Wise Men Indeed

So here we are in December - the time of year we prepare to celebrate the birth of our dear Saviour, Jesus Christ.  Since I was a little child I sang Happy Birthday to Jesus in my prayers each Christmas day and found it strange that we gave gifts to other people but not to Jesus. I know I wouldn't like it if, on my birthday, everybody else got a present except me.  My father used to say that we give gifts to others to show that we love Jesus but this didn't make sense because I still couldn't get my head around the fact that it is He who should be receiving gifts because of the wonderful gift He gave to us.

Speaking of gifts - I was pondering on the wise men who brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, all very expensive gifts even at that time.  We all know what gold is for - spending right?  Of course!  Every king should receive gold at their birth but did you realise the deep symbolism represented in their other gifts - frankincense and myrrh?  I knew there needed to be a deeper, more significant meaning behind these gifts.  Not only because they would have had to obtain them from "afar" - no department stores back then.  Being kings they likely sent servants out to merchants or further to seek them out - there was great thought behind these gifts.  They then traveled great distances to present their gifts and pay homage to their king.  So why Frankincense and Myrrh?  

Let me share my findings.

Both Frankincense and Myrrh are derived from a resin that is obtained from differing plant species found in Somalia, the Arabian Peninsula and North Africa respectively.  The gum produced from the myrrh resin is not just used for perfume but also as an aromatic wound dressing with healing properties and is referred to as the Balm of Gilead in Genesis 37 and Jeremiah 8 and 46 as well as in hymns and other sacred writings.  There is also suggestion that myrrh was among the bitter herbs used in the preparation of the original Passover meal in Egypt, symbolic of their covenant with Jehovah.  

I would like to think that the wise kings were in fact wise enough to discern and acknowledged that this babe they were visiting was, in fact the Balm of Gilead to Israel symbolic of how this babe of Bethlehem's atonement heals us.  I would also like to think that in their gift of Frankincense they were acknowledging that this humble birth was that of the Great Jehovah, the Great I Am, in that Frankincense was the incense burnt in the Tabernacle and Solomon's Temple, symbolic of the divine mediatory role the Messiah plays between the Father and us (see Malachi 1).

Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said,

"Faith in Jesus Christ is the conviction and assurance of:-

1. His status as the Only Begotten Son of God,
2. His infinite Atonement, and
3. His literal Resurrection."

Like the wise men that cam from the East, we also can know of a surety that Jesus Christ is the Only Begotten Son of God in the flesh, the Redeemer of the world, the God of the Old and New Testaments - even Jehovah - the Great I Am, the Balm of Gilead, the Mediator who saved us.

So as we enter this Christmas period and prepare to celebrate with the Christian world the birth of our Saviour, let us think what gifts we may give him.  There's a clue in the scriptures that can be found in Psalms 51:17 - "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and contrite heart" see also 3 Nephi 9:20.

As children of a loving eternal Heavenly Father let us rejoice in the knowledge that He loves us so very much and through our humbling ourselves to receive of His love we open our hearts to also receive of His healing power - the Balm of Gilead.  Just as the incense sent sweet perfume up to Heaven in the Temples of old, He pleads continuously to our Heavenly Father on our behalf.

May we think upon the words of the beautiful carol - O Little Town of Bethlehem -

"How silently, how silently the wondrous gift is giv'n!

So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of his heav'n.

No ear may hear his coming; but in this world of sin,

Where meek souls will receive him, still the dear Christ enters in."

May the Lord's blessings be upon you and your families and may His peace, love and joy be in your hearts this Christmas Season and throughout the coming years.  May we administer the Balm of Gilead to all who will receive of it and thus bless others with the healing power of the Atonement.

Abraham smashes his father's idols - naughty or nice?

Been reading the Book of Jasher.  You may well ask - Why have you been doing that Bones?  To which I would reply - Because there is a heap of information in there that we miss out on if we exclude it from our studies.  You may ask - What possibly could it benefit us - after all, we have the Book of Mormon, the Holy Bible, the Pearl of Great Price and the Doctrine and Covenants - what more could we want?  My answer to that is - ALL the facts - or at least as many as I can get my honey little hands on.

