Three messengers visit Adam, four handclasps accompanied by solemn oaths, and much more.

[kirtland r.m.]

Many examples of important fragments of sacred instruction passed down since the time of Adam from a variety of ancient sources. As Brother Brigham said, angels standing as sentinels guarding the gates asking for sacred information after this life, three messengers sent to Adam, four ritual handclasps accompanied by a solemn oath, Adam's understanding of baptism, repentance, priesthood and more. As the Prophet Joseph taught, Adam and Eve were given much more than any non restoration source could understand or know to this day. They were at the start of what would be the first gospel dispensation. Also, they received heaping helpings of truth and light Joseph Smith could not possibly know about or understand in any way but that which is laid out in latter day church history. Treasure the endowment of knowledge brothers and sisters. It was pulled together in the latter days for us by it's true source. The Father and the Son.

Here is a sample of what is found through the link below.
Adam in Ancient Texts and the Restoration, Matthew Roper.

According to a Mandaean commentary, this portion of the liturgy refers to “the four ritual handclasps which Abatur seeks to exchange with the soul.”89 Each of these four are associated with separate ritual acts accompanied by a solemn oath, “The first Kusta is a precious kusta; it is the promise made at baptism . . . . The second kusta is a lofty kusta: it is the oath (taken at) coronation; no (earthly) king hath more majesty)! The third kusta is a loving one, it is the vow taken at espousal): there is no love like it. The fourth kusta is a powerful kusta for it traveleth to (the other) world. It came, it went, and it opened the door to the world. Every man who hath performed these kustas is thereby made perfect, he hath been put to the test by all the worlds and will rise upward and behold the Place of Light.”90 All this in Mandaean tradition was revealed to Adam by divine messengers sent from God to teach him. In the Ginza Manda Haiya tells how messengers were sent to Adam to reveal the proper way to worship.https://www.fairlatterdaysaints.org/con ... estoration

[rimbauer.peter]

Great post as always.

[DJB]

Many examples of important fragments of sacred instruction passed down since the time of Adam from a variety of ancient sources. As Brother Brigham said, angels standing as sentinels guarding the gates asking for sacred information after this life, three messengers sent to Adam, four ritual handclasps accompanied by a solemn oath, Adam's understanding of baptism, repentance, priesthood and more. As the Prophet Joseph taught, Adam and Eve were given much more than any non restoration source could understand or know to this day. They were at the start of what would be the first gospel dispensation. Also, they received heaping helpings of truth and light Joseph Smith could not possibly know about or understand in any way but that which is laid out in latter day church history. Treasure the endowment of knowledge brothers and sisters. It was pulled together in the latter days for us by it's true source. The Father and the Son.

Here is a sample of what is found through the link below.
Adam in Ancient Texts and the Restoration, Matthew Roper.

According to a Mandaean commentary, this portion of the liturgy refers to “the four ritual handclasps which Abatur seeks to exchange with the soul.”89 Each of these four are associated with separate ritual acts accompanied by a solemn oath, “The first Kusta is a precious kusta; it is the promise made at baptism . . . . The second kusta is a lofty kusta: it is the oath (taken at) coronation; no (earthly) king hath more majesty)! The third kusta is a loving one, it is the vow taken at espousal): there is no love like it. The fourth kusta is a powerful kusta for it traveleth to (the other) world. It came, it went, and it opened the door to the world. Every man who hath performed these kustas is thereby made perfect, he hath been put to the test by all the worlds and will rise upward and behold the Place of Light.”90 All this in Mandaean tradition was revealed to Adam by divine messengers sent from God to teach him. In the Ginza Manda Haiya tells how messengers were sent to Adam to reveal the proper way to worship.https://www.fairlatterdaysaints.org/con ... estoration

Very cool, love studying the endowment as it’s so layered with saving truths

[JSmith]

this is not ancient, nor it is tied to any form of an ancient endowment. This was a Gnostic sect that had a conglomeration of ideas from various interpretations and sources.

before we start claiming that gnostic text give some confirmation of the nauvoo endowment, lets look at the source for the claims.

