“This Also Shall Be a Sign Unto You”

Joseph F. McConkie, Robert L. Millet

Biblical prophecies contain a number of symbolic references to people as stars or planets. The seven stars represent angels or messengers of the seven churches of the book of Revelation (see Revelation 1:16, 20). Eleven stars stand for the brothers of Joseph, who did obeisance to him in his dream (see Genesis 37:9). At the battle between Barak and Sisera the stars are viewed as fighting against Sisera (see Judges 5:20), indicating that the heavens favored the Israelites. Stars also denoted rulers of earth (see Daniel 8:10; Revelation 6:13).

When the “foundations of the earth” were laid and it had been announced that the spirit children of God could come and obtain bodies, “the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy” (Job 38:4, 7). Those spirits that were cast out of heaven for rebellion against Christ in the pre-existent council are called stars (see Revelation 12:4), and, of course, before his fall Lucifer was a ’bright morning star“ (New English Bible, Isaiah 14:12). The innumerable stars are used as an indication of the extent of Abraham’s posterity (see Genesis 15:5).”

Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 3

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