For their attempts to unite in love had begun by oath and covenant with the fathers before them in their Holy rites in their ages past; and they did perform these rites, believing in the God of their salvation for the purpose of drawing them together eternally. And because they were willing to do this by oath and covenant, going through the performance of union until the love of God did bind them together eternally.” -Writings of Moroni 11:4-6 [11:2b-d]
Tsohar is a collection of revelations, translations, and other divine writings from the Latter Day Saint movement. Some Rabbis believe the Hebrew word “Tzohar” as used in Genesis 6:16, describes a precious stone in Noah’s ark that emitted light. This word can also mean “light, noon, or window,” making it a fitting title for this collection. Tsohar presents itself as a continuation of the Holy Bible and the Book of Mormon, but cautions that its books should not always be taken literally. It acknowledges that these texts are compiled by humans and, like all scripture, should be read prayerfully for personal revelation.
The Library
The books in this small library are:
- The Book of Remembrance
- The Book of Enoch
- The Book of Melchizedek (the first 25 chapters)
- The Book of Abraham (the first 5 chapters)
- The Book of the Law of the Lord
- The Visions and Parables of Zenos
- The Declarations of Neum
- The Shulemna
- The Writings of Moroni
Tsohar also provides details about the nature of God, the Sefirot (divine attributes), and the archangels. It places an emphasis on the feminine aspect of God, referring to the Tree of Life in the Book of Remembrance as “the Mother.” It describes rituals and symbols associated with temple worship, including the use of a white stone as a seer stone or Urim and Thummim to see visions and unite mankind with God. I would describe the Tsohar as a collection of sacred writings that provide guidance, teachings, and revelations for the Latter Day Saint movement, with a strong emphasis on love, temple worship, and the feminine divine.
A Book of Love
This collection of books emphasize the importance of love as a central tenet of our religion. The Torah of YHVH is love, and love is the key to understanding the soul. Love should motivate all actions, including the giving of offerings. Love is seen as the path to perfection and fulfillment of the Torah. How do we express this love? One way these books offers us is remembering the holy days that should be celebrated, including Rosh Chodesh (Sabbath of the New Moon), Yom Teruah, Sukkot, Harah Keseh (Sabbath of the Pregnant Moon), Passover, Easter, Shavuot, and Pentecost. These are times when we gather as Saints to fellowship and worship as one, remembering God our creator and this, His creation.
Love is the central tenet of the Tsohar and the path to perfection, emphasizing that serving God and others should be motivated by love, not by a desire for reward or recognition. The books encourages readers to emulate Jesus Christ’s love, urging them to love one another so the world will recognize them as God’s people. As Sefer Melchizedek states: “From love, understanding was created by the love and reverence; and a thousand generations come after from that love” (16:42). This passage suggests that love is the foundational energy from which understanding and all subsequent generations arise, further emphasizing its role as a creative and generative force within the universe.
The Multifaceted Presence of Divine Feminine
The Divine Feminine, as taught in Tsohar, is a complex and multifaceted force, intertwined with creation, wisdom, and the very essence of God. She is depicted as an active participant in the divine order, playing a crucial role in guiding humanity towards spiritual enlightenment and reunion with the divine. The Queen of Heaven is presented as an equal partner to the Heavenly Father, and together they form the divine couple responsible for creation. Chapter 16 of the Sefer Melchizedek emphasizes Her role in creation, stating that “Without Asyma, there was no life given them” (27:23). This statement suggests that Asyma is the source of life itself, breathing vitality into the forms created by Elohim. She is depicted as the source of knowledge, understanding, and spiritual insight.
The Shekinah also appears frequently throughout the sources, representing the immanent presence of God on Earth. Chapter 32 of the Book of Remembrance describes the Shekinah as the Tree of Life at the center of the Church (30:18). This idea seems to connect the Shekinah with spiritual growth and nourishment, suggesting that She provides sustenance and guidance to those seeking divine wisdom. Neum reinforces this connection, portraying the Shekinah as a source of comfort and healing. Neum, the Oracle, yearns to stand in Her Presence, to rest her wounds in the healing power of Her flowing waters (6:14). The Shekinah is shown to experience suffering and pain alongside humanity, mirroring the trials and tribulations of her children (Zenos 3:22-23). This imagery emphasizes the Shekinah’s deep connection to the human experience and her shared journey towards redemption.
The Book of Remembrance laments the tendency to hide the divine Mother from her creation (32:8-12). This passage critiques the patriarchal interpretations of scripture that have sought to diminish or obscure the role of the divine feminine. Tsohar ultimately emphasizes the need for balance between the divine masculine and feminine to achieve true spiritual wholeness and restore the divine order on Earth.
Teaching Teshuvah
Teshuvah (repentance) and unity are essential for understanding the divine plan of redemption and achieving unity with God. The books in the Tsohar describe the light of Christ shining through the darkness of human probation, enabling rebirth and the presence of the Holy Spirit. They introduce the concept of two types of light: the pure light of YHVH (God) used in creation and the light of Christ radiating through those reborn in His name. It contrasts these with the deceptive illusions of the world, including those presented by Lucifer and Lilith in some books and by Zaiton in others.
The texts emphasize the importance of righteousness, overcoming the paths of violence, and the eventual judgment of the wicked. The book explores the Keys of Knowledge and Wisdom, symbolic representations of divine principles and their application to human life, urging readers to seek understanding through these keys. Tsohar repeatedly stresses the importance of overcoming egoism, pride, and the temptations of the material world, which is associated with darkness and death. It encourages readers to seek wisdom, knowledge, mercy, and strength to gain understanding and overcome the illusions of the world. The book ultimately guides readers towards a spiritual awakening and the realization of their divine potential, leading them back to a state of unity with God.
A Book of Covenants
The overarching message of Tsohar is a call for humanity to return to a state of divine unity with God and each other, akin to the Garden of Eden, through love, obedience to the Torah, and embracing the restorative power of Jesus Christ. These books emphasizes that the everlasting kingdom of God is established, where God’s law will be upheld until it brings everlasting righteousness to the faithful. The Endowment is discussed as a ritual of dedication to a life of service to God, involving sacred obligations.
In the Book of Remembrance, Adam and Eve receive a series of covenants after being expelled from the Garden of Eden. These include the Law of Sacrifice, Law of the Gospel, and Law of Consecration. These covenants represent their commitment to serving God and seeking redemption. Chapter 39 of the Book of the Law of the Lord mentions the eternal covenant that all who seek light shall find it, and the “beloved of God will be saved. This covenant speaks to the promise of salvation for those who seek divine enlightenment. Throughout the sources, the importance of obeying God’s commandments and living righteously is repeatedly emphasized. This obedience is presented as a form of covenant, where individuals commit to aligning their lives with divine will.