"Whereas most scholars date the beginnings of Mandaeanism somewhere in the first three centuries AD, the matter of its origin is highly conjectural. Some scholars, emphasizing the Babylonian elements in Mandaean magical texts, use of the Iranian calendar, and the incorporation of several Iranian words into the Mandaic language, argue that Mandaeanism originated in the area of southwestern Mesopotamia in early Christian or even pre-Christian times."

"Mandaeanism stresses salvation of the soul through esoteric knowledge (gnosis) of its divine origin. In its cosmological superstructure, evil Archons (rulers) obstruct the ascent of the soul through the heavenly spheres to a reunion with the supreme deity."

consider the fact that the Mandaeans viewed Jesus as a false messiah but revere John the Baptist, who performed miracles of healing through baptism, which the Mandaeans viewed as a magical process giving immortality, purification, and physical health.

For the Mandaeans, Jesus is evil, although his mother, Miriai, was a Mandaean herself, and Jesus’ initial relationship with John the Baptist implied that he was not evil by nature, but rather evil by choice. He is the false Messiah, one of a long series of key figures from Jewish and Christian mythical history who have been transformed into evil beings. Thus, Moses and Abraham are both called nbiha d-ruha, “prophet of the Holy Spirit,” but this Holy Spirit, Ruha d-Qudša, is the leader of the forces of evil in this world in our timeframe.

also, the Mandaeans believe that Abraham, Moses, were false prophets.

this parrelleomania for everything that sounds like it could bolter LDS claims is not good if we are going to start accepting 3rd-century Gnostic mysticism, then lets just accept anything from the nag-Hammadi library.

But maybe Gnostic magical views dovetail into the Magical World view of the Smith family before 1830...seer stones, parchments and encantations in all

[kirtland r.m.]

this is not ancient, nor it is tied to any form of an ancient endowment. This was a Gnostic sect that had a conglomeration of ideas from various interpretations and sources.

before we start claiming that gnostic text give some confirmation of the nauvoo endowment, lets look at the source for the claims.

"Whereas most scholars date the beginnings of Mandaeanism somewhere in the first three centuries AD, the matter of its origin is highly conjectural. Some scholars, emphasizing the Babylonian elements in Mandaean magical texts, use of the Iranian calendar, and the incorporation of several Iranian words into the Mandaic language, argue that Mandaeanism originated in the area of southwestern Mesopotamia in early Christian or even pre-Christian times."

"Mandaeanism stresses salvation of the soul through esoteric knowledge (gnosis) of its divine origin. In its cosmological superstructure, evil Archons (rulers) obstruct the ascent of the soul through the heavenly spheres to a reunion with the supreme deity."

consider the fact that the Mandaeans viewed Jesus as a false messiah but revere John the Baptist, who performed miracles of healing through baptism, which the Mandaeans viewed as a magical process giving immortality, purification, and physical health.

For the Mandaeans, Jesus is evil, although his mother, Miriai, was a Mandaean herself, and Jesus’ initial relationship with John the Baptist implied that he was not evil by nature, but rather evil by choice. He is the false Messiah, one of a long series of key figures from Jewish and Christian mythical history who have been transformed into evil beings. Thus, Moses and Abraham are both called nbiha d-ruha, “prophet of the Holy Spirit,” but this Holy Spirit, Ruha d-Qudša, is the leader of the forces of evil in this world in our timeframe.

also, the Mandaeans believe that Abraham, Moses, were false prophets.

this parrelleomania for everything that sounds like it could bolter LDS claims is not good if we are going to start accepting 3rd-century Gnostic mysticism, then lets just accept anything from the nag-Hammadi library.

But maybe Gnostic magical views dovetail into the Magical World view of the Smith family before 1830...seer stones, parchments and encantations in all

I would take a look at this if you want to define Gnosticism (from Ancient Greek: γνωστικός, romanized: gnōstikós, Koine Greek: [ɣnostiˈkos], 'having knowledge') is a collection of religious ideas and systems which coalesced in the late 1st century AD among Jewish and early Christian sects.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gnosticism
As I said in my o.p., " important fragments of sacred instruction passed down since the time of Adam from a variety of ancient sources".
The o.p. is by the way, amazing yet less than one percent of what I have posted on this subject, on this forum. It is mind boggling how much is confirmed by this information. I will continue to post on this topic, I find new information each month, much of it from a wide variety of sometimes what might even be thought of at first as unlikely or surely little known but important sources. Much, much more than a few "lucky guesses" than someone, anyone could have made in the latter days. In fact, you have just given me a new idea. Keep an eye out for a few of Joseph Smith's(ha ha) lucky guesses in a soon to be coming thread!

