020. Pillar of Cloud & Fire: The Tabernacle - Part VII

Doctrine & Covenants 11:12-13

12 And now, verily, verily, I say unto thee, put your trust in that Spirit which leadeth to do good—yea, to do justly, to walk humbly, to judge righteously; and this is my Spirit.

13 Verily, verily, I say unto you, I will impart unto you of my Spirit, which shall enlighten your mind, which shall fill your soul with joy;

The children of Israel were lead from their bondage in Egypt to the promised land by a pillar of cloud and fire. “For the cloud of the Lord was above the tabernacle by day, and fire was over it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys” (Exodus 40:38). And from Numbers chapter 9 (parts of verses 15-23) it says “So it was always: the cloud covered it (the tabernacle) by day, and the appearance of fire by night. Whenever the cloud was taken up from above the tabernacle, after that the children of Israel would journey; and in the place where the cloud settled, there the children of Israel would pitch their tents. At the command of the Lord the children of Israel would journey, and at the command of the Lord they would camp…Whether it was two days, a month, or a year that the cloud remained above the tabernacle, the children would remain encamped and not journey; but when it was taken up, they would journey…they kept the charge of the Lord.” Over the 40 years that they journeyed in the wilderness, the children of Israel were strictly schooled as a people by the Lord…so that they would learn to fully leave behind and abandon any tradition, belief, or practice that was not in harmony with the Lord’s. They had to learn to depend on Him and to trust in Him, and not in other gods, idols, their own flesh, or false beliefs, and to be obedient to His every command.

The cloud and fire were described as pillars, and not as a shapeless hovering cloud, and thus was a symbol of strength, stability, and constancy with the Lord Jehovah in the midst of the people, leading all the way. To the people, the pillars of fire and cloud were symbolic of His presence. When the cloud descended on the tent of Moses, it meant that the Lord had come to speak with Moses. When it rested upon the tabernacle, it indicated His presence was within the Holy of Holies. The Lord, through the pillar of cloud gave them a covering from the heat of the day and through the pillar of fire a light at night. In fact, the only source of light to them during their journeys in the wilderness was the pillar of fire.

The pillar was also their guide, when it moved, they moved. The children of Israel often had to move at a moment’s notice, sometimes during the day and sometimes at night. The children of Israel had to trust that the pillar was leading them to the promised land, at the right time and in the right way. They were not following a map or their own course. Early on in their journey, the pillar had led them in a course that was not straightforward. They found themselves in a place with mountains on either side and the Red Sea stretching itself right before their path…there was no way out, as the armies of the Pharaoh were behind them. Those armies saw the plight of the children of Israel and became emboldened in their pursuit as they saw them now as easy prey. The children of Israel feared and began to murmur against Moses. It appeared as though God had driven the children of Israel into a trap that would ensure their complete destruction. However, in actuality, He was showing His devotion and power to them, and setting the stage for the destruction of their enemies. At the last moment, when all seemed lost, the pillar changed direction, moved to the rear of their camp, and became a pillar of darkness to the Egyptians, destroying them in the sea. The pillar thus became a protection to the children of Israel. They could not have survived in the wilderness without the guidance and protection of the Lord.

Today, as we make our journey through the wilderness of life back to our heavenly promised land, what is our fire, our guide, our light, our pillar? Certainly it is the Lord, but He is not here with us physically. His presence is made manifest in our lives mostly through the power of the Holy Ghost, the Holy Spirit. For Christ said: “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” (John 14:26). It is through the Holy Ghost that we receive the baptism of fire and are purified. Through its promptings, we can be warned and protected from danger and temptation. We can be guided by the Holy Ghost as we receive inspiration and revelation to direct and shape our lives.

However, our journey through life may be complicated and overwhelmed with challenges and defeats, seemingly beyond our ability to resolve. We may feel as though we are following the commandments, heeding the warnings of prophets, and doing our best to live righteously, and yet occasionally find ourselves in circumstances which are setting the stage for our destruction, just like the children of Israel…this could be loss, illness, death, sin, actions of others that affect our lives, disappointments, discouragements, regrets, etc. The only way to safely make it through these trials and tribulations is to trust in the wisdom and power of God and follow the guidance of the Holy Ghost. In Doctrine and Covenants 45:57-59 it says “For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived – verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day. And the earth shall be given unto them for an inheritance; and they shall multiply and wax strong, and their children shall grow up without sin unto salvation. For the Lord shall be in their midst, and His glory shall be upon them, and He will be their King and their Lawgiver.”

There is much to be learned from these verses. First, we need to receive the truth. But receiving the truth is not enough. The Apostle James wrote “Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” (James 1:22). Doctrine & Covenants 11:12 tells us to “trust in that Spirit which leadeth to do good”. It is not enough to believe in the restoration of the gospel, we must live that gospel; it is not enough to accept a calling, we must magnify it to the best of our ability; it is not enough to go through the temple and participate in the ordinances therein, we must hold onto those covenants and seek to live them in their fullness. Action is required; we must do the things that are necessary in order to retain the Spirit. We must keep the commandments, repent continually, pray for guidance, and partake of the cleansing and renewing ordinance of the sacrament. These are the first principles and ordinances of the gospel, faith, repentance, and baptism, all leading to qualifying ourselves to be able to take or receive the Holy Spirit as our guide. Then, we will merit the blessings in the divine promise to “always have His spirit to be with us,” which is the Holy Ghost. If we always have His spirit to be with us, we will be lead in our lives to places of safety, to avoid deception, to obtain peace and joy, and to work toward the fulfillment of our Father’s will in our lives. We will be taught, lead to truth, and have a closer relationship with our Savior and the Father.

Elder Scott taught: “We see such a limited part of the eternal plan He has fashioned for each one of us. Trust Him, even when in [the] eternal perspective it temporarily hurts very much. Have patience when you are asked to wait when you want immediate action. He may ask you to do things which are powerfully against your will. Exercise faith and say, “Let Thy will be done”. Such experiences, honorably met, prepare you and condition you for yet greater blessings. As your Father, His purpose is your eternal happiness, your continuing development, your increasing capacity. His desire is to share with you all that He has. The path you are to walk through life may be very different from others. You may not always know why He does what He does, but you can know that He is perfectly just and perfectly merciful. He would have you suffer no consequence, no challenge, endure no burden that is superfluous to your good.” (Oct 1991 Gen Conf).

Part of taking the Holy Spirit as our guide involves asking for guidance. “Ask, and ye shall receive, knock, and it shall be opened unto you” (D&C 4:7). This can be difficult at times because there are many voices in this world that compete with the true Spirit, seeking to deceive and guide us away from truth and light. All of these are inspired by Satan who will try to darken our minds and hearts, provide us with counterfeit revelations, lead us to believe in lies or to doubt the knowledge we have obtained, and encourage us to despair in our failings and shortcomings. However, the Lord will not often give us guidance without our asking for it. And although He commands us to ask, He has also said “Behold, you have not understood; you have supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me” (D&C 9:7). Therefore, we must ask, but we must also do our part. Just like we cannot receive a desired result from a physical law without obeying it, it is the same with spiritual laws. Blessings that flow from spiritual laws are based on obedience to certain commandments and principles…“There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven, before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated – And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.” This is a manifestation of a loving Father in Heaven who seeks to bless all of His children when they obey His laws. Of course the Lord has the power to bless us at any time, but in order for us to count on His help, we must consistently obey His commandments. Sometimes, our asking is not in accordance with divine will and in His divine wisdom our Heavenly Father withholds from giving us what we desire as it might prevent us from growing or learning or reaching the promised land, eternal life. As James recorded “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss”. It can be hard to know what is within His divine will for us, but we must have faith that He will help us. His will, as hard as it may be and whether we understand it fully or not, is the best choice we can make in this life.

