“The
Lord Himself, the Master Teacher, in His own teaching to His disciples taught
constantly in parables, a verbal way to represent symbolically things that
otherwise be difficult to understand” (Packer, 1996) . As we know, the savior during his ministry in
life and through the prophets teaches most commonly and most affectively with
parables and symbols. This is why when
one diligently reads and searches the scriptures they find a specific theme or
meaning that is taught to them through their study, yet when they reread the
same scriptures at a later time, the theme or message or knowledge seems to
change. This is the beauty of symbolism
as it has a depth of meaning simple words cannot contain. “Teaching of the gospel oftentimes is so
difficult [because] ideals in the gospel are such intangible things as faith,
repentance, love, humility, reverence, obedience, modesty, and so forth. The dimensions of size and shape and color and
texture do not serve us here” (Packer, 1996) . Meaning most if not all gospel truths contain
an importance and understand well beyond what is stated at face value as truly
there are not words of power in accordance with the message being portrayed;
yet, this lack of knowledge on our part is not kept from us due to our
shortcomings or weaknesses. Instead, the
Lord has equipped us with the light of Christ and to those baptized within the
church, the gift of the Holy Ghost to testify the feelings of light and truth
when understanding comes into our minds despite the lack of words to express
said enlightenment. This is exactly why
the Savior generously teaches in parables and symbols and it is no different in
today’s time than it was in the days of Moses.
Think back to Moses when animal sacrifice was introduced. Do you really feel the Lord needed the blood
of animals upon his alters? We have been taught and can see through the act
that this too was a symbol. The people
were to recognize the hand of God in their increase. They were to recognize the power of God in
their sin and failures and to turn to him in this symbol. As these people offered up their animal sacrifices,
they were preparing themselves and the world with the truth and knowledge that
the Savior would come and offer his blood in order to atone and save them.
The great things about symbols are
that there is no end to their meaning.
We cannot even comprehend the knowledge and the information within this
world, let alone the truths beyond our knowledge. Yet, as members, we are promised this gift of
knowledge and power as we seek for understanding through these symbols. “As we grow and mature and learn from all of
the experiences in life, the truths demonstrated in the temple [and in the
gospel] in symbolic fashion take on a renewed meaning. The veil is drawn back a little bit more. Our
knowledge and vision of the eternities expands. It is always refreshing” (Packer, 1996) . What a promise to know that the more we search
these parables and symbols, the more we are promised to understand, resulting
in a closer relationship with Christ as we search to align ourselves with his
light and his truth.
Now, having hit on why the Lord
teaches in symbols, I hope it opened up the possibilities of what is out there
to learn and what we have to offer to each other. Having gotten my BA in English Literature, I
often find symbols with a critical eye and am excited to share what I have
learned recently. That means, this is
not church doctrine. This is my research
within my scriptures and other books that led me to this idea which makes me praise
my Lord and the love he has for me.
While reading section 88 of the
Doctrine and Covenants, several verses came to my attention:
17 And
the redemption of the soul is through him that quickeneth all things, in whose
bosom it is decreed that the poor and the meek of the earth shall inherit it.
18 Therefore,
it must needs be sanctified from all unrighteousness, that it may be prepared
for the celestial glory;
19 For
after it hath filled the measure of its creation, it shall be crowned with
glory, even with the presence of God the Father;
20 That
bodies who are of the celestial kingdom may possess it forever and ever; for,
for this intent was it made and created, and for this intent are they
sanctified.
So in verse 17 we learn of the human souls that are being resurrected
and how the meek and the righteous shall inherit the Earth (also seen in
Matthew 5:5). Then in 18-20 we learn that the Earth will be “crowned with glory”
and be “sanctified” that it might become the Celestial Kingdom (Heaven). Although the spirit spoke of the truth in
this, it was not new information to me. I continued reading:
25 And again, verily I say unto you,
the earth abideth the law of a celestial kingdom, for it filleth the measure of
its creation, and transgresseth not the law—
26 Wherefore,
it shall be sanctified; yea, notwithstanding it shall die, it shall be
quickened again, and shall abide the power by which it is quickened, and the
righteous shall inherit it.
28 They
who are of a celestial spirit shall receive the same body which was a natural
body; even ye shall receive your bodies, and your glory shall be that glory by
which your bodies are quickened.
29 Ye
who are quickened by a portion of the celestial glory shall then receive of the
same, even a fulness.
Verse 25 states that
because the earth abided the law of God and fulfilled its creation, it will be
crowned with Glory. It talks of the
death of the Earth at the second coming of Christ and its renewal to be
magnified as a Celestial glory. I was a
little amazed at how many scriptures were included about the Earth and
questioned why when I began to see that the earth, although being spoken about
literally, as it will literally become the Celestial Kingdom, is also a symbol
for ourselves.
Just as God created our spirits,
so did he create the Earth. Just as we
are made of a spirit and a body, so is the earth: Spirit/body, Earth/world. Just as we are baptized and cleansed, so was
the Earth during the flood: baptism by immersion vs. the earth being completely
submerged! Just as we are to fulfill our mission on Earth to nurture, grow and
support one another, so has our Mother Earth.
Just as we will die and be resurrected, changed and perfected in a
spiritual glory, so will the Earth as seen in the verses above and as seen in 2
Peter:
11 Seeing
then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons
ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
12 Looking
for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on
fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
13 Nevertheless
we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein
dwelleth righteousness.
Just as we are to reside in Holy Places, so has the earth.
In the bible it is clear that mountains are synonymous with temples and there
are several instances in the bible where Moses and Joshua commune with the
Lord. “When the Lord told Moses and
Joshua to remove their shoes as they were on Holy ground, perhaps it was not so
much the ground itself as it was the nature of the interview that sanctified it”
(Packer, 1996) . So like the earth,
our bodies are temples and we sanctify them through our communion with Jesus
Christ.
This symbol of our glory in
connection with the Earth was a welcome answer to my supplications to the
Lord. Having recently gone through a
divorce in which my husband left me, you can see how I would question my self
worth, my value and my importance. I am
very aware that this is a tool of the devil, belittling my birthright as a Daughter
of God and a Heavenly Queen, but that doesn’t make it any easier to resist the
damaging and belittling thoughts that cancerously, eat away at me. However, look at this symbol. How often in common vernacular do you hear
people say, I would give you the world if I could, or you are worth more than
the world. Yet, while applying these
scriptures we see that our Lord and Heavenly Father has done just that! He has
given us this living oracle. And, at the
same time, has given us the same promise.
Our Father in Heaven finds the Earth, in her glory, important enough to
challenge, purge, beautify and glorify.
And our Father in Heaven feels the exact same love and potential in me
and in you. To think that I am as
important as a world, as a kingdom and that I hold the right to the same
blessings and privileges. I am thankful for this answer. I am thankful that the Lord teaches in truth
and in symbols that I can find sacred meaning and importance each and every day
I seek to be more like him.
Works Cited
Packer, B. K. (1996). You May Claim the Blessings
Of the Holy Temple. Salt Lake City: Publishers Press.
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