This is my outline for lesson #25. I have it starting out with my list of scriptures as quotes as there are many of them and it was easier for me to set it up this way, rather than at the end. So you will need to scroll down a bit to get to the lesson discussion. (more…)
This is a copy of my guest post for Jettboy in support of his Book of Mormon Symposium. I wanted to post it here. I hope you take the chance to go to his site and read the other fine articles that are there.
Tanya
Wisdom’s Voice
I have always believed that it is better to learn from others mistakes so that I can avoid repeating those errors. I figure I make enough mistakes on my own that if I can stay away from those pit falls that others have lived maybe I can circumventsome of the sorrow and pain of poor choices and lack of foresight. I cannot say that I am perfect at this goal, that would be an understatement, but I think my life has been easier because of this way of learning.
For years, I have been one of those individuals that would be stuck reading the Book of Alma. Now as a parent, I find the teaching and pleading so Alma and Alma the Younger to touch my soul. I have wondered how much of their experiencesinfluenced not only the mistakes their children made, but how they taught the gospel to those in their ministry.
While he listened to the words of Abinadi Alma’s heart softens, and converts to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He is only a young man at the time, around 25 years old. He had the integrity to leave and not follow in the wickednessof King Noah even at the threat of his own life. There is no information on his family. Was he married? Did he have children? How did this change affect them? It would seem that to be part of King Noahs priests there must have been some degree of affluence and prosperity. To leave everything, as did Lehi of old must have been very difficult and if he had children, they might have some residual memory of comforts.
Many years later, we meet a son, Alma the Younger. Alma is an old man, according to the dates in the Book of Mormon, he is somewhere between 70-82 years old. Alma the Younger’s description in Mosiah 27:8
is as a very wicked and idolatrous man. He was a man of many words, and did speak much flattery to the people; therefore he led many of the people to do after the manner of his iniquities.
He had the ability to influence the population to the point of drawing many from the church of God and lead many away from the commandments and the laws of the kingdom. He was rebelling against God. Taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ, heknew what was right and wrong and was willfully defying Gods commands.
His Father in sorrow prayed for his son to be brought back to the fold of God. I imagine the tears, the heartache that all his teaching, all his warnings, and perhaps even his testimony of mistakes he may have made as a priest of King Noah weighed heavily on Almas mind. Surely, he would have taught his son these things, and let him know the difference in the heart. Alma the Younger choosesnot to listen to the experiences of his father, but rather had to learn for himself.
Many years later, this cycle is repeated as Alma the Younger, writes his letters to his sons. One in particular has grieved his heart, and I once again wonder at the age of the children involved. Is it possible that at the time of Alma the Youngers rebellion that he could have been married, and had children. Could these children remember the actions of a rebellious father? As I read his letters,I see a man pleading with them to remember what he learned, the hard way, that they will not make the same errors and suffer the torment he suffered. All through Alma, Chapters 36-42, we read statements that declare personal understanding of doctrine.
Alma 36: 20 …Soul was filled with joy as exceedingly as was my pain!…
Alma 37: 35 …Learn wisdom in thy Youth…
Alma 38: 9….I have told you this that ye may learn wisdom, that ye may learn of me….
Alma 39:8 …Ye cannot hide your crimes from God…
Alma 39:19 ….Is it not as easy at this time for the Lord to send his Angel….?
Alma 41: 10 …Wickedness never was happiness….
Alma 42:1 And now, O my son, ye are called of God to preach the word unto this people. And now, my son, go thy way, declare the word with truth and soberness, that thou mayest bring souls unto repentance, that the great plan of mercy may have claim upon them. And may God grant unto you even according to my words. Amen.
There are many other statements throughout these wonderful letters to Alma the Youngers sons that testify of his experiences and what he learned from them. As a parent,I want my children to learn from my mistakes and the mistakes of others. I want them to be able to grasp the iron rod and have faith in God. I want them to be able to learn that it is possible to repent of mistakes and sins. Yes,I want them to have an easy life, what parent does not, but they must learn to accept the consequences of their choices and actions so they can also teach their children to learn from their mistakes. I have learned to love Alma and Alma the Younger as I imagine what their life had been like and what they learned as they accepted the will of God in directing their path. I hope that I can garner such strength and faith. I hope that as you read the book of Alma that you might see this teaching of his sons can also apply to us today.
This is a guest post by Mary A. She has graciously written a review of the book “The Lost Language of Sybolism. Thank you so much. Tanya
Understanding Symbolism
The Lost Language of Symbolism
By Alonzo L. Gaskill
I have been interested in symbolism for a couple of years, beginning when I realized that I was probably not getting the full meaning of scripture because I had no idea about symbols—what they mean and how they are used. I purchased Dr. Gaskill’s book in the hope that I could learn at least a little about symbols in the scriptures. I read it through and found it fascinating. I noted that its format would make it easy to use as a reference book to look up a specific word or phrase as it was encountered. Then, sadly, I set it aside, meaning to get back to it, but never doing so. However, when I read Tanya’s mention of it on her blog, “…We Seek After These Things!”, my interest was reawakened and I got my book out. When she asked me if I wanted to write something about the book to post, I was delighted to do so.
First, a little about the book itself. It has a brief forward by Joseph Fielding McConkie. The first two chapters are titled “Why Symbols?” and “The Art of Interpreting Symbols” so that it starts right out with explanations that help you in studying symbols. The rest of the chapters are each about a specific type of symbol, such as colors, numbers, or types and symbols of Christ. The last chapter is a summary—a chart on which you can look up a brief meaning of each symbol. This is followed by endnotes, a satisfying long bibliography, a scripture index, and a subject index. The reason I wanted to describe the book just a little was so that you would get an idea of its usefulness.
