“I Will Tell You in Your
Mind and in Your Heart,
by the Holy Ghost”
 

God’s Spirit in Prophecy and Good Deeds:

“Ruah ha-Kodesh [holy spirit] is often used as a synonym for prophecy. However, according to some rabbis, unlike prophecy, there are some types of ruah ha-kodesh which also can be attained by doing good deeds.” (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)

How to Recognize the Messiah: The key to recognizing the Messiah and the true meaning of his life and those who testified of Him is the SPIRIT. As mentioned, the word for spirit in Hebrew is Ruach Elohim, the breath–the wind of God. Moses knew that gift well and desired that everyone would have it. “. . . Would God that all the LORD'S people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them!” (Numbers 11:29)

God’s Spirit is a Gift, Pentecost: There are some people who do not have that gift yet, and those who do must exercise patience and love because eventually more will get that gift and be very happy. The gift of belief comes from God. In the New Testament, the day that Jesus gave His apostles the promised comforter as the gift of the spirit was the Jewish Pentecost. This occurred on the Mount of Olives fifty days after the Passover when Jesus completed the great atonement. In the Biblical calendar, fifty days after Passover is Shavuot, a day to commemorate receiving the “Law of Moses at Mount Sinai,” the Jewish Pentecost.

Jewish Confirmations on “Pentecost:

“In many modern synagogues, the ceremony of confirmation takes place on Shavuot. This is a group ceremony in which the boys and girls of the community who have reached the age of maturity (usually when they are 15 or 16 years old), take a sort of symbolic oath of allegiance to the Torah and Judaism. The custom began with the Reform Movement's efforts to deepen the significance of bar mitzvah and to emphasize the relationship between Shavuot and the study of Torah (scriptures).” (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)

LDS Confirmations: For Latter-day Saints, the procedure of confirmation includes giving the gift of the Holy Ghost. One of its blessings is that of helping us understand the scriptures.

“. . . the Holy Ghost . . . shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” (John 14:26)

Tool of the Spirit, the Urim and Thummim:

“The exact meaning of the words ‘Urim’ and ‘Thummim’ have puzzled scholars over the generations. Both in the Greek and Latin translations of the Bible they were rendered as ‘revelation and truth’ or ‘teaching and truth’ and this understanding gave rise to the incorporation of the Hebrew words Urim ve- Thummim on the official seal of Yale University . . .” (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)

Symbols with a Quest for Meaning: Symbols in modern Judaism are also known by non-Jews as The Star of David. “Magen David (‘Shield of David’), the six-pointed star, has become the generally accepted emblem of the Jewish people. Tradition tells us that King David wore a Magen David on his shield, and that King Solomon had the symbol inscribed on his ring in place of the name of God to give him dominion over demons. In spite of its long history, it is however only recently that the Magen David has become an exclusively Jewish symbol.

“During the early Middle Ages, Christians decorated their churches and cathedrals with the Magen David. For Muslims it was a magical sign; in Arabic sources . . .” (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)

What Do Urim and Thummim Look Like? The Magen David is always shown as two triangles, interwoven. One possible explanation is that the two triangles represent a characterization of the Urim and Thummim. According to Joseph Smith, the Urim and Thummim were two triangular stones connected by a silver bow. One pointed up and the other pointed down. Superimposed, they make a fascinating Magen David! According to a John Tvedtnes, now Senior Researcher at FARMS (BYU), the words Urim and Thummim may come from Egyptian words similar to “RMMM” and “TMMM,” one meaning yes or act upon it (positive), the other a more negative meaning (leave it alone). As simple as the most complicated computer, heavenly answers, if we are ready, will be yes or no.

“. . . study it out in your mind; then you must ask me . . .” (Doctrine & Covenants 9:8)

Sometimes Answers Don’t Come When Expected: A parable about a rock wall includes the imagery of a farmer who dragged stones from his field in a row around his property. Later, a worker changes the loose stones into a rock wall each stone supporting itself and the others above, under or around it. At one point the worker reached a place where no stone seemed to fit. He simply left a gap and continued constructing. At the end he had leftover stones that filled the gap!

“. . . line upon line, precept upon precept . . .” (Doctrine and Covenants 98:12) “Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.” (Isaiah 28:14-16.)

Rock Terrace Walls Support the Land:

“In biblical times, Jerusalem was surrounded by thick, green forests of almond, olive and pine trees. But in the course of numerous wars and settlements, much of this lush greenery was destroyed and the soil left to dry out in the summer sun and wash away in the heavy winter rains. From earliest times, farmers have therefore been forced to terrace the ground and build stone fences along the slopes to hold back the soil. This stone terracing is still in evidence all along the Jerusalem landscape.” (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)

Imagery of Stone in the Scriptures: One of the reasons is that the Lord is the “Rock of Salvation.” Our testimony of Him comes with repeated experiences from the “still small voice.” Even the strongest stone wall is made from many smaller ones.
 

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