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HIDDEN
LDS/JEWISH INSIGHTS #21
Book of Mormon Gospel Doctrine Supplement by Daniel Rona
Weekly E-mail Reminder
<< ALMA...DID JUDGE
RIGHTEOUS JUDGEMENTS >>
Mosiah 29; Alma 1–4
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(1.) MODEL GOVERNMENT:
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The
government in this section of the Book of Mormon models a desired modern
governmental system. Anciently, Israelites went from a system of Judges to
Kings, a path of secularism that drew away from God (because they forgot that
kings were to be models of The King of Kings). In this section of The Book of
Mormon, the people went from Kings to Judges.
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(2.) WHO WANTS A
MONARCHY/THEOCRACY?
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Nowadays, the religious Jews, Bahais and Latter-day
Saints anticipate an eventual theocracy. This is in stark contrast to the
secularism and materialism so prevalent in modern society. "In biblical
times . . . the direct relationship between the king and the deity was part of
the natural order." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)
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(3.) ANOTHER KING?
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"The
primary (coronation) feature was the anointing of the king's head with oil by a
priest or prophet, the sign of the divine covenant . . ." "Prophecies
of the future declare that in the ‘end of days’ the kingdom of the Jews will
be returned to a descendant of the House of David." (Encyclopedia
Judaica Jr.) Look at Jer 30:9, Ezek. 34:24, Hosea 3:5, all prophesying of
the coming of the Lord and His servant/king David.
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(4.) JEWS AND MORMONS IN A
WORLD COMMUNITY:
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"Within the non-Jewish world . . . the Jews (were) a
distinct religious grouping . . .(making) possible the expulsions, en masse, of
whole communities of Jews from specific territories. But . . . also had positive
results in the preservation of Jewish life (allowing) Jews an extraordinary
measure of freedom to live within their own circles . . . with their own laws
and religious requirements." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.) Note the
similarity to the historical and present LDS community structure.
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(5.) ROLE OF A JUDGE:
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Both
in the Bible and in The Book of Mormon the term judge has an ecclesiastical
connection. Latter-day Saints have Elders who are the Judges of Israel. ".
. . the word ‘elder’ means judge, leader, or sage. On the other hand, the
Book of Job also stresses that there are young men who are wiser than old
men." "The shofet, or judge, had to meet strict qualifications,
besides just knowing the law. Among these qualifications were piety, wisdom,
humility, gentility and human understanding." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)
The Latter-day Saints have an ecclesiastical legal system that includes
"Judges in Israel." They are the Branch Presidents, Bishops and the
Stake Presidents.
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(6.) JUSTICE IS THE FAIR
ADMINISTRATION OF THE LAW
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". . . A judge must not show special favor to
a litigant or a defendant for any reason at all, and that nobody --- not even
the king --- is above the rule of the law. This concept of even-handedness is,
in the Jewish view, absolutely essential for the existence and progress of
society. The Bible quite clearly states ‘Justice, justice shall you pursue,
that you may thrive and occupy the land that the Lord your God is giving you’
(Deuteronomy 16:20). The prophets castigated Israelite society for its lack of
justice and described most of the troubles the Jews suffered as divine
punishment for the rampant injustice." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)
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(7.) THE KING OF KINGS MUST
RULE:
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The varied opinions of the Jewish society lead to one conclusion.
Eventually, the Lord, the King of Kings must rule. The conflicts posed by
enemies, usually driven by dictatorial mentalities, challenge the prophetic
future of modern Israel just as Amlici, the Lamanites and others challenged the
people of Nephi and their prophets, judges and leaders. The Book of Mormon
presents an account of success over enemies based on following the Lord’s
counsel through his appointed leaders. Their rule gives us a model for our
anticipated King of Kings. A rule of love with equality, justice and mercy. The
will of the people will be tied to their will to obey the higher laws of heaven,
a theocracy.
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