Elder Scott offered some counsel in how to receive guidance from the Holy Ghost. He said “When I am faced with a difficult matter, this is how I try to understand what to do. I fast. I pray to find and understand scriptures that will be helpful. That process is cyclical. I start reading a passage of scripture; I ponder what the verse means and pray for inspiration. I then ponder and pray to know if I have captured all the Lord wants me to do. Often more impressions come with increased understanding of doctrine. I have found that pattern to be a good way to learn from the scriptures.

There are some practical principles that enhance revelation. First, yielding to emotions such as anger or hurt or defensiveness will drive away the Holy Ghost. Those emotions must be eliminated, or our chance for receiving revelation is slight. Another principle is to be cautious with humor. Loud, inappropriate laughter will offend the Spirit. A good sense of humor helps revelation; loud laughter does not. A sense of humor is an escape valve for the pressures of life. Another enemy to revelation comes from exaggeration or loudness in what is stated. Careful, quiet speech will favor the receipt of revelation. On the other hand, spiritual communication can be enhanced by good health practices. Exercise, reasonable amounts of sleep, and good eating habits increase our capacity to receive and understand revelation…It is important that our daily activities do not distract us from listening to the Spirit.” (April 2012 Gen Conf).

He (Elder Scott) goes on to say “Our Heavenly Father did not put us on earth to fail, but to succeed gloriously. It may seem paradoxical, but that is why recognizing answers to prayer can sometimes be very difficult. Sometimes we unwisely try to face life by depending on our own experience and capacity. It is much wiser for us to seek through prayer and divine inspiration to know what to do. Our obedience assures that when required, we can qualify for divine power to accomplish an inspired objective”.

As we take the Holy Spirit as our guide, it will enlighten our minds and fill our souls with joy as stated in Doctrine & Covenants 11:13. We can be assured that we are on the path that leads to eternal life. I take comfort from these words of the Lord to Oliver Cowdery through the Prophet Joseph Smith (Doctrine & Covenants 6:14-16).

14 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, blessed art thou for what thou hast done; for thou hast inquired of me, and behold, as often as thou hast inquired thou hast received instruction of my Spirit. If it had not been so, thou wouldst not have come to the place where thou art at this time.

15 Behold, thou knowest that thou hast inquired of me and I did enlighten thy mind; and now I tell thee these things that thou mayest know that thou hast been enlightened by the Spirit of truth;

16 Yea, I tell thee, that thou mayest know that there is none else save God that knowest thy thoughts and the intents of thy heart.

The language suggests that Oliver perhaps had some doubts about the answers to prayer he thought he was getting. The Lord here reassured him that he had received answers as he sought for them, that they were imparted by the Holy Spirit. That his mind was enlightened. There have been moments where I have that my prayers have gone unanswered, but when I’ve looked back in retrospect I often see evidence that my prayers were heard. Sometimes, in looking back, I have been even more grateful when I realize that my prayers were not answered, for my will and limited vision had been foolishness. Our Heavenly Father does know us individually, and he knows our hearts, both the good and the not-so-good. However, He loves us unconditionally and wants us to return to Him. He and His beloved Son are trying to save us. They are trying to redeem and make us like them. Everything they do for us is designed to bring us back into their presence, but it is our choice. The Holy Ghost will testify and lead us closer to Christ. It is a manifestation of Christ’s presence, who is our only true guide and pillar of strength in this life. We are not to rely on the arm of flesh, but on Christ’s arm. Following His will does not rob us of our agency, we are still choosing. As Christ is one with the Father when we become more at-one with Christ, through His merits and mercy, we become more at-one with the Father, qualifying ourselves to inherit exaltation.

I am grateful that we can have access to the gift of the Holy Ghost and take it as our guide. I know that it can be a constant companion as we are worthy of its presence. And just like for the children of Israel, it can always be there, guiding us both day and night, protecting us, and providing light in an ever-darkening world. We must have faith to follow its promptings, to trust that it is directing us to do the will of the Lord, even in times of great trial and difficulty. If we do so, we will be greatly blessed and have peace and joy in our souls.

019. Court & Gate: The Tabernacle - Part VI

There was one gate into the courtyard of the Tabernacle (Chapter 8, 'Made According to Pattern', by C.W. Slemming). There is but one way to God, and that is through Christ, not many ways. John 14:6 "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." The process is begun when one enters in by the gate. 3 Nephi 14:13 "Enter ye in at the strait gate; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, which leadeth to destruction, and many there be who go in thereat." The "way" is through or by rebirth of the individual unto God through the power and redemption of Christ. 2 Nephi 31:17 "Wherefore, do the things which I have told you I have seen that your Lord and your Redeemer should do; for, for this cause have they been shown unto me, that ye might know the gate by which ye should enter. For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost." Although the gate was most always shut to protect the inside of the Tabernacle from animals and other intruders, the gate was not restrictive. The opening of the gate was wide enough and made of cloth so that anyone in any condition could make their way through it. They only had to reach out their hand and move aside the curtain that formed the gate. Although the gate was shut, it was open to all who made the effort to find it by walking about the walls of the Tabernacle and then to open it themselves. This is faith. We too must seek out the gate, the way and then we must reach out our hand and push back the screen that conceals the entrance to the path before we can begin. But this is within everyone's reach who has the desire to do so. This is the first step, the step of decision, of exercising our agency to follow Christ. John 10:9 "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved." Seek out Christ, the gate; He is the only Way of salvation.

The Tabernacle Gate - Christ is the Way

The gate was formed by a large drapery of fine linen and yarn of blue, purple, and scarlet. The gate formed a line of demarcation between the world and God's abode. We too must guard a line of demarcation between ourselves as well as His church and the world. That line is set by God, not man. Once we step through the gate, we should leave the world behind and focus on our walk along the path of Life. Although only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies and only the priests could enter the Holy Place, everyone in the camp of Israel could enter into the courtyard through the gate. The courtyard was the place of sacrifice and all needed access to what it offered the children of Israel, both old, young, rich, and poor alike.

"Let us resolve to follow the Savior and work with diligence to become the person we were designed to become. Let us listen to and obey the promptings of the Holy Spirit. As we do so, Heavenly Father will reveal to us things we never knew about ourselves. He will illuminate the path ahead and open our eyes to see our unknown and perhaps unimagined talents." ~Dieter F. Uchtdorf

018. Curtains & Coverings: The Tabernacle - Part V

This post will describe the curtains and coverings of the Tabernacle; in other words, its roof and walls (Chapter 7, 'Made According to Pattern', by C.W. Slemming). Each of these will teach us about Christ's role in the plan of our Father in Heaven and His relationship to us. Exodus 26:1, 7, and 14 present the idea (see 1-14 for all detail):

1. Moreover thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: with cherubims of cunning work shalt thou make them. 7. And thou shalt make curtains of goats’ hair to be a covering upon the tabernacle: eleven curtains shalt thou make. 14. And thou shalt make a covering for the tent of rams’ skins dyed red, and a covering above of badgers’ skins.

