The individual who saw the finger of God was the Brother of Jared. This profound experience occurred during a pivotal moment in his spiritual journey, demonstrating a unique direct encounter with the divine.
The Vision of the Brother of Jared
The Brother of Jared, an ancient prophet described in the Book of Mormon, experienced an extraordinary vision of the Lord. As his people prepared to cross the vast oceans in barges, they faced the challenge of obtaining light within their enclosed vessels. The Brother of Jared earnestly prayed to the Lord, seeking a solution. He presented sixteen small, transparent stones and asked the Lord to touch them so they might perpetually glow, providing light for their journey.
During this fervent prayer and demonstration of immense faith, the Lord stretched forth His finger and touched each of the stones. As a result, the stones began to shine with brilliant light. It was at this moment that the Brother of Jared saw the finger of the Lord. Overwhelmed by this divine manifestation, he fell to the earth. His faith was so perfect that, having seen the Lord's finger, the veil of darkness was removed from his eyes, allowing him to subsequently behold the entire body of the pre-mortal Jesus Christ.
Key insights from this remarkable encounter include:
- Divine Condescension: The event showcased the Lord's willingness to reveal Himself to mortals who demonstrate unwavering faith and purity of intent.
- Nature of God: This vision provided a clear understanding that God, even in His glorified state, has a tangible body of flesh and bones, resembling that of a human. This was a literal physical manifestation, not merely a spiritual impression.
- Power of Faith: The Brother of Jared's extraordinary faith was the enabling factor for receiving such a magnificent and direct vision of the Lord. His faith was so profound that it could not be withheld from beholding the Lord's presence.
The "Finger of God" in Other Contexts
While the Brother of Jared's experience involved a literal, visual manifestation of the Lord's physical finger, the phrase "finger of God" is also used metaphorically in other religious texts to signify divine power, intervention, or action. These instances typically refer to God's influence or miraculous deeds rather than a direct physical sighting.
Examples of the metaphorical use include:
- Divine Power: In the biblical account of the plagues in Egypt, Pharaoh's magicians, after failing to replicate the plague of lice, declared, "This is the finger of God," acknowledging a power beyond their capabilities (see Exodus 8:19).
- Divine Writing: The Ten Commandments, etched onto tablets of stone, are described as having been written by "the finger of God," symbolizing divine authorship and authority (see Exodus 31:18).
- Divine Intervention: In the New Testament, Jesus mentions casting out devils by "the finger of God," signifying that His miracles were performed through divine authority and power (see Luke 11:20).
These metaphorical uses highlight God's omnipotence and direct involvement in human affairs, contrasting with the Brother of Jared's unique and profound direct visual encounter with a portion of the Lord's physical body.
