Sometimes some of the greatest truths are hidden in plain sight. In true Israelite fashion the Prophet Nephi encodes his account with the knowledge of the Fathers (even Adam) that was preserved by the House of Israel to come forth in the latter days. This knowledge preserved by Nephi in its purity contains the building blocks of connecting with God and the establishment of Zion. The keys of this knowledge preserved by the Jews reveals the true purpose of the Book of Mormon as a transformational text and guide for future generations to obtain the presence of the Lord as did Nephi the son of Lehi and 3 Nephi and the people in the Land of Bountiful. Using the Keys of ancient Israel, reveals that the "Fullness of the Gospel" is more than just a narrative historical account- but a text book that containing the Science and Mysteries preserved by The House of Israel.
Obtaining the Record of the Jews or Obtaining the Record of Heaven
Many have read the account of Nephi obtaining the brass plates from the possession of Laban in the Land of Jerusalem. In true Israelite fashion Nephi relates this story not only to communicate the literal historical account, but encodes his account to contain sublime teachings that were passed down by the Fathers through the House of Israel. The account he records is his literal account of obtaining the Record of the Jews, but the encoded message is one of instruction on obtaining the Record of Heaven.
The true Israelite walks with faith and trust into the
darkness of the world, but once there he or she has a choice- be overcome and
turn back from the darkness or to transform the darkness into light. We are to transform from the natural man into
the spiritual child of God. In a very
real spiritual transformation, we can rise from the weakness of the natural man
into the strength that comes from connecting with God. Our steps of ascension are guided and fueled
by the Holy Ghost, The Comforter, the Ruach ha Kodesh—The Record of Heaven. The steps in obtaining the Record of Heaven
are the first steps in leaving behind the illusion of this 1% material/physical
world and ascending into the world of the 99%.
The Path to Obtain the Record of
Heaven
Because of his first child like steps of trust, steadiness,
and submission of heart, Nephi is blessed of God. This state or condition of “blessed” represents
his connection with God because of his openness to the teachings and
instructions of God. He has not ascended
into the fullness of the presence of God represented by Celestial World
(Atziluth), but he has commenced the journey into the worlds above. As such,
Nephi serves as a type of every believing man and woman who seeks oneness with
God and a fullness of his rest. As a new initiate along the Path, Lehi sends
his son down into the world from his tent of dwelling to obtain the Record of
Heaven represented by the record of the Jews in the possession of Laban in
Jerusalem.
“And it came to pass
that I, Nephi, returned from speaking with the Lord, to the tent of my father.
And it came to pass that he spake unto me, saying: Behold I have dreamed a
dream, in the which the Lord hath commanded me that thou and thy brethren shall
return to Jerusalem. For behold, Laban hath the record of the Jews and also a
genealogy of my forefathers, and they are engraven upon plates of brass.
Wherefore, the Lord hath commanded me that thou and thy brothers should go unto
the house of Laban, and seek the records, and bring them down hither into the
wilderness.” (1 Nephi 3:1-4)
Just as our spirits are sent down from God’s tabernacle or tent
of dwelling in the high heavens to the world, Nephi is sent forth from his
father’s tent of dwelling to Jerusalem.
His task is to obtain the record of the Jews which symbolizes the Record
of Heaven, even the Ruach ha Kodesh
or Holy Ghost. The record of the Jews
contained a genealogy of his forefathers just as the Holy Ghost or Record of
Heaven contains the connecting line or spiritual genealogical chain to the
Fathers in Heaven. Like the characters
that are permanently engraven upon shining plates of brass, the Record of
Heaven contains the permanent and eternal record (our connection with God) from
the realm of glory and everlasting burnings (Atziluth). Engraven in the Records of Heaven is all
knowledge of past, present, and future including the goodness and mysteries of
God.*
“Therefore it is given to abide in you; the record of
heaven; the Comforter; the peaceable things of immortal glory; the truth of all
things; that which quickeneth all things, which maketh alive all things; that
which knoweth all things, and hath all power according to wisdom, mercy, truth,
justice, and judgment.” (Moses 6:61)
The House of Laban
In Hebrew the name Laban means “white”. In the teachings of ancient Israel Laban
represents what is called loben ha elyon or
“the heavenly or celestial whiteness”.
