Genesis 39
9 There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?
Here we have Joseph, son of Jacob (Israel). He is being confronted by Potiphar's wife. She was trying to seduce Joseph and commit adultery with him. In the seventh verse Potphar (Potiphar was an officer of Pharaoh, and a captain of the guard) is stated as being Joseph's master. This lends us to understand that Joseph was a servant, a very trusted servant, but still he was considered Potiphar's property.
Joseph must have understood the place that Potiphar's wife put him in. Either he consents, and risks being found out, and as Joseph states, "[sins] against God," or he runs from this evil temptress. Who will undoubtedly be extremely mad that she has been rejected by her property.
As one may know from reading on; Joseph chooses to run, being the great man that he is. He is then put into prison, but is then blessed of God, and given an even greater position.
We must learn to follow Joseph's example. That through obedience to the laws of God can we be blessed beyond measure. Joseph was sold into slavery by his own brothers, yet through his obedience, and gifts, we he able to attain a mighty position of power. He is the ultimate rags to riches story. However, let us be clear in our understanding that although Joseph's blessings are very much physical (wealth) many of God's blessings to us are not, and we should be paying attention to the spiritual blessings as well as the physical ones.
Monday, February 24, 2014
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Genesis 2:24
Genesis 2
24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
This verse is interesting because it speaks to the dynamics for the family unit. A son is always a son to his parents. However, when it is time to take a wife, he must become a man. Unfortunately, this man will always be seen as a boy to his parents. So the Lord seems to be explaining that the man and his wife must hold fast (cleave) to each other in order, and not to the parents, or in-laws.
As discussed previously Zion is made up of those that are of one mind and one heart. The Lord appears to be explaining that the man and the woman must be a Zion. In cleaving to each other they are of one mind and one heart, but in marriage there is added union of flesh, and only in the act of truly 'knowing' the other are children brought into this world.
24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
This verse is interesting because it speaks to the dynamics for the family unit. A son is always a son to his parents. However, when it is time to take a wife, he must become a man. Unfortunately, this man will always be seen as a boy to his parents. So the Lord seems to be explaining that the man and his wife must hold fast (cleave) to each other in order, and not to the parents, or in-laws.
As discussed previously Zion is made up of those that are of one mind and one heart. The Lord appears to be explaining that the man and the woman must be a Zion. In cleaving to each other they are of one mind and one heart, but in marriage there is added union of flesh, and only in the act of truly 'knowing' the other are children brought into this world.
Monday, February 17, 2014
Abraham 3: 22-23
Abraham 3
22 Now the Lord had shown unto me, Abraham, the intelligences that were organized before the world was; and among all these there were many of the noble and great ones;
23 And God saw these souls that they were good, and he stood in the midst of them, and he said: These I will make my rulers; for he stood among those that were spirits, and he saw that they were good; and he said unto me: Abraham, thou art one of them; thou wast chosen before thou wast born.
This scripture is one of my favorites. Mainly because it is very deep. Today, I will do my best to give a good understanding, however, and that is a big however, these verses are a perfect example of a real need for personal revelation to understand what the Lord is really trying to teach by allowing us to have these scriptures, and not simply take it from someone else.
As we read the first verse we come across an interesting statement, "the intelligences that were organized." Joseph Smith taught that the spirit of man can not be created (Teaching of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 160), and we learn from Doctrine and Covenants 93:29, that intelligence, or light and truth, was in the beginning with God. So we can infer that these intelligences that were many of the noble and great ones were the spirits, or organized intelligences. This is a perfect example of what I mean by deep doctrine. We are talking about what the very building blocks of our spirits are. That to me is very deep, primarily because it leaves the foundational beliefs and leaves us to ask God if it is true, on the faith that we will receive an answer.
