Weekly E-mail Reminder

	HIDDEN LDS/JEWISH INSIGHTS #15 Book of Mormon Gospel Doctrine Supplement by Daniel Rona Weekly E-mail Reminder << Eternally Indebted to Your Heavenly Father >> Mosiah 1 - 3 --------------------------------------------------------------------- (1.) NEPHI/KING BENJAMIN GIVE IDENTICAL KEYS OF UNDERSTANDING: --------------------------------------------------------------------- The opening statements of both give a chiasmus pattern emphasizing the "learning of their Fathers," "Mysteries (spirit) of God," and the "language of the Egyptians." They are indicating that their scriptures are being kept in a different language (Egyptian) than their spoken language (Hebrew). It may just be a possibility that ancient Joseph, reared in Egypt, may have started his family records/scriptures in the Egyptian tongue and it was continued that way by his descendants. --------------------------------------------------------------------- (2.) CHILDREN OF ISRAEL HAVE "HOLY CONVOCATIONS:" --------------------------------------------------------------------- The erection of tents or temporary shelters to listen to a review of their history and be instructed in the prophesies of the future is precisely what the Biblical/Jewish holiday of Sukkot is all about. It is celebrated at the full moon closest to the autumn equinox. One builds a tabernacle, booth, bowery, hut or otherwise what is known as a Sukka. It is always facing toward the temple of Jerusalem. King David’s address to the Israelites, the book of Ecclesiastes, is read during Sukkoth. Similarity of Kings David/Benjamin Teachings include true Kingship, Service, Prosperity, Keeping commandments, God’s sons and daughters. Even the account of King Benjamin’s visit by an angel has similarity to Sukkot with its expectation of heavenly visitors (including David). --------------------------------------------------------------------- (3.) HOLY DAYS WITH "TENTS" OR "HUTS:" --------------------------------------------------------------------- "Sukkot (Hebrew for ‘huts’ or ‘tabernacles’), . . . falls in September or October. One of its main observances is living temporarily in huts, called sukkot, resembling those in which the Children of Israel dwelt during their forty years in the wilderness after the Exodus from Egypt." "The sukkah is a structure with at least three walls, made of any material. The roof covering, or sekhakh, is usually leafy branches, and these must be arranged so that there is more covered than open space." ". . . Jews construct sukkot in their gardens, on the sidewalks, and on the roofs and balconies of their houses, just as they did at the time of the return from the Babylonian exile . . ." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (4.) FESTIVE DECORATION/MEALS: --------------------------------------------------------------------- "Though the sukkah is only a temporary dwelling for the week . . . it is used as if it were one's permanent home. Thus it is customary to beautify the sukkah with all sorts of decorations, such as hanging fruit from the ceiling, and adorning the walls with paper cut-outs and pictures of festival motifs and biblical scenes. And for the meals eaten there, the family's best china and silverware are used." ". . . Hospitality to the needy, which is always encouraged, is especially praiseworthy during this festival. Indeed, the Children of Israel were divinely protected by ‘clouds of glory’ during their 40-year wanderings in the wilderness, because the Patriarch Abraham had given shelter to three strangers in need." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (5.) EXPECTED HEAVENLY VISITORS: --------------------------------------------------------------------- "When a family performs the mitzvah of the sukkah joyfully, they are said to be visited in the sukkah by seven ‘guests of the festival’ (the ushpizin) who are present in spirit. Each day it is customary to invite and welcome one of these seven guests - Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Aaron and David --- by an appropriate recitation." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (6.) BIBLICAL TIME FOR CONFERENCE: --------------------------------------------------------------------- In the Bible we read of holy convocations in the Spring and in Autumn, (Passover and Sukkot). King Benjamin wanted this particular holy convocation to be heard and experienced by all, so he built a tower and had the words written and distributed throughout the people. Latter-day Saints have holy convocations in the spring and in autumn (general conferences). The modern day prophets use the broadcasting antenna towers and the written word to bring the messages to all the people. --------------------------------------------------------------------- (7.) SERVICE IS GODLY: --------------------------------------------------------------------- King Benjamin’s sermon also reminds us how the Children of Israel compromised with God’s word, preferring a standard of explicit do’s and do not’s rather than relying on the spirit to guide them. They may have preferred to remain in a "slave mentality" rather than "serve each other" as prompted by the mystery (spirit) of God. One of the timeless messages (and personal examples) of King Benjamin is about service. He repeats the legacy given to his forefathers by Joseph in Egypt who simply decided to be the best slave and became a servant instead. He learned the Savior’s lesson, "Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted." (Matthew 23:10-12)
	CLICK HERE FOR MAIN MENU

HOLY LANDS REVEALED
6589 South 1300 East, Suite 150, Salt Lake City, Utah 84121
(800/801) 272-RONA (7662)
Fax 801-278-4821
EMAIL 
info@israelrona.com

WEBSITE
www.holylandsrevealed.com

Photographs © Copyright 2008 Don O. Thorpe