Truth Against Error: Introduction Part 1

“Yea, I have always remembered the captivity of my fathers; and that same God who delivered them out of the hands of the Egyptians did deliver them out of bondage.”

(Alma 29:12)

The Prophets of The Book of Mormon seemed almost obsessed with the theme of captivity and deliverance. Why do we get the same motif of Moses leaving Egypt over and over? The scriptures are replete with types and shadows. What we should notice about the above verse is that it refers to two bondages; one was under the hand of Pharaoh, the other was a spiritual bondage under the yoke of the one who temporarily reigns over this earth.

We have been taught that The Book of Mormon contains the fullness of the gospel. As a child, I wondered what that meant because I noticed that there were some gospel subjects, which were not covered in that book of scripture. On my mission I learned what that statement means. Nowhere is the atonement better explained and therein lies the fullness. In the Bible, before accomplishing the atonement, Christ said, “Be ye therefore perfect even as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect.” Shortly thereafter, he urged the Nephites to: “Be ye therefore perfect even as I, or my Father in Heaven is perfect.” The Lord had to complete the atonement before achieving perfection, or completeness. It is very interesting to look up the words complete, full, wholeness and perfection in a Hebrew/English dictionary. The words ‘complete’, ‘wholeness’ and ‘perfection’ translate as shalem, while ‘full’ has the same root, as does the Hebrew greeting, shalom or peace. Peace is one emotion that has no counterfeit.

The Book of Mormon weaves throughout its pages the message of the Three Pillars of the Gospel; which are the ongoing processes of the creation, fall and atonement. It is a message of (1) journeying from their home and establishing a Godly society as close to that enjoyed by Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden as possible, (2) captivity, and (3) deliverance or completion. On a personal level, we can relate those principles to leaving our parents and establishing a family, bringing children down to this fallen estate, and finally, preparing then returning together to our Father.

Since Alma and other Book of Mormon prophets are so often citing the story of Moses and the Children of Israel, let’s take a look at some types and shadows of that story and apply it to us. Moses was a type for Christ, as are all great prophets. Drawn from the boat of rushes, much like the mound of creation was born from the swampy waters of chaos, Moses was an archetype of the Egyptian belief of the first deity coming into existence from the primeval mound. He represented the principle of order out of chaos. Moses was raised in the court of Pharaoh, who was one of a long line of rulers who usurped their authority from Shem.

During a time of great upheaval, Moses led Israel out of Egypt (the world), through the Red Sea (waters of baptism) and into their wilderness experience of endurance. The Red Sea is filled with symbolism, which we can only touch on here. Among the types and shadows there is the symbolism of death and rebirth in the ordinance of baptism and the importance of red in regards to the atonement, being covered by the blood of Christ. In addition, the Hebrew word for ‘red’ also means rush or reed. Remember Moses’ basket or ark. Just as red is the lowest frequency color or base of the color spectrum, anciently it was believed that the reed was the first to emerge from the waters of chaos to form the base of the primordial mound. Closely related in Hebrew are the words; Adam, attached, annexed, and numbered.

Most ancient civilizations taught that temples are the omphalos, the navel of the world. The umbilical cord between Heaven and earth provides the sustenance for those traveling the return path of spiritual rebirth from this fallen state. Navel also is the same as hub as in hub of a wheel in Hebrew.

Now that Israel was reborn through the Red Sea, they were attached to their spiritual Father through the umbilical cord and needed sustenance. Travailing in the desert, the candidates for the Promised Land did not know where to go to receive the bread and waters of life. The Lord provided bread from the dews of Heaven. Through the, soon to be blossoming, rod of Moses, as a palm tree bearing witness of a life-saving oasis, the living waters gushed forth. This ongoing process of development was well portrayed and assisted by the Holy Ark of the Covenant. In Hebrew, ‘ark’ is translated as ‘aaron’, meaning box or coffin. Interestingly, the Egyptian god Osiris is the god of death and rebirth and his coffin is also the womb of his rebirth.

The lid of the ark is called the Kapparah, meaning ‘mercy seat’, which is closely related to the word ‘womb’ in Hebrew, and is from the same root as the word for atonement. The ark marked the path Israel was to follow in the wilderness and finally, led the way into the Promised Land. Arks, or boats are a familiar motif for Mormons; Noah, the Jaredites, Nephi, and the solar boats found in Facsimile 2. They depict our journey through storms (rush, reed; also is related to the word storm or gale in Hebrew) as we seek a new land to organize. The Ark of the Covenant was carried by pallbearers and appeared similar to the ancient solar boats depicted in mythology. Only by following in the path of the God of mercy can we rise from our lost and fallen state, “…Jesus Christ, [is] the only name which shall be given under heaven, whereby salvation shall come unto the children of men…” Moses 6:52. He is the pillar, which connects Heaven and earth, He is the great world Tree of Life with its roots in the earth and its branches in Heaven. We have the witness of the dove, (the sign of the Holy Ghost) that He is that living tree who rose from the waters of chaos to order the creation. That dove bears the olive branch of peace to all who follow the master. The raven is just as happy in a dead tree. Satan rips his scepter from a dead tree, while, according to a number of ancient legends, Adam’s scepter of authority was a gift of a living rod from the tree of life. The legends claim that rod was handed down and came into the possession of Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law.