I first came across the Book of Jasher a while back via BYU's Neal A Maxwell Institute whilst researching another subject.  I discover, much to my delight, a wealth of knowledge that neatly sewed together all the snippets of info I had access to in the Book of Genesis regarding many of the early Patriarchs.

So what am I learning?  I am learning what an inspirational man Abraham was, his personality, his sheer determination, his (whacky) sense of humour, as well as how he became so wealthy, who his father was, why he ended up on the altar to be sacrificed, how he was thrown into the furnace and although his brother, who was thrown in with him died, Abraham walked three days until the king called him out.  Was the king converted?  Read Chapter 11 - 14.

I now know who the first Pharaoh was, how he got the title, what the title means and what a great con artist he was.  It also reveals the instigation of death taxes!

Perhaps one of my favourite parts by far is how Abraham smashed his father's idols and put the hatchet in the hands of the head idol then his magnificent response to his father's questioning.  Oh, this little act led him to the furnace but no more spoilers!  Read Chapters 11 - 14.

Oh, and who really was this Melchizedek - The High Priest of Salem who Abraham paid tithes to?  No other than Noah's son Shem, known also as Adonizedek.

Noah died in the days of Abraham and they had spent a lot of time together, Abraham staying at Noah's home for long periods of time.

It's important as you read the Book of Jasher that people lived a very long time back then, none of this 100 years your a Centurion thing - nope, they were on their way to a millennium!  Imagine the birthday candles?  You'd need a truly big bonfire!

There is so very much more but this is just a teaser. I hope to have whet your appetite.  You can start your own journey into the live of Abraham and discover history in a way than makes sense.  Follow this link for your free online copy now!  If the link doesn't work then google The Book of Jasher.  Easy peasy!

http://www.sacred-texts.com/chr/apo/jasher/11.htm

Easter! What a truly marvelous concept!

For some time it has been apparent to me that my comments, at times, spark some hot reactions.  I don't mean to, it just happens.  Today in class was one of those times. 

The discussion turned to the spirit prison prior to Christ's attendance during the time of his death (for the sake of clarity, whilst his body lay in the tomb).  Of course we all know that it was during this time of his visit that he organised for his Gospel to be taught by those spirits who had lived righteously to those who had not.  We also know from the scriptures that those who were wicked and rebellious at the time of Noah looked for the day when this would occur - meaning, they had to have some idea that it would occur and that it would be a good thing.  From this I conclude there was some discussion between those disembodied persons as to this promised time hence, from this I also conclude they had to be in a similar vicinity so as to communicate.

From non-canonised scripts (canonised meaning those used or generally accepted as a standard or measuring rule in a religious organisation), I have learned that Jesus literally broke the gates of hell, not an easy task by the account, and that the ruler of the kingdom of Shoel (Hebrew) or Hades (Greek) was not impressed with the victory.  It even goes on to discuss a fight with Lucifer (Satan) for not destroying the Messiah in his mission.  According to Hebrew texts, Shoel was the 'holding place' for the wicked and the righteous who held hope in the promised Messiah to free them from the bonds of death.  These bonds were literal and very real, not meaning chains as in metal links but certainly literal enough to prevent anyone from leaving - i.e. moving past death's gruesome gates.  I can't recall exactly the text but I do know I found it through the BYU Neal A. Maxwell site.  When I rediscover it I will reference it here.

Jesus said to the man on the cross beside him that "today thou wilt be with me in paradise".  From this we can ascertain that paradise was a place and that when he died, he would meet the Saviour there.  So, herein lies the dilemma.

When it was said that the prophets of old were not among those who were wicked I opened my mouth and suggested that yes, they indeed were in exactly the same predicament as the wicked.  That is to say, they were bound by the chains of death, unable to progress beyond the gates of hell and awaiting the promised Messiah to free them from this damnable state.  Immediately there were hushed tones and murmurings amongst the group.  What a ridiculous claim!  That such holy and perfect men and women could be trapped with the wicked.  Well, I agree that it is a horrible thought.  To think one has overcome so much in mortality to be stuck with such awful loathsome creatures that rebelled at the time of the flood.  Surely there would have been a special place just for them.  But was there?