Four layers of the tabernacle (goats hair curtains were likely black instead of white).

There were two sets of coverings and two sets of curtains.

First covering, the badger skins. The badger skins used in the roofing of the tabernacle were likely not from a badger as we know them today, but some other animal such as a dolphin or sea cow. This formed the outer skin or roof of the tabernacle that would be visible. It would suffer abuse of hot sun, rain, hail, and other forces of nature continually forcing themselves upon the tabernacle, yet it protected the contents from exposure to any of these forces. It was therefore worn and ragged, probably not pleasant looking, but more utilitarian. Likewise, Christ, the protector and covering of those who trust in Him, He stretches himself from one end of the universe to the other in an effort of save His children. "He hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him there is no beauty that we should desire him" (Isaiah 53:2, Mosiah 14:2).

Second covering, ram skin dyed red. These were placed under the badger skins as an additional layer. The ram is the animal of substitution or proxy, taking the place of another, as in the story of Abraham and Isaac and in the offerings made under the Mosaic Law. It is also the animal used in the consecration of the priesthood (see Exodus 29 and Leviticus 8). Christ is symbolized in the ram as he was consecrated from the foundations of the earth to be our great High Priest and foreordained to suffer and die for our sins. The red of the rams skins represented His blood. It is thought that Christ may have been born in early April, and under the Greek zodiacal system, His sign would have been Aires, the ram, which spans the 1st 30 degrees of celestial longitude. We are not told what type of skins were used to substitute for the fig leaves worn by Adam and Eve after they were driven from the Garden of Eden, but perhaps they were ram skins.

First curtain, goat hair. Curtains of stitched goat hair formed the walls of the (tent) Tabernacle. They were likely black as most all goats in the Middle East had black hair. Many depict these walls as white, representing purity. Black is more likely because it is the color of sin and death, and the absence of light. Goats were the sacrificial animal used in the sin offerings (Leviticus 9:3). Two goats were sacrificed on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:5-28). Sheep and goats represented saved and unsaved people (Matthew 25:32). Christ, although perfect, came in the likeness of (sinful) man (Romans 8:3). There were 11 such curtains. 11 is the number of disorganization (11 apostles after Judah's betrayal, 9/11, 11 stars in Joseph's dream). Christ disorganized the work of satan, the god of this world, and brought the possibility of salvation to all who would follow Him. In the structure of the tabernacle, all but one (1/11th) of these curtains was exposed to sight, the others (10/11ths) were hidden underneath the two layers of covering/roofing materials. So to is only 1/11th of Christ's mortal life visible to us; the short time around his birth and as a boy in the temple, and then between the his 30th and 33rd years. At age 30, John revealed Christ saying "Behold, the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). Truly, He is a pure and perfect offering for our sins.

Second curtain, fine cloth linen. This layer constituted what was seen from the interior of the Tabernacle's Holy Place, forming its walls and ceiling. They were made from finely twisted linens of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and had the designs of cherubim woven into them. These same colors are included in other fabric used in the Tabernacle: the gate, the door, the veil, and the High Priest's ephod. The colors are always listed in the same order, with the blended or harmonizing color of purple in the middle. Blue represents heaven, divinity, and grace. The sky is always blue, although we do not always see it that way because of clouds, pollution, or other obstructions, but Christ is always there, eternal, unchangeable. Blue represents Christ as the Son of God or Heaven. Skipping purple for a moment and focusing on scarlet. The name Adam comes from a root word meaning "red earth". Adam was made from the dust of the earth. We go from the blue heavens to the red earth. Christ was also born as a man on the earth, as a human, although with divine characteristics, thus scarlet can represent Christ as the Son among men or the Son of Man. Purple is made by mixing blue and scarlet. If we have both the divine and human in our Savior Christ, we have a Mediator. The colors were woven into fine linen, to create tapestries of cherubim. Cherubim serve as protection. They serve at the throne of God and protect both the gate to the Garden of Eden and the Tree of Life. They sit above the mercy seat, guarding the sprinkled blood. Inside the Tabernacle they become the ceilings and the walls. One looking up would see that they protected the sanctuary of the Tabernacle. There were 10 such curtains, sewn together (at their ends) in pairs of five. The number 10 is a divisible number, like the 10 commandments can be divided into five requiring our duty towards God and five our duty towards man or the 10 virgins with five being wise and five foolish. Christ is a divider of people: 1) He divides those who believe in Him from those who do not and 2) He divides us from the world and our old way of life and unites us unto Him. Holding the linen curtains together were 50 golden clasps. Those on the goat hair curtains were made of bronze, showing progression, as the metal increases in value as we move from outside in. These 50 clasps are along the ceiling of the Tabernacle and forms the border separating the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. Fifty is the number of Pentecost. The Day of Pentecost came 50 days after Christ's crucifixion, the day after the seventh Sabbath. On this day, the Holy Ghost descended upon each disciple of Christ, who was strengthened and empowered by its presence. Entering into the Tabernacle's Holy Place contained much symbolism of the Holy Ghost, which will be covered in later posts.

So, in summary, the skin of the badger represented Christ's covering and protection for those who follow Him, the red dyed ram skin covering represented His atoning sacrifice for us where He is our substitute, and the goat hair covering represented Christ's offering for sin. Lastly, the cloth linen curtains represented Christ Himself, as the Mediator of the covenant between God and His People. The imagery of the Tabernacle is truly something we should contemplate to see the great love and order of our Father in Heaven.

017. Jesus, Mighty King in Zion (Hymn #234)

My daughter opened the hymnal to hymn #234, entitled Jesus, Mighty King in Zion, in sacrament meeting a few weeks ago. The words of this hymn resonated deeply, I don't recall ever signing it in any meeting. I find the words beautiful, it was included in the first hymnal.

1. Jesus, mighty King in Zion,
Thou alone our guide shalt be.
Thy commission we rely on;
We will follow none but thee.

2. As an emblem of thy passion
And thy vict'ry o'er the grave,
We, who know thy great salvation,
Are baptized beneath the wave.

3. Fearless of the world's despising,
We the ancient path pursue,
Buried with the Lord and rising
To a life divinely new.

I just really love those words, I think I'll memorize this hymn.

016. Acacia Wood: The Tabernacle - Part IV

"And he made boards for the tabernacle of shittim wood, standing up." Exodus 36:20

Shittim wood came from the Acacia tree, of which there are more than 1,300 species worldwide. The wood and sap of this tree has been used for many different purposes throughout time: for building, making perfume, paint, and medicines, using it in religious ceremonies and the seeds for food. In many cultures the Acacia tree symbolizes purity, endurance of the soul, as well as resurrection and immortality. Egyptian mythology associated the acacia tree with characteristics of the tree of life, such as in the Myth of Osiris and Isis. The Ark of the Covenant and portions of the tabernacle were made from Acacia wood.

The Acacia tree was native to the area in which the children of Israel found themselves. They were large trees with bent trunks, curled branches, and many knots, hardly straight for easy adaptation as boards or rods for a tabernacle (Chapter 6, 'Made According to Pattern', by C.W. Slemming). These gnarly trees had to be cut down and the milled to create useable wood for construction. For the tabernacle, 48 boards were made, each 10 cubits high and 1.5 cubits wide (thickness unknown). There were also two tenons at the bottom of the boards which fit into the silver sockets. Placed on each board were three rings (high, middle, and low) through which bars also made from Acacia wood were passed to hold the tabernacle's structure or outer wall together. Both the boards and bars were overlaid with gold.

