We have the “letter of the law” which was given to mankind to remind us of “spiritual” realities. The “letter of the law” has always been symbolic, pointing our mind to the “spirit of the law” which, when we immerse ourselves into, is what actually purifies and sanctifies and justifies us individually and collectively as a people.
Sadly the “letter of the law” is what, in our fallen nature, mankind uses to “judge” who is saved and who is not saved. This is damning, for in the scriptures the Lord teaches that we are to use the “spirit of the law” to “judge” others by, or more specifically, we should judge others by the “fruits of the spirit” which we observe they are manifesting in words and deeds.
15 ¶ Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
(New Testament | Matthew 7:15 - 20)
(Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 14:15 - 20)
24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
(New Testament | John 7:24)
The whole of scripture, all its words can be brought into a clear understanding by using the Lord’s reference’s above to “judge” our salvation and exaltation by, using “God’s” perspective and not man’s.
The “letter of the law” is associated with anything that is of a physical nature. The “spirit of the law” is associated with anything that is of a spiritual or divine nature.
Because we are “conceived in sin” (mortality) the “letter of the law” (the bitter) that we might know “to prize the good” (the spirit of the law).
55 And the Lord spake unto Adam, saying: Inasmuch as thy children are conceived in sin, even so when they begin to grow up, sin conceiveth in their hearts, and they taste the bitter, that they may know to prize the good.
(Pearl of Great Price | Moses 6:55)
Therefore, because we are “agents unto” our selves, God gave us a commandment (and so it is with all commandments) and this particular commandment is “spiritual” from the beginning as it will be in the end… “that all men, everywhere, must repent.” Repent of what? Well “sin” of course! And what was “sin?” Anything that would draw us away from the “good,” the “holy…” “For no unclean thing can dwell in his (Gods) presence; for, in the language of Adam, Man of Holiness is his name.” (Moses 6: 57). “Holiness” has always been used to describe the “spirit of the law,” the “attributes of godliness,” His “divine nature,” His divine character! The “fruits of the spirit” are the very qualities that makes “god,” “God.” All commandments given by God to man have a “spiritual” implication, a spiritual meaning, a spiritual transformation that is vital to our entering His presence.
Every person who has ever come to earth to receive a mortal body is endowed innately with the “potential” to manifest holiness of character or its opposites, the fruits or lusts of the flesh. How do you teach a “fallen people,” a people “conceived in sin” the “spirit of the law?” You introduce them to the “letter of the law” through ordinances and ceremonies (See LDS Bible Dictionary, Holiness) which they can see, touch, taste, smell and hear with their mortal senses and then you teach them the symbolism or spiritual meaning that is hidden within the “letter of the law!” This allows our “Spirit,” (which gives “life” to the body) the nourishment and refinement it needs to fulfill its greatest potential and “become” like our Father, a man or woman of holiness… “For Man of Holiness is his name.” And that is the “name” we will be called to enter His presence. "The Law of Holiness (Lev. 17–26) shows how the attempt was made by means of ceremonial observances to secure this holiness of character. The attempt failed because the later Jews observed the letter and neglected the spirit; they attached more importance to the ceremonial than to the moral; and the result was a lapse into formalism. But in the writings of the Prophets it is clearly laid down that the value of worship in the eyes of God depends upon the personal character of the worshipper." (LDS Bible Dictionary, Holiness).
1 AND in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach.
(Old Testament | Isaiah 4:1)
“Only let us be called by the name” … And what name is that? A man or woman of “Holiness” is his or her name.
2 In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel.
3 And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem:
(Old Testament | Isaiah 4:2 - 3)
We “shall be called holy” because we have correctly interpreted (without judgment) the “letter of the law” and have immersed or baptized ourselves into the “spirit of the law” in thought, word and deed, which is a quality that every person is potentially blessed with innately!
