Home » The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints » Current Church Doctrine » The Greatest Attribute: LOVE (An Invitation to Share, Discuss, and Develop )
| Re: The Greatest Attribute: LOVE [message #2458 is a reply to message #2235] |
Tue, 14 May 2013 09:12   |
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brrgilbert
Messages: 282
Registered: December 2012
Location: Nampa, Idaho
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Lehi's dream had such an impact that Nephi desired to experience the same thing. The Lord was gracious enough to allow him to see the things that his father had seen. The central object of the entire experience was, and should be to us; the tree of life. Nephi explains to us that this represents and is the love of God. It is a real tree with roots, a trunk, branches, leaves, and white, precious fruit. Such a tree was located in the Garden of Eden. It is mentioned in Revelations as being in the midst of paradise. Adam and Eve partook of this tree assuring them of eternal life in the Garden. It truly was a tree of life to them. The opposing tree was one that represented death. From its branches could be plucked the bitter fruit of the knowledge of good and evil. Its deadly nourishment represented judgement. Its vile flavor was one of condemnation; a deadly savor cherished by its advocate in the realization that those who would partake of it would judge themselves and others in finding fault or bad - resulting in their destruction. (Judgement is for identification and not condemnation.) "See, you are naked, go and hide!" Identification was made; however, hiding and fleeing from truth represented condemnation. They were banished from the Garden in an effort to recover them from their "growth." It has been said that they fell, but they fell forward. Too, it should be realized that falling is a necessary part of learning how to walk.
Cheribum and a flaming sword was placed to guard the way to the tree of life or the love of God lest Adam and Eve should partake and live forever in their sins.
You may ask yourself why this narrative finds its way into this thread on the greatest attribute of love. With permission and forbearance as a reader, consider the following observations as they pertain to growth and understanding. As has been stated, "judgement is meant for identification and not condemnation." From the trunk of that tree of knowledge of good and evil, effectively every one of us have been whittled a wooden ruler or measuring stick. By it we size up our world; ourselves, others, and everything in it to categorize it into "good" or "bad." We have been taught to reject the bad. It is vitally important for our growth, however, that we "get it right" and put things in "proper perspective." The instruction to "go and hide" perpetuated FEAR of those things that were "perceived" as bad. The problem we seem to have is the realization that the measuring stick was meant to be our own . . . to measure OURSELVES as to what WE needed to embrace or avoid in order to grow. We make the mistake in many ways and in many times by attempting to force our "measurement" onto other people. We judge, sentence and condemn them for not measuring up and then we hide because we cannot tolerate the nakedness that we have projected upon them; really it is our own. Effectively we try to force them to measure up to our values or standards without realizing that they have their own ruler or measuring device with which they gauge their own world. Surprise, surprise! Not all personal measuring devices, rulers, or sticks are the same size. "Unto whom much is given, much is expected." Unto some of our fellow mortal sojourners not much is given. They may not have the knowledge, opportunities, resources, blessings, etc. that we have. They cannot and should not be measured by our "devices." They should not be condemned, but identified. It is my attempt to do so.
Recall the reference to the Cheribum and the flaming sword guarding the way to the tree of life amidst of the Garden. There are other Cheribum mentioned . . . and a very important understanding is meant to be shared with THEIR identification. In the most holy place in the tabernacle that Moses constructed by the Lord's command, there was located a gold covered box that contained the tablets upon which were written by the finger of the Lord, the law. Covering this sacred vessel was a seat, called the Mercy Seat upon which where found the statues of two Cheribim with their wings spread. The High Priest would, once a year, sit under the wings of the Cheribim upon the Mercy Seat and speak with the Lord. This Ark of the Covenant was placed in the Holy of Holies in the temple. Quickly reference that our bodies are temples and in Hebrews it mentions how Christ has entered into that holy place to make intercession for us. I believe that the Holy of Holies represents our heart and that the Ark of the Covenant represents our heart of hearts. In and upon our hearts the Lord has written His law. In our hearts the Savior has entered in. He is meant to sit with us on the Mercy Seat under the Cheribim to return us to the tree of life; the love of God. Fear not the flaming sword. It is to separate us from judgement and provide us with the burning within our bossom. Return from the tree of death; the tree of knowledge of good and evil; the tree of judgement and condemnation of self and others. Partake not of the bitterness of its fruit. Come to the tree of life; the love of God; the fountain of living water. Partake of the sweet fruit of love. See ye are naked, be not afraid. God will clothe you. Sit upon the mercy seat; extend it and receive it. The Cheribim shall cover us and be around about us.
"I must endure the presence of a few caterpillars if I wish to become acquainted with the butterflies."
The Little Prince by St. Exupery
[Updated on: Tue, 14 May 2013 09:19] Report message to a moderator |
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