Water: Communion Cup/Chalice
“This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.” -1 Corinthians 11:25 KJV
Vav Hei Vav
“But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.” -Psalms 3:3
This first Name of God can be used as a teshuvah meditation. It is used in this manner to look into and correct the past. Vav Hei Vav is a mantra for meditation that can protect us from shame as Christ’s Grace erases our embarrassment, confusion, and instability brought by sin. It emphasizes on the correction of past errors and helps assist us return to control. Using this mantras indicates remorse.
Earth: Panticle/Communion Plate
“And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.” -Luke 24:30 KJV
Teshuvah: The Restoration
The restoration or mercy is the healing portion of Teshuvah. This has two parts. First, it completes the Return healing us, and second it heals us when we have been spiritually harmed by others.
Teshuvah: The Return
“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid; for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also has become my salvation.” -Isaiah 12:2 KJV, 2 Nephi 9:133 RAV, 22:2 OPV
We have traveled through Keter, being Born Again. Next is Gevurah, Hebrew for “strength.” This is the fifth Sephirah in the Tree of Life. It is below Da’at, across from Chesed, and above Hod. Gevurah is the essence of Din (Arabic, “way of life”), or judgment, and limitation. And, it is fire. It represents the Left Hand of God; the Holy Spirit. It’s fire will cleanse us and prefect us. Or, it will condemn us and destroy us if we do not allow it to use Christ’s Grace to perfect us.
Air: Rod of Aaron
“The rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds.” -Numbers 17:8b KJV
What is the Priesthood?
“Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” -1 Peter 2:5
I received a very long, but well thought out set of questions from a seeker. To summarize, they wanted to know what the priesthood is, how it works (is it “magic”), why women can or cannot receive it, and what its limits are. We’ve already spoken on women and the priesthood. And, we’ve touched upon the priesthood generally as well. Let’s dig a little deeper.
Air, Earth, Water, and Fire
“And it came to pass after I had prayed unto the Lord, I beheld a large and spacious field. And it came to pass that I beheld a tree, whose fruit was desirable to make one happy.” -1 Nephi 2:48-49 RAV, 8:9-10 OPV
Before we go any further into Teshuvah, we need to go over some more advanced information. We’re going to dive into the Mormon Kabbalah’s Tree of Life, and the elements, and introduce some of the Sephirot. While the Godhead or Trinity, however one sees Him or Them, are all one in purpose, They are still divided as to Their roles and how we understand Them. We need to understand these differences before we move any further.
Teshuvah: Born Again
“Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God.” -Isaiah 62:3
Hebrew for “Crown,” Keter is the topmost of the Tree of Life. It is the highest Sephirot above and between Da’at (knowledge) and Chokmah (wisdom). “It is the principle of all principles, the hidden Wisdom, the Crown which the Highest of the high, and by which all crowns and diadems are crowned” (Zohar 7:p.146).
Teshuvah: The Gospel of Jesus Christ
“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” -Mark 1:15
Teshuvah is a Hebrew word translated in the Bible as “commandment“ or “repentance.” However, it’s true meaning is “return,” as in one returning to their original state. We use the term Teshuvah in Mormon Kabbalah for a few reasons. The main reason is because we are not leaving our old lives or old paths when we set Ego aside for something new. Rather, we are returning to the path we were already on.
What is Mormon Kabbalah?
“O all ye that are pure in heart, lift up your heads, and receive the pleasing Word of God, and feast upon his love; for ye may, if your minds are firm forever.” -Jacob 2:50 RAV, 3:2 OPV
Mormon Kabbalah isn’t really new. Joseph Smith’s magical world views were based on folk magic, Hermetics, and Kabbalah. As the religion progressed, forked, and grew, the new denominations that were birthed from the death of the original church forged new paths with new teachings and understandings.
Chokhmah
“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy; blessed are all they who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” –Book of the Law of the Lord 1:3/3 Nephi 5:57 RAV, 12:10 OPV
The 10 Sefirot (Hebrew for “emanations”) are the 10 attributes of God in Kabbalah, through which Ein Sof (the Everlasting name of God) reveals Himself/Themselves to humankind. There are a few different ways of using the Sefirot. Some Kabbalists study and grow from attribute to attribute, while others see them as an urim and thummim. As an urim and thummim, the right and left sides create a series of “lenses” for the natural eyes, while the center creates a series of “lenses” for the third or spiritual eye. Through this urim and thummim, God helps us see both the physical realm and the chain of higher metaphysical realms.