Just as on earth we have suburbs and communities that we gather to according to our beliefs, morals, behaviours and actions.  You are mean, people won't like you and will stay away.  You are kind, people will be attracted to you and want to be around you.  People are people, dead or alive, and I believe this is how hell naturally separated into sections where really, really bad people hung out and other areas, far from there, where the nice people gathered.  Just as we call our place of gathering Zion, it seems the term Paradise is descriptive of the dead alternative.

It wasn't until Christ broke down the gates of hell that the first resurrection began and we are told in numerous places in both canonised and uncanonised scripts that for a time they walked among the living before being taken to another place.  We do know that many of the righteous leaders were placed in positions of authority to minister unto those that remained in the sad state of prison and that we are commanded to do our bit in searching out our ancestors so we can bless them with the Gospel promises.  We also know that they had been taught during the time from the flood to the time of Christ's visit and common sense dictates that those who told them knew the Gospel promises.  Hence my conclusion that they mingled to a large degree which meant they were in some proximity to be able to do so.

Does it really matter if they mingled or not?  Is it imperative to know if the righteous prophets abided among the wicked?  No, not really.  What is important to know is that Christ broke those wretched bands of death, smashed the gates of hell, destroyed Satan's power of death over us and paid the price for our salvation, both physical and spiritual.

Does it end here?  No, not at all.  Knowing this is the beginning of our progression and our understanding of our relationship with God, our Eternal Father, and where we fit into this life and the next.

May I recommend an interesting publication found at the Neal A. Maxwell Institute site.  The title is "Redemption of the Dead: Continuing Revelation after Joseph Smith" by David L. Paulsen, Kendel J. Christensen, Martin Pulido and Judson Burton, 2011. 

"As in Adam all die, so in Christ shall all be made alive."  These are the glad tidings of Easter.  This is the hope that billions of souls have held for millennia and continue to hold.  This hope is the basis for all who desire something after this life.  Surely it is not just good news but the greatest news.  Hosanna!  Blessed be the Son of God!

* Mike Wazowski from Monsters Inc is owned by Disney Pixar.
 

The Abnormality of Normality!

"The huge golden space ship hung in the air in almost exactly the way a brick doesn't."

(Douglas Adams - Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy)

This is me.  To me I am normal, to others I am not.  I wonder how many people there are in the world who have wondered about their own normality?  Is it a question we all ask ourselves, even multiple times during our lifetime or is it a question we ask only after being confronted by another?  Do we observe others then introspectively observe ourselves and make the comparison? 

So, if I were to explore the question 'What is normal' ... could it be accurately answered and by whom?

Is it normal to conform to every whim that society flings our way or is it normal for us to stand alone, resisting any urge to conform.  Is conformity really the defining factor that declares that we are normal?

One of my favourite books is by Douglas Adams, 'Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy'.  I was reading it whilst working as an extra on the set of 'Babe' at Jamberoo on a very cold, very frosty day.  So totally absorbed in the page's intricate 3D images unfolding in my mind of Arthur Dent and Ford Prefect hurling through space assisted by the babel fish implant and launching into all kinds of predicaments that I was totally oblivious to the very large, very black camera perched directly in front of me.  It seems they were having a marvellous time filming my face as it contorted into unbecoming forms as I fell victim to fits of laughter. 

Who knows how long it was there, hanging in mid air much the way the spaceship had been in my book.  As I raised my head to wipe away the flood of tears that had pooled in my eyes when I became aware of this dark invasive object suspended before me.  I was powerless to supress the gut wrenching scream of horror that escaped my lungs.  Although I have no idea what happened in the rushes that night one thing is certain; there would have been more than a few chuckles at my expense!

So, is it normal to become so absorbed in a book that one drifts into total oblivion to the rest of the world around them?  I cannot answer this question other than to say that it is normal for me.

