Home » The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints » LDS Deep Doctrine » The Essay of Controversy - Resolving Conflict (An Exchange of "Skins" for Sins: Mortal Investiture)
| The Essay of Controversy - Resolving Conflict [message #3806] |
Fri, 20 December 2019 02:32  |
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brrgilbert
Messages: 282
Registered: December 2012
Location: Nampa, Idaho
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Senior Member |
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Paradox; dissonance; dilemma; and opposition cannot be resolved by "exposure," only. There needs be "explanation" and "reconciliation." Things need to be "resolved." Certainly we can return to the Garden of Eden to learn this lesson from Adam and Eve, after they had partaken of forbidden fruit. In the narrative we learn something about the difference between guilt and shame. Shame has the added component with guilt, of embarrassment, of being "exposed" or "caught" red-handed, as it were:
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/doctrines-of-the-gospel-student-manual/8-the-fall?lang=eng
Quote:"Adam had a spiritual body until mortality came upon him through the violation of the law under which he was living, but he also had a physical body of flesh and bones.
"... Now what is a spiritual body? It is one that is quickened by spirit and not by blood. ...
"... When Adam was in the Garden of Eden, he was not subject to death. There was no blood in his body and he could have remained there forever. This is true of all the other creations" (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 1:7677).
There was an apparent, immediate change that happened to our First Parents and it may very well have begun at that point of contact with the "forbidden fruit." Nevertheless, it was made further apparent when the "fallen one," whom they had listened to, gave them more instructions:
Quote:Genesis 3:
7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
8 And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden bin the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden.
9 And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?
10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.
11 And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?
Certainly, their digestive systems, likewise would have been "contaminated" with that fruit and its effect would have been apparent upon expulsion. The evidence of them having partaken of the fruit must have been visually apparent.
Many have speculated that the fruit was an apple and that it got caught in Adam's throat. (Adam's apple) I don't believe that that was the case because it doesn't reoccur as a theme in the life of the Savior, whereas the Fig Tree does:
Quote:Matthew 21:
17 And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there.
18 Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered.
19 And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.
20 And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!
And such is the case with those things that have the "appearance" of fruit, but no "substance;" being barren - of no nutrient value.
Now back to the "pattern" that is established. Adam and Eve covered their "shame." It was more than just guilt, it included embarrassment for having lost a very virtuous appearance. The "change" affected their very countenances. It had to do with their bodies; spiritual bodies, that before, were more reflective of light, becoming "opaque" and "absorbing" of light. Their "countenances" were figuratively and literally fallen. The "fallen one" had attained his desire in acquiring company. I am sure that he mocked and condemned them for what they had lost.
While we are on the subject of "Fruit," SIN is evil fruit. I am calling upon the following scripture for pertinence on many levels. It talks about fruit, too, it identifies that there is a difference between the Holy Ghost and the Holy Spirit, as well as between guilt and shame. We will shortly be talking about "fire," as well.
Quote:Jacob 6:
7 For behold, after ye have been nourished by the good word of God all the day long, will ye bring forth evil fruit, that ye must be hewn down and cast into the fire?
8 Behold, will ye reject these words? Will ye reject the words of the prophets; and will ye reject all the words which have been spoken concerning Christ, after so many have spoken concerning him; and deny the good word of Christ, and the power of God, and the gift of the Holy Ghost, and quench the Holy Spirit, and make a mock of the great plan of redemption, which hath been laid for you?
9 Know ye not that if ye will do these things, that the power of the redemption and the resurrection, which is in Christ, will bring you to stand with shame and awful guilt before the bar of God?
Adam and Eve had a time of reckoning before "the bar of God." They were cast down and out, but before that happened, something very, very significant occurred:
Quote:Genesis 3:
21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them.
Some things have escaped the "casual" reader in this instance. The Pattern reveals that as we seek to cover our nakedness by OUR own efforts, God will, also, assist in covering our nakedness. If we clothe ourselves in righteousness, God will, in return sanctify us and clothe us in more righteousness. Further, it is apparent that an "animal sacrifice" was made in order to procure the skins to make "garments" with. It was at this juncture that God taught Adam and Eve about death and what it means, along with "animal sacrifice." The animals that were sacrificed were those that were endeared to both, Adam and Eve, pets, making the lesson even more poignant and painful. The skins were not those of cows, but of "innocent" lambs. Their carcasses were burned on an altar of fire. Adam and Eve were kicked out of God's presence being clothed in the "gift" of skins and put under covenant with Priesthood authority for consecration.
In the dichotomy of practical lessons, we find the next topic to be discussed:
Quote:Genesis 4:
1 And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the Lord.
2 And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.
3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord.
4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
We learn from this narrative, the following:
Quote:The power, glory, and blessings of the priesthood could not continue with those who received ordination only as their righteousness continued, for Cain also being authorized to offer sacrifice but not offering it in righteousness, therefore he was cursed. It signifies then, that the ordinances must be kept in the very way God has appointed, otherwise their priesthood will prove a cursing instead of a blessing. (Joseph Smith, Words of Joseph Smith)
More to follow, after given time to "digest." 
"I must endure the presence of a few caterpillars if I wish to become acquainted with the butterflies."
The Little Prince by St. Exupery
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