THE REAL SIN OF SODOM
Although the sexual sins of Sodom and Gomorrah are well documented, the Lord tells Ezekiel that the root of their iniquity lay in pride, laziness, and a lack of charity.
49 Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.
50 And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw good. (Ezekiel 16:49-50)
MELCHIZEDEK AND ABRAHAM
The person known as Melchizedek is one of the most enigmatic figures in all of scriptures. That most translations of Hebrews 7:3 appear to state that he was, “Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life…,” only serve to make him seem more mysterious. In fact, an early Christian Gnostic group called themselves Melchizedekites, and worshipped him as God, the Father incarnate.
Here are some of the things we do know about Melchizedek:
He worked miracles as a child (JST Gen. 14:26)
He received the priesthood through the lineage of his fathers (D&C 84:14)
He was a priest of the Most High God (Gen. 14:18; Heb. 7:1)
He was the king of Salem (Heb. 7:1)
He reigned under his father (Alma 13:18)
Abraham received the priesthood from him (D&C 84:14)
Abraham paid him tithes (Gen. 14:20; Heb. 7:4)
He offered bread and wine to Abraham and blessed him (Gen. 14:17-20)
Paul considered him greater than Abraham (Heb. 7:4-7)
Was called the Prince of peace, or King of peace (JST Gen. 14:33; 36)
Helped convert his people from great wickedness to righteousness (Alma 13:17-19)
His people were translated to the City of Enoch (JST Gen. 14:34)
The higher priesthood was named after him because he was such a “great High Priest” (D&C 107:1-4)
Many have attempted to identify him with Shem, of whom little is heard after exiting from the ark. This is strengthened by the statement in Joseph F. Smith’s Vision of the Redemption of the Dead, where he recounts seeing, “Shem, the great high priest…,: (D&C 138:41). But others have pointed to D&C 84:14, where we read that Melichizedek received the priesthood , “through the lineage of his fathers, even till Noah,” as evidence that there were multiple generations separating Noah and Melchizedek. However, this could also be read as a descending statement (Adam to Noah), as opposed to an ascending statement (Melchizedek to Noah).
Whatever the case, we do not know for certain who the man Melchizedek may have been, which makes the statement in Alma 13:19 especially puzzling:
Now, there were many before him, and also there were many afterwards, but none were greater; therefore of him they have more particularly made mention.
Obviously, this is not the case, at least in the scriptures that we currently have at our disposal. The thought crossed my mind once that perhaps at one time Melchizedek may have been widely known and revered, but perhaps when the determination was made to name the higher priesthood after him, the Lord made it known that details concerning the man Melchizedek would be hidden for a period of time, so as not to detract from the sacredness of the Holy Priesthood after the Order of the Son of God, now known as the Melchizedek Priesthood.
Just a thought.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
LESSON 7 - The Abrahamic Covenant
Abraham 1
1 In the land of the Chaldeans, at the residence of my fathers, I, Abraham saw that it was needful for me to obtain another place of residence;
2 And, finding there was greater happiness and peace and rest for me, I sought for the blessings of the fathers, and the right whereunto I should be ordained to administer the same; having been myself a follower of righteousness, desiring also to be one who possessed great knowledge, and to be a greater follower of righteousness, and to possess a greater knowledge, and to be a father of many nations, a prince of peace, and desiring to receive instructions, and to keep the commandments of God, I became a rightful heir, a High Priest, holding the right belonging to the fathers.
3 It was conferred upon me from the fathers; it came down from the fathers, from the beginning of time, yea, even from the beginning, or before the foundation of the earth, down to the present time, even the right of the firstborn, or the first man, who is Adam, or first father, through the fathers unto me.
4 I sought for mine appointment unto the Priesthood according to the appointment of God unto the fathers concerning the seed.
This passage makes it appear that it is was likely in Chaldea, or at least during the period of his residence there, that Abraham met with Melchizedek and received from him the High Priesthood (D&C 84:14). This was the first great covenant entered into by Abraham, and was a necessary precursor to that which we commonly refer to as “The Abrahamic Covenant.” By first receiving the priesthood and exercising righteousness, Abraham made himself worthy to be the “father” of the covenant through which all the nations of the earth will be blessed.
Abraham and his seed understood the significance of this blessing, and that it would most easily by preserved if they continued to marry those who would be willing to accept and assist in the preservation of the covenant. Therefore, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob sought for wives among their own king.
