Visions of the Kingdom

As Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery had the veil of their minds removed, and had their eyes open to understanding I believe that they moved, or progressed, from that which was Material, or Physical creation, to the world of the Spiritual or Hidden. They were literally transfigured during these Heavenly manifestations. This process is so beautifully described in a post I found on a Blog called Visions of the Kingdom. The post is called “The Veil, that is to say, his flesh”, go and read it now. You will not be sorry you did.

The Veil Was Taken From Our Minds

As I was studying the great visions that were received by Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery as recorded in Section 110 of the Doctrine and Covenants, I could not help but contemplate the simple logistics in which they were received. It is recorded that the two men “retired to the pulpit, the veils being dropped, and bowed... in solemn and silent prayer.” This description is loaded with symbolism in itself.

The Kirtland Temple has a completely different construction from any of the other LDS Temples in operation today. In its simplicity, I believe it is arranged similarly to that of the tabernacle that Moses constructed. The tabernacle was organized in a way to reveal the progression necessary to come back into the presence of the Lord. The Kirtland Temple also teaches this theme through the placement of the pulpits and veils.

Originally the Kirtland Temple had four pulpits which stood, one above another, in the centre of the building, from north to south, both on the east and west ends; those on the west for the presiding officers of the Melchizedek priesthood, and those on the east for the Aaronic; and each of these pulpits was separated by curtains of white painted canvas, which were let down and drawn up at pleasure. In front of each of these two rows of pulpits, was a sacrament table, for the administration of that sacred ordinance.

The outer courtyard of the Tabernacle, with the brazen alter and brazen laver, represented the steps necessary to be able to enter in at the door. I believe that these first steps could be correlated with the first four principles of the gospel, which are, faith, repentance, baptism, and the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. This laying on of hands also was required to “set apart” or ordain those who would become priests, allowing for entrance into the door, to administer in further ordinances.

Floor plan of the Tabernacle of Moses

The saints in Kirtland had proven themselves worthy of the blessing given in the outer courtyard and were prepared to enter into the door, or second gate. Viewing the layout of the Kirtland Temple it is visible that upon entrance one must pass through the Aaronic priesthood side and walk forward to the Melchizedek priesthood side. The veil of the Tabernacle that separated the inner sanctuary from the Holy of Holies symbolically would have been similar to the veil drawn between the congregation and Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery when they received their visions.

Original floor plan of the Kirtland Temple

The veil in itself is very significant; it was a symbol of separation or of “setting up bounds or stakes”. It was symbolic of a separation from the world. Likewise the wording used by Joseph Smith to describe their experience of viewing the Lord behind this literal veil involved another type of veil, and is as follows:

110: 1 The veil was taken from our minds, and the eyes of our understanding were opened.

Joseph Smith taught, “Men will set up stakes and say thus far will we go and no farther. Did Abraham when called upon to offer his son? Did the Savior? No. View him fulfilling all righteousness again on the banks of the Jordon, also on the Mount transfigured before Peter and John there receiving the fulness of the priesthood or the law of God, setting up no stake but coming right up to the mark in all things.”

The veil of unbelief was removed from their minds, thus allowing the transfiguring process to occur which allowed the “eyes of their understanding to open.” I believe this veil was removed by faith.

“Transfiguration is a special change in appearance and nature which is wrought upon a person. This divine transformation is from a lower to a higher state; it results in a more exalted, impressive, and glorious condition” (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 803)

Likewise, we too can have this transfiguring experience by exercising faith in all righteousness and therefore the Lord will not be able to with hold his presence from us. In the Book of Mormon Ether describes a similar experience had by the brother of Jared.

Ether 3:6 And it came to pass that when the brother of Jared had said these words, behold, the Lord stretched forth his hand and touched the stones one by one with his finger. And the veil was taken from off the eyes of the brother of Jared, and he saw the finger of the Lord; and it was as the finger of a man, like unto flesh and blood; and the brother of Jared fell down before the Lord, for he was struck with fear.

7 And the Lord saw that the brother of Jared had fallen to the earth; and the Lord said unto him: Arise, why hast thou fallen?

8 And he saith unto the Lord: I saw the finger of the Lord, and I feared lest he should smite me; for I knew not that the Lord had flesh and blood.

9 And the Lord said unto him: Because of thy faith thou hast seen that I shall take upon me flesh and blood; and never has man come before me with such exceeding faith as thou hast; for were it not so ye could not have seen my finger. Sawest thou more than this?

10 And he answered: Nay; Lord, show thyself unto me.

11 And the Lord said unto him: Believest thou the words which I shall speak?

12 And he answered: Yea, Lord, I know that thou speakest the truth, for thou art a God of truth, and canst not lie.

13 And when he had said these words, behold, the Lord showed himself unto him, and said: Because thou knowest these things ye are redeemed from the fall; therefore ye are brought back into my presence; therefore I show myself unto you.

The prophet Moses described his experience this way:

Moses 1:11 But now mine own eyes have beheld God; but not my natural, but my spiritual eyes, for my natural eyes could not have beheld; for I should have withered and died in his presence; but his glory was upon me; and I beheld his face, for I was transfigured before him.

I love the simplicity with which Joseph Smith described his experience, “The veil was taken from our minds, and the eyes of our understanding were opened.” For me, his simple explanation makes this process seem attainable for all. We simply need to remove the “stake” of unbelief, allowing us to come right up to the mark, and let the Lord open our eyes in faith.

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?