[JSmith]

some books you really need to read:

Method infinite: Freemasonry and the Mormon Restoration

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1589586891?ps ... ct_details

The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History

https://www.amazon.com/Development-LDS- ... C74&sr=1-5

Early Mormonism and the Magic World View

https://www.amazon.com/Early-Mormonism- ... C82&sr=1-1

[kirtland r.m.]

some books you really need to read:

Method infinite: Freemasonry and the Mormon Restoration

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1589586891?ps ... ct_details

The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History

https://www.amazon.com/Development-LDS- ... C74&sr=1-5

Early Mormonism and the Magic World View

https://www.amazon.com/Early-Mormonism- ... C82&sr=1-1

Thanks JSmith(what a mockery). Yes, I am clueless and totally need anti church and anti Christ sources, including ignoring very real historical sources(along with lefty misguided church "academics") to lead me into the light.
Maybe you can get together with whitesalamander next tome and form a coalition.

[kirtland r.m.]

Some additional treasures on this subject.

Adam, Eve, and the New and Everlasting Covenant By Jeffrey M. Bradshaw · April 15, 2010

Here are some highlights.

The most widely-known extracanonical account of Adam and Eve’s experiences after they leave the Garden of Eden is the Life of Adam and Eve (hereafter Life), which exists in Greek, Latin, Armenian, and Georgian recensions18 as well as in several later texts derived in part from it.19 A major theme of this series of stories concerns the unsuccessful attempts of Satan to deceive Adam and Eve, who become increasingly immune to his wiles through the knowledge and protective power provided by angelic visitations, and the knowledge and covenants received through ordinances.

...For example, the Life tells of how Adam and Eve, following their transgression and expulsion from Eden, spent a time of penance standing, respectively, in cleansing waters of the Jordan and Tigris Rivers. During Eve’s penance, Satan appears as an angel of light to persuade her to leave the river prematurely. Robinson notes the significant warning that Adam had previously given her:

“Take great care of thyself. Except thou seest me and all my tokens, depart not out of the water, nor trust in the words, which are said to thee, lest thou fall again into the snare.” Thus, properly equipped, Eve does not succumb to Satan the second time.20

A parallel account involving three divine messengers can be found in the story of Abraham30. In the Orthodox Church, the famous icon by representing this event is used as a symbol of the oneness of the Godhead, and the “beginning of the promise of Redemption” which reached “its fulfillment on the day of the Pentecost,” binding together the Old Testament and New Testament Churches31.

With reference to accounts of visits of divine messengers to Adam and Eve, Alonzo Gaskill observes that:32

Peter, James, and John, whether appearing to Adam and Eve or serving as the head of the postresurrection Church in the meridian of time, are symbols of something much greater than themselves, namely, the Godhead.. as [are] all subsequent First Presidencies. Whether these three brethren, or any set of tripartite messengers had physical contact with Adam and Eve (or any other Old Testament figure) makes no difference. What is of importance is what they brought and whom they represented.

The New and Everlasting Covenant

God’s motivation in instituting laws is, as the Prophet Joseph Smith explained, “to instruct the weaker intelligences,” allowing fallen humanity to gradually “advance in knowledge” so that eventually they “may be exalted with [God] himself38.” The Syriac version of the Testament of Adam expresses the belief of early Christians who taught that the Savior Himself revealed the plan of salvation to Adam, bringing the eventual possibility of godhood within the reach of fallen mankind:39

And on this account [God] taught me in the midst of Paradise when I picked the fruit in which death was hiding. And he said to me, “Adam, do not fear. A god you desired to be; a god I will make you. However, not right now but after a space of [many] years. Right now I am going to drive you from paradise, and I will bring you down into the earth of thorns. Your back I will bend [and] your knees will quake from old age overtaking you. I am delivering you up to death. The maggot and worm will devour your body.