"We have normality.  I repeat, we have normality.  Anything you still can't cope with is therefore your own problem." (Douglas Adams)

Over the years I have observed others and realised that my brain functions slightly off skew with the rest of society.  My children have inherited this oddity which makes for interesting dinner topics.  An added blessing is that over time I have made some very dear friends who also suffer the same affliction.  We seem to process thoughts through careful analysis and dissection, enabling us to formulate ideas and theories and tackle some interesting subjects on an intensely deep level.  The down side is it takes some time to come to a conclusion quickly, which kind of defeats the purpose of a quick decision.  The up side is that there is never a problem writing a 3,500 word report or present a long, structured discourse on a topic.  So, in my little group, I am normal and I am sure, many people will identify with this.

I will leave this post with this quote from Emerson:- "To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment."

I wish I could give credit for the brilliant photograph of the beautiful ballerinas/acrobats. If anyone knows who owns this please let me know so I can give due credit.

Yoda a Mormon? Sorry!

It was suggested in class this morning that Yoda's fine looks were inspired by our beloved Prophet Spencer W. Kimball.  One might be excused for believing such a legend as it has been sprouted from well intentioned and trusted associates.  There was a time when the writer (that's me) held the belief that this wise sage received such fine looks in the representation of many of the world's wise leaders including Delai Lama and the Pope. In fact, this Mormon Myth has circulated the globe so many times one might be excused for suffering vertigo! 

Sorry to burst the bubble but our beloved little sage finds his roots in the British workshop of Grand Master of SFX Stuart Freeborn who lays sole claim to have found inspiration by his own face - with the addition of Albert Einstein's eyes.  Whatever, myth busted! 

One might also be interested to note that the puppeteer and voice that gave life to Yoda is that of world renowned Master Puppeteer Frank Oz.  Oz also brought life to favourites such as Miss Piggy and Cookie Monster.  In fact, he worked on Sesame Street at the Muppets for years.  (You just KNEW the voice didn't you?)

Digging a little deeper we may find that alas, this whimsical myth may trace its origins to Lucas' association with Gary Kurtz, who produced Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back.  (You can read about this further via the following link:- http://www.adherents.com/people/pl/George_Lucas.html.) 

The cut and paste version (bold, italics and underscoring added) is as follows:- 

"Lucas was born and raised in a strongly Methodist family. After inserting religious themes into Star Wars he would eventually come to identify strongly with the Eastern religious philosophies he studied and incorporated into his movies, which were a major inspiration for "the Force." Lucas eventually came to state that his religion was "Buddhist Methodist." Gary Kurtz, a Latter-day Saint who had studied Comparative Religion extensively in college and on his own, was pivotal in introducing Lucas to Eastern religions (particularly Buddhism) and Native American religion, and discussing with Lucas how best to improve "Star Wars" by giving it a believable but sufficiently universal religious underpinning. Kurtz was the producer of "Star Wars" and "The Empire Strikes Back" and also did some work on the "Star Wars" screenplay."
From: John Baxter, Mythmaker: The Life and Work of George Lucas, Avon Books: New York, NY (1999), page 16."

And for those Battlestar Galactica fans, you may find the following of interest:-

"The most successful science fiction TV series launched soon after the success of Star Wars was "Battlestar Galactica," created by prolific Latter-day Saint TV producer Glen A. Larson. More than anything else, "Galactica" was based on the stories from the Old Testament and on Larson's own religious and historical background as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The series was inspired in part on the stories of the Mormon pioneers, and many key aspects of the fictional star-traveling culture depicted in the series were based on contemporary Latter-day Saint beliefs and practices. But Lucas filed lawsuits claiming that "Galactica" infringed on Star Wars copyrights. Eventually Lucas lost this fight in court, although he did cause headaches for the "Galactica" camp. Larson had even worked out an agreement with Star Wars producer (and fellow Mormon) Gary Kurtz regarding ways to minimize similarities between Star Wars and "Galactica," but that didn't prevent Lucas from suing." (Another cut and paste from the above link.)

So sleep well my pretties, tomorrow the sun will rise and set even though your hopes are now dashed that Yoda was once a Mormon!

(Graphic by Kelvin Chan aka RocketRayGun and can be found at http://rampagedreality.com/post/561008951/yoda-is-a-little-grumpy-this-morning-i-guess-he )