The name “Laban” represents the power of transformation. He represents the opposition to ascension and
transformation. His house is the location where the conflict to obtain the
record of Heaven takes place. His name
has to do with the transformation from one extreme state to another- like coal
into diamond. At first glance this idea may appear contradictory considering
that Laban was an evil person in whom resided an investiture of power and
authority in Israel-like unto a mighty one of God. Laban represents a mighty one who is in a higher
station that stands in the way to Nephi to
obtaining the record of Heaven. He is an
adversary who attempts to thwart Nephi and his family from their quest to the
promises land (the presence of God).
Laban represents the opposition that serves as the catalyst whereby
ascension or transformation can take place.
His home being within the walls of Jerusalem tells us that the place
where this transformation occurs is in this world of opposition with him
representing an adversary that seeks to keep us from obtaining the record of
Heaven that will ultimately lead us to the Land of Promise.
****
“And now, behold thy
brothers murmur, saying it is a hard thing which I have required of them; but
behold I have not required it of them, but it is a commandment of the Lord.
Therefore go, my son, and thou shalt be favored of the Lord, because thou hast
not murmured. And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go
and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord
giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way
for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them. And it
came to pass that when my father had heard these words he was exceedingly glad,
for he knew that I had been blessed of the Lord.” (1 Nephi 3:5-8)
Laman and Lemuel represent the ego or carnal man that cannot
comprehend the things of God. They
complain because the carnal man finds security in comfort, apathy, and
complacency. Because of their disconnect
with the light of God, they cannot see or comprehend the way. Nephi representing the spiritual man seeking
ascension understands that God has prepared a path or way whereby his children
may ascend. The throne of Heaven does
not command unless it also has prepared the path or way to complete the
journey. Again, Nephi’s obedience,
willing, and submissive heart to God is represented by his “blessed” state of
connectedness or the presence of God that attends him.
“And I, Nephi, and my
brethren took our journey in the wilderness, with our tents, to go up to the
land of Jerusalem. And it came to pass that when we had gone up to the land of
Jerusalem, I and my brethren did consult one with another. And we cast lots—who
of us should go in unto the house of Laban. And it came to pass that the lot
fell upon Laman; and Laman went in unto the house of Laban, and he talked with
him as he sat in his house. And he desired of Laban the records which were
engraven upon the plates of brass, which contained the genealogy of my father.
And behold, it came to pass that Laban was angry, and thrust him out from his
presence; and he would not that he should have the records. Wherefore, he said
unto him: Behold thou art a robber, and I will slay thee.” (1 Nephi 3:9-13)
Laman represents the carnal man of lawlessness (iniquity)
who goes into the house of transformation or opposition to obtain the Record of
Heaven. He requests the record of Heaven
based on the claim of his genealogy or relationship with the Fathers. In resorting to right by pedigree, he
attempts to lay hold upon that which is most holy and in doing so is thrust out
by his adversary who declares that his claim has no legal foundation (i.e.
Behold thou art a robber) whereupon he was thrust out unable to prevail to
obtain the Record of Heaven. The wall of a city protects the city from
robbers, animals, and other enemy forces.
Laban as a Mighty One declares them to be a “robber” meaning that his
(Laman’s) desires are still uncorrected- he is still carnal, sensual, and
devilish.
“But Laman fled out
of his presence, and told the things which Laban had done, unto us. And we
began to be exceedingly sorrowful, and my brethren were about to return unto my
father in the wilderness. But behold I said unto them that: As the Lord liveth,
and as we live, we will not go down unto our father in the wilderness until we
have accomplished the thing which the Lord hath commanded us. Wherefore, let us
be faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord; therefore let us go down
to the land of our father’s inheritance, for behold he left gold and silver,
and all manner of riches. And all this he hath done because of the commandments
of the Lord.” (1 Nephi 3:14-16)
Laman as a man of lawlessness flees before opposition and
because of his carnality fails to obtain the record. Nephi who is still seeking to walk the path
God has laid out to obtain the record of Heaven seeks then to them. The events following though still demonstrate
his youth, inexperience, and zeal as he declares a vow before god, “As the Lord
liveth, and as we live, we will not go down unto our father in the wilderness
until we have accomplished the thing which the Lord hath commanded us.” His vow represents the sheer force of will
that seeks to obtain the things of God.
His zeal and will power to keep God’s commandments are good and
commendable, but as he is still young and inexperienced as all who are young to
this walk. In doing so, his natural mind
seeks to do what appears to be the only logical and reasonable thing obtain the
record through the riches left by his father.
At this level of interpretation, the gold and silver and all manner of
riches represent the vain idols, images, illusions, and things other than God
in which men often put their trust. They
represent the rational mind of man
that walks solely by the five senses.