And after a short time my mercy [will be] revealed to you: I will go down to you. For your sake, Adam, I become an infant. For your sake, Adam, I ascend the cross. For your sake, Adam, I open the tomb.”

The set of laws and ordinances that were given to Adam and Eve are known collectively as “The New and Everlasting Covenant.” This comprehensive covenant includes the baptismal and temple covenants as well as covenants made at other times. Because God is everlasting, the covenant is also “everlasting”: it was first given to Adam, and later to all subsequent prophets.40 Because it is given anew each time the gospel is restored, the Lord also describes it as “new.”41 Riddle summarizes the two basic parts of the covenant:

Part one is the covenant of baptism, being born of water and of the Spirit. The covenant of baptism is our pledge to seek after good and to eliminate all choosing and doing of evil in our lives, and it is also our receiving the power to keep that promise. Part two of the New and Everlasting Covenant is to receive the power and authority of God and to become perfect in using that power and authority to minister to other beings to bring about their happiness.42

Elder Bruce R. McConkie’s name for the first part of the New and Everlasting Covenant is the “Covenant of Salvation.” It is “accepted by men in the waters of baptism”43 and is confirmed by the laying on of hands. Adam and Eve were the first mortals to receive this covenant, as Enoch recounts.44https://latterdaysaintmag.com/article-1-398/

[kirtland r.m.]

Although the biblical account of Adam and his family says nothing about angels visiting Adam (Genesis 4:1–26; 5:1–5), Jewish, Christian, Mandaean, and Islamic texts all support this idea. In some cases—such as the possibility of Adam and Eve’s repentance—the specific angelic messages are even the same.

Book of Mormon prophets taught that angels ministered to Adam and Eve after the Fall and taught them about repentance and redemption. The Nephite prophets most likely gleaned these details from accounts on the plates of brass, a pre-exilic record from ancient Israel. Traditions found in obscure Jewish, Christian, Mandaean and Muslim texts all provide evidence for this claim. While these traditions date long after the time of Lehi’s departure from Jerusalem and would not have been known to him or his family in their current form, they point to a common source of knowledge in the ancient Middle East which supports the Book of Mormon.https://evidencecentral.org/recency/evi ... am-and-eve

The pattern of three special messengers continues with Abraham.

Three messengers from God visited Abraham on their way to the city of Sodom. They reiterated the promise that Sarah would have a son. They also revealed to Abraham that they had been sent by God to see that Sodom and Gomorrah would be destroyed because of the wickedness of the cities' inhabitants.https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/stu ... 8?lang=eng

[kirtland r.m.]

Ongoing latter day knowledge of these truths are found in the Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price, and Book of Mormon, and in the Prophet Joseph Smith’s statements in History of the Church and other writings. Indeed, these sacred writings teach that Adam and Eve were majestic and glorious forebears and that they were taught the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ “from the beginning” (Moses 5:58).https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/stu ... m?lang=eng

[TheChristian]

The great Key is to be found in the New testament..............

The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy,

And so its common sense to think that all the old testament Prophets, Patriarchs and messengers that had this gift of Prophecy, must of had the testimony of Jesus to a greater or lesser degree.
Adam, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses up to John the Baptist had the spirit of prophecy and the only way they could of had such gift is to have knowlegde wether great or small of the Saviour.
If God called Abraham His friend then it is only natural that this God would of revealed Himself to Abraham and shared with him that in the meridian of time that He God would manifest Himself in the flesh and pay the price of sin, indeed that very God in the form of Jesus of Nazerath said to the Jews, "Abraham rejoiced to see my day and he did"
Isaiah continually prophesied about Jesus of Nazerath in all manner of ways and why? Because he had a testimony of Jesus which as we all know is the spirit of prophecy.
It is the very same with us today, allthough we are living two thousand years after the birth, the ministry, sacrifice and ressurection of our Lord we know that all of such is true thru that very same spirit of prophecy as Adam and all the prophets thru out time possessed.

The spirit of prophecy has been manifest in men and women in every generation in these last 2000 years, it was never lost nor could be for we see in every generation both men and women having a bright testimony of Jesus of Nazerath, for the Lord raises up men and women in every generation and imparts to them of his word as much as mankind are able to accept and endure that they might be elevated to a higher standard of spirituality and a hope of joy in the world to come....

