The
lesson in Relief Society today was titled, “See Yourself in the
Temple.” In thinking about the upcoming lesson, I've thought a lot
about temples this week . They've played an important role and have
been a blessing in my life.
The
children of Israel were given a prophet who saw God face to face and
talked with him.
The
words of God, which he spake unto Moses at a time when Moses was
caught up into an exceedingly high mountain, And he saw God face to
face, and he talked with him, and the glory of God was upon Moses;
therefore Moses could endure his presence. Moses 1:1-2
Like
all prophets sent from the presence of God, Moses sought diligently
to sanctify his people that they might behold the face of God, but
they would not.
And
this greater priesthood administereth the gospel and holdeth the key
of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of
God. Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is
manifest. And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of
the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in
the flesh; For without this no man can see the face of God, even the
Father, and live.
Now
this Moses plainly taught to the children of Israel in the
wilderness, and sought diligently to sanctify his people that they
might behold the face of God; But they hardened their hearts and
could not endure his presence; therefore, the Lord in his wrath, for
his anger was kindled against them, swore that they should not enter
into his rest while in the wilderness, which rest is the fulness of
his glory. Therefore, he took Moses out of their midst, and the Holy
Priesthood also; And the lesser priesthood continued, which
priesthood holdeth the key of the ministering of angels and the
preparatory gospel; D&C 84:19-26
Moses
was commanded to build a tabernacle (portable temple). The tabernacle
was to be fashioned after the true tabernacle which the Lord pitched.
The temple was an example and shadow of heavenly things.
Now
of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an
high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the
Majesty in the heavens; A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true
tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. For every high
priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of
necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer. For if he were
on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests
that offer gifts according to the law: Who serve unto the example and
shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was
about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all
things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount. Hebrews
8:1-5
The
Lord's Prophet Moses gave the Israelites a law of performances and
ordinances which were intended to point their minds and hearts to the
atonement of Jesus Christ.
And
it came to pass on the eighth day, that Moses called Aaron and his
sons, and the elders of Israel; And he said unto Aaron, Take thee a
young calf for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering,
without blemish, and offer them before the Lord. And unto the
children of Israel thou shalt speak, saying, Take ye a kid of the
goats for a sin offering; and a calf and a lamb, both of the first
year, without blemish, for a burnt offering; Also a bullock and a ram
for peace offerings, to sacrifice before the Lord; and a meat
offering mingled with oil: for to day the Lord will appear unto you.
And
they brought that which Moses commanded before the tabernacle of the
congregation: and all the congregation drew near and stood before the
Lord. And Moses said, This is the thing which the Lord commanded that
ye should do: and the glory of the Lord shall appear unto you. And
Moses said unto Aaron, Go unto the altar, and offer thy sin offering,
and thy burnt offering, and make an atonement for thyself, and for
the people: and offer the offering of the people, and make an
atonement for them; as the Lord commanded.
Aaron
therefore went unto the altar, and slew the calf of the sin offering,
which was for himself. And the sons of Aaron brought the blood unto
him: and he dipped his finger in the blood, and put it upon the horns
of the altar, and poured out the blood at the bottom of the altar:
But the fat, and the kidneys, and the caul above the liver of the sin
offering, he burnt upon the altar; as the Lord commanded Moses. And
the flesh and the hide he burnt with fire without the camp. And he
slew the burnt offering; and Aaron’s sons presented unto him the
blood, which he sprinkled round about upon the altar. And they
presented the burnt offering unto him, with the pieces thereof, and
the head: and he burnt them upon the altar. And he did wash the
inwards and the legs, and burnt them upon the burnt offering on the
altar.
And
he brought the people’s offering, and took the goat, which was the
sin offering for the people, and slew it, and offered it for sin, as
the first. And he brought the burnt offering, and offered it
according to the manner. And he brought the meat offering, and took
an handful thereof, and burnt it upon the altar, beside the burnt
sacrifice of the morning. He slew also the bullock and the ram for a
sacrifice of peace offerings, which was for the people: and Aaron’s
sons presented unto him the blood, which he sprinkled upon the altar
round about, And the fat of the bullock and of the ram, the rump, and
that which covereth the inwards, and the kidneys, and the caul above
the liver: And they put the fat upon the breasts, and he burnt the
fat upon the altar: And the breasts and the right shoulder Aaron
waved for a wave offering before the Lord; as Moses commanded.
