and Covenants speaks elsewhere of “all the seraphic hosts of heaven” (D&C 38:1); and of the “bright, shining seraphs around [the Lord’s] throne, with acclamations of praise, singing Hosanna to God and the Lamb” (D&C 109:79). These two references, and thus Isaiah 6:2–3, undoubtedly refer to the angelic hosts of heaven praising their God. The angelic host acknowledging that the whole earth is “full of his glory” (v. 3) is confirmed in modern revelation.

12 Which light [glory] proceedeth forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space—
13 The light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the law by which all things are governed, even the power of God who sitteth upon his throne, who is in the bosom of eternity, who is in the midst of all things. [D&C 88:12–13]

The Book of Revelation also identifies the smoke that filled the house (v. 4) as being “from the glory of God, and from his power” (Revelation 15:8).

Book of Mormon Commentary: I Nephi Wrote This Record

References