[kirtland r.m.]

The great Key is to be found in the New testament..............

The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy,

And so its common sense to think that all the old testament Prophets, Patriarchs and messengers that had this gift of Prophecy, must of had the testimony of Jesus to a greater or lesser degree.
Adam, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses up to John the Baptist had the spirit of prophecy and the only way they could of had such gift is to have knowlegde wether great or small of the Saviour.
If God called Abraham His friend then it is only natural that this God would of revealed Himself to Abraham and shared with him that in the meridian of time that He God would manifest Himself in the flesh and pay the price of sin, indeed that very God in the form of Jesus of Nazerath said to the Jews, "Abraham rejoiced to see my day and he did"
Isaiah continually prophesied about Jesus of Nazerath in all manner of ways and why? Because he had a testimony of Jesus which as we all know is the spirit of prophecy.
It is the very same with us today, allthough we are living two thousand years after the birth, the ministry, sacrifice and ressurection of our Lord we know that all of such is true thru that very same spirit of prophecy as Adam and all the prophets thru out time possessed.

The spirit of prophecy has been manifest in men and women in every generation in these last 2000 years, it was never lost nor could be for we see in every generation both men and women having a bright testimony of Jesus of Nazerath, for the Lord raises up men and women in every generation and imparts to them of his word as much as mankind are able to accept and endure that they might be elevated to a higher standard of spirituality and a hope of joy in the world to come....

I agree with you TheChristian. I think you have written a great post. We also remember this, Matthew 23:37. Oh Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

And this. For there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations, who are blinded by the subtle craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, and who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it. D&C 123:7

And this. A dispensation of the gospel is a period of time in which the Lord has at least one authorized servant on the earth who bears the holy priesthood and the keys, and who has a divine commission to dispense the gospel to the inhabitants of the earth. When this occurs, the gospel is revealed anew so that people of that dispensation do not have to depend basically on past dispensations for knowledge of the plan of salvation. There have been many gospel dispensations since the beginning. The Bible suggests at least one dispensation identified with Adam, another with Enoch, another with Noah, and so on with Abraham, Moses, and Jesus with His Apostles in the meridian of time. Paul writes of “the dispensation of the fullness of times” in which the Lord will “gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth” (Eph. 1:10). The fulness of times is the final dispensation and began with the revelation of the gospel to Joseph Smith.https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/stu ... s?lang=eng

Lastly this. Most people who have lived haven't had the opportunity to accept the gospel of Jesus Christ in this life. We believe they will have the opportunity to accept it in the spirit world and receive salvation because of Jesus Christ's Atonement (see D&C 137:7–9; 2 Nephi 9:25–26).https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/stu ... y?lang=eng

[kirtland r.m.]

Moses 5:4–9 explains that God gave the gospel to Adam and Eve by His own voice, through angels, and by the Holy Ghost. (See also Alma 12:27–33.)

Although not found in the Biblical account, Latter-day Saint scripture and other ancient texts tell how the first couple were visited by heavenly messengers sent from God. Alma taught that after the Fall of Adam and Eve, God, “sent angels to converse with them, who caused men to behold his glory” (Alma 12:29). The Prophet Mormon also taught that the Lord “sent angels to minister unto the children of men, to make manifest concerning the coming of Christ; and in Christ there should come every good thing . . . .Wherefore, by the ministering of angels, and by every word which proceeded forth out of the mouth of God, men began to exercise faith in Christ” (Moroni 7:22-25). In the Doctrine and Covenants God states, “I, the Lord God, gave unto Adam and unto his seed, that they should not die as to the temporal death, until I, the Lord God, should send forth angels to declare unto them repentance and redemption, through faith on the name of mine Only Begotten Son. And thus did I, the Lord God, appoint unto man the days of his probation–that by his natural death he might be raised in immortality unto eternal life, even as many as would believe” (D&C 29:42-43). The account of Adam and his family in the book of Moses recounts the ministration of other heavenly messengers as well (Moses 5:6). Not only angelic messengers, but God himself is said to have spoken to Adam directly. “And thus the Gospel began to be preached, from the beginning, being declared by holy angels sent forth from the presence of God, and by his own voice, and by the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Moses 5:58).