In the next paragraph we are give a diagram, and I will do my best to illustrate that for you, where brackets are my added words to help us along:
And God saw that these [the noble and great ones] that they were good [from the Hebrew tov ( מזל ) which would be the same context as the creation, so I infer its use here, actually means functional in Hebrew, so these noble and great ones were 'ready'], and he stood in the midst of them [noble and great ones], and he said: These [noble and great ones] I will make my rulers; for he stood in the among those that were spirits [here is were I really need a diagram to show, but picture the Target logo. There in the middle is God, and the first ring are the noble and great ones, who he is in the midst of. Then the outer right includes all the other spirits, or all hos other children, who he was among.], and he saw that they [the rest of the spirits] were good [prepared]; and he said unto me: Abraham, thou art one of them [the noble and great ones, the Lord would have said 'these' if he was talking about the rest]; thou wast chosen before thou wast born.
With all that said, and I hope it was clear we can see several truths. First, although all are loved by God, not all were/are equal in preparation for this world. The noble and great ones were prepared before the other spirits, and even more, they were chosen for the ruling in this life. Since we live in a world that is all about the populace choosing leaders, I feel it is near impossible for us to understand what it is to be chosen to rule by our Lord. Additionally, I feel that the inclusion of the word 'many' lets us know that upon being a noble and great one, and knowing that in the last days there will be those in this group that will fall, there are those that are prepared to step in and continue the Lord's work.
As I conclude, I have to ask myself, what did I promise to fulfill during my time here? Am I a noble and great one? And, am I fulfilling that for which God chose me to do?
22 Now the Lord had shown unto me, Abraham, the intelligences that were organized before the world was; and among all these there were many of the noble and great ones;
23 And God saw these souls that they were good, and he stood in the midst of them, and he said: These I will make my rulers; for he stood among those that were spirits, and he saw that they were good; and he said unto me: Abraham, thou art one of them; thou wast chosen before thou wast born.
This scripture is one of my favorites. Mainly because it is very deep. Today, I will do my best to give a good understanding, however, and that is a big however, these verses are a perfect example of a real need for personal revelation to understand what the Lord is really trying to teach by allowing us to have these scriptures, and not simply take it from someone else.
As we read the first verse we come across an interesting statement, "the intelligences that were organized." Joseph Smith taught that the spirit of man can not be created (Teaching of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 160), and we learn from Doctrine and Covenants 93:29, that intelligence, or light and truth, was in the beginning with God. So we can infer that these intelligences that were many of the noble and great ones were the spirits, or organized intelligences. This is a perfect example of what I mean by deep doctrine. We are talking about what the very building blocks of our spirits are. That to me is very deep, primarily because it leaves the foundational beliefs and leaves us to ask God if it is true, on the faith that we will receive an answer.
In the next paragraph we are give a diagram, and I will do my best to illustrate that for you, where brackets are my added words to help us along:
And God saw that these [the noble and great ones] that they were good [from the Hebrew tov ( מזל ) which would be the same context as the creation, so I infer its use here, actually means functional in Hebrew, so these noble and great ones were 'ready'], and he stood in the midst of them [noble and great ones], and he said: These [noble and great ones] I will make my rulers; for he stood in the among those that were spirits [here is were I really need a diagram to show, but picture the Target logo. There in the middle is God, and the first ring are the noble and great ones, who he is in the midst of. Then the outer right includes all the other spirits, or all hos other children, who he was among.], and he saw that they [the rest of the spirits] were good [prepared]; and he said unto me: Abraham, thou art one of them [the noble and great ones, the Lord would have said 'these' if he was talking about the rest]; thou wast chosen before thou wast born.
With all that said, and I hope it was clear we can see several truths. First, although all are loved by God, not all were/are equal in preparation for this world. The noble and great ones were prepared before the other spirits, and even more, they were chosen for the ruling in this life. Since we live in a world that is all about the populace choosing leaders, I feel it is near impossible for us to understand what it is to be chosen to rule by our Lord. Additionally, I feel that the inclusion of the word 'many' lets us know that upon being a noble and great one, and knowing that in the last days there will be those in this group that will fall, there are those that are prepared to step in and continue the Lord's work.
