Answers to Questions, between circa 4 and circa 20 March 1832, Howard Coray Copy [D&C 77:2–12a]
Source Note
Answers to Questions, [, Portage Co., OH, ca. Mar. 1832]. Version copied [between late 1844 and 8 Oct. 1845]; handwriting of ; pagination in handwriting of Martha Jane Knowlton Coray; two pages (one or more pages missing); Lucy Mack Smith, History, 1844–1845, Revelations, CHL.
1st. what are we to understand by the 4 Beasts spoken of in the 4 chap. An they are figurative expressions used by the Revelator in describing heaven the Paradise of God the happiness of man and of Beasts and of fowls & of creeping things. That which is spiritual being in the likeness of that which is Temporal, And that which is Temporal being in the likeness of that which is Spiritual
The Spirit of man is the likeness of his person as also the Spirit of Beasts & every other creature that God hath made. 2d Are the 4 Beasts limited to individual Beasts, or do they represent classes or orders? An they are limited to 4 individual beasts which were shown to John to represent the Glory of that class of b[ei]ngs in their distinct order or [sphere] of action in the enjoyment of their eternal felicity. 3d What are to be understood by the Eyes and wings the beasts had An. their eyes are representations of light and knowledge and Their wings a representation of power to move to act &c, 4th What are we to understand by the four & twenty Elders? An we &c that John these Elders who John saw were Elders who had been faithful in the work of the ministry & were dead who belonged to the 7 churches and were then in the Paradise of God 5th What &c by the books which were sealed with 7 seals on the back which John Saw, An We are &c— that it contained the revealed will of God & mysteries, the hidden things of his economy concerning the earth during the 7,000 years of it continuance or temporal existance, 6th What are we &c by the 7 Seals with which it was sealed An. That the first [se]al contains the things of the 1st. 1000 years & the 2d of the [p. 11]