Abraham married his niece, Sarah
Isaac married his first cousin once removed, Rebekah
Jacob married his second cousins once removed, Leah and Rachel
1 In the land of the Chaldeans, at the residence of my fathers, I, Abraham saw that it was needful for me to obtain another place of residence;
2 And, finding there was greater happiness and peace and rest for me, I sought for the blessings of the fathers, and the right whereunto I should be ordained to administer the same; having been myself a follower of righteousness, desiring also to be one who possessed great knowledge, and to be a greater follower of righteousness, and to possess a greater knowledge, and to be a father of many nations, a prince of peace, and desiring to receive instructions, and to keep the commandments of God, I became a rightful heir, a High Priest, holding the right belonging to the fathers.
3 It was conferred upon me from the fathers; it came down from the fathers, from the beginning of time, yea, even from the beginning, or before the foundation of the earth, down to the present time, even the right of the firstborn, or the first man, who is Adam, or first father, through the fathers unto me.
4 I sought for mine appointment unto the Priesthood according to the appointment of God unto the fathers concerning the seed.
This passage makes it appear that it is was likely in Chaldea, or at least during the period of his residence there, that Abraham met with Melchizedek and received from him the High Priesthood (D&C 84:14). This was the first great covenant entered into by Abraham, and was a necessary precursor to that which we commonly refer to as “The Abrahamic Covenant.” By first receiving the priesthood and exercising righteousness, Abraham made himself worthy to be the “father” of the covenant through which all the nations of the earth will be blessed.
Abraham and his seed understood the significance of this blessing, and that it would most easily by preserved if they continued to marry those who would be willing to accept and assist in the preservation of the covenant. Therefore, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob sought for wives among their own king.
Abraham married his niece, Sarah
Isaac married his first cousin once removed, Rebekah
Jacob married his second cousins once removed, Leah and Rachel
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
LESSON 6 - “Noah … Prepared an Ark to the Saving of His House”
ENOCH
One of my pet theories (NOT even REMOTELY Church doctrine) is that the City of Enoch provides a possible basis for the legend of Atlantis as first recorded by Plato. It was reported that Joseph Smith stated that the City of Enoch was removed together with all the surrounding land, leaving behind what we now know as the Gulf of Mexico. (Waiting for the World’s End: The Diaries of Wilford Woodruff, p. 305)
Such an event would have created a cataclysm that would have been felt far and wide, and as it would have occurred about 3100 BC, it fits fairly nicely into the story told by Plato. (Timaeus 24e–25a)
What is interesting here is that Joseph Smith reportedly stated that when the City of Enoch returns to the earth, it would take up its previous location, the Gulf of Mexico. We know from Latter-day revelation that when the City of Enoch returns it will be joined to the New Jerusalem that is to be built beginning at Independence, Missouri. John also describes the descent of the “holy city” from the heavens and its unification with the New Jerusalem. He then gives the dimensions of the newly created city, and although many of the numbers are meant to be figurative, it is interesting to note that the length and breath of that city as described by John (about 1400 miles), could reach from Independence to the Gulf of Mexico.
NOAH AND THE ANIMALS
There are several early Jewish and Christian traditions that speak of a “holy garment” that was passed from Adam to Seth and on to the other patriarchs. Possession of this garment gave the bearer power, not just in a priesthood sense, but to rule as temporal king as well. It was purportedly this garment which was taken from Noah by Ham and his son as the drunken Noah was sleeping. The garment then passed on to Nimrod (Ham‘s grandson) who ruled as king and attempted the construction of the Tower of Babel. (See, Hugh Nibley. Lehi in the Desert and the World of the Jaredites, pp. 160-162)
Since Adam had this garment in the Garden of Eden, these traditions imbue it with special powers, including the ability to calm and attract animals. They suggest that Noah used the power of this garment to call the animals to the Ark.
CLEAN AND UNLEAN ANIMALS
I have been asked several times about the strange classification of “clean” and “unclean” animals as first mentioned in Genesis 7 in connection with the Ark, and later expanded in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14. The restrictions regarding a split hoof and the “chewing of the cud,” do not make sense to many of us in modern society.
It’s all about health. Specific animal groups (cattle, sheep, deer, goats), were exempted from the restrictions because they are herbivores and less likely to carry disease. The other clean animals were allowed since animals with a split hoof can more easily perspire through their feet, thereby eliminating waste and decreasing the incidence of disease. Animals that “chew the cud,” have improved digestion, and are therefore, healthier. Those animals that are specifically forbidden (rats, lizards, skunks, snakes and weasels, as well as pigs) are excluded because they are predators and scavengers and are more likely to carry parasites.