As I conclude, I have to ask myself, what did I promise to fulfill during my time here? Am I a noble and great one? And, am I fulfilling that for which God chose me to do?
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Moses 7:19
Moses 7
19 And Enoch continued his preaching in righteousness unto the people of God. And it came to pass in his days, that he built a city that was called the City of Holiness, even Zion.
Enoch is listed as the 7th generation given from Adam (including Adam). That alone would have indicated to the Jews that Enoch was special. We learn in revealed scripture that Enoch was a most amazing prophet. Although he started out not sure of himself and his ability to preach, he became, perhaps, the most successful missionary ever. For Enoch, nor his city did not die, but were taken up into heaven (translated). (Gen.5: 23-24). His city attained Zion, which is defined in the previous verse (Moses 7:18) as those "who are of one heart and one mind."
We can thus see what it is that we need to try to attain to in this life. Verse 18 further elaborated in that Zion are those that dwell in righteousness, and therefore there will be no poor among them. Many, including myself, have mistaken this comment about poor as to pertain to monetary wealth. However, to God all things are spiritual (Doctrine and Covenants 29:29-35). So, for there to be no poor spiritually, all lived according God's decree, and were continually blessed for it. This is a beautiful outline to what we should be striving for, and even gives a possible reward (no death) for those that can attain it. Yet, it must be understood that death is also a lesson, and whatever that lesson is, it is needed by a huge majority of God's children.
19 And Enoch continued his preaching in righteousness unto the people of God. And it came to pass in his days, that he built a city that was called the City of Holiness, even Zion.
Enoch is listed as the 7th generation given from Adam (including Adam). That alone would have indicated to the Jews that Enoch was special. We learn in revealed scripture that Enoch was a most amazing prophet. Although he started out not sure of himself and his ability to preach, he became, perhaps, the most successful missionary ever. For Enoch, nor his city did not die, but were taken up into heaven (translated). (Gen.5: 23-24). His city attained Zion, which is defined in the previous verse (Moses 7:18) as those "who are of one heart and one mind."
We can thus see what it is that we need to try to attain to in this life. Verse 18 further elaborated in that Zion are those that dwell in righteousness, and therefore there will be no poor among them. Many, including myself, have mistaken this comment about poor as to pertain to monetary wealth. However, to God all things are spiritual (Doctrine and Covenants 29:29-35). So, for there to be no poor spiritually, all lived according God's decree, and were continually blessed for it. This is a beautiful outline to what we should be striving for, and even gives a possible reward (no death) for those that can attain it. Yet, it must be understood that death is also a lesson, and whatever that lesson is, it is needed by a huge majority of God's children.
Friday, February 14, 2014
Moses 1:39
Disclaimer:
As I am beginning again at trying to work through these scriptures and bring a greater understanding to myself, as well as any who wish to follow. I must expressly exclaim these are my thoughts and are not office doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. With that having been said, let us commence.
Moses 1
39 For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.
As I am beginning again at trying to work through these scriptures and bring a greater understanding to myself, as well as any who wish to follow. I must expressly exclaim these are my thoughts and are not office doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. With that having been said, let us commence.
Moses 1
39 For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.
Here we have what might be one of the greatest scriptures in revealed religion. For, in this simple verse, the Lord has very bluntly told us why we are here and how important it is for Him. In the first half of the verse we are give two words of importance: work, glory. So as to understand this at the most basic of levels, lets define these words. These definitions are taken from the Oxford Dictionary:
Work:
activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a purpose or result
Work:
activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a purpose or result
Glory:
high renown or honor won by notable achievements
So the Lord preparing to tell us what it is that He is employed (one might add 'full-time') in doing, and for the purpose of gaining honor (which we will know from future posts, is then deferred to the Father). The Lord then states that it is through the immortality and eternal life of man, that glory is gained. As He has died and resurrected, the immortality part has been paid. However, in order for man[kind] to gain eternal life, there must be a struggle throughout the life of the individual. So, if we must work continuously on our salvation (eternal life) the Lord too must work continuously.