They also represent the things of enumeration (counting) wherein mankind
seeks to create their own sheets of valuation (i.e. checklists) thinking that
in their checklists of supposed spiritual wealth they can obtain the things of
God, The Record of Heaven.
“And it came to pass
that we went down to the land of our inheritance, and we did gather together
our gold, and our silver, and our precious things. And after we had gathered these things
together, we went up again unto the house of Laban. And it came to pass that we
went in unto Laban, and desired him that he would give unto us the records
which were engraven upon the plates of brass, for which we would give unto him
our gold, and our silver, and all our precious things.
And it came to pass
that when Laban saw our property, and that it was exceedingly great, he did
lust after it, insomuch that he thrust us out, and sent his servants to slay
us, that he might obtain our property. And it came to pass that we did flee
before the servants of Laban, and we were obliged to leave behind our property,
and it fell into the hands of Laban.” (1 Nephi 3:22-26)
At first glance it would appear that gathering the gold,
silver, and precious things constitute the rational
course to obtain the record of Heaven.
Based on human reasoning and the manner in which we enumerate/value
things, the exchange of our precious things for the record appears to be a just
exchange. Laban as a formidable
adversary sees their worldly wealth, status, and man crafted righteousness
again throws them out and sends his servants to take away their wealth. In the wilderness there is nothing of
substance that can give position, rank, comparative righteousness, and
security. In the world, our idols of
position, rank, comparative righteousness, and security are of great
value. Their adversary in takes away
their wealth of illusions; i.e. checklists and images of manmade
righteousness. In doing so they no
longer have standing among the people and institutions of the world. In the
face of the adversary, their human devices and idols fail to deliver the record
of Heaven.
“And it came to pass
that we fled into the wilderness, and the servants of Laban did not overtake
us, and we hid ourselves in the cavity of a rock. And it came to pass that
Laman was angry with me, and also with my father; and also was Lemuel, for he
hearkened unto the words of Laman. Wherefore Laman and Lemuel did speak many
hard words unto us, their younger brothers, and they did smite us even with a
rod.
And it came to pass
as they smote us with a rod, behold, an angel of the Lord came and stood before
them, and he spake unto them, saying: Why do ye smite your younger brother with
a rod? Know ye not that the Lord hath chosen him to be a ruler over you, and
this because of your iniquities? Behold ye shall go up to Jerusalem again, and
the Lord will deliver Laban into your hands. And after the angel had spoken
unto us, he departed. And after the
angel had departed, Laman and Lemuel again began to murmur, saying: How is it
possible that the Lord will deliver Laban into our hands? Behold, he is a
mighty man, and he can command fifty, yea, even he can slay fifty; then why not
us?” (1 Nephi 3:27-31)
The servants of Laban represent those influences, forces,
individuals, groups, and powers that seek to prevent the initiate from
obtaining the Record of Heaven. Unable to overcome these influences, Nephi and
his brothers hide themselves in the cavity of a rock. The cavity of a rock is a cave and the place
of the cave in ancient Israel is called the place of correction. It is the
place where understanding and this world merge to create a suitable vessel upon
whom God can bestow. In this place of
correction, the carnal man (the inclination of receiving to covet, etc) is
corrected. The cave is also a place of death where the natural inclinations of
the carnal man are buried and the rebirth of the spiritual man can occur.
As Laman and Lemuel are angry with their Father and their
younger brothers who represent the maturing child of God, a life and death
struggle emerges. It is a struggle
between the carnal and the spiritual that resides in each of us. Their smiting their younger brothers with a
rod represents the attempt of the carnal man to subdue or even kill the
spiritual man or woman that is emerging through sheer force of will.
This incident at the cave or cavity of a rock is reminiscent
of another prophet and cave of correction. In 1 Kings 19 we see the epic of
Elijah after he fled from before King Ahav and Jezebel seeking comfort and
safety in case. Just as the angel of the
Lord appeared to Nephi and his brothers so too did an angel of the Lord appear
to Elijah to offer instruction and correction as he resided in the cave. In this place the efforts and instruments of
the carnal man are left behind and the submissive will of the child of God (of
whom Nephi is a type) emerges. Even
after the intervention of God’s angel that represents the wisdom and
understanding of God, Laman and Lemuel as the carnal man cannot grasp the
correction. They are overcome by their
adversary Laban as a mighty one who can slay them in their attempts to obtain
the record. Here the angel of the Lord
explains that Nephi has been chosen to ascend because of his submission and
obedience to God as indicated by the phrase, “the Lord hath chosen him to be a
ruler over you”. While Laman and Lemuel
as a symbol of the natural man cannot because of their self-will and
lawlessness.