Why would the Lord direct the children of Israel to work with such a difficult material?

We are like the Acacia tree. In our natural form, we are crooked and wild. We must be cut down, severed from our old ways of life and made into something new and useful. Our link and connection to the world must be broken if we are to be used by the Lord. We have often grown up in barren conditions, depleted and distant from the Lord's sustenance. However, the Lord, as the master carpenter, is willing to work with us, and make us straight so that we can stand up(right) on His foundation (the silver sockets). Once, as trees, we stood in the soil of the earth, now as refined beings, we can be set apart from the world and stand upon the foundation of the Lord's gospel. What sets us apart? Silver, the ransom price. He will protect us from the shifting sands of this world and allow us to firmly stand as one with other redeemed individuals. Both of our feet (tenons) should be planted in the gospel, not one in and the other in the world.

"The sap of selfishness must be dried out; the knots of hardness must be smoothed down to gentleness and compassion; and the twists of halfheartedness must be straightened - for they will never allow for perfect fitting and a unity in the Spirit, the state in which the Lord always delights to dwell." (Made According to Pattern, p. 55).

Then, when the boards of Acacia were made as straight as possible, they were overlaid with pure gold. Gold does not perish, wood does. Us, as perishable beings, are made immortal and even eternal, through the process of sanctification, and purified even as gold, clothed with his divine nature. The boards were perfectly balanced and stood in a perfect line so that there were no gaps or unevenness in the walls of the tabernacle, yet they did not rub against one another. They were also all the same height. As members of the church of Christ, we are not to judge one man above another, but we are to stand as equals, shoulder to shoulder, not leaning one way or another, but to be in perfect balance and harmony, to stand firm together in perfect function and service. For added strength, the bars of Acacia wood overlaid with pure gold allowed the boards to stand firm. The iron rod from the Book of Mormon symbolized the Word of God. This is interpreted as 1) the scriptures, which provide the words of eternal life, direction, and stability in this ever-changing world and 2) the Lord Himself, who is the Word by which all things were made, by which we are remade into His likeness through His atonement.

015. Spiritual Counterfeits

Since the beginning, with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, the adversary has sought to deceive the righteous into accepting his plan over that of our Father's. He often uses elements of the language of the gospel and portions of truth, admixed with lies, to create a counterfeit version of "light and truth" that can be enticing to those who are seeking the light and knowledge promised by our Father in Heaven. It is virtually guaranteed that those who humbly and honestly seek to know the Lord will experience great tribulation in their quest and that satan will put forth great effort to thwart them. It is a testament that you are on the right path. Revelations 12:7-9:

 7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

As wickedness increases on the earth, so does the power of satan. He can work signs and wonders, transform himself into an angel of light, and has abilities to entice, mislead, deceive, trick, and tempt that are great, even to the extent that the very elect will succumb. His deceptions can be so subtle and can seem so real, like mirages of desert oases that we yearn to reach, but that ultimately result in one distancing him or herself so far from God that they are off the path to eternal life, wandering in strange roads.

The ground cover in our fruit tree orchard is a mix of orchard grass, wildflowers, and weeds. Until one develops an eye for it, it is very difficult to tell the weeds and the wildflowers apart until they bear fruit (form a head). In times past, I have inadvertently ripped out many good wildflowers because I thought they were weeds. I was working in the orchard the other day, trying to clear out weeds, and came across a tangle of large wild clover and alfalfa. I almost bypassed the clover because it was so well camouflaged in the alfalfa (our animals can be fed the alfalfa). It was only for the newly developed fruit (the purple flowers) in the alfalfa that I spared the good and was able to trace the clover to its root and pull it out. The wild clover has a very long and skinny root that grows rapidly, which it can be difficult to pull out if the soil is dry and hard (so does alfalfa by the way). A few lessons to draw from this: 1) for the unexperienced, it takes time before the fruits will appear that will help us to know truth from satan's counterfeits. It is important to be patient, not act hastily, and seek out guidance from the spirit, which will teach us the truth of all things, before acting. 2) It is important to keep our own spiritual ground fertile with soft soil. If we allow the soil of our hearts to become hardened, the advancements made by the adversary will be more difficult to root out when they are identified. 3) No one is immune, regardless of status or background, from the enticements and deceptions of the adversary. These weeds spread and pop up everywhere. They learn how to transport themselves even into the most well-tended gardens. Anyone who thinks they are beyond satan's reach, no matter what they do or how they live, has been deceived.

Alfalfa with flowers (left) and wild clover (right).

Be warned that we are in the last days. There are many people who seem very good and kind, but who are ravening wolves underneath. They have been deceived into thinking they are doing the will of the Lord, but they are following a counterfeit lord and master who wishes to enslave them and receive their worship. These people have seceded part or all of their salvation to others, so called spiritual guides, fallen angels, false prophets, deceived and narcissistic gurus, immoral teachers, and whoremongers. There are many in our day who profess to communicate with deceased prophets and angles, who feel they posses gifts of the spirit that allow them to receive personal revelation and insights for others, who claim to "see" into the spirit realm, who perform healing through energy work, magic oils, crystals, enchantments, and divination, and who entangle themselves in the spirituality of others and play god with the souls of men. They crave the power and fame they amass as they perfect their craft and gain notoriety, writing books, offering seminars, and selling their services for profit. Although many of these are nice people, these diviners, soothsayers, witches, and communicators with familiar spirits are the same which the Lord denied and will deny again and say "Depart, I never knew thee". In the scriptures, there are no examples of such as called of the Lord. Some of the deceived will tell you that their teachings and methods are beyond the scriptures, held in secret and in reserve for those who are truly righteous, that the scriptures are dead. These must repent of their pride and treachery and the damage they have done to so many in our day. They are those who have not learned to wait upon the Lord and practice the simple virtues of purity, obedience, faith, love, and charity. They are seeking out an alternative route to salvation, which seems like the right path, but there is a dead end ahead. It is true that some may have had genuine experiences with gifts of the spirit at one time or another, but then they became a god unto themselves, the spirit became grieved, and they were left to their own devices, or those which satan, the god of this world, gladly provided. Many of these individuals believe that any spiritual manifestation they receive is of God.

