Over the course of the next few weeks, I will be diving into various elements of his talk. There is usually so much that can be learned from just one individual talk, and I would like to truly do it justice.

In this column, I would like to discuss what President Oaks said about a specific word that gets used from time to time by Latter-day Saints but may not be widely understood outside the church.

That word is “mantle.”

I remember the word “mantle” used one time during a lesson at church when a particular apostle was being discussed and a certain change over time had been noted. The implication by the person who used the word “mantle” was that this apostle was confidently doing the will of the Lord.

President Oaks thanked friends and members who prayed and showed support for him since he became president of the church and wanted to elaborate on the significance of the word.

First, he spoke of both its Biblical usage as well as its usage in the restored church of Jesus Christ.

“The word mantle is used in the Bible to describe the cloak of the prophet Elijah that descended on Elisha as a symbol of the passage of prophetic authority,” he said, according to a written version of his talk on BYU’s website.

He included a footnote with that comment referencing 2 Kings 2:8-15.

“And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground.

“And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.

“And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so.

“And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.

“And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces.

“He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan;

“And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the Lord God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over.

“And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.”

Continuing, President Oaks said:

“The term mantle came into the restored Church’s history in many reports of the meeting in Nauvoo on who would succeed the murdered Joseph Smith. Many who were present recorded their experience of the ‘mantle of Joseph’ settling on Brigham Young. Those experiences took many forms. Some had visual experiences, some heard Joseph’s voice, and many had a feeling, as each of us receives revelation differently.”

Applying all of that to himself, President Oaks said:

“When Russell M. Nelson was called as our prophet, I had a similar experience. I had sat beside this apostle in the meetings of the Quorum of the Twelve for 34 years, but when the mantle of the prophet settled upon President Nelson, I felt that his prophetic gifts were magnified. We all have witnessed his profound leadership.

“Upon President Nelson’s death, I experienced another meaning of the mantle. To observers, it symbolizes a transfer of priesthood authority. To the person who receives that authority, it is very different and very real. Within a few minutes after learning of our president’s death, I felt the heaviness of responsibility settle upon me, along with important impressions of what I was required to do now.”

These are powerful words. President Oaks noticed how it felt when the prophetic mantle settled upon President Nelson, and he noticed how it felt to have the prophetic mantle settle upon himself.

I think it’s instructive that he emphasized how it felt “very real.” This isn’t some mythical concept that has been concocted. It is an actual experience that includes a specific understanding of the seriousness of the calling and clarity as to what needs to happen immediately.

Personally, I find that extremely comforting as a Latter-day Saint. I wasn’t planning on challenging anything President Oaks taught or decided as the prophet, but there is certainly increased confidence that is felt from hearing him state exactly how it felt to have the mantle settle upon him.

That knowledge provides added reassurance that what President Oaks teaches and decides comes directly from the Lord.

The world may mock and say certain decisions or statements are “controversial,” but I can have peace because I know the mantle has settled upon him.

Contact Ryan Comer at rcomer@standard.net.