Too often it seems that we hear about the Atonement, and feel that it is done. period. However, this verse clearly outlines that the Lord's whole existence, his whole job (work), is us.
Too often it seems that we hear about the Atonement, and feel that it is done. period. However, this verse clearly outlines that the Lord's whole existence, his whole job (work), is us.
Monday, February 10, 2014
Getting Back into It
I started this blog a long long time ago, and I even forgot completely about it. Yet, after much contemplation I have come to the conclusion to continue on in it. So here is the list that I talked about 'In the Beginning.'
Old Testament
Moses 1:39 (Pearl of Great Price: LDS cannon)
Moses 7:18 (Pearl of Great Price: LDS cannon)
Abraham 3:22-23 (Pearl of Great Price: LDS cannon)
Genesis 1:26-27
Genesis 2:24
Genesis 39:9
Exodus 19:5-6
Exodus 20:3-17
Joshua 24:15
1 Samuel 16:7
Psalm 24:3-4
Psalm 119:105
Psalm 127:3
Proverbs 3:5-6
Isaiah 1:18
Isaiah 5:20
Isaiah 29:13-14
Isaiah 53:3-5
Isaiah 58:6-7
Isaiah 58:13-14
Jeremiah 1:4-5
Ezekiel 37:15-17
Amos 3:7
Malachi 3:8-10
Malachi 4:5-6
I will begin, again, but I will skip the passage I have already talked about. I find it interesting to come back to this as give it another go. It is my goal that through this new endeavor I will gain a greater scriptural understanding and a testimony thoroughly founded in the scriptures. I hope you enjoy this journey with me.
Old Testament
Moses 1:39 (Pearl of Great Price: LDS cannon)
Moses 7:18 (Pearl of Great Price: LDS cannon)
Abraham 3:22-23 (Pearl of Great Price: LDS cannon)
Genesis 1:26-27
Genesis 2:24
Genesis 39:9
Exodus 19:5-6
Exodus 20:3-17
Joshua 24:15
1 Samuel 16:7
Psalm 24:3-4
Psalm 119:105
Psalm 127:3
Proverbs 3:5-6
Isaiah 1:18
Isaiah 5:20
Isaiah 29:13-14
Isaiah 53:3-5
Isaiah 58:6-7
Isaiah 58:13-14
Jeremiah 1:4-5
Ezekiel 37:15-17
Amos 3:7
Malachi 3:8-10
Malachi 4:5-6
I will begin, again, but I will skip the passage I have already talked about. I find it interesting to come back to this as give it another go. It is my goal that through this new endeavor I will gain a greater scriptural understanding and a testimony thoroughly founded in the scriptures. I hope you enjoy this journey with me.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
The beginning
How to begin has been a question that I really haven't been able to answer....
However, I did come up with an answer. There is a list of scriptures that are given to the youth of my faith to memorize during their high school years. This list is called "scripture mastery." I figure this is as good a place as any to start. So as is appropriate we shall begin with Genesis.
Genesis 1:26-27
26. And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
27. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
So contextually this is the 6th day of creation. The final day of creation, not including the day or rest. We, therefore, as descendants of our first parents have received the some of the same characteristics that they received from God. Namely, our likeness to God, and a responsibility that is in a likeness to His. Something that is constant and beautiful about the Hebrew Bible is the simple yet profound parallels which were loved by the Jewish forefathers, and is indeed found in Hebrew itself. So upon God having dominion over us and that exists, it is not wrong to compare our dominion over this small speck of rock, to that of God's, although His is a bit bigger.
Now, what is it to have dominion over something? Dictionary.com gives us the concepts or rule, authority over, or sphere of influence. Again, this applies as a parallel what God has over everything. So what does that mean for us? How is God ruling, governing, or dealing with His sphere of influence? With these questions brings the questions of who is our God?