In this, the dispensation of the fullness of times, Israel is again being called out of the world to lift a standard of truth amidst a myriad of confusing paths. The standard on Ensign hill, Brigham’s staff with Heber’s scarf waving in the breeze like a palm branch, or a handkerchief, gives witness to the world where to come to find the life-sustaining oasis in the wilderness. Isaiah tells us where to find that oasis:

“And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.”

(Isaiah 2:2)

In the temple, through sacred restored ordinances the Savior leads us into the light, but as we struggle upward on Mt. Zion, there will be many counterfeit options offered to us. I am not speaking of other Christian religions, I am referring to counterfeit temple ordinances, which are found in every corner of the world. With the advent of the Internet, there is a wealth of information we can find on sacred subjects, mostly in broken pieces, which are seductive and easily obtained. Great confusion and danger lies in the indiscriminate study of those other paths if one is not prepared, and even then there is much we should leave alone. Although many Internet sites are insightful and valuable, many of them contain evil that perhaps we should leave alone. Isaiah warns us that a covenant people should not pollute themselves even for a few pieces of truth:

“Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord.”

(Isaiah 53: 11)

The Egyptian magicians were expert at mimicking most of Moses’ miracles, but they would have had no answering magic for the lamb’s blood upon the doorposts. Only the Atoning blood of the Lord, coupled with personal sacrifice and obedience has the power to save us from the blood and sins of this generation.

A major difference between the temple ordinances and the counterfeit mysticism is in perspective. We know that all things come from the Father through Christ. Today, the message; “put it out to the universe” is permeating our society and is the opposite of the priesthood. The same concept has existed throughout time. The supplicant begins to worship the creation instead of the creator. Just as Luke in “Star Wars,” people in many spiritual or magic based disciplines are trained to usurp energy from nature and manipulate that force. The word devil means ‘usurper’. He teaches this priesthood counterfeit and every time these teachings become rampant, the balance of nature is disturbed and nature becomes unbalanced upheavals result. It is no coincidence that President Hinckley has been such a builder of temples. It was no coincidence that the Lord needed to get his people out of Egypt to build the tabernacle during a time of widespread natural disasters.

The Navajo Indians have retained many beautiful truths that we can gain from. The following quote underscores our role in keeping the world in balance:

“Failing to observe and imitate this universal order is an infraction of natural law, resulting in mental and physical illness for the individual and their family and will ultimately lead to the world's demise. Maintaining this equilibrium is a religious obligation they must meet by living a life that is in balance and harmonious with creation. Thus, the people who live according to the teachings are not so much concerned with a hereafter, but with the here and now, and with keeping themselves and the world in balance for future generations. They truly believe that if they abandon the practice of their religion the Hopi, the Dine and all the world is in danger of destruction perhaps by fire.”

(Roman Bitsuie)

A large body of the work of Dr. Hugh Nibley concerned this issue of balance and energy. Future articles will address specifics concerning balance and attempt to shed some light on the science behind the principle. We will also take an in depth look at a number of things touched upon in this introduction including; Aaron and the Ark of the Covenant, and the Three Pillars of the Church. The main focus will be on subjects that tie into the temple.

A great temple president told a group I was with in a sealing room that it was the work being done in temples that was keeping greater natural destruction at bay. I suggest we weed out anything that encourages us to put our wishes and desires out to the universe. If we follow that inverse doctrine, I believe we add to the destabilizing forces, and are indeed plugged into the wrong power source and do not have our eye focused on God. As we read in Doctrine and Covenants:

“And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehended all things.”

(D&C 88:67)

Amazing amounts of alternatives, which are counterfeit to the temple ordinances, have crept into our society and are offered today. Many sincere people are blinded by the crafts of men. Some attempt, to their own hurt, to enter by another way and without the proper garment as we read in Matthew:

“And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

(St. Matthew 22: 11-13)

Weekly, through our Fireside Chats, we will carefully and discreetly explore various topics and attempt to shed light on both the true path and warn of the errors of mysticism. In Part II of the Introduction, we will explore the meaning and dangers of mysticism and also discuss whether Latter-Day Saints should study the mysteries.

The process of losing the truth while retaining the mystical ordinances has been repeated throughout history but thanks to Joseph Smith, we know the Latter-Day church will endure, though many individuals will fall away. We are living in the day when all things are being restored, both good and bad. It is both exciting and disconcerting that there is such a wealth of information coming forward at this time. We hope to help in the daunting task of sifting through the chaff to find some wheat. We know we are to seek learning from the best books, how do we apply that to the Internet?

The centerpiece of all our learning should always be Our Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ whose stretched forth hands reach to free the captives from the fall and bring them into the Promised Land. “For behold, this is my work and my glory--to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” Moses 1:39.

The Battle of Heaven continues and is intensifying and we are all needed to assist our Heavenly Father in bringing Order out of Chaos. We are hoping this site will add its small drop of encouragement to enthusiastically live and love the gospel, drink more deeply from the scriptures and gain more from our temple attendance. For as we have been taught, “knowledge is power.” These simple but crucial actions that call us out of Egypt truly do literally help to fight imbalance and chaos, and help prepare the earth for the return of the Savior.