“And it came to pass
that I spake unto my brethren, saying: Let us go up again unto Jerusalem, and
let us be faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord; for behold he is
mightier than all the earth, then why not mightier than Laban and his fifty,
yea, or even than his tens of thousands? Therefore let us go up; let us be
strong like unto Moses; for he truly spake unto the waters of the Red Sea and
they divided hither and thither, and our fathers came through, out of
captivity, on dry ground, and the armies of Pharaoh did follow and were drowned
in the waters of the Red Sea. Now behold
ye know that this is true; and ye also know that an angel hath spoken unto you;
wherefore can ye doubt? Let us go up; the Lord is able to deliver us, even as
our fathers, and to destroy Laban, even as the Egyptians.” (1 Nephi 4:1-3)
The teachings of the Fathers do not just relate the accounts
given in the scriptures as just historical accounts. Besides the literal account of the Red Sea
dividing, this miraculous event also teaches the inner reality of man and his
ascension in connecting with God. Nephi
cites the parting of the red sea and the deliverance from the armies of Pharoah
not only to draw the minds of his brothers to faith and trust in the God of
Israel, but also to teach us that submission and obedience to God is the way to ascend the center pillar or pathway to God.
The dividing of the waters “hither and thither” represent
the right and left hand pillars of the tree of life. The dry ground represents the center pillar,
pillar of balance or mildness, or the pathway in a strait and narrow course
back into the presence of God. Moses and
the children of Israel represent the spiritual children of God who can ascend
up the center pillar into the presence of God.
The Pharaoh and his armies represent those who natural, carnal, or
egotistical people who attempt to ascend only to drown in the great deep or
waters of the Red Sea. The sea or deep
symbolizes the waters of power (Gevurah) that only part for those who desire and are ready to separate themselves from the natural man who is
self-interested, self-willed, and lawless.
The miracle of separation only occurs through faith (trusting-loyalty)
to God as we are ready to go beyond the reason of our five senses fueled by the
sheer force of love (charity/tzedekah).
Nephi understood that there was a revelation and command
delivered from God to his father-i.e. obtain the record. He had
the initial understanding that is the result of the light that was revealed. In his journey to obtain the Record of Heaven
he leaves his father’s tent of dwelling in the wilderness to go up to Jerusalem which represents the Heavenly City- the location of the Throne of God (Temple) and the repository of records.
In
the teaching’s passed down from the Fathers it is taught that there is no place
where God is not. Even in the darkness
his spirit is the light although the darkness does not comprehend it. Nephi’s
experience reveals this truth that even in the place of darkness the light of
God is revealed. Even in this world of 1% the radiance of God is still present.
Nephi and his brothers venture into this world of danger and are then prospered
receiving the light of revelation. His
declaration to, “Let us go up” indicates his willing and submissive separation
from the natural or carnal man to ascend as the Fathers did thereby overcoming his
adversary (Laban) to obtain the record of Heaven (record of the Jews).
“Now when I had
spoken these words, they were yet wroth, and did still continue to murmur;
nevertheless they did follow me up until we came without the walls of
Jerusalem. And it was by night; and I caused that they should hide themselves
without the walls. And after they had hid themselves, I, Nephi, crept into the
city and went forth towards the house of Laban.” (1 Nephi 4:4-5)
As is usually the case, even though great miracles are
manifest and even angels of the Lord appears, the Natural man in us goes up
still kicking, screaming, and complaining in our attempts to obtain the record
of Heaven and connect with God. As Nephi
and his brothers begin their ascent, they come up against what is called the
klipoth, barrier, or what we might term the veil. It is the place where the ego or carnal man
cannot pass, but where the spiritual man can ascend through the darkness to
engage his adversary. Their first step
of ascension is their decent into the night and into the city.
THE KEYS OF OBTAINING
THE RECORD OF HEAVEN
– The Testimony and the Law
“And I was led by the
Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do.” (1 Nephi 4:6)
In their previous attempts to gain the records, the sons of
Nephi attempted to approach their adversary and obtain the records after the
manner of the natural or carnal man.
Their request based on pedigree was met with expulsion. Their attempt to purchase the records through
the self-righteousness of their idols, riches, status, and other precious
things was also met with their expulsion and failure to obtain the record.