The Penance of Adam says that after the fall, “angels came from God every day to speak to Adam and to instruct him for a period of nineteen days.”37 Some of these texts explain how Adam and Eve, finding themselves unprepared for mortal life were instructed by angels in how to deal with basic needs. In the History of the Repentance of Adam and Eve, five days after being cast out of the garden, “on the sixth day, the archangel Gabriel came to them at the command of God. And seeing Adam and Eve lamenting and weeping, he comforted them and told them to eat from the fruit of the earth, which was near to them.”38 The Jewish Life of Adam and Eve says, “The Lord God sent various seeds by the angel Michael and gave them to Adam and showed him how to work and till the ground so as to have produce by which they and all their generations might live.”39 In the Conflict of Adam and Eve with Satan, an angel from God teaches Adam and Eve how to make garments out of animal skins. Adam and Eve, however do not know how to make clothing. “Then God sent his angel to show them how to work it out. And the angel said to Adam, `Go forth, and bring some palm thorns.’ Then Adam went out, and brought some, as the angel had commanded him. Then the angel began before them to work out the skins, after the manner of one who prepares a shirt. And he took the thorns and stuck them into the skins, before their eyes. Then the angel again stood up and prayed to God that the thorns in those skins should be hidden, so as to be, as it were, sewn with one thread. And so it was by God’s order; they became garments for Adam and Eve, and He clothed them withal.”40 The same text relates how angels also protected Adam and Eve from attempts by Satan and his angels to destroy them,41 and how angels taught the first couple how to prepare for marriage and then, at God’s command, marry them.42 In the Latin, Armenian and Georgian versions of the Life of Adam and Eve, angels also administer comfort to Adam and Eve. When Eve prepares to give birth for the very first time Adam, seeing her labor pains fears that she might die, “Adam prayed and spoke a plea to God on her behalf and the Lord hearkened to him. And behold twelve angels and two powers came from heaven.” One of the angels lays his hand on Eve and blesses her, saying, “Blessed are you, Eve, because of Adam, the elect one and servant of God, for his prayers are great before God and, because of him, God will deliver you.’43 After Cain murdered Abel the Lord comforted the first couple and sent them news of the future birth of Seth.44

Other texts relate how God sends angels teach and instruct and sometimes warn Adam and Eve. In the Life of Adam and Eve, when Eve has a dream where she sees Cain killing Abel, God sends an angel to Adam warning him to keep that mystery a secret and not tell Cain that they know of this.45 The Mandaean Book of John tells how God sent an angel to Adam to bring him knowledge of his heavenly home. “At the call of the Envoy Adam awoke, who was lying there. Adam, who was lying there awoke and went up to the Envoy: Come in peace, o Envoy, Ambassador of Life, who art come from the House of my Father” The messenger then tells Adam, who is lamenting his fallen state, to cheer up, reminding him of his beautiful heavenly throne which awaits him in heaven. “I have come and shall instruct thee, Adam, and redeem thee from this World. Hearken and hear and be instructed and ascend victoriously up to the Place of Light.’ Adam heard and became a believer.-Hail to him who hears after thee and who believes . . . . Adam gazed up full of hope and ascended.-Hail to him who after thee ascends.”46 In the the Conflict of Adam and Eve the Word of God, meaning Christ, often speaks to the first couple and when the devil wounds or attacks them, heals them and raises them from the brink of death.