There are also many good people who are and will be deceived, even the elect. Many of us are so eager to obtain further light and knowledge that we jump at the chance when something resembling truth comes in our path. We don't even question its source or whether there are elements of error woven in, designed to promote our downfall. How do you know if someone has been approved of the Lord, received spiritual gifts from His hand, been appointed as one of His prophets or messengers, or  has received abilities, insights, so called "gifts" in some other way? How are you able to judge the heart of another or the source of ones gifts and deem them pure? In most cases you cannot entirely. Therefore, you cannot entrust one iota of your salvation to another person, ever. You may listen, take what others offer or say, but before adopting such things into your life or doing what anyone else suggests, take some time to bring these things to the Lord in fervent prayer and perhaps fasting. There is no rush. Take time to seek out the Lord's guidance. This is your eternal salvation we are taking about. If an angel were to appear before you, how would you respond to it? How would you determine if it was a messenger from God? If you met someone demonstrating great insights into your life or offering to help you grow spiritually through their spiritual gifts, how would you respond? Even the best among us will be deceived. Love them, treat them kindly, be compassionate towards them, they can be reclaimed and the Lord will be merciful to them. Some related verses from Doctrine & Covenants 50:

 2 Behold, verily I say unto you, that there are many spirits which are false spirits, which have gone forth in the earth, deceiving the world.
 3 And also Satan hath sought to deceive you, that he might overthrow you.
...
 6 But wo unto them that are deceivers and hypocrites, for, thus saith the Lord, I will bring them to judgment.
 7 Behold, verily I say unto you, there are hypocrites among you, who have deceived some, which has given the adversary power; but behold such shall be reclaimed;
 8 But the hypocrites shall be detected and shall be cut off, either in life or in death, even as I will; and wo unto them who are cut off from my church, for the same are overcome of the world.
 9 Wherefore, let every man beware lest he do that which is not in truth and righteousness before me.
...
 15 And then received ye spirits which ye could not understand, and received them to be of God; and in this are ye justified?
 16 Behold ye shall answer this question yourselves; nevertheless, I will be merciful unto you; he that is weak among you hereafter shall be made strong.

Almost every word of the temple endowment will help us understand the threat of deception by satan and his counterfeits, and thus endow us with increased powers to avoid them. Listen carefully to the words of the adversary: "what do you want?", "you can have anything in this world", "you will be like gods", "I will teach you the philosophies/commandments of men mixed with scripture", "these teachings are received quite well". Listen to the words or reactions of Adam: "I am looking for messengers from the Father to teach me", "this man does not believe what is being taught". In other words, when one embarks on the path back to the Father, the adversary will come to tempt and deceive them into worshiping him. When we call out to our Father in Heaven, the god of this world may be among the first to answer, seeking our attention and offering us the desires of our hearts, pushing us towards destruction. It is important that our hearts remain focused, that we do not believe in the teachings of this world or settle for the rewards and things of this world. We must keep the commandments we have been given and then the Lord will send true His messengers to teach us.

014. Silver Sockets: The Tabernacle - Part III

We start with the foundation of the courtyard and tabernacle. How did these structures stand so uprightly in desert sand? The answer to this question begins with a sacrifice that all the men 20 years of age or older in the camp of Israel were commanded to make: a ransom offering of half a shekel, no more, no less. All the materials required to construct the temple were donated through freewill offerings, except for this required silver of the ransom or atonement offering. The silver was melted down and formed into rings for the curtains to hang on and for sockets that the large posts along the courtyard and tabernacle perimeters would be set upon (Chapter 5, 'Made According to Pattern', by C.W. Slemming). See Exodus 30:11-16 and Exodus 38:25-28.

The silver shekels were a ransom for the men who were counted among the army of the camp of Israel, to pay in advance for their sins. They were promised if they paid the offering, that there would "be no plague among them" (Ex. 30:12).  Silver represents redemption, through sacrifice, the price paid for atonement. Sacrifice and redemption are part of the foundation of the plan of salvation. Men were bought and sold with silver: Christ was betrayed for 30 pieces, Joseph sold into Egypt for 20. Christ's work is to redeem us from the fall, to save us from the effects of our sins through faith on His name. He can set us free from the eternal effects of our sins as we believe in Him.

Alma 11:40 "And he shall come into the world to redeem his people; and he shall take upon him the transgressions of those who believe on his name; and these are they that shall have eternal life, and salvation cometh to none else."

The camp of Israel lived for many years in the desert. The tabernacle could not be erected on a foundation of sand. Therefore, the silver sockets became the foundation of the tabernacle. There were 100 sockets, each weighing 125 pounds. Boards were inserted into 96 of them and the other four were for the pillars supporting the veil of the tabernacle. Collectively, this created a foundation weighing 6 tons. The tabernacle and worship in ancient Israel were symbolically founded upon symbols of sacrifice and redemption. They were spiritually kept apart from the sandy soil and foundations of the world, whose philosophies and doctrines are always shifting and changing. The silver sockets allowed the spiritual focus of ancient Israel to remain immovable, strong, and enduring. Likewise, we too should build the spiritual foundations of our lives upon the redemptive and atoning work of salvation wrought by our Savior Jesus Christ.

There is an interesting account in the New Testament that is related to the ransom offering. At the time of Christ the ransom offering was no longer officially required, but was considered a freewill offering, that was expected to be paid annually by all men 20 years of age or older, referred to at that time as the tribute money or temple tax. The amount remained the same, half a shekel. The temple tax had evolved from the ancient ransom offering and its collections now went toward the maintenance of the temple. It was a church tax whose payment was seen as an acknowledgement of God's goodness. However, children of the rulers of Israel were exempt from the temple tax. From Mark 17:

 24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?
 25 He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?
 26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.
 27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.  

A couple of things are worth pointing out here. Peter's hasty response was incorrect. Although not recognized by the rulers and officiators of his day, Christ was of kingly descent, in fact he was a King of Kings, and therefore he was not obligated to pay the temple tax. In verse 26, it says " the children are free". Because the tax was applicable only to the sons of Israel, and Christ was the Son of God the Father, he was exempt. Because of Christ's goodness and his desire not to make offense, he instructed Peter to go for a fish. That the fish had a coin in its mouth is not the only miracle. From pg 51 of "Made According to Pattern" (CW Slemming):

"Among the many species of fish found in the Sea of Galilee is one called the musht, commonly known as "Peter's fish". The male...has a habit of carrying the young in its mouth, and of sucking them in in a time of danger. Sometimes it will carry a stone or other obstacle to keep the young out. The musht has been found to have objects other than stones in its mouth. They are attracted by bright objects, and even coins have been picked up by them."

Here is the miracle: 1) that Christ said, take up the first fish. There are some 40 or more species of fish in the Sea of Galilee of varying population sizes and 2) that the fish would have a piece of money in its mouth that was worth the price of the temple tax for two. Remember, the temple tax originated with the ransom offering, an atonement offering for the sins of those enlisted in the armies of Israel. Christ's miracle here was that he, whether Peter knew it or not, had paid the price for Peter's sins. Soon, Christ would pay the ransom for redemption, in advance, for all of mankind's sins.

013. "I Am a Lover of the Cause of Christ"

Briefly interrupting the tabernacle series to mark the 169th anniversary of the martyrdom of Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum, both Prophets, Seers, and Relevators. The martrydom at Carthage Jail in Illinois took place at approximately 5pm.

I know Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God because as I have studied and lived the words reveled to him, they have born good fruits in my life...fruits of faith, of knowledge, and of hope. They have helped me come closer to my Heavenly Father and His son Jesus Christ. Without the works of Joseph Smith, including the Book of Mormon, the revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants, and the restored knowledge returned to us in the Pearl of Great Price and the Temple ordinances and endowment, we would have so little light and knowledge to guide us.

I may not understand everything that he did or what happened in his life, but I look forward to the day when I can shake his hand, embrace him, and thank him for his faithfulness and sacrifice. He was a devoted servant of our Lord and a "lover of the cause of Christ".

012: Relative Positions & Construction: The Tabernacle - Part II

God is a God of order. He plans, organizes, and carries out His purposes. It is our task and opportunity to submit to those plans through obedience to His will. The arrangement of everything in the camp of Israel and the tabernacle was set forth by the Lord, not man. This post will focus on a major overview of the courtyard and tabernacle, their dimensions and features (Chapters 3 and 4, 'Made According to Pattern', by C.W. Slemming). Future posts will delve into the spiritual significance and symbolism of Christ in each aspect of the tabernacle.

