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HIDDEN
LDS/JEWISH INSIGHTS #33
Book of Mormon Gospel Doctrine Supplement by Daniel Rona
Weekly E-mail Reminder
<< A SURE FOUNDATION >>
Helaman 1–5
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(1.) MORE MEANING TO LORD’S
NAMES "STONE," "ROCK:"
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A Sure Foundation infers Stone
and Rock. The Nephites and Lamanites had a background of stone and cement work
which they brought from Israel. The geology of both lands shows an abundance of
limestone. It is usable for both building blocks and making cement. Some Mayan
ruins reflect Israelitish structure. "Walled towns with two-story stone,
brick or wood houses usually built around a courtyard were most typical."
(Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)
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(2.) TREES REPRESENT
ABUNDANT LIFE.
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Trees affect the weather and the health of animals and
people. "Just as Adam is placed in the Garden, in the midst of which stands
the Tree of Life, so man is placed in the world in order to observe the
commandments of the Torah." "Trees played a very special role in the
lives of the ancient Jews. It was considered to be a sin to cut down a fruit
tree which could have ultimately benefitted the land and the people."
(Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)
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(3.) WHAT’S IN A NAME?
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The
Book of Mormon people, Israelites, kept up another Israelite practice of
concentrating on the choice of names given to their posterity. ". . .
Behold, I have given unto you the names of our first parents who came out
of the land of Jerusalem; and this I have done that when you remember your
names ye may remember them; and when ye remember them ye may remember their
works; and when ye remember their works ye may know how that it is said,
and also written, that they were good." (Helaman 5:6)
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(4.) CELEBRATION OF NAME
GIVING:
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"A boy is named when he is eight days old at his circumcision
ceremony, an event of great religious importance and happy celebrating. A girl
is named in the synagogue on the first day following her birth on which the
Torah is read." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)
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(5.) CHANGING NAMES:
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"The
Talmud attaches great importance to the preservation of Hebrew names, viewing
foreign names as a sign of assimilation." "Some governments encouraged
the process by passing laws which forced Jews to adopt European names. Napoleon
issued such a decree, hoping to assimilate the Jews." (Encyclopedia Judaica
Jr.)
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(6.) NEW NAMES:
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"Jewish boys are named at the circumcision ceremony eight days after birth,
and a girl's Jewish name is publicly announced when the father is first called
to the Torah after her birth. Converts are also given new names --- usually ben
Abraham or bat Abraham (son or daughter of Abraham) because conversion is
equated with rebirth." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)
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(7.) FIRE IN A STONE PRISON:
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Connecting two items in this lesson, wood and stone, let us consider that Nephi
and Lehi were encircled by fire. Fire is usually fueled by wood. However, they
were encircled by fire in a stone prison. This is similar to the account in the
Book of Daniel. (Daniel 3:24-25) (3 Nephi 17:24)
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