Dr. Gaskill says that he intends his book to not be overly academic, nor does he intend it to be an exhaustive explanation. It is meant for the average person who wants to begin to understand symbolism and get more meaning from scripture. Also, it would be good to remember that you can study a little at a time—you don’t have to overwhelm yourself by trying to learn it all in one fell swoop.
Symbols can have more than one meaning so the context is important in deciding what items are probably used symbolically and which of their possible meanings would be appropriate. I won’t go into more detail, but Dr. Gaskill does and his explanations can open up a whole new world to a person.
Understanding symbolism in scripture can also lead to understanding of symbolism in the temple, as well as various ordinances like baptism. If we learn the symbolism behind a term or an action, then we can be reminded of spiritual ideas often and that can help our thoughts turn to God. It can help us to understand teachings and doctrines more deeply so that we see the purpose in living the gospel and obeying the commandments. I find that understanding symbolism can touch my mind, my heart, and my spirit in new ways and that it gives me new thoughts to ponder as I seek the treasure in the scriptures and write them in my heart.
By Mary A
My third installment of understand religious symbology will discuss the book A Guide to Scriptural Symbols, by Joseph Fielding McConkie and Donald W. Parry.
I have to give a shameless plug to Brother Parry; after all he used to be my gospel doctrine teacher and put up with me debating and asking questions. He once told me he didnt mind because it kept him on his toes, I appreciated his patience because he helped me to understand and not just take things because someone said so.
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This is not intended to be an indictment of any specific blogs, bloggers or of bloggers in general. Rather it is a personal application of three scriptural themes to tendencies that I see in my own scripture study.
Earlier this week, I got a chance to reflect on my own scripture study. This reflection shall be recorded in two parts. One, on the personal aspects of scripture study and other worshipful activities will be addressed in another post. This one reflects on the guidelines of group scripture study, which much of the LDS blogging community (The Bloggernacle) is intended to be.
The first theme I want to explore is found in 3 Nephi 11. The Lord had scarcely shown himself to his people when he began to instruct Nephi and the others present on the manner in which they should baptize that “there shall be no disputations among you.” (3 Nephi 11:22). After a brief explanation of the baptism process, the Lord returns in verse 28 to instructing the people “And there shall be no disputations among you, as there have hitherto been; neither shall there be disputations among you concerning the points of my doctrine as there have hitherto been.” (emphasis added)
Without referring to specific posts or comments, we can all readily think of posts and strings of comments that resulted in lively discussion and a few where civility was ultimately lacking in the discussion. Such behavior is not pleasing to the Lord or conducive to the guidance of His Spirit. I got to tell a friend last year that I was of two minds about the Bloggernacle. So long as it is used as an illustrative forum to present clear doctrines and dispel skewed ideas and theologies, it is a good and productive thing. Outside of that context, it is fraught with a number of dangers, only a couple of which are discussed here. One of those key dangers is that people can get lost in arguing or analyzing trivial points and miss the broader meaning and application that the scriptures are meant to have in our lives. This primarily happens when writers and commenters stray far from the scope of scripture or modern revelation into the realm of things that “just make sense.”
This brings us to our second passage of scripture, which happens to be one of the Lord’s first utterances in another visitation. In the First Vision, the Lord warns Joseph Smith, Jr. of professors who “teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.” (JSH 1:19) A number of discussions in the Bloggernacle wander far out of what is to be found in scriptural canon or even the most obscure records of modern revelation. The rare (sometimes not so rare) gem of a post flies right in the face of established scripture, signifying that its author did not heed the Lord’s counsel in D&C 11:21-22 to “first seek to obtain my word.” (Verse 22 sounds almost abrasive when applied in this context, but it fits.) Peter decries one of the dangers of posts and comments that speculate on doctrines near the end of his second epistle: “As also in [some posts], speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.” (2 Peter 3:16, sort of) While analysis of scriptures and doctrines is encouraged, such analysis should be made with an eye to the practical consequences that belief in such analysis might have on the author and other readers, including investigators and members who are not yet firmly rooted in the faith.
During his mortal ministry, the Savior posed a question to the Pharisees, who we understand regularly engaged in lively debates on doctrine and thought nothing to scorn anyone who disagreed with their views, no matter how trivial. He asked them: “How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?” (John 5:44) This dynamic is what propels me (and presumably others) toward Pharisaical tendencies in my participation in the ‘Nacle. When I really want to make a name for myself, more than to edify and uplift my fellow members, am I not more likely to be more aggressive in the tactics and subject matter I pursue? At what point does my expounding on scripture degenerate into spewing the philosophies of man (namely me). In doing so do I not open myself and others up to danger of “looking beyond the mark”? (Jacob 4:14)
In short, it is a given that we are each going to have our favorite subjects and authors within the ‘Nacle. It is natural to want to be well regarded, and being so can certainly help us to share much light and truth in a way that is hopefully uplifting and easy to understand. Is it naïve to think that such a forum as this will not lend itself to infighting, politics and planting seeds of apostasy if we do not watch ourselves to see that our choices of words are made with an eye single to the glory of God? (D&C 4:5)
By Richard
Joseph Smith sent a letter to John Wentworth explaining the history and Faith of the Latter-day Saints. It included what has become The Articles Faith. This blog is about number 13; We Believe in Being, Honest, True, Chaste, Benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say we follow the admonition of Paul- We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things. This will be a place to inspire, edify, strengthen and encourage us to seek for the Good things, in the scriptures, in our surroundings, and how we apply this in improving our Daily lives. Let us all Seek after These Things!
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