So that we are clear, let’s take a look at our two potentials, innate to each person who comes into this world:
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
(New Testament | Galatians 5:19 - 26)
So the “letter of the law” is given to us to awaken us spiritually.
Therefore “if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.”
(New Testament | Galatians 5:18)
14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
(New Testament | Romans 2:14 - 15)
I do not believe many people understand the significance of symbolism as it relates to our mortal experience and beyond to salvation and exaltation. In the future “when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel” … God and Christ will not be looking at the “letter of the law” to judge us, but the “spirit of the law.” Those who do choose to judge by the "letter of the law will judge themselves.
16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
17 Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God,
18 And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law;
19 And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness,
20 An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.
21 Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?
22 Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?
23 Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?
24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.
25 For circumcision (or baptism, the letter of the law) verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.
26 Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law (the “spirit of the law”), shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?
27 And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?
28 For he is not a Jew, (a Mormon, a Muslim, a Buddhist, a Christian or whatever) which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
29 But he is a Jew, (a Mormon, a Muslim, a Buddhist, a Christian or whatever) which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
(New Testament | Romans 2:16 - 29)
If “God” truly is in and through all things, He must be speaking to us symbolically, from a spiritual perspective. If this is true then we must learn to see God’s goodness in the faces of all people and all religions… for there must be a common thread that binds and seals us all together and that reality must be the spiritual potential we all have to manifest in our thoughts, words and deeds, “divine nature,” the “fruits of the Spirit,” the “fruit of the tree of life” that is within us all!
Symbolism
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SkyBird
- captain of 100
- Posts: 975
- Location: Utah County
Re: Symbolism
There is a spiritual and symbolic lesson for us to learn even in the later days with the restoration... do we see it?
"Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not;
22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?
23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh."
(New Testament | Colossians 2:20 - 23)
In the restoration, who is the temple work really for? The living (what does the "living" really symbolize) or the dead (what does the "dead" really symbolize)?
"¶ Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:
33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD; for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
(Old Testament | Jeremiah 31:31 - 34)
There are three degrees of glory and to each degree there are "beliefs" that "bind and seal" people to those glories via the "beliefs" they use to judge others by. I submit that both the Telestial and Terrestrial glories are those who are caught up in the "beliefs" that are tied to the "letter of the law" and won't let go of those beliefs. Those who become "Gods" celestially speaking, transcend the "letter of the law" without judgment of those who do and embrace the "sprit of the law" wholly and completely.
"Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not;
22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?
23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh."
(New Testament | Colossians 2:20 - 23)
In the restoration, who is the temple work really for? The living (what does the "living" really symbolize) or the dead (what does the "dead" really symbolize)?
"¶ Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:
33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD; for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
(Old Testament | Jeremiah 31:31 - 34)
There are three degrees of glory and to each degree there are "beliefs" that "bind and seal" people to those glories via the "beliefs" they use to judge others by. I submit that both the Telestial and Terrestrial glories are those who are caught up in the "beliefs" that are tied to the "letter of the law" and won't let go of those beliefs. Those who become "Gods" celestially speaking, transcend the "letter of the law" without judgment of those who do and embrace the "sprit of the law" wholly and completely.
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SkyBird
- captain of 100
- Posts: 975
- Location: Utah County
Re: Symbolism
Why does the Lord teach us in "symbols" or through "symbols?" Why does God use metaphors to teach us? Why did the Lord teach in parables? Here are some possible answers:
And the Lord God hath sent his holy prophets among all the children of men, to declare these things to every kindred, nation, and tongue, that thereby whosoever should believe that Christ should come, the same might receive remission of their sins, and rejoice with exceedingly great joy, even as though he had already come among them.
14 Yet the Lord God saw that his people were a stiffnecked people, and he appointed unto them a law, even the law of Moses.
15 And many signs, and wonders, and types, and shadows showed he unto them, concerning his coming; and also holy prophets spake unto them concerning his coming; and yet they hardened their hearts, and understood not that the law of Moses availeth nothing except it were through the atonement of his blood.