And
Aaron lifted up his hand toward the people, and blessed them, and
came down from offering of the sin offering, and the burnt offering,
and peace offerings. And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of
the congregation, and came out, and blessed the people: and the glory
of the Lord appeared unto all the people. And there came a fire out
from before the Lord, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering
and the fat: which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on
their faces. Leviticus 9:1-24
This
is how the ordinance of Passover was instituted:
And
the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying,This
month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the
first month of the year to you. Speak ye unto all the congregation of
Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to
them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a
lamb for an house: And if the household be too little for the lamb,
let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to
the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make
your count for the lamb. Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male
of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the
goats:
And
ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and
the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the
evening. And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two
side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they
shall eat it. And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with
fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.
Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire;
his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof. And ye shall
let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth
of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire.
And
thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your
feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it
is the Lord’s passover. For I will pass through the land of Egypt
this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt,
both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute
judgment: I am the Lord. And the blood shall be to you for a token
upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass
over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I
smite the land of Egypt. And this day shall be unto you for a
memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the Lord throughout your
generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.
Seven
days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put
away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leavened bread
from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off
from Israel. And in the first day there shall be an holy convocation,
and in the seventh day there shall be an holy convocation to you; no
manner of work shall be done in them, save that which every man must
eat, that only may be done of you. And ye shall observe the feast of
unleavened bread; for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies
out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day in your
generations by an ordinance for ever.
In
the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at even, ye shall
eat unleavened bread, until the one and twentieth day of the month at
even. Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses: for
whosoever eateth that which is leavened, even that soul shall be cut
off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a stranger, or
born in the land. Ye shall eat nothing leavened; in all your
habitations shall ye eat unleavened bread.
Then
Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw
out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the
passover. And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the
blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two side
posts with the blood that is in the basin; and none of you shall go
out at the door of his house until the morning. For the Lord will
pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon
the lintel, and on the two side posts, the Lord will pass over the
door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses
to smite you. And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to
thee and to thy sons for ever.
And
it shall come to pass, when ye be come to the land which the Lord
will give you, according as he hath promised, that ye shall keep this
service. And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto
you, What mean ye by this service? That ye shall say, It is the
sacrifice of the Lord’s passover, who passed over the houses of the
children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and
delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped.
And the children of Israel went away, and did as the Lord had
commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they.
And
it came to pass, that at midnight the Lord smote all the firstborn in
the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his
throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and
all the firstborn of cattle. And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he,
and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great
cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead.
And
he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get
you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel;
and go, serve the Lord, as ye have said. Also take your flocks and
your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also. And the
Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out
of the land in haste; for they said, We be all dead men. And the
people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneading
troughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders. And the
children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they
borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and
raiment: And the Lord gave the people favour in the sight of the
Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required.
And they spoiled the Egyptians.
And
the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six
hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children. And a mixed
multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very
much cattle. And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they
brought forth out of Egypt, for it was not leavened; because they
were thrust out of Egypt, and could not tarry, neither had they
prepared for themselves any victual.
Now
the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was
four hundred and thirty years. And it came to pass at the end of the
four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass,
that all the hosts of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt. It is
a night to be much observed unto the Lord for bringing them out from
the land of Egypt: this is that night of the Lord to be observed of
all the children of Israel in their generations.
And
the Lord said unto Moses and Aaron, This is the ordinance of the
passover: There shall no stranger eat thereof: But every man’s
servant that is bought for money, when thou hast circumcised him,
then shall he eat thereof. A foreigner and an hired servant shall not
eat thereof. In one house shall it be eaten; thou shalt not carry
forth ought of the flesh abroad out of the house; neither shall ye
break a bone thereof.
All
the congregation of Israel shall keep it. And when a stranger shall
sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the Lord, let all
his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and
he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised
person shall eat thereof. One law shall be to him that is home born,
and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you. Thus did all the
children of Israel; as the Lord commanded Moses and Aaron, so did
they. And it came to pass the selfsame day, that the Lord did bring
the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies.
Exodus 12:1-51
Why
were the children of Israel given a law of performances and
ordinances to observe year after year? Did they believe these
performances and ordinances would save them? Did they understand with
all their temple rites and ceremonial ordinances, it was only through
the atonement of Christ they could be saved?
And
moreover, I say unto you, that salvation doth not come by the law
alone; and were it not for the atonement, which God himself shall
make for the sins and iniquities of his people, that they must
unavoidably perish, notwithstanding the law of Moses.
And
now I say unto you that it was expedient that there should be a law
given to the children of Israel, yea, even a very strict law; for
they were a stiffnecked people, quick to do iniquity, and slow to
remember the Lord their God; Therefore there was a law given them,
yea, a law of performances and of ordinances, a law which they were
to observe strictly from day to day, to keep them in remembrance of
God and their duty towards him.