When the children of Israel made camp in the wilderness, the tabernacle was to be situated in the center of the camp. The twelve tribes of Israel had their designated positions surrounding the tabernacle, organizing some 1.5 million people. The camp of Israel moved with the Lord's direction, following the pillar of cloud. When He moved, they moved. When the children of Israel broke camp, each tribe (except for the Levites) was charged with carrying a specific part of the tabernacle, whether it be the fence, the tabernacle's components, the furniture, or the sacred emblems. The Levites were charged with the assembly and take down of the tabernacle at each site. Everyone had an important function and responsibility to perform. All that mattered was that each individual performed their function according to his best ability.

The Court: The tabernacle was positioned within a rectangular courtyard 100 cubits long and 50 cubits wide. There are many slightly varying lengths for a cubit, but most are between 18 and 20 inches. The courtyard was bordered by large curtains supported by 60 bronze pillars, with 10 on the East and West sides each and 20 on the North and South sides each. Two pillars were united at each corner. The pillars were buried in the sand using a foundation of bronze sockets into which they were inserted. Each pillar had a silver cap. The pillars were connected using a silver connecting bar which also held silver hooks to hang the curtains. The curtain's pillars were further strengthened by use of cords and bronze tent pegs. On the East side, the entrance, the center four pillars formed a gate from which hung a 20-cubit screen woven of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and fine linen thread. The opening or entrance to the tabernacle faced the rising sun, thus should our hearts be directed towards the Son of God. All other curtains of the courtyard were made of white linen. In the court there were two pieces made of bronze or of wood overlaid with bronze. The first was the largest, the bronze altar, which was the great place of sacrifice: 5 cubits square and 3 cubits high. Halfway between the altar of burnt offerings and the tabernacle was the bronze laver, the place of washing for the officiating priests.

The Tabernacle: On the West end of the court stood the tabernacle, 30 cubits long and 10 cubits wide. The tabernacle was constructed of 48 boards, each 10 cubits high and 1.5 cubits wide, having two tenons or feet at the bottom. These feet were inserted into 96 silver sockets, each weighing about 125 lbs. The boards were bound together by 15 bars, five on the North, South, and West sides. These crossbars passed through a series of rings which were joined to the boards. On the East side, five pillars were set into bronze sockets, which upheld a door made of curtains of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and fine linen thread. A veil of the same size and materials, but also embroidered with cherubim and hanging on four pillars set into sockets of silver, made a partition between the only two rooms of the tabernacle: The Holy Place (20 cubits long) and The Holy of Holies (a perfect cube of 10 cubits). The roof was made of two parts. The first was a layer composed of 10 curtains fastened together made of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and fine linen thread with cherubim woven in, this measured 28 by 40 cubits and was attached in some manner to rams' skins dyed red. Over and above the first layer were 11 curtains of goat hair, joined together, measuring 30 by 44 cubits, attached in some manner to badger's skins. In the Holy Place were three pieces of furniture, all made of gold or of wood overlaid with gold: the 7-branched candle on the left, the table of showbread with 12 loaves on the right, and the altar of incense directly ahead. One only item stood in the Holy of Holies, the Ark of the Covenant, with two cherubim and the mercy seat on the outside and a golden pot with manna, Aaron's rod that budded, and the two tablets of the covenant inside.

The overview provided here is intended to highlight the progression that one passes through as one enters the tabernacle and continues on until reaching the Holy of Holies. It represents our individual journey back to heaven and an abode with our Heavenly Father: sacrifice, purification, knocking on the door, bread of life, light of life, the holy spirit, and passing through the veil to enter the holy presence of the Lord.

011. Made According to Pattern: The Tabernacle - Part I

While in the wilderness, the children of Israel were commanded to construct a portable tabernacle. We learn in Exodus (25:8) that the reason for constructing the tabernacle was because the Lord wanted to dwell among His people: "And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them." 

There are patterns in the tabernacle, in every detail of its construction, that testify of Christ. Many of the objects, details, and rites of the tabernacle seem very foreign and removed from our current modes of worship, yet they contain many great truths that are just as relevant today as they were four thousand years ago. Approximately 50 chapters in the Old and New Testaments contain details about the tabernacle.

In the 1930s, a Christian theologian named C.W. Slemming published a series of short books on the tabernacle, the feasts and sacrifices, and the garments worn by the priests who administered in the tabernacle and how everything associated with the tabernacle and its functions symbolized Christ. These books are an almost forgotten treature-trove of enlightening information and in the next series of blog posts, I will make an effort to summarize these works, also applying a latter-day saint perspective. The first of these books is entitled "Made According to Pattern" and is focused on the specifications of the tabernacle and the materials used in its construction.

What is a Tabernacle?

A tabernacle is a temporary dwelling place. The Hebrew word for tabernacle, mishkan, primarily means a residence, and also a dwelling place, habitation, tent, or temple. The children of Israel used the temporary tabernacle for over 400 years, until the Temple was built. Our mortal bodies are referred to as tabernacles, which is fitting as they are only temporary abodes or dwelling places for our continually existing spirits. The tabernacle was not a church. The term for church, ekklesia, means "that which is called out" and refers to a community of people called out for a special purpose, and not a building. "The church is a called-out company of people who meet together temporarily in a tabernacle until, by and by, they meet God and take up their abode with Him forever" (p. 15). The Book of Mormon contains several accounts of inspired individuals (eg, Lehi, Alma) who were called out of their present apostate surroundings, gather together in a community of like-minded believers (the church), and seek the Lord through use of temporary shelters, places of worship, altars, and congregations with the goal being becoming one with God. Christ made His temporary abode both within the dessert tabernacle (Old Testament) and in a body of flesh (New Testament). "The God who dwelt in the tabernacle and the temple in the old dispensation found an abode in Christ during his life on earth" (p. 15). Now, Christ holds a permanent, exalted position at the right hand of His Father. We too have the promise of immortality and exaltation through the merits of Christ.

How was the Tabernacle Made?

The Lord ordered every specific of the tabernacle, in fine detail. He set forth the pattern, Moses lead the children of Israel to follow that pattern. Terms such as "after this pattern", "according to pattern", or "unto the pattern" are common in the Lord's communications to Moses regarding to the construction of the Tabernacle: "According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it" (Exodus 25:9). And: "And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount" (Exodus 25:40). By way of parallel, the same language is used frequently in the Doctrine & Covenants when the Lord is describing to Joseph Smith the specifications for the Temple. There are also many parallels between the revelations to Moses regarding the tabernacle and to John the Revelator's writings in the Book of Revelations. The materials used in the construction of the tabernacle came from the people of the camp of Israel themselves, as freewill offerings. Everyone contributed in whatever way they could. They were not a completely egalitarian group of individuals, there were rich and poor among them. The rich gave of their wealth and the poor gave of their time and skill to help construct the tabernacle, Exodus 15:

 2 Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering.
 3 And this is the offering which ye shall take of them; gold, and silver, and brass,
 4 And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats’ hair,
 5 And rams’ skins dyed red, and badgers’ skins, and shittim wood,
 6 Oil for the light, spices for anointing oil, and for sweet incense,
 7 Onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod, and in the breastplate.