The Voice of the
Spirit:
This time Nephi having separated himself from the natural or
carnal man begins his ascent as a child of God who approaches his adversary
like King David (A man after God’s own heart) - trusting, self-less, seeking
not his own, not being puffed up in self.
He approaches his Adversary with the heart of a child filled with
Tzedekah (Charity- see Moroni 7:45).
With this heart of altruism, he leans not upon his own understanding but
upon the voice of the spirit—being led step by step by God’s voice not know
beforehand what he was going to do, but walking in trusting obedience to God’s
instructions to go up and obtain the record.
“Nevertheless I went
forth, and as I came near unto the house of Laban I beheld a man, and he had
fallen to the earth before me, for he was drunken with wine. And when I came to him I found that it was
Laban. And I beheld his sword, and I drew it forth from the sheath thereof; and
the hilt thereof was of pure gold, and the workmanship thereof was exceedingly
fine, and I saw that the blade thereof was of the most precious steel. And it
came to pass that I was constrained by the Spirit that I should kill Laban; but
I said in my heart: Never at any time have I shed the blood of man. And I
shrunk and would that I might not slay him.” (1 Nephi 4:7-10)
Nephi as a child of God did not declare war upon his adversary
nor did he enter the city with an intent to take Laban’s life. As has been illustrated, our Adversary is Mighty and formidable, in and of
ourselves we have no power to defeat him or that part of him in us represented
by the natural man. It is God who
delivers the Adversary into the hands of the spiritual child with the Adversary
being rendered powerless symbolized by his falling to the earth. Nephi explains that when he found his Adversary
he was drunken with wine. Wine represents the Light of Wisdom (Chokmah). For a spiritual/child of God vessel prepared
to receive the wine the wine becomes light to the soul. For a carnal and natural man, the light of
wisdom reduces him to the level of an animal.
The more light given to the natural or carnal man, the more animalistic
he/she becomes. The more light given to
the child of God, the more pure and refined he or she becomes. The blade of the
sword represents the power to correct the disconnection and disharmony between
God and man. The hilt of the sword being forged of pure gold symbolizes the
power to change the pure ego/natural man into its opposite or spiritual child
of God. The voice of the spirit
compelled Nephi to a course of action that would cause him to slay his
Adversary. His first and natural response was to shrink back.
The Law:
“And the Spirit said
unto me again: Behold the Lord hath delivered him into thy hands. Yea, and I
also knew that he had sought to take away mine own life; yea, and he would not
hearken unto the commandments of the Lord; and he also had taken away our property.
And it came to pass that the Spirit said unto me again: Slay him, for the Lord
hath delivered him into thy hands;
Behold the Lord slayeth the wicked to bring forth his righteous purposes. It is
better that one man should perish than that a nation should dwindle and perish
in unbelief. And now, when I, Nephi, had heard these words, I remembered the
words of the Lord which he spake unto me in the wilderness, saying that:
Inasmuch as thy seed shall keep my commandments, they shall prosper in the land
of promise.” (1 Nephi 4:12-14)
Despite what many think, Nephi was not commanded to commit
pre-meditated murder. His act was based
upon the laws of the goel ha’dam (avenger of blood). This is established by the voice of the
spirit evoking the law of God in Exodus 21:12-13, “He that smiteth a man, so
that he die, shall be surely put to death
and if a man lie not in wait, but God
deliver him into his hand; then I will appoint thee a place whither he
shall flee.”
In the ancient mind, Nephi is rising to the level of
wisdom. In witnessing Laban fallen to
the earth before him, Nephi has reached the place of complete awareness of what
is happening inside of him. His
obedience to the voice of the spirit is not done in a vacuum. He slays his Adversary, a symbol of the
natural man and ego, by making his decision on the basis of the voice of the
spirit and God’s law. In the mind of an
Israelite, the law of God represents the physical manifestation of the
character and attributes of God in this physical world. It is through the law of God that operates in
the physical world that the voice of the spirit is given physical manifestation
in the world in which we live.
The manner of destroying the natural man comes through the
action of two witness: the voice of the spirit and the Law. This is the higher meaning of the scripture,
“To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it
is because there is no light in them.” (Isaiah 8:20) As we make our ascent from the carnal to the
spiritual child of God, there are many influences that can lead us down paths
far from our destination of the promised land.