But
behold, I say unto you, that all these things were types of things to
come. And now, did they understand the law? I say unto you, Nay, they
did not all understand the law; and this because of the hardness of
their hearts; for they understood not that there could not any man be
saved except it were through the redemption of God.
For
behold, did not Moses prophesy unto them concerning the coming of the
Messiah, and that God should redeem his people? Yea, and even all the
prophets who have prophesied ever since the world began—have they
not spoken more or less concerning these things? Have they not said
that God himself should come down among the children of men, and take
upon him the form of man, and go forth in mighty power upon the face
of the earth? Yea, and have they not said also that he should bring
to pass the resurrection of the dead, and that he, himself, should be
oppressed and afflicted? Mosiah 13:28-35
Yea,
even doth not Isaiah say: Who hath believed our report, and to whom
is the arm of the Lord revealed? For he shall grow up before him as a
tender plant, and as a root out of dry ground; he hath no form nor
comeliness; and when we shall see him there is no beauty that we
should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of
sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and we hid as it were our faces
from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Surely
he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem
him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for
our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the
chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are
healed.
All
we, like sheep, have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own
way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquities of us all. He was
oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; he is
brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her
shearers is dumb so he opened not his mouth. He was taken from prison
and from judgment; and who shall declare his generation? For he was
cut off out of the land of the living; for the transgressions of my
people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and
with the rich in his death; because he had done no evil, neither was
any deceit in his mouth.
Yet
it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief; when
thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin he shall see his seed,
he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper
in his hand. He shall see the travail of his soul, and shall be
satisfied; by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many;
for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a
portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the
strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death; and he was
numbered with the transgressors; and he bore the sins of many, and
made intercession for the transgressors. Mosiah 14:1-12
So
while the chief priests and leaders of God's church offered
ceremonial sacrifices in the temple, they sacrificed their Lord, the
true pascal Lamb. Their temple ordinances were instituted to testify
of Christ, but only a few recognized and embraced their Lord. The
leaders and members of God's church, with all of their performances
and ordinances, were the ones responsible for crucifying the Lord.
When
Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over
the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and
his disciples. And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place:
for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples. Judas then,
having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and
Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.
Jesus
therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth,
and said unto them, Whom seek ye? They answered him, Jesus of
Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which
betrayed him, stood with them. As soon then as he had said unto them,
I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.
Then
asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.
Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek
me, let these go their way: That the saying might be fulfilled, which
he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.
Then
Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s
servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.
Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup
which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?
Then
the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and
bound him, And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law
to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year. Now Caiaphas
was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that
one man should die for the people.
And
Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that
disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into
the palace of the high priest. But Peter stood at the door without.
Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high
priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter.
Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou
also one of this man’s disciples? He saith, I am not. And the
servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for
it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them,
and warmed himself.
The
high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.
Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the
synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in
secret have I said nothing. Why askest thou me? ask them which heard
me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.
And
when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck
Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high
priest so? Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of
the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me? Now Annas had sent him
bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.
And
Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him,
Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am
not. One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose
ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him?
Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.
Then
led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was
early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they
should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover. Pilate then
went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this
man? They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we
would not have delivered him up unto thee. Then said Pilate unto
them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews
therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to
death: That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake,
signifying what death he should die.
Then
Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and
said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews? Jesus answered him,
Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?
Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests
have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done? Jesus answered, My
kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then
would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews:
but now is my kingdom not from hence.
Pilate
therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou
sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause
came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth.
Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. Pilate saith unto
him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto
the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all. But ye
have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover:
will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews? Then
cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now
Barabbas was a robber. John 18:1-40
Now
let's fast forward almost two thousand years. God sent another
prophet who talked with God face to face. Joseph Smith also sought
diligently to sanctify his people that they might behold the face of
God. This prophet was martyred with his brother. Before he was taken
from their midst, he gave them a law of performances and ordinances
to teach them of heavenly things. In the ceremony the people pass the
angels who stand as sentinels, converse with the Lord through the
veil, and enter into God's presence.
But
like the Jews, many people mistake the ceremony for the real thing.
They think the ceremony will save them while rejecting the invitation
to seek the face of the Lord.
And
so now, though I am no longer allowed to enter their temples, I
remember what was taught me in that beautiful ceremony. I have been
blessed and taught by angels who stand as sentinels as I seek the
face of the Lord. My faith is firm for I can see the path I must
follow. The temple as a teacher has done its work upon my heart, and
I see the blessing it has been in my life. I see myself in the
temple, the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.