As the children of Israel were commanded to give of their best, their all, to help build this abode for the Lord to come dwell among them, we too should give our all, our best, to make our hearts, our tabernacles, a place where the spirit of the Lord can dwell. We will review the significance of all these materials used in the construction of the tabernacle, how they testify of or symbolize Christ, and what  each means to us as disciples of Christ.

010. Rising Generations

The scriptures contain several accounts of children who choose a spiritual path opposite to that of their parents. The shift takes place in both directions. Some children of righteous parents rebel and become unrighteous (e.g., Cain, Laman and Lemuel, Lucifer). Sometimes, such rebellious children realize the error of their ways, repent, and return to paths of righteousness (e.g., Alma the younger, the sons of King Mosiah, the prodigal son). However, there are also examples of children of unrighteous parents who choose a path of righteousness (e.g., Abraham, perhaps Alma). Examples of this latter case are more rare in the scriptures, but it is a remarkable thing when someone born to or raised by unrighteous parents is able to recognize the errors of that path and choose to mark for themselves a path of righteous living.

There are two instances in close proximity in the Book of Mormon (in Mosiah 25 and 26) in which entire "rising generations" choose to follow a path opposite spiritually to that of their parents: the children of the wicked high priests lead by Amulon and the people of Zarahemla under King Mosiah.

The Children of the High Priests of King Noah
King Noah had personally appointed a quorum of high priests who were favorable to his inclinations for wickedness. They were men acquainted with religion, but who were more interested in the things of this world and their own welfare than in the salvation of others. They had indulged in abominations and idolatry and, because of their examples, had lead many into similar errors. In 148 BC, the prophet Abinadi testified against their sins and ultimately sealed his testimony against them with his martyrdom. Three years later, in 145 BC, these priests escaped the collapse of King Noah's government following an invasion by the Lamanites. They abandoned their families and fled into the wilderness. The priests remained together and subsequently kidnapped a group of Lamanite young women who became their wives with whom they had children. Fast forward almost 25 years through a series of events whereby these priests eventually came into favor with the Lamanite leadership and were appointed charge over Nephite lands occupied by the Lamanites. Following the departure of the people led by Alma from the land of Helam whereby they joined the Nephites in Zarahemla led by King Mosiah, there is an interesting event recorded in Mosiah 25:12:

"And it came to pass that those who were the children of Amulon and his brethren, who had taken to wife the daughters of the Lamanites, were displeased with the conduct of their fathers, and they would no longer be called by the names of their fathers, therefore they took upon themselves the name of Nephi, that they might be called the children of Nephi and be numbered among those who were called Nephites."

These children of the priests of Noah were likely in their 20s at this time (somewhere near 121 BC). They had come to a realization that their fathers were wicked and had rejected their conduct as sinful. Despite the power and status that their fathers wielded, their children could see the unhappiness and lack of love in their father's hearts. It is hard to indulge in wickedness, yet be loving and kind with members of your own family. The unfortunate captivity of the people of Helam, however, had provided a powerful contrast for these children of the wicked priests. They had observed the Christlike conduct and submission of the people led by Alma, who endured hardships and persecutions at their hands of their fathers. They could see the peace and happiness of the people led by Alma, despite the hardships and trials they faced. This is further evidence that the Lord indeed works in mysterious ways, and His purposes are not often known in the moment. However, great things can come to pass when we put our trust in Him and seek to know and follow his will, including the conversion of the children of one's oppressors. Indeed, the children of these wicked priests did not want this kind of life for themselves and decided that they would join with the righteous Nephites, turning their backs to their fathers and rejecting even their very names.

The Children of the People of God in Zarahemla
In 124 BC King Benjamin gathered his people together to testify to them concerning the Savior and His atonement. He taught his people so powerfully and persuasively that the entire populace became born again and made a covenant with God to always keep His commandments, as is recorded in Mosiah 5:2, 5:

 2 And they all cried with one voice, saying: Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually. 5 And we are willing to enter into a covenant with our God to do his will, and to be obedient to his commandments in all things that he shall command us, all the remainder of our days, that we may not bring upon ourselves a never-ending torment, as has been spoken by the angel, that we may not drink out of the cup of the wrath of God.

These people lived in righteousness for many years. Then, between 120 and 100 BC, there was a spiritual rebellion among the "rising generation" whereby many left the church of God and became its persecutors. Mosiah 26:1-4 reads:

1 Now it came to pass that there were many of the rising generation that could not understand the words of king Benjamin, being little children at the time he spake unto his people; and they did not believe the tradition of their fathers. 2 They did not believe what had been said concerning the resurrection of the dead, neither did they believe concerning the coming of Christ. 3 And now because of their unbelief they could not understand the word of God; and their hearts were hardened. 4 And they would not be baptized; neither would they join the church. And they were a separate people as to their faith, and remained so ever after, even in their carnal and sinful state; for they would not call upon the Lord their God. 

These children of the people of King Mosiah were young, perhaps in their 20s as well. Although they were infants or small children at the time of King Benjamin's address, the majority undoubtedly were raised in families that believed in the gospel of Jesus Christ. For some reason that is not fully explained, they did not believe in the faith tradition of their fathers and rejected it. They lacked faith and humility and were not converted in the same way their parents were. In fact, they rejected their parents beliefs to the degree that they became "a separate people as to their faith, and remained so ever after." How heartbreaking this must have been for these righteous parents, to raise them up in the ways of truth and light, only to have them reject it en masse, eventually growing to outnumber those who remained faithful. Verse 5 provides a small clue as to the reason for the acceleration of their apostasy:

"And now in the reign of Mosiah they were not half so numerous as the people of God; but because of the dissensions among the brethren they became more numerous."

Dissensions among "the brethren", of the church, presumably lead to further decay in the integrity of the church in its ability to maintain the rising generation among its ranks. Again, we are not clued in to the nature of those dissensions. In any case, this dissenting generation begins to persecute and even work to destroy the church itself. Unable to reign in the level and spread of apostasy through priesthood channels, Alma turns to the head of the government, King Mosiah, to do something to defend religious freedoms. A ban on persecutions is set forth (both from those within and without the church - see vs. 2 and 3). Likely seeing this move as a threat to free speech, some members of this rising generation became more entrenched in their hatred toward the church and elect to use their time and means in targeting it for destruction. By name the Book of Mormon lists one of Alma's sons, named Alma, and four of the sons of King Mosiah as the church's chief persecutors.

Conclusion
What is it that leads us to reject or rebel against the ways of our parents, in either direction? Why do some children rebel and some do not? My own parents are not greatly religious. I have chosen to follow a different path, yet my sibling has not. What makes the difference? I am grateful for the records of these contrasting rising generations and the lessons that can be extracted from them. I think it is remarkable that individuals like the children of the wicked priests, or Abraham, and countless others have had courage enough to do their best to honor their parents (thus keeping the commandment), yet chose for themselves who they would serve, sometimes at great personal cost (Mark 10:28-31).

 28 Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. 29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, 30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. 31 But many that are first shall be last; and the last first. 

009. He Trieth Their Patience & Their Faith

Chapters 23 and 24 in the Book of Mosiah contain a richness of insight into the trials we experience in this life. They describe the account of the people of the Lord, lead by Alma, who flee the lands of King Noah, establish their own city, are then oppressed by the Lamanites, are subsequently delivered, and then join the people of King Mosiah in the land of Zarahelma. 

