Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Three Veils of Water

My friend Shawna asked me to post my crazy ideas about water so here goes….

I believe that we will pass through three veils of water in this life.

The first veil of water that we all have to pass through is that of birth. It is by water that we are all brought into this world and given our physical bodies. Each woman is given the priesthood responsibility of providing physical birth and this process is done through, water and blood. In essence, she becomes the veil. I believe this is illustrated beautifully in the process of Temple worship. Thus, she is pronounced “clean”, or in other words, she has fulfilled her portion of the covenant in regards to life.

The second veil of water that one may pass through is that of Baptism. This process is done by immersion by one who has the authority to provide spiritual birth. Baptism by immersion represents death of the old man and birth, similar to the birthing process itself, of the new. A righteous priesthood holder must provide this service for one who requires baptism, and thus through the act of magnifying his priesthood duties he “may become clean”, or in other words, may fulfill his part of the covenant with regard to spiritual life. Being cleansed at Baptism is only made possible because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, thus blood is also involved in this birthing process too.

I believe that the third veil of water that will be passed through is done through the process of death and resurrection. This water is the living water that is referred to by Christ when he explained to the women at the well, “The water that I shall give … shall be … a well of water springing up into everlasting life”

The prophet Jeremiah gives an analogy of Israel being like clay in the hands of the potter. I believe we can personalize this even more and consider ourselves as clay in the hands of the potter. We can be pliable and molded to the shape the potter desires, but at some point the pot is still not perfect. It must be crushed and ground down to its original form as the “dust of the earth”. Once again the potter adds the missing ingredient of water to the dust and the clay becomes a work of art in His hands. We are all simply a work in progress for the potter, until in the end; we are sanctified through His blood, by Him the living water.

An interesting question might arise… what does not burn? WATER! Specifically vessels filled with living water.

Don’t you just love water?

4 comments:

Kathryn Skaggs said...

Yes, I too, have very strong feelings about "water" - as well...

I love that both women and men have equal but different responsibilities in giving life - through physical and spiritual birth. (Aaronic and Melchizedek)

Both have representation of blood and water... Baptism of fire and water... Both are required processes on the path through the final veil(Christ) to Exaltation.

Beautiful symbolism:-)

tDMg

Bob Norman said...

Excellent insights.

shawna henrie said...

hey, it's not so wacky after all. makes a lot of sense. thanks for enlightening me!!

Unknown said...

Very interesting. I have read some of your blog posts before, but I was grateful that you directed me to this one. Water really has become one of the most interesting symbols I've studied, and your take on it gives so much insight. I have heard it said that the tree is masculine and the fountain is feminine. How interesting in the context of your comments.