SEE THE HOLY LANDS WITH DANIEL RONA

HIDDEN LDS/JEWISH INSIGHTS #18
DOCTRINE & COVENANTS Gospel Doctrine Supplement by Daniel Rona
Weekly E-mail Reminder
PDA version click HERE

<< ESTABLISH . . . A HOUSE OF GOD >>

(1.) Entire Encampment of Israel Was a "City Temple:"
Apparently it will be that way again when the Lord returns to Jerusalem): “In pre-Temple times . . . anyone who was tameh (unclean) was forced to go outside the marked boundaries and was forbidden to return until he had completed the purification ritual.” (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)

(2.) Washing and Temples:
The call to go to the temple includes, “He that hath clean hands and a pure heart.” (Psalm 24-1-3) Since the Jews don’t have a temple, they use the meal table as a substitute “altar.” It is appropriate to wash hands before every prayer at the beginning and ending of each meal. That is why kosher hotels have a basin and naturally flowing water at the entrances of each dining room.

(3.) “Knocking” and Curtains:
At the Western (Wailing) Wall, young Bar Mitzvah lads, anxious to open the ark to retrieve the scroll will be told, “Be polite; first you knock, then pull the curtain aside and then you take the scroll.” The center of the Lord’s house (or city) was curtained because of its sacredness, a courtyard where we could converse with the Lord. We long for the time when we can “dwell in thy courts” (Psalm 65:4), and be “shielded,” safe from the imbalance of the world around us. (Psalm 84).

(4.) Nails in a Sure Place:
In Jerusalem, there have been thousands of nails pounded into the old Western (Wailing) Wall, a remnant of the last known Jewish Temple. They remind us of a practice the Jews had until about a hundred years ago. They would “nail their sins in a sure place” and then get on with life. “In that day . . . shall the nail that is fastened in the sure place be removed, and be cut down, and fall; and the burden that was upon it shall be cut off: for the LORD hath spoken it.” (Isaiah 22:21-25)

(5.) Major Events on Biblical Holidays:
The dedication of the Kirtland temple culminated with the remarkable visits of Elijah and Moses at Passover, the first full moon after the first day of spring. Jews are still waiting for them to return. The late Apostle LeGrand Richards once remarked when he saw two decorated chairs fastened to the wall of a synagogue reserved for Elijah and Moses, “Get them down, they’ve already been here!”

(6.) Festivals and Feasting:
“Festival” comes from feasting the sacrificial emblems that came from the temple. A festive meal is always a part of a Jewish wedding, in part a connection to the temple. “With the destruction of the Second Temple sacrifices were no longer made. It was then said: ‘Now that there is no altar, a man's table . . . takes the place of the sacrifices’ . . . persons should engage in a discussion of Torah . . . ‘as though they had eaten at the table of God.’” (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)

(7.) Jerusalem, a Temple City:
“John the Revelator saw the day . . . the presence of the Father and the Son in the New Jerusalem would take the place of the temple, for the whole city, due to their presence, would become a temple.” (Doctrines of Salvation Joseph Fielding Smith Vol.2, Pg.244)

(8.) Jewish Custom Linking Death and Temples:
Stones are still placed on Jewish graves as reminders of the stone-built temple and an innate desire to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. Apparently, it was and will be made with stone – and the Rock of Salvation will come to that temple!

(9.) Home as Part of the Temple:
Our homes can become the “temple” model of the Lord’s house. May our feet “stand within thy gates.” (Psalm 122, 134).

Daniel Rona, born in Israel and living in Jerusalem has authored Old & New Testament and Book of Mormon Supplement Study Materials to be used in conjunction with the weekly LDS Gospel Doctrine Lesson study. NOTE: Three versions of the supplemental study materials are available FREE at www.HolyLandsRevealed.com . (Just click "LDS SUPPLEMENTS")

(1) a short e-mailed WEEKLY REMINDER(2) a 1-page 2-sided SUMMARY HANDOUT (plus a "PDF" version for printing)
(3) the COMPLETE SUPPLEMENTAL MANUAL LESSONS.
All are available FREE at www.HolyLandsRevealed.com

You may copy and print the information from any of the website versions to distribute to your class members and friends.

Holy Lands Revealed tours provides all inclusive travel experiences revealing a bridge from the Holy Lands to the Promised Lands. Daniel Rona opens your understanding to the LDS/Jewish insights in the Holy Lands of the Book of Mormon, New Testament Turkey, Israel, Egypt and the Nile.

Reach for the spirit as you follow the Savior's Footprints . . . by exploring the newly uncovered sites and by providing humanitarian service to modern day Nephites, Lamanites and other Children of Israel! You are entitled to FREE touring and location insights by calling 1-800-272-RONA (7662) or visiting HolyLandsRevealed.com. Request your FREE "Holy Lands Revealed" touring packet and a Book of Mormon fireside cassette.