(BELOVED OR REVELATOR)
Brother of James and cousin of Jesus
One day when the Savior was walking near the Sea of Galilee, he saw John and his brother, James, mending nets by their father's boat. The Savior called the two men to follow Him, and they both became Apostles.
John was a witness at Gethsemane and at the Savior's crucifixion. While on the cross, the Lord asked him to care for His mother and John was one of the first to arrive at the empty tomb after the Savior's resurrection.
After the Resurrection, when Jesus Christ appeared to the Twelve, He asked John what he wanted most. John answered, "Lord, give unto me power over death, that I may live and bring souls unto thee" (D&C 7:2). John was promised that he would live until the Second Coming and bring many to a knowledge of the gospel.
After most of the Apostles, Church leaders and members were persecuted and killed, the Roman emperor Domitian sent John, who may have then been the only member of the Twelve still alive, as a prisoner to a rocky island called Patmos off the coast of Turkey. There he received the book of Revelation.
The Apostle John produced the second greatest amount of New Testament scripture (after the Apostle Paul), and his writings in the Bible provide significant knowledge and inspiration. But for Latter-day Saints there is more, for the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants provide additional understanding about John the Beloved, including (1) a confirmation of the authenticity of John's work and writings, (2) John's status and mission as a translated being, (3) John's role in the Restoration, (4) numerous doctrinal clarifications pertaining to John's New Testament writings, and (5) his future contributions, including both writings and ministry.
We know that we can one day receive more of his writings. And we know that John has been privileged to continue his sacred ministry as a translated being, including key roles in the Restoration and the ongoing work of the dispensation of the fulness of times. His work touched the meridian-day Saints just as they inspire latter-day Saints. He has taught and testified to the Jews and to the lost tribes, 16 to Gentiles and to modern Israel. His desire was to bring souls unto Christ, and the Lord's promise that he would become "as flaming fire and a ministering angel" (D&C 7:6) has been and continues to be fulfilled.
