The scriptures do not tell us how the apostles recognized the vision of the Patriarchs. However, we would like to suggest two reasonable solutions. In the account it says, “There appeared unto them Moses and Elias, talking with him.” During this conversation it would be natural for the Lord to address them by their names. Then again, as they were coming down from the mountain with the Lord, Jesus may have told Peter, James and John the identity of the two they saw in the vision. They did not actually see the literal Moses and Elias, but merely a vision, as stated by the Savior when he said, “Tell the vision to no man until the Son of Man be risen from the dead” (Matthew 27:9).