The permitted seafood was limited to fish with scales and fins. This is because fish with fins could swim against the currents and tides, avoiding the more polluted and infected areas of water. The scales also serve as a protective barrier to pollution.
LOGISTICS OF THE ARK
Some modern theologians have calculated that the square footage of the Ark would have allowed for the housing of some 16,000 animals. Under normal circumstances, these animals would have created some 12 tons of waste each day, but this could have been handled by using slatted floors where the waste would make its way to a smaller enclosure below the floor of the pens. The movement of the ship would have allowed for the regular release of methane and other gases, and some sort of disposal slip could have been designed as well.
The real problem would have been the storage of enough feed for these animals during their year-long confinement. Of course, their need for food would have been much reduced due to their slower metabolic rate during confinement (thereby also reducing the amount of waste), but still, if we allow a daily ration of 2 ounces of food per animal, the total for 365 days would be some 730,000 pounds. Perhaps the Lord provided manna-like rations for the sea voyage?
One of my pet theories (NOT even REMOTELY Church doctrine) is that the City of Enoch provides a possible basis for the legend of Atlantis as first recorded by Plato. It was reported that Joseph Smith stated that the City of Enoch was removed together with all the surrounding land, leaving behind what we now know as the Gulf of Mexico. (Waiting for the World’s End: The Diaries of Wilford Woodruff, p. 305)
Such an event would have created a cataclysm that would have been felt far and wide, and as it would have occurred about 3100 BC, it fits fairly nicely into the story told by Plato. (Timaeus 24e–25a)
What is interesting here is that Joseph Smith reportedly stated that when the City of Enoch returns to the earth, it would take up its previous location, the Gulf of Mexico. We know from Latter-day revelation that when the City of Enoch returns it will be joined to the New Jerusalem that is to be built beginning at Independence, Missouri. John also describes the descent of the “holy city” from the heavens and its unification with the New Jerusalem. He then gives the dimensions of the newly created city, and although many of the numbers are meant to be figurative, it is interesting to note that the length and breath of that city as described by John (about 1400 miles), could reach from Independence to the Gulf of Mexico.
NOAH AND THE ANIMALS
There are several early Jewish and Christian traditions that speak of a “holy garment” that was passed from Adam to Seth and on to the other patriarchs. Possession of this garment gave the bearer power, not just in a priesthood sense, but to rule as temporal king as well. It was purportedly this garment which was taken from Noah by Ham and his son as the drunken Noah was sleeping. The garment then passed on to Nimrod (Ham‘s grandson) who ruled as king and attempted the construction of the Tower of Babel. (See, Hugh Nibley. Lehi in the Desert and the World of the Jaredites, pp. 160-162)
Since Adam had this garment in the Garden of Eden, these traditions imbue it with special powers, including the ability to calm and attract animals. They suggest that Noah used the power of this garment to call the animals to the Ark.
CLEAN AND UNLEAN ANIMALS
I have been asked several times about the strange classification of “clean” and “unclean” animals as first mentioned in Genesis 7 in connection with the Ark, and later expanded in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14. The restrictions regarding a split hoof and the “chewing of the cud,” do not make sense to many of us in modern society.
It’s all about health. Specific animal groups (cattle, sheep, deer, goats), were exempted from the restrictions because they are herbivores and less likely to carry disease. The other clean animals were allowed since animals with a split hoof can more easily perspire through their feet, thereby eliminating waste and decreasing the incidence of disease. Animals that “chew the cud,” have improved digestion, and are therefore, healthier. Those animals that are specifically forbidden (rats, lizards, skunks, snakes and weasels, as well as pigs) are excluded because they are predators and scavengers and are more likely to carry parasites.
The permitted seafood was limited to fish with scales and fins. This is because fish with fins could swim against the currents and tides, avoiding the more polluted and infected areas of water. The scales also serve as a protective barrier to pollution.
LOGISTICS OF THE ARK
Some modern theologians have calculated that the square footage of the Ark would have allowed for the housing of some 16,000 animals. Under normal circumstances, these animals would have created some 12 tons of waste each day, but this could have been handled by using slatted floors where the waste would make its way to a smaller enclosure below the floor of the pens. The movement of the ship would have allowed for the regular release of methane and other gases, and some sort of disposal slip could have been designed as well.
The real problem would have been the storage of enough feed for these animals during their year-long confinement. Of course, their need for food would have been much reduced due to their slower metabolic rate during confinement (thereby also reducing the amount of waste), but still, if we allow a daily ration of 2 ounces of food per animal, the total for 365 days would be some 730,000 pounds. Perhaps the Lord provided manna-like rations for the sea voyage?
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