And so belief comes into play. I believe in an omni-benevolent, omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent (although this part is harder to explain) God. I also believe this very God knows when and where He should act, and I believe I do not understand the view of life and its purpose as He sees it, so I am not in a place to say when and where He should have done something differently.
As for our dominion, I think history shows us that we have been missing the point. I would argue that dominion also includes watching out for, and nurturing. For in those infantile days of the human families time here on earth, I believe we were shown some very important ideas (e.i. fire, tools, early farming). Additionally, everything on this planet worked together. We, as we have gained knowledge, have taken dominion to imply ravage, raze, or use till it is no good.
On a different note, and to conclude this post, I'd like to talk about the plurality of God. This is given in verse 26, "in our image." I personally believe in three distinct beings as my Godhead, but some believe in the idea of the Trinity. It is not intent to put down, or demean another's beliefs, and this post is for that purpose, even if I personally agree with a comment. If it is demeaning, I will delete it. Back to the scripture: Bible scholars ascribe Genesis to two authors. One use the word Elohim to name God, and so is respectively labelled E. The other used the Tetragrammaton (Hebrew: יהוה), or four-letter name for God, which was first translated (guessed to be) Jehovah, or which is now popularly named Yahweh (also guessed to be). This second writer is called J.
This part of Genesis comes from E, and so it makes perfect sense that God is plural, as the ending to His name is -im, which is a masculine plural ending. Yet even with this in mind, we still can only lean on our beliefs as to what is meant here, and the plurality of deity.
However, I did come up with an answer. There is a list of scriptures that are given to the youth of my faith to memorize during their high school years. This list is called "scripture mastery." I figure this is as good a place as any to start. So as is appropriate we shall begin with Genesis.
Genesis 1:26-27
26. And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
27. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
So contextually this is the 6th day of creation. The final day of creation, not including the day or rest. We, therefore, as descendants of our first parents have received the some of the same characteristics that they received from God. Namely, our likeness to God, and a responsibility that is in a likeness to His. Something that is constant and beautiful about the Hebrew Bible is the simple yet profound parallels which were loved by the Jewish forefathers, and is indeed found in Hebrew itself. So upon God having dominion over us and that exists, it is not wrong to compare our dominion over this small speck of rock, to that of God's, although His is a bit bigger.
Now, what is it to have dominion over something? Dictionary.com gives us the concepts or rule, authority over, or sphere of influence. Again, this applies as a parallel what God has over everything. So what does that mean for us? How is God ruling, governing, or dealing with His sphere of influence? With these questions brings the questions of who is our God?
And so belief comes into play. I believe in an omni-benevolent, omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent (although this part is harder to explain) God. I also believe this very God knows when and where He should act, and I believe I do not understand the view of life and its purpose as He sees it, so I am not in a place to say when and where He should have done something differently.
As for our dominion, I think history shows us that we have been missing the point. I would argue that dominion also includes watching out for, and nurturing. For in those infantile days of the human families time here on earth, I believe we were shown some very important ideas (e.i. fire, tools, early farming). Additionally, everything on this planet worked together. We, as we have gained knowledge, have taken dominion to imply ravage, raze, or use till it is no good.
On a different note, and to conclude this post, I'd like to talk about the plurality of God. This is given in verse 26, "in our image." I personally believe in three distinct beings as my Godhead, but some believe in the idea of the Trinity. It is not intent to put down, or demean another's beliefs, and this post is for that purpose, even if I personally agree with a comment. If it is demeaning, I will delete it. Back to the scripture: Bible scholars ascribe Genesis to two authors. One use the word Elohim to name God, and so is respectively labelled E. The other used the Tetragrammaton (Hebrew: יהוה), or four-letter name for God, which was first translated (guessed to be) Jehovah, or which is now popularly named Yahweh (also guessed to be). This second writer is called J.
This part of Genesis comes from E, and so it makes perfect sense that God is plural, as the ending to His name is -im, which is a masculine plural ending. Yet even with this in mind, we still can only lean on our beliefs as to what is meant here, and the plurality of deity.
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