The Conflict of Adam and Eve with Satan tells how the adversary frequently tried to destroy them. When he cannot kill them outright he seeks to deceive them by imitating the true angels sent from God. After Adam and Eve were cast out of the Garden, “Satan came to the cave, clad in a garment of light, and girt about with a bright girdle. In his hands was a staff of light, and he looked most awful: but his face was pleasant and his speech was sweet.”47 On another occasion, “He gathered together his host, and came in appearance upon a cloud, intent on deceiving them.”48 In the Armenian Christian Penitence of Adam account Adam prays, “Make this enemy of mine distant from me, who desires to lead me astray, I who am searching for the light that I have lost.”49 In the Conflict of Adam and Eve, while they were worshiping God in prayer, Satan and his angels appear in light and radiance at the mouth of Adam’s cave. “He began by transforming his hosts; in his hands was a flashing fire, and they were in a great light.”50 Adam, who senses that something is wrong prayed to God, asking, “O Lord, is there in the world another God than Thou…. If they are of some other God than Thou, tell me; and if they are sent by Thee, inform me of the reason for which thou hast sent them.” An angel then appears to identify Satan and drive him away.51

Sometimes Adam and Eve are visited by three heavenly messengers. In the Apocalypse of Adam, the first couple are visited by three angels who awaken him and teach them about their origins and give them knowledge of the practice of baptism. Adam later passes on this knowledge to his son Seth and their descendants.52 These three angels are also found in the Mandaean Adam and Eve stories, where Manda dHaiye, a kind of angelic Redeemer figure, sends three kingly angelic messengers, called “uthras” to teach Adam and Eve the rituals which are necessary for this life and which will help them to ascend back to the place where God the “Great Life” dwells. Kurt Rudolph notes that the fundamental mission of these messengers of light to “instruct the faithful and redeem their souls.”53 The leader Manda dHaiye whose name means the “Son of the Life” and who personifies redemptive knowledge oversees the activities of the three, who in Mandaean traditions are called Hibil, Sitil and Anos. These three function under his direction and are said to have appeared to Adam and other notable prophet figures of the past to reveal saving knowledge and sacred Mandaean rituals. “They are,” to quote one authority “mythological figures who appear in particular generations and merely repeat the `primeval revelation’ made to Adam.”54 They reveal to each generation, what was first and originally revealed to Adam in the beginning.
In the Conflict of Adam and Eve with Satan, the Lord sends three angels, Michael, Gabriel and Raphael to Adam and bestow upon him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. which Christ taught them were symbolic of God’s kingship, suffering and death.59 Later, in one of his many attempt to deceive Adam, Satan and two other devils disguise themselves as angels of God in imitation of the three holy angels who had previously brought Adam these gifts. On this occasion Adam incorrectly believed that these three were the same angels who visited him before. “Because, when they came to Adam the first time, there came upon him from them, peace and joy, through their bringing him good tokens; so Adam thought that they were come a second time to give him other tokens for him to rejoice withal . . . . So when Adam heard these words he believed them, and said to these angels, “Speak the word of God, that I may receive it.” And Satan said unto him, “Swear, and promise me that thou wilt receive it.” Then Adam said, “I know not how to swear and promise.” And Satan said to him, “Hold out thy hand, and put it inside my hand.” Then Adam held out his hand, and put it into Satan’s hand. In this story, Adam and Eve are not married yet. So when Satan commands Adam to have sexual relations with Eve, Adam realizes that these are not angel from God and says, “But God never spoke the words thou hast told me; and ye are not God’s angels, nor yet sent from Him. But ye are devils, come to me under the false appearance of angels. Away from me; ye cursed of God! And those devils fled from before Adam.”60
https://www.fairlatterdaysaints.org/con ... estoration

[TheDuke]

a couple of thoughts. First, I read some of the Mandean stuff after Nibley quoted it in his book on OT. It seemed way out there and wrong. Now taking one or two tiny sections of out something that is so wrong, is perverse IMO. If the entire text smacks of Satanic or non-Hebrew/Christian but you claim a few sentences, you're stretching too far.

Second, we now learn in the temple the messengers are not three or PJJ, but just some over time from Adam to Abraham................ doesn't fit this narrative now that the church has changed the endowment story around this. Which do you hold to? The 3 messengers to Adam (at the same time) or current LDS endowment? I take everything from Adam and Eve as allegorical myself. There was no one there to write it down, even the story of Enoch reading Adam's book of remembrance seems figurative to me. But, I have said many times JS translations and stories seem to have been adapted to our time and our understanding with a bit of literary license (like Jesus calling himself Christ in BoM, even the name Jesus before he was born (my understanding is his name was like Joshua and Jesus is again Greek interpretation to set him apart), hard to get to this even in Josephus as it was also in Greek.