(Book of Mormon | Mosiah 3:13 - 15)
But this much I tell you, what you do with me, after this, shall be as a type and a shadow of things which are to come.
11 And now I read unto you the remainder of the commandments of God, for I perceive that they are not written in your hearts; I perceive that ye have studied and taught iniquity the most part of your lives.
12 And now, ye remember that I said unto you: Thou shall not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of things which are in heaven above, or which are in the earth beneath, or which are in the water under the earth.
13 And again: Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them; for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquities of the fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth generations of them that hate me;
(Book of Mormon | Mosiah 13:10 - 13)
19 ¶ And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.(New Testament | Luke 22:19)
And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
(New Testament | 1 Corinthians 11:24 - 25)
And cursed shall be the seed of him that mixeth with their seed; for they shall be cursed even with the same cursing. And the Lord spake it, and it was done.
24 And because of their cursing which was upon them they did become an idle people, full of mischief and subtlety, and did seek in the wilderness for beasts of prey.
25 And the Lord God said unto me: They shall be a scourge unto thy seed, to stir them up in remembrance of me; and inasmuch as they will not remember me, and hearken unto my words, they shall scourge them even unto destruction.
(Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 5:23 - 25)
17 Therefore, as they were unfaithful they did not prosper nor progress in their journey, but were driven back, and incurred the displeasure of God upon them; and therefore they were smitten with famine and sore afflictions, to stir them up in remembrance of their duty.
(Book of Mormon | Mosiah 1:17)
Symbols, metephors of scriptures are here to instruct us, to teach us, to inform us of that which is "spiritual" and eternal in its nature.
And the Lord God hath sent his holy prophets among all the children of men, to declare these things to every kindred, nation, and tongue, that thereby whosoever should believe that Christ should come, the same might receive remission of their sins, and rejoice with exceedingly great joy, even as though he had already come among them.
14 Yet the Lord God saw that his people were a stiffnecked people, and he appointed unto them a law, even the law of Moses.
15 And many signs, and wonders, and types, and shadows showed he unto them, concerning his coming; and also holy prophets spake unto them concerning his coming; and yet they hardened their hearts, and understood not that the law of Moses availeth nothing except it were through the atonement of his blood.
(Book of Mormon | Mosiah 3:13 - 15)
But this much I tell you, what you do with me, after this, shall be as a type and a shadow of things which are to come.
11 And now I read unto you the remainder of the commandments of God, for I perceive that they are not written in your hearts; I perceive that ye have studied and taught iniquity the most part of your lives.
12 And now, ye remember that I said unto you: Thou shall not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of things which are in heaven above, or which are in the earth beneath, or which are in the water under the earth.
13 And again: Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them; for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquities of the fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth generations of them that hate me;
(Book of Mormon | Mosiah 13:10 - 13)
19 ¶ And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.(New Testament | Luke 22:19)
And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
(New Testament | 1 Corinthians 11:24 - 25)
And cursed shall be the seed of him that mixeth with their seed; for they shall be cursed even with the same cursing. And the Lord spake it, and it was done.
24 And because of their cursing which was upon them they did become an idle people, full of mischief and subtlety, and did seek in the wilderness for beasts of prey.
25 And the Lord God said unto me: They shall be a scourge unto thy seed, to stir them up in remembrance of me; and inasmuch as they will not remember me, and hearken unto my words, they shall scourge them even unto destruction.
(Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 5:23 - 25)
17 Therefore, as they were unfaithful they did not prosper nor progress in their journey, but were driven back, and incurred the displeasure of God upon them; and therefore they were smitten with famine and sore afflictions, to stir them up in remembrance of their duty.
(Book of Mormon | Mosiah 1:17)
Symbols, metephors of scriptures are here to instruct us, to teach us, to inform us of that which is "spiritual" and eternal in its nature.
