The Hidden Book of Moses
“Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.” -Luke 16:29 KJV
Of the many great mysteries posed by the bible, the attitude of the Jews toward the Samaritans is not one. Perhaps no other explanation need be sought as to why the proceeding work was not considered for inclusion in the Hebrew Canon of scripture, notwithstanding their having preserved the oldest manuscript of the Torah available for centuries. Had relations been better, we all may have grown up revering the present work. It is therefore a delight to find the diamond that they overlooked.
The People of Israel
In the Latter Day Saint movement, the terms “Zion” and “Israel” come up a lot. Sometimes they are even used interchangeably. But what do these words mean? And what do they have to do with us, today?
The Book of Enoch
The Book of Enoch, or 1 Enoch, is an ancient religious work that was once a part of the Jewish and Christian canons.
Making the Shift from the Church Age to the Kingdom Age
“And these will seek out and teach all those seeking my name, not to build up a kingdom unto men, but unto me; therefore it matereth not if these should join my Fellowship, so long as they find their home in me they are a part of my vineyard and my Church shall be with them as they gather with others in my name.” -Doctrines of the Saints 6b:17-18
We have now entered into the Aquarian age. This also indicates a change in the frequency of our world, just as every cycle indicates. Looking at it from the Latter Day Saint (LDS) point of view and the teachings of the LDS movement in past years has been a focus on being in the telestial realm. This could also be translated as the Piscean age. The point of the LDS faith was to reinforce that we were not ready for anything more then that level of consciousness.
Serving Others
“And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom, that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of your God.” Mosiah 1:49 RAV, 2:17 OPV
In Kabbalah, there is a focus on moving away from Ego towards godly altruism. The essence of not just Mormon Kabbalah, but every form of Kabbalah is “love thy neighbor as thyself,” the second greatest commandment as taught by Jesus (Leviticus 19:18, 33-34). Kabbalist teacher Rav Akiva taught that loving others as we love ourselves is the purpose of all spiritual teachings and the very heart of our spiritual work. Altruism, to the Kabbalist, isn’t just giving, it is serving others; it’s not just a hand out, it is a help up. And, it is more than what we do or what we give, there is a focus on the how and the why as well.
Polygamy and the Saints
“Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” —Genesis 2:24
Editor’s note: This article contains topics of a more sensitive nature discussing sex and sexuality. Reader discretion is advised.
From the moment the Lord called me to start the Fellowship of Christ, one of the questions I have been asked over and over has been marriage. More specifically, polygamy. It took months before we received the first revelation on the topic, and even this felt to me more because people were pushing for it than the Lord saw we were ready for it. Later that same day we were given the second revelation, on how marriage should work in the Fellowship. This too felt premature, as we were not yet in real need of it.
I, Nephi
“I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents, therefore, I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father; and having seen many afflictions in the course of my days–nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days, yea, having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God, therefore, I make a record of my proceedings in my days; yea, I make a record in the language of my father, which consists of the learning of the Jews and the language of the Egyptians. And I know that the record which I make is true; and I make it with mine own hand; and I make it according to my knowledge.” -1 Nephi 1:1-2 RAV, 1:1-3 OPV
Rechilus
Slander, gossip, talebearer; these are all types of lashon hara (Hebrew: “evil speak”) that fall under the sin of rechilus. The word rechilus comes from the root “rachil,” Hebrew for “a peddler.” This is because a rechilus act is just that: peddling gossip, or ill will towards another.
White Pen
One of my friends (a crazy, energetic girl who showed me what living for Christ really meant) used to have this little, interesting thing she did. There were many fascinating sides of the world she helped me see, and what I am about to tell you was just beautiful. She told me that she always wanted to focus on the optimistic, inspiring parts of the Bible but not take away or ignore the Bible as a whole, because―you know―God is perfect and shouldn’t be subtracted from.
The Holy Bible
“And what thank they the Jews for the Bible which they receive from them? . . . Do [the Gentiles] remember the travails, and the labors, and the pains of the Jews, and their diligence unto me, in bringing forth salvation unto the Gentiles?” – 2 Nephi 12:27-29 RAV, 29:4b-d OPV
The Holy Bible is a collection of the oldest of God’s words to mankind. It consists of the writings of the ancient Jews, including the Christian Jews that followed Christ and their message to the gentiles. “Bible” is a plural Greek word meaning “Books.”
The Word Explaining
I read The Book of Remembrance three times now, and I have to say that it’s wrong. But, it’s not wrong in the way you might assume.
The Four Levels of Pardes
Pardes is like climbing Jacob’s ladder. An extended meaning never contradicts the base meaning, but rather expand our understanding.