<< ALL THINGS
DENOTE THERE IS A GOD >>
Alma 30-31
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(1.) DEATH, MOURNING AND BURIAL:
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Judaism requires an immediate preparation
of the body which includes washing, completely immersing and anointing of the
dead. The three periods of mourning are, Shiva, derived from the word seven and
continues for seven days. However, there is no mourning on the Sabbath day
during Shiva - that's the Lord's day. There is another mourning period of a
month and an annual remembrance of death called Yarzeit.
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(2.) A SHEET, A CANDLE AND
EMPTY WATER VESSELS:
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"When a person dies, the body is covered with a
sheet and a lighted candle placed at the head . . . cover all the mirrors . . .
pour out any water that was in containers . . ." "The mourning is
suspended for the Sabbath and should a major festival occur during the week, it
stops the shivah altogether." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)
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(3.) SACRAMENT SYMBOLISM OF
DEATH AND RESURRECTION:
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The emblems of the sacrament are covered with a
white sheet in remembrance of the Lord's death and resurrection. The pouring out
of water is like "living water" being removed. I think mourning
suspended on the Sabbath is so the mourners turn to the Lord to reflect on the
His death and resurrection.
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(4.) OTHER MOURNING
REMEMBRANCES:
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The other occasions of mourning include remembrance of the
destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem as well as experiencing blasphemy. "Tish'ah
be-av [is] (the ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av, usually falling within the
first week of August) is the traditional day of mourning for the destruction of
the Temples in Jerusalem. ". . . the code of Jewish law, tells us that
whoever hears blasphemy in any language from a Jew must tear his garment as if
he were in mourning." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)
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(5.) JEWS ATTITUDE ON
MISSIONARY ACTIVITY:
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To many Jews, Christian missionary work among the Jews
is considered blasphemy and even anti Semitic. "Throughout history Jews
have often been called on to defend their faith against non believers in public
debates known as disputations or polemics. Often . . . conducted in friendly
atmospheres of mutual respect, but all too often these debates took on aspects
of bitterness." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)
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(6.) IS THERE AN
ANTI-PROSELYTIZING LAW IN ISRAEL?
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There is NO law in Israel prohibiting
proselytizing. An anti missionary society has tried to pass such an anti
proselytizing law in Israel but has failed every attempt. The closest thing they
managed to bring through the Israeli Knesset is a law prohibiting bribing people
to change their religion. (Latter-day Saints don't pay people to become
members. They charge them!) On the other hand, although there are
Christian missionaries in Israel, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints does not engage in any proselytizing in Israel. It is their choice. The
agreement signed by President Howard W. Hunter and added as an addendum to the
lease of property where the BYU Jerusalem Center stands, clearly states that the
Church will not engage in missionary activity if it is against the laws of
Israel.
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(7.) "GIVE ME A
SIGN!"
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The freedom of religion in the Book of Mormon account shows that
Korihor became so wrapped up in his polemics that he believed the misinformation
he was teaching. Much like the Pharisees in the days of Jesus, he wanted a sign.
"Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master,
we would see a sign from thee. But he answered and said unto them, An evil and
adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to
it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas . . ." (Matthew 12:38-39)
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(8.) A HIGH PLACE COMPARE TO
THE SPIRIT:
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The Zoramites were so wrapped up in their misinformation that
they praised God that they were "better" than others. The Rameumtom
they built means a high place. A high place in Hebrew can be called a ramah.
Note the similarity of the word ramah and "rama-umptom." Alma and his
companions praised God for the joy they experienced in a humble way. Their
time of joy was filled with the spirit of the Holy Ghost.
