"And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering. And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him. And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said. While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud. And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him. And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen."
In today's lesson, speaking to Peter, James, and John through a voice from the cloud and in the presence of Moses and Elias, God further confirmed that Jesus is His Son and that the Apostles were to hear and learn from Him.
It is very important to note that even after waking to find Jesus in an aura of glory, and standing with Moses and Elias, Peter, having no clue as to what was transpiring, offered to build monumental tabernacles in honor of the three. It is apparent by the context of this lesson, that Peter, in spite of having already said that Jesus was the Son of God, had not yet grasped the profoundness of the situation. Peter demonstrated his lack of faith by honoring Jesus in the same manner he would honor a prophet and not as the Son of the Highest. Peter did not yet fully understand that Jesus was truly God in the form of a mortal man.
By speaking from the cloud and confirming Jesus, God reminded Peter and the others that a new law and a new way had been revealed which would come with the sacrifice of His only begotten Son.
After hearing God's commanding voice from the cloud Peter and the others began to realize what the meeting was all about and therefore kept it all secret until Jesus had completed His sin remitting sacrificial ordeal.~
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