“Yea, and I also
thought that they could not keep the commandments of the Lord according to the
law of Moses, save they should have the law. And I also knew that the law was
engraven upon the plates of brass. And again, I knew that the Lord had
delivered Laban into my hands for this cause—that I might obtain the records according
to his commandments. Therefore I did obey the voice of the Spirit, and took
Laban by the hair of the head, and I smote off his head with his own sword.” (1
Nephi 4:15-18)
In the mouths of two or more witnesses all things are
established and in the case of ascension it is no different. The spirit testifies according to the
commandments and the commandments of God’s law give the instructions by the
spirit physical manifestation in this world.
Remember, the plates of brass on this level of interpretation represent
the Record of Heaven. The commandments
of God according to his law are engraven upon the Record of Heaven so that
light and structure come together in functional oneness. It is God’s commandment that we receive the
Record of Heaven and it is thus obtained by heeding the voice of the spirit
unity with God’s law-one testifying of the other. In cutting off the head of Laban who
represents an Adversary and also the epitome of one in their fallen animalistic
condition Nephi cuts of the head and ruling triad of his Adversary’s power- his
crown/authority (Kether), His wisdom (Chokmah), and his understanding (Binah).
“And after I had
smitten off his head with his own sword, I took the garments of Laban and put
them upon mine own body; yea, even every whit; and I did gird on his armor
about my loins. And after I had done this, I went forth unto the treasury of
Laban. And as I went forth towards the treasury of Laban, behold, I saw the
servant of Laban who had the keys of the treasury. And I commanded him in the
voice of Laban, that he should go with me into the treasury. And he supposed me
to be his master, Laban, for he beheld the garments and also the sword girded
about my loins. And he spake unto me concerning the elders of the Jews, he
knowing that his master, Laban, had been out by night among them. And I spake
unto him as if it had been Laban. ” (1 Nephi
4:19-20)
After slaying his Adversary, Nephi transforms himself by
taking on the garments and armor of Laban.
Donning the garments of superior authority, wisdom, and understanding
Nephi symbolically transforms into a being of supernal or celestial whiteness-
a new being. In his new identity, he is
able to access the treasury of Laban.
The celestial treasury (Otzer in Hebrew) refers to the source of every
human soul. In his new identity, he is
able to pass by the servant who holds the keys to this treasury. Obtaining the Record of Heaven from the
Celestial Treasury symbolizes our connection and lifeline to God as, “it is
given to abide in you; the record of heaven; the Comforter; the peaceable
things of immortal glory; the truth of all things; that which quickeneth all
things, which maketh alive all things; that which knoweth all things, and hath
all power according to wisdom, mercy, truth, justice, and judgment. And now,
behold, I say unto you: This is the plan of salvation unto all men, through the
blood of mine Only Begotten, who shall come in the meridian of time.” According to the teachings of the Fathers,
every human soul is part of God; like a children to their father. Part of our journey in returning to God is to
effect what is called tikkun or the
restoration to God. Having subdued the carnal nature and being transformed he
is able to assume a new identity in garments and power (sword) he is able to
pass by the servant as if he were a mighty or heavenly being who has a right to
the Record of Heaven. Having obtained
the Record of Heaven they are then prepared to go down into the wilderness to their
Father’s tent or tabernacle of dwelling.
Summary:
The journey of the sons of Lehi represent the first steps in ascending into the presence of God. It involves a submission and subduing of the natural or carnal man wherein one can the breach the wall or barrier that separates us from the Celestial Treasury that contains the Record of Heaven. Laban represents our Adversary, the epitome of ego and the source of the carnal in the world, who stands between us and the record. Attempts to secure our connection with Heaven through carnal, egotistical, and idolatrous means only succeed in getting us thrust out by this mighty Adversary. Nephi who represents the spiritual child of God goes into his place of correction where the natural man is divided from the spiritual man. In true childlike humility, trust, and submission he goes forward not knowing what to do but trusting that God has the ability to reduce his Adversary and source of his carnal man to powerlessness wherein he then is given instructions by two witnesses-the voice of the spirit in unity with the Law of God. In obedience to the instructions given by the voice of these two witnesses, he succeeds in cutting of the authority, wisdom, and understanding of his Adversary. In doing so he can assume the condition and status of a celestial being or mighty one to pass by the servants who guard the Celestial Treasury and obtain the Record of Heaven. The Celestial Treasury representing the source of all human spirits even the dwelling place of God and the Record of Heaven representing the connecting Ruach ha Kodesh (Holy Ghost) that comes with all the knowledge and power to manifest the power of God according to wisdom, mercy, truth, justice, and judgment.