Alma and His People Departed into the Wilderness by Minerva Tichert

Upon reaching safety in the wilderness, the people desired that Alma should become their king. Alma agrees that having a king would be a good method of governance, but only if kings were always righteous. Having just escaped the oppressive and unrighteous dominion of King Noah, these righteous people, and most accutelty Alma himself, knew of the trechery and dangers posed by an unrighteous king. Wicked kings are very hard to remove and lead many people to do wickedly as they follow their example and leadership. Alma thus declined their nomination, offering these words of wisdom:

"...for thus saith the Lord: Ye shall not esteem one flesh above another, or one man shall not think himself above another." Mosiah 27:3

As this statement suggests, we ought to treat one other equally in the sense that no one is better than anyone else in the sight of the Lord. Alma then teaches "that every man should love his neighbor as himself, that there should be no contention among them" (verse 15). They are to treat others as they themselves would like to be treated. They are to love and not be angry nor harm one another, and they are to treat everyone in a similar way, regardless of physical appearance, background, connections, education, former social status, or position. They are the Lord's people, they have dedicated themselves to Him. They have consecrated their lives to His service and worship. This should resonnate with those endowed in the holy temples. This teaching is similar to something that was received in the Doctrine & Covenants, section 38, verses 24-27:

24 And let every man esteem his brother as himself, and practice virtue and holiness before me.
 25 And again I say unto you, let every man esteem his brother as himself.
 26 For what man among you having twelve sons, and is no respecter of them, and they serve him obediently, and he saith unto the one: Be thou clothed in robes and sit thou here; and to the other: Be thou clothed in rags and sit thou there—and looketh upon his sons and saith I am just?
 27 Behold, this I have given unto you as a parable, and it is even as I am. I say unto you, be one; and if ye are not one ye are not mine.

Perhaps these people were also striving to live the law of consecration. In any case, because of their righteousness, they were greatly blessed and prospered. They build up a city called Helam. They were hard-working and industrious. They were likely very happy to have a place of their own, free from the wickedness and idolatry of King Laban's kingdom, where they could worship the Lord and live in peace and beauty (..."they came to a land, yea, even a very beautiful and pleasant land, a land of pure water" verse 4). However, it wasn't long until the Lamanites caught wind of this prosperous city, came upon it, and occupied it. The people of Helam were placed under heavy burdens and their freedoms were constrained. 

It seems so unfair, they were a righteous people who had just recently followed the Lord into the wilderness to escape wickedness. They were not doing anything wrong. Did they forget the Lord? Were they being punished? There is no indication that these people had fallen into sinful behavior. What happened? The following verses provide an answer:

 21 Nevertheless the Lord seeth fit to chasten his people; yea, he trieth their patience and their faith.
 22 Nevertheless—whosoever putteth his trust in him the same shall be lifted up at the last day. Yea, and thus it was with this people.
 23 For behold, I will show unto you that they were brought into bondage, and none could deliver them but the Lord their God, yea, even the God of Abraham and Isaac and of Jacob.
 24 And it came to pass that he did deliver them, and he did show forth his mighty power unto them, and great were their rejoicings.

The Lord permitted this to happen. He allowed His people to be taken into bondage to try their faith and their patience. So that they would know that only He can deliver them and save them, no matter how prosperous or independent they were. Of course, this was greatly alarming to these followers of Christ. Why hadn't God warned them to flee like he had done before, or do something to prepare them for the siege that was about to occur? Why hadn't He protected them? 

27 But Alma went forth and stood among them, and exhorted them that they should not be frightened, but that they should remember the Lord their God and he would deliver them.
 28 Therefore they hushed their fears, and began to cry unto the Lord that he would soften the hearts of the Lamanites, that they would spare them, and their wives, and their children.
 29 And it came to pass that the Lord did soften the hearts of the Lamanites. And Alma and his brethren went forth and delivered themselves up into their hands; and the Lamanites took possession of the land of Helam.

This is an amazing example of faith, humility, and perspective. These people were afraid, but they did not murmur nor curse their maker. Their fears, which come from the adversary, were "hushed" as Alma reminded them of the larger perspective of what was unfolding. As they trusted in the Lord and cried unto Him, they gained peace that everything would be in the Lord's hands and that He would deliver them. It did not mean that it would be easy, however. As described in Mosiah chapter 24, the people of Helam were subjected to great afflictions and harsh treatment. They were overseen by a former colleague of Alma's, a wicked High Priest named Amulon, who, because of his former connection with Alma, was especially cruel to these people. They were even threatened with death for praying for relief vocally:

 10 And it came to pass that so great were their afflictions that they began to cry mightily to God.
 11 And Amulon commanded them that they should stop their cries; and he put guards over them to watch them, that whosoever should be found calling upon God should be put to death.
 12 And Alma and his people did not raise their voices to the Lord their God, but did pour out their hearts to him; and he did know the thoughts of their hearts.

But the Lord did not forget His people, nor the covenants that they had made with Him. He heard their prayers:

 13 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage.
 14 And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.
 15 And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.

He promises to deliver them out of bondage and also make their burdens light. He will visit them in their afllictions, at their time of greatest need. However, through their afflictions, these people were transformed into 1) witnesses of the power of God unto deliverance and 2) individuals who cheerfully submitted with patience to the will of God. 

First, deliverance. There are certain trying experiences that all of us who choose to follow the Lord will have in this mortal experience. They will be gut-wrenching, difficult, and even unexplainable situations. They will be individually designed to test the very things that might be blocking us from progressing. We may fall. We may be unjustly accused or misunderstood. It will seem so unfair or unexplainable. The only way out will be to maintain a focused faith on the power of the Savior to deliver us from whatever trial we may have. We will come to realize, and likely again and again as these people of Helam demonstrate, that the ONLY way to survive is to have faith on the Lord and call upon His name. I have had a few of these sorts of experiences in my life and I testify that having faith on the Savior was the ONLY way I got through them. His power is real. He is real. He will not forget those who have covenanted with Him. He keeps His part of the bargain. He does not give less than he promises, he delivers us, literally. He visits us in our afflications and will save, He is truly the Savior of the world.

 16 And it came to pass that so great was their faith and their patience that the voice of the Lord came unto them again, saying: Be of good comfort, for on the morrow I will deliver you out of bondage.

Second, submitting to the will of the Lord. The peoples' will's became wrapped up in the Lord's will. Eric Liddell, the Scottish missionary who refused to run in the Olympics on a Sunday (story made famous by the film Chariots of Fire), died at the young age of 43. His last words were "It's complete surrender", in reference to how he had given his life to God. That is what the Lord wants from us, the surrender of our will to His. These mortal experiences are designed to teach us just that. The righteous also have trials to push them further to have total dependence on the Lord. Why? That is the pattern. Christ performed the Father's will perfectly. We must perform the Lord's will. That is the only way we can be saved. He will show us the way back to the Father, but we must surrender. The voice of the Lord came to comfort these people, twice. He loves all His children, and He comes to deliver those who submit to His will in meekness and humility. These people were then delivered through miraculous means:

 23...for they were in bondage, and none could deliver them except it were the Lord their God.
 22 And they gave thanks to God, yea, all their men and all their women and all their children that could speak lifted their voices in the praises of their God.

When you face a trial, know that it is an opportunity for you to deepen your faith in the Lord, to develop patience, and to become a witness of the power of the Lord to deliver you. He will.